A Day in the Life of Piranha Banana: March 2013

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Wordless Wednesday

Smile
You make me happy.
Smile again.
See?
Now you are happy too!
WOOF!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

1st Day on Vacation in Florida and...

...the rest of the world seeks out time by the lovely blue ocean during a sun filled day. They want to see the beautiful blue waves comb the sandy beach. They like the smell of the ocean and the sounds of all the waves crashing in.

As for me vacationing means extra fluffy blankets. I want to swim in a sea of utter fluffyness. I like to hide between the fluffness keeping warm and only peeking through when the swirling aroma of treats reach the perimeter of the fluffyness oasis.

View from the balcony

Swimming in a sea of utter fluffyness!

Happy Birthday to my daddy James!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Hanging Out With My Friends from South Suburban Chihuahua

Today we had a meetup at K9 Tailshakers. Several of my chihuahua friends were there. K9 Tailshakers provides training, dog day care and spa services. I finalized my training and tested for my therapy assist dog certification there. They have a very clean and well kept facility with outstanding staff. It is not St. Patrick's day yet, but I got all dressed up to celebrate. After all, my daddy is Irish - don't you know?!

Some of us are trying to sleep!

What?

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Reading With Kids At The Library

What?
You did not know that I am part of the Tail Waggin' Tutoring Program?

Yes!
As a Therapy Assist Dog I get to have kids read to me in libraries. No treats required.

Kids who are shy readers or would like to improve their reading skills sign up to read. I listen (sometimes I get sleepy), I don't correct them and I pay attention.

Did you know Tufts University did a study where it was found that kids who read to dogs have an increase in their reading skills?

Therapy Dog reading Links:
Tufts University Study
ABC News - Dogs Help Kids Read

Below are a few recent photos of me at the Crestwood Library with my friend Birdie. I love when kids pick books about dogs!

I love reading with kids!

Strike a pose!

Birdie and me

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FOODS THAT ARE TOXIC TO DOGS

1 - Chocolate

(abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, death)

2 - Onions/garlic/chives powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated

(can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia and breathlessness)

3 - Grapes and raisins

(kidney failure, vomiting, hyperactivity, heart failure, can become lethargic/depressed/disoriented)

4 - Avocados/guacamole

(congestion, difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation around the heart)

5 - Coffee

(caffeine poisoning -restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, bleeding)

6 - Gum/sugar free candy and foods (Xylitol)

(seizures, heart failure, death)

7 - Alcohol

(vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, coma, death-the smaller the dog, the greater the effect)

8 - Nutmeg

(tremors, seizures and death)

9 - Macadamia nuts

(muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature and rapid heart rate)

10 – Greasy Fat/Foods – Fat off a steak/meats, French fries, etc.

(stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis)

11 – Salt (and Salty foods) chips, pretzels, etc.

(sodium iron poisoning/vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures, death)

12 - Unbaked bread/cookie dough

(causes gastric obstruction -raw, fermenting dough produces ethanol, which quickly causes alcohol poisoning)

13 – Milk

(stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea)

If you are not sure if a food is safe, visit the ASPCA website or call: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1 (888) 426-4435

What are some ‘people’ foods you can give as snacks safely?

1 – Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peas & corn (boiled, cooked/frozen, etc.)

2 – Banana slices (in moderation)

3 - Tomatoes (without the green leaves on top)

4 – Apples, oranges, cantaloupes and watermelon slices (no seeds)

5 - Plain pasta noodles (in moderation)

6 - When sick - plain white rice w/boiled ground beef or chicken

7 - Canned Pumpkin (plain) (good for hardening the stool) (no pumpkin pie – it contains nutmeg!)

9 –Boiled/frozen plain green beans (good for hardening the stool)

10 – Piece of plain cheese/cottage cheese (in moderation)

Please wash all fruits & vegetables before feeding

I was born January 1, 2007. I immediately began extensive training towards certification for the CGC, therapy, behavior and services. I visit and work with Silver Cross and South Suburban Hospitals, Ronald MacDonald House, Hines VA, nursing homes, schools, libraries, help children improve their reading skills and participate in health fairs and programs geared to bring therapy assistance to the community. You may have seen me in a commercial for the Lucy Pet Foundation on the Hallmark Channel. I also appeared on DogTV's K9 Fit Club - their opening sequences (the little dog on the ball) and on two episodes of the program. I was also a WCIU TV Channel 26 Top Dog twice. I have been on a few commercials and modeled at the International Kennel Club Show in Chicago. I love modeling, you may have seen me at Chicago's Fashion Fest run way show, Chicago Sun Times' Holiday Guide on the Magnificent Mile. American Dog Media Magazine featured me on their "Famous Dogs with Friends on Facebook" pages. I wrote a community column with Tinley Junction titled "Piranha's Tales" and run South Suburban Chihuahua group with over 200 members. We work with various charitable organizations, helping local shelters, rescues and fosters. I love to travel. Some of my favorite places are Colorado, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas and my favorite is Marco Island. I enjoy going to see movies, ballet, sports events and live theater. I love school! I learned to hi-five, hide, roll-over, bang-bang, sit pretty, patty cake, take a bow, wave hello and shake paw. My favorite foods are bananas (of course), carrots and broccoli. I love my best friend Birdie (a cocker spaniel) fluffy blankets, floppy toys, sunshine on my belly and lying on fresh green grass.

Monkey

My pain-in-the hind failed foster brother Monkey. Monkey's bday is April 06, 2011. Monkey's mother and father were given up because the owner had cancer. Monkey was taken in as a foster but was rejected when the families found he was too small. He soon developed severe bleeding (back there) which continued on for two months. Several hundreds of dollars later, my daddy said Monkey should just live with us forever (and that he loved him). Now I have a fun brother to play with. Though he sometimes annoys me, takes my food, my bed, my toys. Everything.