Toodles the Shih Tzu, new years party

Here are the pictures of the two quiches (spinach and mushroom - leek shitake, procuitto) from the other nite.

Now here is the pix of the fruit bowl going to the party tonight:

Getting my woodworking shop going.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

The big news of the day is Wiley Coyote. Roadrunner (praire chicken dinner) doesn't suit anymore. Seems the wild coyotes prefer Mexican food. Chihuahua appetizers seem to be the plat du jour. Rumors are rampant about Wiley and friends attacking small dogs and (horrors) munching them in front of their owners out for a potty walk.

Toodles got a new blue bandana from Sheplers. He is not too impressed and has slipped out of it twice.  Pix tomorrow.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

Very busy last night. Barking at the dinner guests - Then wagging tail to get pets. Such is the life of  a ferocious guard dog. Two different quiches, green salad and Pino Grigio. Peach and blueberry pie and chocolate cake for dessert. The quiches included a spinach, mushroom and bacon; and a Priscuitto, Shiitake and Leek (sort of a 'fusion' food thing). Worked out really well, although the guests may have not been as enthusiastic as I was about the dinner. Oh well! Recipes on request.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

Jusat hanging out today. Did some training games with cheese treats. Also played with some toys. Don't have fetch down very well yet. I go get it but haven't the knack of bringing the toy back. Few mored days and maybe I'll get the hang of it. Went out for potty before bed last nite. Very aprehensive . . . Nose high in the air and sniffing like crazy. Report of coyotes in the area attacking and (oh my) eating little dogs.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

Today is a great day! Mom and dad went out last nite and (TaDah) I got a doggy bag, (TaDah again). Would you believe baby back ribs. Do I have to do another TaDah? Got the yummy sauce all over my face whiskers - Mom wasn't happy and wanted me wiped down with a napkin. I was saving the whisker lickins for dessert.

As you can see, I put on my cowboy bandana so I could enjoy the treat in sort of an authentic way. Oh, by the way, yes, I have a blue eye and a brown eye. Makes me sexy for the ladies. Ya think? Creeps out a few people I meet on my walks.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

Not too busy today. Barked at a lady walker. (Only barks at the pretty ladies . . . Hmmm). We sat outside and smoked one of our cigars and planned out a tool cart that will double as an extension table for the table saw. Look forward to start the actual building. Posted the Silver service on EBay. Not sure what response the ad will get.

Planted tomatoes and eggplant along with some nasturtiums. Pix to come. Restuccoing part of the back wall near the ground. Seems that a back yard flood last year had lifted the stucco. Will take a few days to get it all done.

The groomer lady not only put a couple of nicks in Toodles' bod, but he also has a cut that is weeping blood just below his left eye. Groomer is history on that note. We are watching the Red Sox/Rays game and chilling out this afternoon. Out for prime rib tonight.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

The sign about says it all. We are getting used to the haircut. Few little nicks that are not appreciated. Cold now. Used to lay on the tile floor as it was cooler. Now its all carpet and warmth. Off to get water softener salt, drop some donations off at the Sheriff's Posse and boy stuff at the hardware store.

bad hair day

Well, its done . . . Toodles and the groomer got together. Whole lotta different dog ;>}, His one blue eye and one brown eye are now very out there for people to see. He hates a bath, by the way. Had an almost ingrown dew claw that was clipped in the nick of time. He is about half the size he was when he had fur. Had to make his collar much smaller. He doesn't seem to act like there is a difference. More to come.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

Finally, the truth comes out! Toodles was out on the back patio enjoying the walkers, with and without canine companions. And I with my coffee had settled down for a long paper's crossword. While we were outside someone (no names are mentioned) peed on the middle of the bed. The only one in the bedroom was Mrs Katz the cat . . . No need for Sherlock here. Someone peed on the floor couple of days ago and Toodles was blamed for the indescrete act. But, now there is another possible candidate for this. Yessss.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

busted out of the cage yesterday and had an 'accident'. Cleaned up and all is well. Took a three poop walk this morning. Don't know if I have to save a wine cork . . . The cat seems to be an issue. He is preventing the cat from getting to her food and potty box. Nothing overt. Just plunks himself down generally in the path from the bedroom to the cat box. He waits for her. If she just walks by him, all is OK. But, if she decides to run then it is a game afoot. No idea how to change the behavior. More to come.

Toodles the shih tzu

We discovered birds this morning during our walk. Boy do they look like fun toys. The birds had a different view of matters. Also we discovered the cat. New game - sit about three feet apart and have a stare down contest. Still with the cough that we are treating with hydrogen peroxide and honey. More later.

Toodles the shih tzu

The kennel cough drama continues. I have made a decision to try the hydrogen peroxide and honey treatment for the cough. The antibiotics really haven't worked to get rid of the problem so am trying the more homeopathic route. (Few drops of Hydrogen Peroxide in water bowl, tsp of honey on his tongue - he likes it.)

Toodles the shih tzu

Eating, pooping, peeing and watching Animal Planet - what a life. Still have a little kennel cough. Going to the vet on Thursday morning to address that issue. Friend came by and Toodles wanted to go for a ride in her car. Hmm - no loyalty, I guess. Note on vet visit. If given a good bill of health its going to be a bath and pedicure and puppy cut. Mainly a bath. smells like a dog, would you believe! More pix coming soon.

Toodles the shih tzu

We made it through the night inside the cage. Didn't break it open far enough to get out. Still with some kennel cough. No one out to say hello to this morning. Or to watch Toodles poop. (such a great whatever). Ate a nice bit of dinner last night, so maybe the health probs are behind us. We'll see. Pix tomorrow of walkies, etc.

shih tzu dog

Toodles is busy meeting the neighbors during his morning walks. The topiary poodle wasn't around so he got some pets and 'cute dog'. He really doesn't like the food - any of it. I suspect that again I will have to go to the store and find another brand that he will eat.

We ended up cleaning his backside this morning. Along with giving him a hair clip in the nether region. Seems he retains some of the stuff he expels. The scissor job should help. Still fighting the kennel cough but it seems to be getting better. He and the cat are getting within 6 feet or so apart. Cat still growls. Toodles cocks his head to one side as if to say, "what's the big deal?"

toodles the shih tzu

The game last night was how to get out of the night bed cage. Simple - just worry it to death until the back end comes apart and walk out. Terrific. Toodles is well housebroken and didn't 'potty' until he was on the lead and out in the back. So now my main fuction in life is the dog poop picker- upper.  Food is the other main issue. He still is not too interested in eating his dog food. I jazzed it up by adding a little chicken stock. He ate some of it. More on the diet wars later.

Toodles the Shih Tzu

Well, I am now a dog owner. Shih Tzu. Yeah, I know it's a small fluff ball. Got him at the pound. He was slated to be fixed. However, when the vet grabbed for his balls - there wasn't any there. Chalk another one up for the brains of the pound volunteers. Anyway, he came home Monday. Didn't want any thing to eat. Just a few slurps of water. Took hime to the vet ($98.50) who pronounced him a dog with a little 'kennel cough'. Antibiotics, anti-weepy eye stuff and see him in a week. When I told the vet about the lack of appetite, he gave Tootles something from a Great Value squirt can (cheese whiz?). Lapped it up. Guess he doesn't like the IAMS chow that I bought - if it is good for you it tastes lousy? I got the idea that Tootles wanted me to send the kibble to the home for little wanderer puppies. I got a small bag of Beniful (sp) and added it to the IAMS. He ate it.

Toodles was turned in by folks who claimed that they couldn't afford to keep him. Although leery, he is a cutie and I decided to risk it. He is extremely quiet. Walks great on a lead - never pulls or strays. He does get a bit anxious when it is time for him to go potty. Pooped on the vet's office front lawn. Change for that $98.50.

His only encounter with another dog during this morning's walk (how about that, I'm getting some exercise!). Guy with a poodle all cut like a dog topiary. The guy moved aside while we passed and told his poodle nopt to associate with a scruffy little dog. Scruffy! Who the hell was he to call my direct desendent from a stately wolf, scruffy?

About Mrs Katz - the cat. They have had a confrontation opposite directions. Don't think that is a relationship made in heaven. I'm sure that the cat is happy that the dog and I are in my office outside the house. He has only barked at one person - Bob, a friend who has alzeimer's - he forgot that the Toodles barked at him when he walked into my office so it wasn't an issue when Tootles barked again.
More to come.