A Brand New Year - 2009

This is the year I have been waiting for. A year where everything is 2,009 times better than 2008. No more sick animals, no more family drama, no more anything negative!

As always, it's about that time to make New Year's resolutions. Whether we keep them or not, it's still part of the tradition of ringing in a new year, right? I'm not going to even bother making any, because well, we all know I won't keep any. ;-) But The Mafiosos seems to each have one resolution for this new year.


Bruno promises to try and shrink his FLH (freakishly large head). He wants it to be normal-sized by this March so a St. Patrick's Day hat will finally look normal on him.








Carmela promises to stop hiding in places where I can't find her.








Vinnie says this is the year he will achieve his Canine Good Citizen title.
It's been long enough!





Gino says he promises to stop eating earthworms when it rains outside. He says it was funny hearing me scream as he ate them, but now he kind of feels bad for me, so he's going to stop doing that.





I asked the three cats what they resolved to do this year and they all looked at me and laughed. They said "We are cats; we never promise do to anything." Although I think I did hear Blue say that she promises to not get sick every again like she did this year. It was barely a whisper, so I could have been hearing things.

"You heard no such thing, crazy lady!"

2009 is going to the year that makes up for 2008. I pity the fool that tries to stop that! :-)

Smushed Pugs

Only my Pugs would try to cram their 25lbs and 16lbs butts
into a crate made for a 3lb dog.

Kat Kingdom

Ryan built this awesome cat condo for the kitties.
They are in seventh heaven!

Look! It even gives cats magical powers!
Molly can fly!

All that's left for me to do is to line the tunnels and shelves with Sherpa. Now, to fine the time to do all of that... ;-)

Lookouts

"What?! This couch arm has the best view in the house!"

Happy HowlODays!

The Canine Mafia wishes you the very best this Holiday season!

Did You Know?

That they make life vests for 3lbs dogs?







Did you know that a 3lb Chihuahua cannot be stopped from barking at squirrels even if she is wearing said life vest?







Did you know that a 3lb Chihuahua will totally bark at you and demand that you stop taking her picture?

"Will you stop dressing me up already?
If you want something to dress up,
have a kid already!!"

Did you know that Bruno will do anything for a cookie?

And by anything, I mean even wearing Carmela's life vest on his freakishly large head??

We Gave Blood!

Bruno passed his screening to be a blood donor for UC Davis' Canine Blood Bank. So we headed off to make our first donation of blood!

Bruno won the entire staff over with the powers of his freakishly large head. He was showered with cookies which immediately made everyone his new BFF's. The entire process lasted less than 15 minutes and the machine they used to take a pint of blood was not as scary as I thought it would be! It went off successfully and Bruno felt well enough to chase a squirrel after his donation. :-)

The one thing I did not think about was the fact that Bruno cannot be walked out with his leash attached to his collar. Since the donation site is located at the jugular, it's not a good idea to apply any pressure to the area immediately after the dog has donated. So the staff helped me make a makeshift harness using his belly.

I also received a copy of all the tests preformed on Bruno's blood during his initial screening. I added up the costs and this is well over $400 worth of free tests! Included in the screening were the following tests and detection of pathogens:

• Anaplasma phagocytophilum
  
• Anaplasma platys
• Ehrlichia canis
• Rickettsia spp (including RMsF)
• Mycoplasma haemofelis and haemocanis
• Leishmani
• Babesia sp (including canis, divergens and gibsoni)
• Brucella canis
  
• Von Willebrand Factor
  
• Heartworm
• Blood Typing
• Chemistry Panel
  

So if you haven't given this a second thought and your dog qualifies, please think about participating with your dog! You'll be helping to save lives in the process!

Here is more information on who can qualify as a dog blood donor:

Donor dogs for the new program must

• Be 1 to 8 years old,
• Weigh at least 55 pounds and
• Never been pregnant or had puppies.

Other information

• Dogs and their owners must live within 100 miles of UC Davis.
• The initial health check, which includes veterinary services valued at $300, will be free.
• All subsequent donation visits will also be free.
• If any health problems are detected, the owner will be advised to follow up with the dog's regular veterinarian.
• Those accepted into the program will return in two to three months for a half-hour donation visit.

At the animal's first visit

• The appointment will last for about one hour.
• The dog will be given a health check.
• The dog will be screened for infectious diseases.
• A unit of blood (about one pint) will be collected.

Dog owners interested in learning more about the blood donor program or scheduling a health-screening appointment for their dog should contact the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at (530) 752-1393, ext. 421.

Maybe when you're done you might get a cool scarf like Bruno was given. :-) However, you probably won't have the freakishly large head needed to complete the ensemble.

P.S. We are totally ignoring the fact that "Science Diet" has infiltrated the world of canine fashion!

P.P.S. That *is* Bruno's happy face! :-p

P.P.S. We donated blood before Bruno was diagnosed with a tumor! So no worries that we are giving out tumor laden blood! :-)

Do You Want To Know A Secret

Listen, do you want to know a secret?
Do you promise not to tell?




Closer, let me whisper in your ear...



"SUCKER!!"

I present to you Exhibit A that Blue is feeling a lot better: her trying to whack my camera. Blue is inching her way towards the finish line of recovery!

Benign Baby!!

The tumor was benign and was taken out cleanly. WOOT! Take that cancer and shove it up your ass!


Time to celebrate!!

Pod Mission

Molly and Maggie are ready to take off in their Pods.

They are in search of the planet called Catnip!

Bouncing Back Bruno

Bruno is doing well today. The anesthesia has completely left his system and he's back to to his normal self.

Especially his eyes....which is a relief. The anesthesia for some reason made his eyes completely dilated and it was sort of creepy to look at his eyes. He looked like he either smoked some very special herb or was high on an acid trip.

Now I am engaged in a constant battle to keep his sock on. I really don't want to have to subject him to an Elizabethan Collar, but if he continues to rip the sock off and lick his stitches, then I will.




I realized that the news of Bruno's tumor was not explained very well by me. During one of Ryan's and Bruno's famous wrestling sessions, Ryan discovered a lump on Bruno's left forearm. When it comes to lumps and bumps, I don't mess around; I quickly made a vet appointment and we were seen the next day.

My vet said it could be a type of tumor that bully breeds (and especially predominantally white dogs) often develop and most often from exposure to the sun. The vet did not like the location, feel and size of the lump and recommended excising it right away. Due to the vascular and muscular structure of the forearm, it was possible that as the lump grew bigger, it could possible develop into the muscle and have its own set of vascular connections constructed by Bruno's body. The tumor was quickly lasered off and sent to be biopsied.


It is in times like these that I love my vet.

It is in times like these that I hate waiting.

Hopefully, the results of the biopsy will come back quickly and I can finally exhale.

If there's ever a lesson I have learned from this, it is that I will give all of The Mafiosos a daily rundown with my hands all over their bodies. This way, I will be ahead of the lump game!

Bruno will also most likely have to wear sunblock from now on. He has to protect his sensitive pink skin. ;-)




Alright, enough technical stuff...onto the fun part. :-)

Even though the rule is no dogs allowed on the couch, today I made an exception. I could not say no to his pitiful face.





Ryan also shared a waffle with Bruno this morning. Bruno is now exclaiming "But I had a tumor and could have died...and will die if I don't have [insert item wanted here]!!"

Enjoy it while you can B-Man!





Thank you to everyone who has sent their prayers, good thoughts and juju our way. I know I've asked a lot from every one first with Blue and now with Bruno. I appreciate every thought and tear sent our way. Opening my inbox to see numerous emails wishing Bruno the best has helped me tremendously to keep staying positive. Thank you!

Busted Bruno

Hey, dude...you're busted! No jolly balls in the house. The last time you brought that ball inside, we had an incident with you knocking stuff over. Remember?

"We did? I don't remember."

'Need some help?" asks Carmela.
"Let me handle The Meathead."


"What exactly are you doing to do, little one?" asks Bruno.
"You can't exactly make me do anything!"

"LISTEN TO MA AND TAKE THE BALL OUTSIDE, NOW!
I SAID NOW YOU BIG HEADED FREAK!!!!"

"Oh dear, God!" exclaims Bruno.
" Make her stop!!!!"

We Are Home

We're home. We're crying. It's been a rough year for our furkids.




Bruno had 3 times the normal anesthesia dose for a dog his size. His giant muscle mass made it almost impossible for him to go under. He is not feeling too hot as he comes out of it.




We will know in 3 days what type of tumor was removed. Please keep us in your thoughts. The one word we want to hear is BENIGN!!!

The tumor was removed via a laser, so any surrounding areas that were even thinking of getting lumpy were also hit. Take that stupid tumor cells!!

In the meantime, Bruno says he's ready to go outside and pan handle in order to help pay this year's vet bills. ;-)

"Excuse me...could you spare
any cookies, er, I mean change?"

It is a tumor

We lasered it off and are sending it off to biopsy.

At the vet's

Getting a mysterious lumped checked out. Please send us lots of JuJu.

Mobile Blogging

This holiday torture has been brought to you today by the letter "R." As in "Ryan." :-)

Big Butt Bruno

"What??
As long as he doesn't fart, he's the perfect heater!"

Carmela's Closest...

Fawn was very nice to send Carmela some fashionable evening gear. In case Carmela receives an invitation to a holiday party in the next few weeks, she'll be ready to go in this designer cheetah print dress!




In addition, Fawn sent Carmela some fashionable collars!









Fawn's gift had me in stitches. Only Fawn would be able to find a cheetah print dress! :-p




Ok, cue up that RuPaul video again! Because Carmela is about to work it, girl!

"How do I look?"

"How about from this angle?
Does this make my butt look fat?"

"Wait...don't answer that!"




"How about the collars?
Do they look alright?"



"Now I can totally show my support
for my friend Parker!"




Thank you Fawn!!

Still CHP

A Chihuahua doesn't stop patrolling just because it is the Lord's day!

We're Winners!

(I am sure The Mafiosos do not include me in the title!)


Daisy The Dog has given us an award! WOOT!




Daisy The Dog and Dennis The Vizsla have also tagged us! I guess we're it! We'll do both simultaneously, so that my carpal tunnel doesn't flare up. ;-)



Five Smells That The Mafiosos Like:

1. Cat Poo
2. Tripe
   
3. Anything dead...the deader, the better to roll in!
4. French Fries
5. Dad's shoes

Five Smells That The Mafiosos Don't Like:

1. The deliciously smelling shampoo I use on them during bath time. Pet Fresh scent works wonders and lasts for months!
2. The smell of an empty cookie jar.
3. Cat poo in the garbage...they believe that is a sin!
   
4. Clean bedding; it's more comfy when it's stinky. Or say they claim.
5. Their own farts -- they try to blame me!
   

The Mafiosos 8 favorite foods:

1. Cat Poo
   
2. Cat Poo again
   
3. Cheese
4. Bread/Toast
5. Tripe -- the smellier the better!
   
6. Hot Dogs
   
7. Yogurt
8. French Fries

8 Things The Mafiosos did today:

1. Whined through the cat door while I made raw meals in the garage
   
2. Barked at the Corgi next door
   
3. Licked their butts (not all the same time though!)
   
4. Barked at trespasser squirrels
   
5. Went for a car ride
   
6. Played with the Jolly Ball
   
7. Barked at Blue
8. Took a nap in Bruno's crate
   

8 Favorite Stores:

1. The Mafiosos are not allowed to go with Ma to the store, much to their dismay!
   

8 Restaurants:

1. Three Sisters. The Mafiosos can sit outside in the patio providing they do not talk "business." I also sneak them a few chips. Hehehe..
   
2. I don't know of any other restaurant were dogs are allowed. Does the cookie bar at Petco count?
   

8 Things The Mafiosos look Forward To:

1. Dad coming home so they can bark their heads off
   
2. Chasing Blue down the hallway
   
3. When I forget to put the baby gate back up; this means the Cat Poo buffet is open!
   
4. Dinner
5. Dad giving them chewies that make me shout "But those are bad!!"
   
6. Raw Bone Sundays
   
7. Sneaking onto the couch
   
8. Bedtime - they each get a cookie for going in their crates. Two cookies if it's Dad turn. ;-)

8 Things The Mafiosos Like To Do With Family:

1. Hiking
2. Going to the school yard for a romp
3. Swimming
   
4. Going for walks
   
5. Going to the beach
6. Sharing dinner (although they wished this happened more often!)
7. Going for car rides
8. Visiting friends and family

8 Things on The Mafiosos' Wish List:

1. A cat they can chase without fear of being smacked in the face by a set of claws
2. Cat Poo flavored cookies
   
3. Frisbees
4. Cookies
5. Their own personal couch
   
6. Dinner that happens six times a day
   
7. A swimming pool
   
8. A new Jolly Ball

8 Buddies I’m Tagging with both the meme and the AWARD!!!!

1. Bison and Lindsay
2. Parker Malone
   
3. Rocket and Delilah
4. Fergus the Dog and his little brother, Ryder!!!!
5. Gabby and Flirt
6. Marley
7. Scorch and Wolfie
8. Little Brown Dog
   

CHP

Chihuahua Hijinks Patrol

You Better Work It!

Carmela received a very generous gift. Bison's Grandmother passed along lots of clothes that no longer fit her dachshund puppy.




I also had a realization that 99.9% of Carmela's expanding wardrobe has come from friends buying or donating clothes. That is my punishment for declaring "Never will I dress Carmela! NEVER!"

Turns out that I do have to dress Carmela. Not for fashion's sake, but for warmth's sake. If I take her out on a walk with the boys and the grass is wet, she shivers and you can hear her bones rattle. I asked my vet about this and my vet said in very tiny dogs, prolonged exposure to the cold burns lots of energy. This can lead to low blood sugar and eventually shock.

Well, if I am going to be categorized in the "Crazy Woman Who Dresses Her Dog" group, I might as well let you readers revel in the craziness!


And hence, we begin Carmela's Fashion Show!

(It is extremely neccesary to play the following video as you scroll down to see the pictures!)

First up, we have this classy green ensemble. It has such a warm covering for the neck area and an gorgeous snowflake appropriate for the upcoming holiday season.







Just as warm is this cute little Argyle number. The cream color matches perfectly with Carmela's cream- tipped toes.







In case it is very cold outside, we have this outfit which provides complete body coverage. Once again, it would seem that Argyle just loves Carmela!







We also have this cool little vest/harness combo...it's perfect for when it's semi-chili outside but the sun is out in full force.







This puffy down jacket has become a favorite. I will guarantee you that soon, every Chihuahua on your block will be wearing a jacket like this!



No seriously, this is my favorite jacket. It has this cool slit in the back for her leash and keeps her really warm. So warm, that I will sometimes pick her up and shove my hands in the jacket for a little warmth. Hehehehe...


Next up is the Street Cred series. Just because Carmela looks very serious in Argyle doesn't mean you shouldn't take her serious! She's willing to throw it down every once in a while and wants you to know she "knows" people from the hood.

No, really, she does!





Still not convinced??


How about now?

"Yo yo yo! Word up, homie!"

"You causing static, bro?"

"Just remember!
Don't write a check
your ass can't cash!"

"What?? What are you looking at?"

"If you're dogging me,
you better be prepared to scrap!"

"I warned you!!!"

"Who you tryin' to get crazy with, esé?!
Don't you know I'm loco?!"