Happy Annibirthary!

I'm actually a little late with this post, as it should've been done last week. However, since I've been pretty bad at posting to this blog, guess I'm doing pretty good only being a week off.

Mr. Bojangles has now been in my life for a little over a year and I can't imagine not having him in it. His adoption wasn't expected, as I was simply going to donate pet food to the local pet food pantry. However, when I saw him I knew that we were destined to be together...he was my dog. About two weeks after Mr. Bojangles arrived, my kitty unexpectedly passed away at only 11 years old. It was--and still is--very hard. It's gotten better over the past year, but I still miss Jonson every single day. Mr. Bojangles has helped me through a terrible time. He is so loving and affectionate and his world revolves around me...how could I not be helped by such unabashed adoration.

Not knowing when he was born and with only a rough guestimate as to his age when I got him (two), I adopted his adoption date of March 5th as his birthday. We celebrated at two of his doggy playgroups. At home, we had some "pupcakes" from the bakery at the local pet store. Bojangles is a picky eater (he really loves meat), so he didn't really care for his treat, but it didn't go to waste...not with two hounds in the house.

It's Allergy Season

We've had a very mild winter, so as a result everything is blooming early...which means allergies have arrived. Like humans, dogs and cats are susceptible to allergies. Chihuahuas, with their little noses and tiny air passages have a harder time with allergies. Mr. Bojangles was having the most horrendous dry, hacking cough and sneezing. Yesterday, I called the vet's office (after I finally got through) and the prescribed Benadryl. So, off to the store I went to pick up some children's Benadryl for my four-legged child. I decided on the liquid Benadryl, as it is fairly easy to administer and very easy to figure out the dosage. With a pill, I would've had to quarter it...no easy prospect since the pills are small and not scored.  I debated in the store over to buy the name brand or the generic. I liked that the generic store brand cost less and was dye-free...unfortunately it was bubble gum flavored. I wasn't too sure how the bubble gum flavor would go over, so I chose the brand name bottle with it's red dye and cherry flavoring. At least he didn't spit it out, which is what I was afraid of. It seems to help. I've only given him 1/2 of the dosage amount prescribed, because I was afraid it might cause drowsiness and he sleeps enough as it is...I didn't want a totally comatose dog all day. Hopefully, once the blooming cycle gets going a little more, allergies will slow down.

On the Catwalk

Is where I'm hoping my DOG will be in about a week's time. Cincy Chic is hosting a Pet Fashion Show and voting is on through tomorrow for the top dogs to strut their stuff on the catwalk. Mr. Bojangles should have no problem making the top twenty, but I'd rather have him as close to the top as possible. It's unlimited voting, so some dogs are really racking up the votes. How could this guy not be top dog?

Please vote for me to strut down the catwalk.

The event benefits Recycled Doggies, which is the rescue that saved Mr. Bojangles from the kill shelter.

My Social Butterfly

In order for Mr. Bojangles to be more socialized, I try to take him as many places as I can. Plus, he always wants to go out with mommy and doesn't like to be left home. Last month we went to a "Christmas in July" event at a local ice cream shop. The event was sponsored by a local pet store, Pet People and goodies and coupons were handed out. If your dog came dressed in costume, you could win a gift card. Mr, Bojangles got a gift card upon arrival "because he's so cute." (I'm not biased if I agree, right?)

We also joined a couple of small dog meet-up groups. We first went to a Chihuahua Meet-up (on a Saturday) and then to a Chihuahua/Yorkie Meet-up (on a Tuesday evening). Mr. Bojangles did a great job with the other small dogs, and though he was one of the larger dogs at both groups, he was also one of the best behaved. I wasn't sure how he'd react, not having had him with a group of dogs before. But, he did a great job and at both groups was complimented on socializing very well. We had a little more fun a the second meet-up, simply because we got to go outside.

This past Saturday Mr. Bojangles went to the Saturday Chihuahua meet-up, but this time it was a birthday party for the tiniest Chihuahua in the group, who had just turned 1. There were cupcakes for people and a special doggy cake. Bojangles doesn't like a lot of treats, so he didn't want any of the cake...but he made a new Chihuahua friend, Leo. Later that afternoon, we went to the Recycled Doggies Alumni Reunion event. Unfortunately, the event was outside and it was super hot and super humid. I didn't know it was outside and was not happy to find out it was. There were a lot of booths, a lot of people, and a lot of dogs at the event to celebrate International Homeless Pets Day. Unfortunately, way too many people and way too many big dogs combined with the heat did Bojangles in, so we left early. It was disappointing, but Bojangles was quite happy to sit on me in the car on the way home.

Next up is the Yorkie Meet-up, which we got invited to join since Mr. Bojangles is both a Chihuahua and a Terrier (possibly a Yorkie, but who knows.) The one thing I do know is that Mr. Bojangles has more of a social life than I do.

I'm Officially Obsessed!

Sleepy Mr. Bojangles with his sock monkey sweater.

I had to start a new blog, because I'm in love. In love with my chihuahua/terrier mix Mr. Bojangles. So, on this blog I will be posting my pictures (believe me, there are a TON) and musings about Mr. Bojangles, dogs, and more.

To start with, I've always been a cat person. I grew  up with cats and have always lived with cats. I never had a dog until a little over four years ago. Stanley, the Beagle, is my first dog and he is a great dog, but he is older and doesn't cuddle...although he does love to get head rubs. More on Stanley in my next post.

Stanley relaxing at the dog park.

Mr. Bojangles came into my life March 5, 2011. The BF and I went to donate pet food to the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry "Stuff the Bus" campaign. Rescue group Recycled Doggies was also having an adoption event. Since my parents went to the adoption event to get a dog, they wanted us to see the one they picked. So, we went inside...and that's where I met Mr. Bojangles.

Most of the dogs at the event were big. I remember the smell in the room, it was warm, a little stuffy, and totally smelled like "dog." Lots of dogs. The crates were lined up along the walls and we went around looking at the dogs. I saw a small, scruffy dog named "Rags." I asked to take him out and that was the beginning of the end.

I never thought I would be a dog person (although, I love animals and would love to rescue all of them in need) deep down, I'm still a cat person. However, Mr. Bojangles is a perfect cross between a dog and a cat and I'm totally obsessed. So, I hope you will share in my obsession.