A Spot of T

Too Busy

Keeping Mushu Safe at Night

We have teenagers in the house.  Two of them and one who moved out but visits often.    2 + 1 = 3.  Mom taught me that.

Mom says those teenagers...and all their friends....are coming and going so much it makes her head spin some days.  She said with all those teenagers driving up and down the driveway and me outside a lot, it makes her worry no one is paying attention when I'm outside and running around.  She says I don't pay attention and she says the teenagers don't always pay attention either.  She might be right.

So mom didn't want me to get run over because she said if I did I would be flatter then a pancake.  I like pancakes.  I especially like pancakes with butter on them.  I don't get enough pancakes though.  That's my opinion.

Mom said I wouldn't like to BE a pancake so she bought me a new collar.  The Meany Man made fun of mom when he saw it.  He said "What next??" and mom said "I'm not sure."  Then she said "Oh be quiet."  She tells me to be quiet when I hear someone come up the driveway and I bark my head off.  My head doesn't really come off so don't worry.  But I know how Meany Man felt when she told him to be quiet.  He still made fun of her though.  Not like me.  I listen to mom when she says to be quiet.  Well mostly I do.

Mom put together a short film with me wearing my collar.  I look like a UFO.  Then I run away from her a lot.  Then I look like a UFO again.  The End.

If the video doesn't work you can go to YouTube and see it there.  It sometimes takes awhile for the video to process so please be patient.

Mushu Goes to the Groomers

I was visiting a blog I can't for the life of me remember and in the comment section someone had recommended a video program for the blogger to try.  I wrote the program down on a piece of paper and then promptly forgot about it.  Until today.

And I know.  It's actually a pretty sucky shaky video, but don't bug me.  I'll probably most likely not get better.  And an even bigger AND....for all the dog lovers out there who are going to write and tell me Mushu should be buckled down when we're driving.  I know ok.  He has a harness I normally bring to hook him into his seat but I was late and couldn't find it so ran out of the house without it.  Personally I think Mushu hid it but I don't have any proof of that.  So I know.  Dogs loose in a vehicle is not good.  To think 400 hundred years ago our farm dogs used to ride free as a bird in the back of the old farm truck with us 10 year olds driving through the field and hitting every gopher hole while we went.  Guess they were tougher back then.

If you can't see the video below...and want to so you can make fun of me....you can click here and it will take you to YouTube.  The video has just been uploaded so it takes awhile for it to show up in my Youtube file.

YOU'VE Got Mail

Mom had a whole other post that was supposed to be up but Typepad burped or puked or whatever it did and now she can't find the post.  Ah well.  She said everything happens for a reason because after opening the mail this morning she said she just had to post what I got in the mail.

The Boy stops and gets the mail on his way home from school every day.  Which is fantastic.  If mom actually bothers to open the mail.  Sometimes she will go a week without opening the mail.  The Boy brought in the mail on monday and I tried telling mom there was something in the mail for me.  I knew it because I could smell it.  So this morning....wednesday.....she finally asked why I was constantly sitting and looking at the dining room table and why I would sometimes put my front paws up on the dining room chair and sniff the air.  I'm not allowed to put my paws up on the dining room chairs.  But I am allowed to sniff the air.  I smelled something goooooood.

The minute she came over to finally see what I was going on about and lifted the one envelope?  I just about pee'd with excitement right there on the floor.  I didn't though.  I only pee in the doctor's office sometimes.  And in the groomer's office sometimes.  What?  I have an exciteable bladder.

There were two beautiful cards inside.  One for me and one for mom.  I'm only going to go show you mine here because it's my day blog.  Guess who the card is from?  Go ahead guess.  Ok I'll tell you.  The card is from Chloe and Jeanne from Bermudabluez.  Mom stood there and said "Oh my!  Isn't that just the nicest thing in the world??!"  I said "Yes.  Now give me my treat please."

Above mom is letting me sniff the treat package that came with the card. Look how pretty Jeanne and Chloe wrapped my treat!

This is me taking the treat from mom.

Mom tried to take a picture of me eating the treat but I bolted to my favorite spot the minute she handed it to me.  By the time she got down there, I had already eaten it.  Every last goodness of it.  Then I licked the spot on the rug where I had laid the treat down.....

Then I looked at mom and said "More please?"

A huge big doggy hug and slurp go to Chloe and Jeanne.

Mushu's New Bench

Three years and countless stores later, my human mom finally found 'the' right bench for under the window in her office.  Anyone who calls that woman an impulse buyer would be wrong.

I have been spending days and nights on this bench since she brought it home.  It's the perfect height and I can now rest my chin on the ledge and look out the window and watch all the birds and deer and one squirrel and that pesky neighbour dog doodoo head.  I can go on it anytime I want to and mom even bought me a little rug to put in the front of the bench so I had something to grip onto when I jump on and off of it.  Otherwise the floor is slippery and I fall on my head.

I sleep here all the time when my mom is in her office.

I love my mom.

Does Mushu Like His Picture Taken?

I've been asked a few times now, with all the pictures I take of Mushu, does he like to have his picture taken or does he just tolerate it.  One word will answer this question quite nicely.  No and no.  No he doesn't like his picture taken and no he won't tolerate it.  Unless the bribe of a treat is used.  Or I catch him sleeping.

As you can see from the video he's a bit of a pain when it comes to me trying to 'capture' him with my camera.  This was the Flip I had in my hand, just imagine a digital camera where you're trying to focus on you're subject who is avoiding you at all costs.

Yes he is hiding under my chair in the beginning of the video.  Yes that is 'stuff' all over the floor because I'm cleaning my office right now.  Gotta problem with that??  Mushu's tail wagging?  Means I'm sooooo having fun messing with you and your camera.  The paw up?  Means I will sit still for a treat.  I will sit all day long for a treat.  Me flicking the camera a bit in the video?  Means if he thinks I'm taking the camera away....he'll look up or sit still.  When I bring the camera back down?  He looks away or walks off.

Mystery Solved

Mushu is in time out.

You may have heard Mushu whine on here before about not getting enough to eat.  Like his human mom, he has weight issues right now.  Unlike his human mom, he has someone...me...who keeps an eye on him and controls what he's eating at all times.  He dropped 5 pounds and was looking quite svelte for a pup of 8 years.  He has since gained some back.  But he's always starving.  Just ask him.  Add in that he has allergies....which I'll write about another time....and limited to what he can eat and...he's starving.  Just ask him.

I was going to make a fun little video with me talking in the background all not professional-like about Mushu's favorite treat I give him.  The same treats I found out are not allowed in Australia.  Or maybe they are but definitely should be kept in the sealed original package when sent.  Otherwise the border patrol (or whatever you call them) thinks you sent something illegal and will confiscate them.  Or something.  Uh.  Anyway.  Instead I present a really shaky video with my voice barely audible in the background, and if you do manage to hear my voice I want to remind you this sounds nothing like me because I was shocked at what Mushu had brought in from outside.  And?  I've been playing with the Flip lately and noticed something.  Why does my voice get higher when I talk to the dog?  Surely I don't talk baby talk to my dog.  *gasp!*

Anyway.  This Flip video does solve the mystery of why Mushu wanted outside 14 million times yesterday.  I have no idea where his new found steakbone came from and I have no way of knowing how much he ate before appearing back in the house with this in tow.

I do however, fear Mushu is trudging his way through the deep snow, then through all the trees that border our property and the neighbour's property......sneaking up to the neighbour's house....and stealing the neighbour dog's dinner.

Thief.

Butthead.

Mushu 'Flip's

Ok not exactly flip but I did sit and wonder what the heck my human mom was up to.  Was it a treat she was pointing at me?  Was it dog food?  Was it a new toy?  No.  It was mom ripping open a package and pulling this thing called a Flip out and then pointing it at me.

She has wanted one for awhile now but I'm not sure what the problem was.  I do know a really nice lady named Frannie asked if she could help mom get one and mom said "YES please!".  Just like that too.  "YES please!".  She was walking around the house today saying "Thank you thank you THANK YOU to FRANNIE!" and "Frannie rocks!" and I followed her slightly confused and thinking to myself "What in the world is she talking about.  And who is this Frannie?"

Mom said she had lots of running around to do yesterday and it was all she could do to not open the package in the vehicle.  But she opened it the minute she got in the house and I was the first official victim one to have a video made.  I really wish she would have given me time to wash and comb my hair though.

The Color White

Mom has had a lot of emails and comments asking how she keeps me so white, so today I thought I would let mom answer.  But I typed it out.

Mom says:

If you go to any pet store you will see rows of whitening shampoos for dogs.  There are probably a million different brands of shampoo out there and I'm sure most of them are top notch.  I don't use any of them.  Instead I use a product from Aveda.  It's called Blue Malva Shampoo and when you pour it into your hand you will see it's purple in color.

That's right, I use my human shampoo on Mushu.  Or I should say I used to use this shampoo on my own hair when I was letting it go grey.  I have since started dying my hair again and this shampoo does not work well on color treated hair.  What the Blue Malva Shampoo does is take grey or 'naturally' blonde hair and it takes out all the yellowy brassiness that light colored hair usually has in it.  If you use the shampoo on color treated hair, it will make a very dark brown color go a very light brown color after only about two washes.  And as much as us women pay to get our hair done, we don't want that color fading in just two washes.

So that is one of the things I use on Mushu to get his coat so white.  I can only use certain products on my own skin otherwise I break into one huge rash all over my body, so trust me when I say I have tried a gazillion different products in my lifetime and have found THE best products to use on very sensitive skin.  This means I use Aveda on Mushu and he has never had a problem with it irritating his skin.  I do still watch so I don't get any of it in his eyes when I'm bathing him though.  I also make sure and rinse him very very well to get all the shampoo out.  So far so good and I'm telling you, his coat is whiter then most groomers can get him.

Now.  I do have other little tricks I use too.  Such as lemon water sprayed on his beard can make that rusty color go away.  If not go away, then certainly make it lighter.

Every once in awhile I will also use hydrogen peroxide on his rusty beard.  You take some HP and dab it on the stain on his beard, let it do what it does which is foam, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth making sure you thoroughly dry it.  I don't ever let the HP touch Mushu's skin, but if you do happen to get it on their skin, make sure you get it off right away......and never let it sit there.  It can dry their skin out and it can even burn their skin.  We sure don't want that.  I've never had a problem though and I just dab short sections at a time and make sure not to get it on his skin.  It works though!

Another tip?  If you want to hurry the drying process along....which I normally do.....I dust some cornstarch on the fur in the area I want dried and it helps to dry any of the remaining moisture.  Extra bonus with cornstarch?  It also helps to whiten the hair more.

Back to me...Mushu:

Thanks mom.

So you can see there are a few tricks mom uses to keep me nice and white.  It is also becoming clear to me today why she screams "MUSHU STOP THAT!" after she finishes giving me a bath....and then she sees me rolling around outside in deer poop.  So from now on I will really really from here on out promise with all my heart not to roll in any more deer poop.  Really.

My. Mom. Is. Making. Me. Wear. These.

Today I was going to answer some questions that have been coming into me.  Questions like "How do you stay so white?" and "How long is your tail?", stuff like that.  But no one will get to read the answers to those questions this week because mom intervened and is making me show you my new booties.

Why am I wearing my new booties?  Because the temperatures here have been -45 ° Celsius in the windchill and when I went outside before, I would be out for exactly 2.5 seconds and then come in crying because my paws were so cold.  Then I would spend the next hour licking them because they hurt so much.  So mom ran out and bought me booties and now I can go out much longer and I don't cry anymore and I don't even lick my paws anymore.  But I still don't like the booties.  They make me walk funny.  And no matter which way you look at them.......

....I think they make my feet look big.

Mushu and His Sunbeam

Pssst.  Mushu?  Hey Mushu?

yawn.  smacksmacksmack.  Hmmmm?

How many times have I told you to stay off the furniture pup??

mumble yawn...Counting today I think it will be 11,459 times.....why?

Mushu Is Not Amused

"So much to do so little time Mushu." That's what my human mom was running around the house saying this morning.  Then she grabbed her camera bag.  I ran to the door and jumped up and down and did the Bichon dance but she said "no".  She said no to me.  I don't understand.  When mom grabs her camera stuff that always means mom and Mushu time.  She brings water for me and some of my treats and then she stops to get a big coffee and a muffin and then we're on our way to take pictures together.  She said no to me.

When I finally realized she meant what she said and I really couldn't come and have some mom and Mushu time, I gave her my best sad look.  So she let me sit on the chair in her office to look out the window for a little bit while she got ready more.  It helped a little bit because I got to bark at the neighbour dog, but then she took her camera and started taking my picture.  I wasn't amused.  So I wouldn't smile for her.  Then she laughed and scratched my head and gave me a kiss.  Then she took me off the chair and ran out.  And now I'm really not amused.

I think I'll go get into the garbage now.

Birthday Pup

Today is my birthday and I turn 8 years old.

 

You can wish me a Happy Birthday if you want too?

Mom wanted a big fancy post for my special day today but I told her I wanted this picture because I really like it.  There is a snowman behind me that's all lit up.  Can you see it?  Isn't he pretty?  Mom has trouble seeing it too but if you look close he's there.  He's my friend so that's why I wanted this picture for my birthday picture.

Mom is out all day today doing some running around, but this morning before she left I got extra hugs and kisses and extra long scratches under my (arm)pits.  She also took time to scratch behind my ears and under my chin.  And when she scratched under my chin I melted right there in her arms and drooled a little bit out of the left corner of my mouth.  Mom just wiped it off and laughed and called me silly pup.  I love my mom.  Then she gave me one of my favorite treats in all the world.  Three slices of Christmas orange.  Have I mentioned how much I love my mom?

She said when she gets home later tonight we get to go to the puppy park and I'm excited about that.  She also said she will have a special surprise for me when she gets home.  Now I'm excited even more because I like surprises.

So today is my birthday and I am 8 years old.

Ma Ma Ma Moooo Cards

Ma Ma Ma makes.....me look...well...I'm not sure what it makes me look like.  I just like humming the milk song.  Kind of.

Mom ordered some Moo postcards because she was curious what the quality would be like.  She squealed with delight when she opened up the package so I'm guessing she's happy with them.  She didn't order very many because she didn't want to "throw my money out the window."  She threw a muffin out the window one time for some hungry birds.  I wonder if it's the same thing?  And if that's the case then I say those birds don't need anything else to eat because I could always use more food.  They don't feed me very much here.  Did you know that?  They don't.  Practically skin and bones I am.  Honest.

Right now she's out doing some running around, but some nights I hear her in her office and she's trying to learn something called "blasted photo shop".  Something about "cleaning up the pictures a lot" before we order any more moo cards.  I hear her, I listen, I just don't understand a lot of it.  She swoons over 'blasted photoshop' almost as much as she swoons over me, but I don't give her as much grief.  Not this week anyway.  There was the incident with the underwear underneath the staircase again, but we won't get into that now.  Right now 'blasted photo shop' is making her eyes water and go crossed and it's kind of funny.

I sit in my office chair and watch her.  She talks to herself a lot.  Then she puts her headphones on and listens to music and sings.  I can hum.  But I wish I could sing.

Wednesdays With Mushu

When mom is sad it makes me sad.  I keep an eye on her and I follow her around the house.  If she goes downstairs then I go downstairs and watch her.  If she goes in the kitchen I sit at the edge of the kitchen and watch her.  If she goes down to the couch in the front room to sit and think, I go down to the front room, jump up on the couch beside her.....and watch her.

Yesterday mom sat in her office.  She didn't go on the computer very much.  She just sat there.  Looking out the window.  Her office is her favorite place in the house and I always join her like I did yesterday.....so I could watch her.  Mom has a special chair in the office just for me.

I like to be close to mom when she's working in the office......

......I also like to look out the window to keep an eye on the birds, neighbour cat, squirrels, deer and the occassional moose.

Yesterday I sat and stared at mom most of the time.  She would move her chair closer to me, scratch my ear, rub my chin and tell me what a good pup I am.  We just sat there.  Looking out the window together.

It makes me sad when my mom is sad.

Mushu Does a Trick for J

I received my first email last week from a little human named 'J'.  J is almost 3 years old and asked if I did any tricks.  He also asked if I was getting my own blog.  Ok his mom asked, J doesn't care where I am as long as he can look at me.  Thanks for reading J.  Mom says I have to clean up my act now that she knows little ones may come across my Mushu posts.

I do know tricks J.  Ok I only know one trick, but mom always says if she wanted to she could teach me more tricks.  Because I'm smart as a whip.  That means really really....really smart J.

The trick in the picture above I learned when I was just itty bitty.  Mom was asking if I wanted a treat one day and I got so excited I put my paw up.  Just like that.  No one taught me, I just did it.  Mom squealed with delight and told me what a good pup I was and I liked her cuddles and squealing so much I've done it ever since.  I did my trick for you this morning J so mom could take my picture.  And I got a treat so I am giving you puppy kisses for helping me get a treat.

Sometimes.  When I think I'm starving.  Starving means really really....really hungry.  I will follow mom around the house and everytime she stops and looks down, I will sit down and do my trick.  She used to give me treats each and every time I did this trick and life was really good there for awhile.  Until my doctor told me I had to lose weight because I was eating too many treats.  Puppies shouldn't get overweight because it isn't good for them.  Being overweight isn't good for anyone so make sure and eat all the good things your mom gives you J.

Life is still really good and my mom feeds me a lot of good things now and I get lots of exercise and I am not overweight anymore.  I still do my trick though.  Because it still makes mom go "Awww pup you are so precious." then she leans down and kisses me on the forehead and scratches my left ear.  And every once in awhile I still get a treat for doing my trick.

Your mom's Mushu blog question?  Mom says to tell you to tell your mom that it is in the works but might take a few months to get from paper to blog.  Mom is particular with what she wants for me and my blog so she isn't in any hurry to get just any old blog up.  She's like that.  She also has another project on the back burner which she is researching to death and says there is only so many hours in a day.  I know she's right about that because when I nap all day?  It just doesn't seem like enough.  So she is very busy but it will happen.  Which is what I love about my mom.  Nothing is ever done half way with her and when she says it will happen it will definitely happen.

Thank you again for visiting and writing J.  I like little humans and give them big slurpy kisses when I see them.  I love giving kisses and I love you J. 

Mushu Luv's U Award Recipients

Mom and I have been thinking long and hard on the new awards L-Squared and Willowtree made for me so I could hand out.  Mom's been thinking even harder on the packages to send to these two wonderful people and I do believe she has finally calmed down enough to fill the rest of the packages and send them on their way.  She may be slower then molasses some days but she never forgets the kindness of others and the packages will arrive to their destinations.  Patience my pretties.  Or wait.  That might be a different movie.  As far as I'm concerned she worries way too much about those kinds of things.  Throw a bone in there and send something already.  Noooo, she's got to think long and hard and make them just right.  I say everyone likes parcels in the mail no matter what kinds of things are in them.  Except cats.  I would not like to get a parcel with a cat in it.

Ok.  So the parcels will be mailed by the end of this week.  Check.  Next thing on the list?  Who to give the awards out to.  Oh the dilemmas in life a young pup must deal with.  I tried making mom pick and she said she would help, but I had to do it all on my own.  Have I ever mentioned she can be mean?  She can you know.  Because I would like to give my awards to everyone.  Mom reads so many blogs and if she is reading them then I know they are good.  Her time is precious she says.  So what is a pup to do?  Well.  I guess he dives right in and starts already is what he does.

Mom and I put our fuzzy heads together and we have decided to hand out the awards to people who touch our hearts.  After all, it is a "Mushu Luv's U Award" and mom said because I'm such a loveable lickable pup who brings happiness and warm fuzzies to my entire family and those I meet, it's only fitting the award be given to animals and humans who do the same thing.  Oh boy and are there a lot of people who touch mom's heart.  It will be awarded randomly throughout the year and it will be an award that CAN NOT be passed on.  Because I can also be a greedy pup and it's my award....all mine.

We have also decided with the award will come a small gift in the mail.  Mom and I are both hoping this works how we want it to and people and animals won't freak out when we ask for their snail mail addresses.  For the ones who freak out easily, I guess the award for their blog will have to be good enough.  But mom sends when she finally stops fretting over the darn contents awesome gifties so hopefully no one will shy away.

Because I believe in having choices, the two award recipients will be able to chose the award they like the best for their blog.  I love both awards that were made, so there's no way I'm going to choose out of the two.  Besides, having color choices for your blog is always nice.  That was mom who wrote that!  I don't care about color.

Oh I think I hear music which means I'm supposed to leave the stage I think.  So on to the awards already.....

                                        

To the Recipients:

"Mushu Luv's U Award" is awarded to an animal or a human who brings happiness and warmth to those around them.

There are two awards to choose from, so please go ahead and pick which award you would like to display on your blog. (updated to say:  copy and paste award to your blog).  This award is NOT  to be passed on.  It's just for you.  Because you're special.  When you come for your award, please email mom (Joy) at aspotoft@shaw.ca with your snail mail address.  Mom and I have picked out a special gift just for you that we hope you will like.  (updated to say:  ok.  What mom and I thought would happen is happening.  "Oh don't worry about a gift.  Just the award is good enough."  People.  Look into my cute black eyes.  I 'want' you to have the gift.  Now stop being so nice and hand over your snail mail addresses.  But only if you want to.  Please.)  If you are leary about sending your address then please enjoy the award as it was meant to be...a gesture of kindness for being special. 

The first animal to receive my award is......Billy Boo from Billy's Dog Blog

Billy Boo is an 8 year old rescued Shitzu.  He doesn't write often on his blog but when he does, mom and I love him.  We have been lurking at Billy Boo's blog for awhile now and I think if you go back to Billy Boo's first post, you will see why mom and I like him so much.

The first human I want to lick and give the award to is........Frances from Blogjem

I can not say enough kind things about Frances.  She is the fearless leader on she who blogs and she constantly amazes mom with how she keeps up on all of the blogs.  She will often post emails to the yahoo list with updates on blogs and mom sits here dazzled by her.  Now of course, it takes much more then running lots of blogs and yahoo groups to receive my award.  Frances has a heart of gold and mom has often said how much she thinks France's heart is bigger then life.  I can't think of anyone more deserving than Frances to be the first human recipient of my award.

And there we have it.  Now I must go nap.

Bad Dog Product Review

I wasn't planning on doing a product review.  It just worked out that way.  Sometimes things just fall into your lap and you have no control over it.  Or.  Things are strategically placed in mom's purse and you somehow manage to get the zipper on her purse open and take out the scrumptious morsel you see below.

At first I thought the product was called Bad Dog because that's what mom said when she found me testing out the product under the spiral stairs in the basement.  I do my best testing under the spiral stairs.  No one bothers me, I can think better and give the task at hand my full and complete attention.  I feel this is very important if you are going to give an honest and accurate review.  No.  Not Bad Dog.  The product is called Second Cup Café Delights.  This flavour is Moccaccino and it's a chewy granola bar.  140 calories.  3.5 g of fat.  26 g Carbohydrates.  1 g Fibre.  14 g Sugars.  2 g Protein.  I couldn't find where it was born and what it weighed at birth but hopefully the numbers above will give you an idea of what's in it.  I hear people like to know these things and I aim to please on Bad Dog Product Review.

First is the packaging.  I like the shiney package and the colors are great.  But.  The package is hard to get into.  If I could talk to the makers of Café Delights I would remind them dogs don't have thumbs and this makes it very hard to get into the packaging.  Minor detail but important when you are trying to quickly steal get into a product.

Next is the appearance of the product.  I didn't look I just ate.  Next time I test this product I will take more time to actually look at the product.  Until then.  I think it was brown...ish.

Taste.  This product was more delicious then the dead baby bird I chowed down that one time in the back yard.  I believe it was the summer of 2004.  Good memories.  Good times.  No this product was much better.  A very sweet rich mocha taste to it.  The granola is nice and chewy and it doesn't get stuck in the carpet when I'm eating it.  It has a swirly thin coating of mocha icing on it and it made my ears stand up when I ate it.

I think for a nice sweet treat once in awhile, this product would be fantastic.  Not to be eaten every day, although I would like to.  Mom was given two sample bars at the Second Cup drive-thru she goes to, but I think you can buy these bars in a box.  6 bars to a box.  Not sure.  I'm.  A.  Dog.

I hope you have enjoyed Bad Dog Product Review.  Next week I hope to have a review on some of the Halloween candy I see sitting on the coffee table in the front room.

Mushu's Award/s

It was tough.  Mom said she felt sorry for me because the awards L-Squared and Willowtree made are both very nice and it would be hard for anyone to pick a favorite.  And she's right.  But I'm a dog and dogs don't really have to follow the rules of what everyone else does.  What does this mean?

It means I can have more then one award and I am so happy about that that my curly little piggy tail is wagging like you can't imagine.  Because one award is nice.  Special even.  But two awards could mean I'm all important and everything.  You know.  So many awards to pass out I might need to hire a personal assistant or something.  Ride in a limo because I'm so important.  Like a King.  Mom says to knock it off and don't let things go to my head.  Have I ever mentioned how mean she is?  She is you know.

Here are the two awards I'll be passing out.  There will be no rhyme or reason to which award goes to which person/animal I decide to give them too.  An award is an award and anyone I've seen get an award is just happy to be recognized.  So it's all good.

This first award above was made by L-Squared.  Two were actually made but I love how this one says Mushu's Award on it, so I picked this one.  Thank you again L-Squared.

The next award above was made by Willowtree.  He made three but I like looking at myself so I picked this one.  Plus as you can tell by mom's blog, she loves the color green.  I love the color green because mom's eyes are green.  So I chose this award to remind me of her every time I pass it out.  Thank you Willowtree.

I will pass out the first of the awards starting in November.  What?  This has been a long process.  I had to sleep a lot to figure this out.  I will need more sleep to figure the rest out.  And probably more sleep after that.  I also need my personal assistant to type it out and she's always busy.  Good help is so hard to find.

Now on to more important things.  Yesterday I received my first ever award.  Who knew dogs could be given awards.  Not me.  Mom showed me and told me she was really proud of me.  My heart goes pitter patter when mom tells me how proud of me she is.  So that makes the award much more special.

A Blogging Star from Candid Karina.  This is what she said about lil ol me.....

Hey, this is the first time I'm giving an award to a blogging pet...but Mushu is such a superstar he deserves it...and he totally should have his own blog.  Hopefully mom won't be too jealous of his award......

It's a secret but mom is trying to get a blo.....     MUSHU!!  Darn.  Ok ignore that.  You never heard anything from me.

Thank you for the award Karina.  I will display it proudly on my wall.  Or by my new bed.  Or by my food and water dish.  Or maybe wear it around my neck.  Or.....

Mushu's Giving A Gift to Someone Who Can Help

Update:   A few people have emailed asking what kind of award I would like.  As mom says "I'm giddy with excitement"!  Wellllll.  I've thought about it all morning.  Ok for only the last 2 minutes because I had to nap for three hours after I got up.  How about something with my picture on it because you know.  It would be my award.  Does that make me sound bad?  I'm a perpetual two year old and we all know the world revolves around two year olds.  And what to put on it for wording?  Zoiks!  I don't know, how about.....

Mushu's I'd Like to Lick Your Face Award....or

Mushu Love's Everyone Award....or

Mushu Thinks You Rock Award.....or...well....I'm a dog...and my brain hurts now.

Pictures?  Mom has tons!  Black and white is nice because it makes me look thinner and hides all my blemishes and wrinkles.  Color is nice too because one does need a hint of color I feel.  Or there could be just me staring deep into your eyes telling you how much I love you.  It's endless really.

                          

Hope this helps and thank you to everyone who wants to help me out!  Some people are asking what the gift is first?  Oh no.  You'll just have to wait and find out.  Even though mom doesn't like surprises, I do.  So you won't see what it is til it arrives in the mail.  I'll give you a hint though.  It will come in a box all wrapped up.  Snort!  I'm so sneaky.

Mom got two more awards.  I think that's pretty cool.  She'll show them to you sometime.  I don't know when because she's busy you know.  But I thought it would be really neat to have my own award.  Because mom shows me lots of blogs and I run up to the screen and lick it.  Ok I want to lick it but she won't let me.  She's mean like that.

I decided to make up my own award, but I have a problem.  I can't reach the keyboard and mom won't help me.  She's so MEAN.  I even wagged my tail a certain way that always always gets her, but she won't budge.  Something about not having a clue where to even begin to make up a stupid award.  I really didn't think 'stupid' was necessary.  I don't know.  I think she could if she wanted to.  But she won't.  Did I mention how mean she is?  She is you know.

I want to give this award to all the cool animal blogs me and my mom read.  Some are sad, some are funny and some are just plain weird.  And I don't know, maybe even some cool humans because I'd like to lick all the people's faces who make my mom laugh.  I'm nice like that.  But my paws are empty and my heart is broken because mom won't help me make an award up.  Um.  She's mean.

You buying that?

So mom looked at me in my bed and when I would barely look back at her, she told me to stop wallowing in my self pity and she'd only help me by offering to send something really nice to the person who would help make-up a nice Mushu's Award.  She told me I had to wrap the gift on my own though, but that's ok because I'm an awesome wrapper.

If anyone wants to help a poor helpless pup out I will come and lick your face for being so nice.  Don't let mom know though because she smacks me when I do that to people.  If it helps, encourages, bribes, I happen to know mom sends out awesome gifts.  And I'll be wrapping the gift so you can't get any better then that.

You can send to aspotoft@shaw.ca.  And if nothing comes that's ok.  I understand.  Really.  No big deal at all.

Mushu's News - October 9, 2007

Mushu's News - October

 

My Squeaky Toy My Friend

It makes me sad in the morning sometimes.  My squeaky toy....that's what I call The Little One....mom calls her Samantha....leaves for school.  I call her my squeaky toy because she plays with me all the time.  I've had squeaky toys before but she's been the best squeaky toy ever.  My other squeaky toys just lay there but the Little One will run and jump and squeal and laugh and shake me up and then I run and run and run til my legs fall off.  Ok they don't really fall off but sometimes I run so much my legs get ahead of me and I stop, drop and roll.  I'd be awesome in a fire.

The Little One is my friend.  She's my favorite squeaky toy.

My New Digs

The bed mom ordered me finally came in.  I don't ever leave it.  I love it that much.

It is comfy and cozy and mom says it has something called memory foam in it.  She paid extra for that because she said I was worth it.  My new bed helps me sleep all the time at night.  It isn't a big jump for me to get on it, I love to put my head on the back of it when I'm looking out the front window and I like to put my head on the arm of it too.  Resting my head on the arm is the greatest.  Because if an ant walks by, I just put my head on the armrest and I don't have to work hard at all following that ant.

I heard this conversation between The Boy and Mom when my bed came in.....

The Boy:  No way.  You got him a couch?

Joy:  Yeaaaa Mushu's couch came in!

The Boy:  A couch?  Just for him?  The dog?

Joy:  All for Mushu.  Why?  Is that weird?

The Boy:  Oh no mom.  That's not weird at all.

Joy:  His little rug doesn't fit properly under the couch but that's ok, I'll find something else.  Oh and I know!  I'll make him a little pillow for his couch.  No no the pillow will get in the way....a blanket.  Ya a blanket.  Like a little throw-blanket to put over the back like our couches downstairs.  A little quilt.  Ha, couldn't you just die if you saw a little tiny quilt on the back of his couch?

The Boy:  Oh I'd die alright.  Do you ever think sometimes you're turning into one of those old ladies who push their dog around in a baby carriage?

Joy :  Don't be silly.  OMG or maybe I'll make him a little throw blank with....are you ready?  His name on it!!!  How COOL would that be?  Nothing too bold, we don't want to go overboard after all.

The Boy:  You realize this means I won't be able to bring my friends over any more right?

Joy:  And then maybe a little plant to put in the corner beside his couch and a......

Bath Time With Mushu

Not literally skunked.  But I've been fooled by treats.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

Mom's trying to give me a bath!!!!

Run!  Run for your lives!!

To be continued next week......

I'm Not Going to Lie....

....I'm sitting here a little bored.

Mom ran out of the house so fast this morning that by the time I ran to the door, she had closed it and was on her way.  Normally I manage to get to the door before it closes and if I get out and look all cute-like, mom is putty in my paws and then lets me come with her.  Not today though.  She was quick.  I think this meant she didn't want to bring me.  Something about her not having enough patience to deal with my antics this morning.  Whatever.  It's not my fault she can't buy groceries and then leave me and them alone in the vehicle together.  I say stop buying all that good stuff and then I wouldn't be tempted.  It's really not hard.  Plus she doesn't like it when I drink her coffee.  She's pretty greedy if you ask me.

Not much has been happening in my life lately.  I haven't been able to talk to my new girlfriend Ember in awhile now and I think everyone is trying to keep us apart.  I'll find a way to see her again.  I will never forget Ember.  Ember is beautiful.

Mom ordered me a new bed.  Special just for me.  She said it has something called memory foam in it and I'm really going to like it.  She said it looks like a little couch and it will be nice to look out the window in.  It will go where my other bed is now and she ordered it in brown material to 'go' with the rest of the furniture.  Many will shake their head at this, but these things are important to mom.  I'm excited about my new bed and I know mom will take pictures when it comes in.  I like couches which is why she ordered it for me.  She said it's to "Keep your little butt off the human furniture."  I'm not so sure this is going to work, but maybe after my new bed comes in I'll switch with her.  I'll still go on her furniture and she can go on mine.  She would probably like that.  It's good to share.

The Boy and The Little One are both back in school now.  I miss them.  The Boy closes his bedroom door when he leaves which means I can't go on his bed when he's not here.  The Little One closes her bedroom door too which means I can't get into her stash of food.  I know where she keeps her stash.  I just need to figure out how to get in her room.  Mom is constantly listening and watching around this house.  She says she has eyes in the back of her head.  And I believe it!

I've spent a lot of my days under mom's bed lately.  She said she's going to try and get me on video tape when I run down the hallway and crash into her door with my head.  I have a hard head so it's ok and it's the only way I can open her door.  Sometimes it doesn't 'click' behind her so then I know if I use my head to bash it open, I can crawl under her bed and hide there.  It's especially fun when she doesn't know I'm under there and then I hear something outside and bark up a storm in the middle of the night.  It's a game I like to play with her.  I call it "Guess Where Mushu Is?"  She's smart because she curses guesses right all the time.  I never get tired of that game I play with mom.

Mushu and Ember Sittin in a Tree

Ember is my girlfriend.  She doesn't know it yet.  But she is.  I think Ember is beautiful.

The below picture is Ember with attitude.  I was a little shocked by her attitude.  I love Ember even more.  She makes my heart go pitter patter.  She's even more beautiful with attitude.

My mom was invited to a park by two very special ladies.  They were going to bring their pups so we had a puppy play date.  It was cold and rainy that morning but nothing was going to stop mom from going.  Did I mention how special these ladies are to mom?  Special.  And I know this because she doesn't say that too often about people.  She's a tough nut to crack.  One lady didn't bring her pup because her pup Scooter had just been to the groomers and had really short hair and his mom was afraid he'd get cold and wet.  The other lady brought Ember though and we played in the wet grass.  And that was only after Scooter's mom finally guilted mom into letting me out of the vehicle.  That's right.  She made me sit in the nice warm vehicle because she didn't want me to get my feet wet.  There was something else about me being a spastic moron when other people are around but whatever.  Scooter's mom let me out and I was a perfect Angel.  Even when the fence I went through at one point bit me and took a clump of my tail hair off.  If anyone would like some dog yarn to spin, there is some gorgeous long white tail hair hanging on a certain barbwire fence in a park close to our place.

But back to Ember.  Did I mention she is my girlfriend?  She is you know.  Ember is beautiful.  Did I mention that already?  She's also quick!  I had a little trouble keeping up to her.  Maybe mom's not so wrong about this diet after all.

                        

But I think Ember's secret is........she can fly!

I tried flying.....

But I couldn't get my wings off the ground.

Then Ember played dead and I stood there not having a clue what to do.  I thought back after I got home and it probably would have been a good opportunity to do a little mouth to mouth resuscitation.  You know.  In case the need ever arises.  You know.  Always be prepared and all that.

Because I would resuscitate Ember any time of the day or night.

Ember's my girlfriend.  She just doesn't know it yet.  I think Ember is sooooo beautiful.

Wednesdays With Mushu - I've Got Nothing

Mom is running around like a chicken with her head cut off.  And as amusing as that is, she said she doesn't have time to post anything for my day.  Whatever.  I'm mad at her anyway.

She spanked me.  That's right.  Puppy abuse.  If you could all call 1-800-Poor-Mushu and report her I'd appreciate it.

I mean.  Just because I've been going down our driveway and onto the road, doesn't warrant her yelling at me and giving me a spanking.  I couldn't help it.  It wasn't my fault.  Something was calling to me.  The smell I was following lead me down there.  I thought I saw a cat.  There was a twig I needed to pee on.  All not my fault.

She told me I could get run over and I scared her half to death...three times now.  This last time was the last straw