A Day in the Life of Piranha Banana: May 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Play Ball!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Waiting For The Eye Doctor

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

My First Visit With The Eye Doctor!

I have had my eyes checked for years (I see fine, thank-you-very-much) and an 'opportunity' was offered to all working dogs from American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists to receive free eye exams. I was able to get an appointment at Animal Eye Consultants to have my eyes checked with Dr. Denise M. Lindley -- Lucky Me!   Today was the day. My friend Birdie met me there as she was having her eyes checked too!

Perhaps you can tell how I felt about the visit by the photographs...

On the way to the Doctor - Don't want to talk about it...

Okay - so here we are waiting...

Do you think it will hurt, I ask? Birdie tells me she doesn't want to talk about it either...

I was hoping they wouldn't call me in... - no such luck!

There's another door -- perhaps I should plan my escape...

Shh! - Shh - here comes the doctor and her assistant!

Didn't even give me a chance - her assistant began to hold me down... what is that thing?

Hey... not so close!

What is that bright light?

Looking good so far...

Other eye she says...

My eyes are in perfect shape -- that wasn't so bad ;o)
Dr. Lindley Rocks -- WOOF WOOF!
She even let me pose with her after my exam!

Thanks to the folks at Animal Eye Consultants  for giving me and my friend Birdie a free exam!
We are now able to continue our work as therapy dogs in the community.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Laughing in the Sun

Monday, May 6, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Cinco De Mayo 2013!

Had a great time celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Twenty three chihuahuas took part in the festivities. We had Mexican food, music and briefly discussed chihuahua history. From my understanding chihuahuas may be descendants of the Techichi. Also learned we are one of the healthiest breeds around that can also live up to 20 years; though one of the longest known living chihuahuas was approximately 25 years old!

I thought I would share some of my party photos as well as some of my Chihuahua-Mexi-looks (in case someone wants to hire me as a ranchero for their movie, don't you know?)

Some of my Chihuahua Friends - Wendy, Ruby and Lil' Bit

This is my "Oh so Chic (chihuahua)" look!

Having fun with friends!

Humans bring all sorts of great food to MY party - but don't let me have any...

Ok, OK, that was a fib. They did let me have some corn taco shells and tomatoes, and they also had a table for Chihuahuas only, filled with baby carrots and grain free organic dog treats. But no one took a picture of it.

Chihuahuas come in all shapes and sizes... can you find me in this photo?

This is my Clint Eastwood scowl: "Do you feel lucky?

Don't make me go all Chihuahua on you!"

We had a nice time celebrating with friends and learning more about my heritage. All that fun and posing made me really tired afterwards. I took a really, really long nap when I got home.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

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.