Spring Cleaning?

Is it spring already? Coz my M and MM have been so busy cleaning the house the last 2 days. Well, 2 nights ago, someone came to our house and demonstrated with this machine, and they bought it. I don't like this machine, which they say is a vacumn cleaner, coz after they bought it they started cleaning the carpet, sofa, their bed, my bed and even me! It's noisy and it blows and suck in air at the same time

My MM said that it's my fault that he had to buy such an expensive vacumn, but my M has been going around telling everyone how she likes the machine, coz it sucks out all my fur from the carpet. I can't help it if my fur gets stuck to the carpet.

Anyway, she even took a photo to show how much fur has been taken out. Her old vacumn can't even clean this well. This is what happened to the water from cleaning just the carpet.

Yucky!


My M claims that the water is dirty from the cleaning, and the ugly mess of thing is my fur. I deny that accusation! It's not my fur, my fur's not that yucky! Will someone go tell them to stop accusing me of dirtying the house when it's their own want that makes them buy the vacumn? Now everytime they clean the house they go, "Herbie it's all your fault"

Poor me.

Surfer Dudes

Warning, this is gonna be one of those extremely graphic intense post again.

It's a wonderful day and we're back at the beach again. Aunty W said that she suggested going to the beach again coz Tommy had not bathed for a month and it's about time he takes a shower. No wonder Tommy's starting to smell weird recently.

My M went to the market early in the morning to buy breakfast to bring to the beach, and she almost forgot me! Looking at the diagram below, I am the brown X, made to do a down stay while my M, the blue X, went to buy food at the stall. The round circles are tables, and the little black dots are a group of aunties who will come into the picture later.

Scene re-enactment


My M, after buying her food, was so busy thinking about what to buy next, that she walked away without collecting poor me, who was still lying there obediently. It was only when she almost reached the ends of the stall (red arrow) that she remembered me (!!!) and walked back. And I think the aunties knew, coz they smiled at my M and said 'you forgot about him ah?'

What a start to my day!

Anyway, back to the beach. Joey was as usual extremely busy with his ball, and Jack was as usual sitting on the beach with a grumpy face. I keep telling my M, don't waste time taking their photos, it's the same pose everytime. Just take any old photo and change the date. If you don't believe me, just go to my M's photo gallery and look at their beach photos.

Same pose


Same pose again!


As for me, I was initially happily chewing my coconut, hoping that there might be some juice or meat left.

Where's the darn meat??!


Until Tommy went fetching and he brought this back.....

Look what I found!


I thought life would be safe without crazy Uncle C around, but I was wrong.... the humans decided that Scuba needs a lesson on surfing. And not the internet-blogging kind.

Surfer Scuba!


Is the term surfer scuba an oxymoron? Since scuba divers are supposed to be underwater but surfers are above the water?

Scuba apparently, was really trying to stay ABOVE water. For a dog named Scuba, he sure hates the water. So Tommy decided to go out to the rescue.

Hang on there, bud!


Don't worry, we're reaching land soon!


And would I be so naive as to think that with the rescue of Scuba, it will be the end of the story? Of course not, coz poor me is next in line!

Arrrghhhhh!


Look at my totally disgruntled face, did they think it was funny?

Urgh.... can someone get me out of here?


Boy was I glad when they finally let me off and swim back to land. Look how happy I was once my paws touched the ground. What a contrast to the gloomy faced me in the first picture.

Land ahoy!


And what was Tommy doing after getting me and Scuba into trouble? Happily running around with his rope toy and getting all sandy!

La di da~~


Call me Sandy


And of course, before we all leave, we had to take a group picture.

Say cheese!


And right after all the magic shot was taken, we all ran back to our owners. Scuba looks half awake here. He was complaining that usually wakes up at 9-10am but this morning he got dragged out of bed at the ungodly hour of 7am and dragged to the beach and forced to swim.

Yippee!


I am sooo, sooo tired from this morning's activity that I think I will need the whole day to recuperate. Excuse me while I take my nap.

Wake me up only when it's dinner time

Parking woes

Uncle M got a parking fine the other day when Tommy came to our house. Luckily, he wrote in an appeal and the fine was waived.

However, I think he should do this the next time:

Totally confuse the parking lady so that she won't know if she has to give you a ticket or not.

My M saw this car with a whole dashboard of parking coupons. What an ingenious driver!

Tagged Again!

I've been tagged again, and by 2 other doggie friends, no less!

This time I'm supposed to come out with 5 things that make a good doggie friend.

A good doggie friend:
1) Always share his toys (I would too if I have toys)
2) Will help his friends eat up the food that they don't like
3) Console his friend after a fight
4) Humped, and be humped
5) Welcome his friends to his home anytime

I don't know who else to tag, everyone else seemed to have been tagged, or double tagged (anyone got triple-tagged?).

Bon Appetit!

I went to Paris last night and came back.

Oh all right, not really Paris, but I can always pretend right? It was my M and MM's anniversary and they went to this little french place and had dinner al fresco. We all pretended we were on the streets of Paris eating and looking at the traffic. And I was supposed to be 'Fifi', I think it's a common french doggie name?

I don't mind being Fifi for the night, because I get to nibble at french cuisine as well! My M was feeling generous so she gave me a bite of everything, and later, big bites of the main course she can't finish.

Look at what I ate! Forgive the blurry pictures, they forgot to bring their cameras and had to use their handphones.

Pan Fried Foie Gras


I know, I know, it's very cruel to the goose, but I've never, ever tried it before, and others are raving about it, so I just gotta try it. I'll apologise to the next geese I meet for eating his friend.

Escargots!


My MM said I should not be given escargots. He's worried that I'll develop a taste for them and start digging for snails the next time we go for walkies.

And the main course....

Lamb Shank


Duck De Confit?


Look at that duck swinging right in front of me! I was made to sit and salivate while they try to take not too blurry photos with lousy camera phones.

Duck hypnotism...


I wonder if I can convince them that everyday should be an anniversary, then I can have french food everyday!

The almost no dinner

I almost had no dinner tonight.... again. I really don't understand why there's always some boo boo or another regarding such a simple thing as my dinner. This time it's my M's fault. She bought pork from the supermarket for my dinner tonight, and she did not put it in the fridge! It was left in the car while she had dinner, coz she thought the meat won't spoil from one hour in the car.

Well, she is VERY wrong! After cooking my dinner this morning, she thought it smelt kinda weird, and my MM affirmed that my dinner STINKS! And with only half an hour to go before she has to leave for work, there is no time for her to buy more meat at the market.

The thought of going to Scuba's house again for dinner did cross my mind, but my M was hoping that we need not impose on him. Luckily, she managed to dig out a piece of chicken breast from the freezer. Thank god for microwave, so that she can defrost the meat in time and cook my dinner.

So the moral of the story is, meat spoils very easily. And always keep a spare breast in the freezer (no pun intended).

Belly Belly Happy

With reference to Rafv's musing about Mickey's sleeping habit, my M found evidence of me doing the same thing.

Belly, Belly Comfortable


I like sleeping like that, but my M is blaming me for putting paw prints on the wall. Note the marks circled in red.

Belly, Belly Dirty


Oh well, why can't she pretend that it's the hollywood wall, I mean, walk of fame. Just put some stars there and I'll even autograph the wall.

Wine and Cheese Party II

The humans really know how to enjoy life. They've been having wine and cheese party almost every night for the last few nights, not that I'm complaining, since we dogs get to eat the cheese as well.

But I must commend them for the ever increasing fine selection of cheese. Look at what we had last night!



10 different kinds of cheese, grapes, celery, carrots, assorted biscuits and bread! Sounds like a meal in itself!

I can't remember all the names of the cheese, but they're generally:

1. Have to ask Aunty V, forgot what cheese it is, but Uncle C calls it the cartoon cheese, coz it's got holes like the cheese in tom & jerry cartoons
2. Camembert
3. French Brie - My M's favourite
4. Port Cheese?
5. Apricot Cheese
6. Mexican Cheese - but the humans call it the otah cheese, coz it looks like otah
7. Matured Cheddar
8. Blue Cheese
9. Smoked Cheese - the humans call it the ham cheese, coz it looks like ham *duh*
10. Boursin Herb Cheese

Don't ask me what I like best, coz I love them all! *licks*

Don't call me if you don't want me

Humans are funny people. Well, just the night before, when my M took me down for my toilet break, there was a family standing at the void deck, waiting for who knows what. Usually I'm unleashed when I go for my toilet break, so there I was, sniffing the grass, and I heard the family commenting how cute I was. Since I'm off leashed, my M will usually keep a look out for people around us, and if she sees anyone, she'll make sure I either stay away from them or she'll recall me to her side, in case the stranger is afraid of dogs.

Well, this group of family, besides being charmed by my looks, their teenage kids also started making welcoming noises like 'tsk tsk', you know, how you'll usually call a pet. And my M thought they should like dogs so she did not attempt to recall me.

Now what does a dog do when he's called? Like any other obedient dog, I went over of course! And like any other strange humans, the kids started screaming. Of course my M called me back immediately. Mind you, I wasn't even running. I just jumped over a low hedge and was trotting over. Luckily, the kids's saner dad told them not to scream and that I won't bite.

My M almost wanted to roll her eyes at the kids. And this is not the first time something like this happened. The last time, it was an adult who went 'tsk tsk tsk' at me, and when I went over, she screamed as well.

Don't they get it that, if you don't want a dog coming to you, then don't make encouraging noises at it!

Did someone call?

Wine & Cheese Party!

We had a wine and cheese party on Saturday, or rather, the humans had the wine and cheese, and we dogs just begged for whatever scraps.

What're we waiting for?


Well, the humans, after a very satisfying dinner, suddenly had a craving for wine and cheese, so Uncle M, Aunty W, Aunty V and Aunty S went to Cold Storage at 9pm just to buy this...

Say Cheese!


while my M and MM went home to get the wine. We had a selection of blue cheese, french brie, pepper boursin and smoked herb cheese. Of course, the humans had to make us take a picture with temptation right in front of us.

Can we eat now?


Forgive the blurry picture, we can't help but moooove in anticipation.

The humans can't finish all the cheese, so they're saving it for tomorrow. If I had my way, I'll have gladly finished it up for them. Oh well, I can always beg again tomorrow.

Can't wait.... hiak hiak hiak

Attacked by Rottie!

A few days ago, this man bought an unmuzzled rottie (rotweiler) into the park. Well, I was minding my own business initially when that rottie (whom I found out was called bear) started attacking me! He held on to my tail and refused to let go and even went for my neck!

And the worse is, no one came to help me!










Attacked!

See poor me, already going belly up from the attack and yet my M had time to whip out her phone to take photos.

Ya ya, I know I wasn't really in danger, but still, Bear IS a rottie, nevermind the fact that he's only 3 months old. I hope he doesn't acquire a taste for my tail when he's older.

Don't tell my M that I was actually secretly enjoying myself.

Another reason why i hate lampshades

They make me look stupid.

But my M thinks it makes me look egyptian... groan

Poor Sheila

Aunty G sent this email to my M, with a link to ASD (Action for Singapore Dogs) website, telling the story of this poor, loyal dog called Sheila. ASD is a non-profit organisation that helps abandoned and stray dogs find new homes. Their work are carried out by volunteers and they depend on contributions from the public to continue their good work. So help them if you can!

Poor Sheila's evil owner moved away and left her alone in the house, for 6 months! Sheila stayed on in the house, waiting for her owner to come back for her, but he never did, or rather that evil ^$&#* did, once a week to collect his mails but he did not collect her. She was reduced to skin and bones and had a multitude of health problems. Luckily, someone alerted ASD to her plight and she was rescued.

Now ASD are trying to find that owner so that AVA can take action against him. I hope he gets caught soon and hauled to court for animal abuse.

And bad Aunty G was saying that I won't be such a loyal dog, coz I'll follow anyone who offers me food. That's not entirely true! I mean, I will still eat, but I'll eat minimally just to survive. After all, I'll have to stay alive to wait for my owner to come back for me. I'll skip all the treats and begging. Really! When I first came to my M, I was so depressed that my ex-owner didn't want me, that I refused all treats! Oh darn, I don't think anyone will believe me now. Ask my M, she's my witness!

Anyway, the Aunties were saying if I were abandoned, I'll most likely make my way to the neighbour's house to beg for food. Hmm.. actually, that's not a bad idea!

But putting aside food and begging, I'm sure my M would not abandon me.

I *heart* my bowl!

I'm gonna get a new water bowl, and a huge new dinner bowl as well, if my M can find a dinner bowl big enough (I say, the bigger the better! for more food!)

The reason my M was doodling the last time was coz she's making me a new bowl. This is what she bought at ikea...

Ceramic bowl


It may look big but it's only about 16cm wide. Joey's HC had already hinted that this size is perfect for him and Jack, talk about being fast! My M would like to know if anyone knows where to buy bigger, ovenproof ceramic bowls.

First to go on is my name.

Herbie


Then the picture itself....

Me!


Considering that my M is not exactly artistically inclined, I would say that this is not too bad. It's actually traced from this photo here:



How's that for comparison? Next comes the painting part. Somehow I look kinda different with the color.

So far, so good


And finally, the finished product!



Oh well, not exactly finished. The bowl has to be dried first then baked before it can be used.

My friends are so envious that they have already started hinting about x'mas. Well, throw a few bones my way and I'll consider cajoling my M to make a few more... hiak hiak hiak

Me?

Does it look like me? My M was doodling, and she's no great artist, but I think it looks somewhat like me, no?

Maybe compare with this...

It's official

I'm fat. No matter how much I try to suck in my tummy, it's still bulging out now. My M has been suspecting I've put on weight but her suspicions were confirmed when the neighbour's maid at my M's old home commented that 'Herbie fat already'.

Arrghhhh!!

My dinner's getting reduced again. Darn!

I've been tagged!

By Opy.. and no, it's not anything edible, although I wished it were.

According to Opy, "the player of this game starts with "5 weird things/habits about yourself." Then you tag 5 friends and list their names. The furries who get tagged need to write on their blogs about their 5 weird things/habits, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. Don't forget to leave your victim a comment that says "you're tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

Lemme think... weird habits, weird habits...

1. My snores sounds like wheezes
2. I'm a Golden Non-Retriever, as in I don't retrieve
3. I prefer my bum scratched rather than my head
4. I like to put my head on the lap of anyone who sits with me in the car
5. I like to squeeze myself in between humans and the dog that they're scratching so that I can get a scratch as well

I tag Joey, Scuba, Jaffe,Bond, Huskee

Burp!

I had a truly wonderous dinner last night. My MM was the chef for the night, but the dinner was wonderful not because he's a great cook, but because he's a blur cook. You see, before my M left for work, she packed 2 plactic bags of mutton and pork, which was supposed to be my dinner for last night and tonight. One of the bags contained vegetables, so she told my M to 'cook everything in the bag with the vegetables'. I think my M only heard the 'cook everything' part, so viola, I got 900 grams of meat, almost a kilo!

My MM even told my M that night 'how come the dinner so much? Need to split into two bowls.', and my M, knowing that my dinner bowl was quite a small size, thought nothing of it....

... until today. She opened the refrigerator to cook my dinner to night and realised there's no meat! I've got no dinner!

Luckily, she called Aunty V and asked if I could have dinner at her place. And of course nice Aunty V agreed. I love Aunty V!

So I'll be having dinner at Scuba's later. What a wonderful start to the week!


(M: I did not realise that he actually ate so much last night, and he could still beg at V's house! And had durains! Talk about never-ending pit for a stomach!)

Beware of Fur-rocious Dogs

Yeah, we're lean, mean, fighting machines. My M suddenly hit upon the idea of taking a picture of angry/ fierce me. Of course, I seldom get my hackles up, unless it's over my food or strange big male dogs humping me. Since none of the aunties would risk having their dogs near me when I eat, there's no way my M can get a picture of an angry me that way.

Speaking of letting other dogs near me when I eat... I'll only fight over MY food. As in, MY dinner bowl or MY bone. If it's given to another dog, I won't fight with the other dog for the food, but if it's given to ME, then it's jolly well MINE. That's why my M don't like me eating chew treats outside, coz I take my time chewing, and some inquisitive dog who comes too near will get his head chomped off. Apparently the aunties are well aware of that face, so everytime I'm having my dinner, they will remind their dogs that, 'killer dog eating ah, don't go disturb.'

Yeah, I'm a killer dog, geddit?

Which brings me back to the point. Since there's no food, and no strange big male dogs humping me, my M can only DIY my fierce look. Here's her feeble attempts.

Growl


Picture A: Show teeth, angry brows... but not fierce
Picture B: Show teeth, raised eyebrow... somehow I kinda look stupid in that
Picture C: Show teeth, I'm getting bored... my M says I look like a pig

So she got the expert help of Aunty W.... which resulted in

Picture D: More smiley hyena grin than fierce dog

So we got Uncle M to try... with all of us. Forgive the blurry pictures...

Don't mess with us!


I think Uncle M did a slightly better job. Scuba does look fiercer, maybe coz of his beady eyes. But somehow, it reminds me more of teeth competition than 'who's the fiercest dog' competition.

But do not let these pictures deceive you. I'm truely a killer at heart... so don't mess with me, especially my food!

Erm.. and ya... ahem... *growl*

Huggies

Aunty V says that scuba is a gay dog tonight. Gay as in happy. But I'm not very happy about the connotation. I was forced into this pose by the humans and I'll have you know that I am very straight, never mind that I have no balls.