A Day in the Life of Piranha Banana

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Piranha's Halloween Pizza Pawrty 2017!

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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Piranha's (and Daisy's) New Sofa!

My Momma bought two new chihuahua sized chaise sofas for different areas of the house. We also have two dog pocket beds and a car bed around the house. Plenty enough for three chihuahuas to find a place to relax or take a nap. However...

Thanks for the chihuahua sized sofa Momma!

Sure is comfy! Zzzzz...

Oh no...

Hmph!

Daisy: Do you mind if I lay here next to you? Piranha: Not at all.

Piranha: (Mind stare talking: Momma! Do something!!)

Daisy: (smiling) So much cozier when we're together! Piranha: (Save me - Momma, please!)

Piranha: (Really Momma? - she's got her own bed over there!)

Piranha: I'm getting sleeepy...Zzzzz Daisy: So am I...Zzzzz

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

WW: Enjoying The Last Few Hot Days Of Summer

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

WW: White Sox Dog Day - September 6, 2017

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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

WW: Piranha Finds Shopping Treasures by Sophisticated Pup!

While shopping at Carson Pirie Scott, I found this awesome display of dog related home pieces from Sophisticated Pup! I have modeled for them for catalogs, newspaper prints, their websites, at the International Kennel Club Show in Chicago as well televised appearances. I just happened to be wearing a Sophisticated Pup bow tie collar and harness vest at the time! I was happy to see that our local high end stores now carry their very well made pieces - and had to take a personal photo with the goods - WOOF!

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

WW: "Piranha Was Here" at Silver Cross Hospital

As a therapy dog we are required to follow HIPAA laws when visiting facilities. One of which is that we cannot take photos of patients - unless they ask. One cannot share photos with patients in social media or elsewhere, unless the patient agrees or it is for a publication like a newspaper and agreed upon. One cannot ask about medical conditions - unless someone volunteers it - and then when a patient does, one cannot ask probing questions, nor repeat what has been heard. There are a lot more rules and also issues and rules at each different location I visit that we follow. In this case, I was visiting patients at the hospital and received a special request to visit a family whose patient loved dogs. Especially chihuahuas - as they had recently lost their own. Upon arriving, the family told me the patient was away getting treatment, if we could come back before leaving for the day. We returned later only to find the patient was not back. The family asked me to lie on the patient's bed so they could tell them "Piranha was Here" as they think I am a celebrity dog of some type. :) Of course, I obliged. This was a first for me... I was even getting a little sleepy... ZZzzz

You may not be able to see it, but I have a towel underneath me as a barrier.
I use a new one for each patient.

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Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Wordless Wednesday: Keeping My Mama Company While She Works...

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Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Piranha Enjoys the Outdoor Music Show with Friends

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017

WW: Piranha Banana visits the Zion Early Childhood Center Pre-School & Kindergarten

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting the children at Zion Early Childhood Center Pre-school and Kindergarten in Tinley Park. We talked about what a therapy dog does in the community, my training, my favorite foods and colors and if I like to play. Afterwards each child lined up for a special high-five from me. Someone had asked me if my little paw gets tired from all the high-fives I give, and I can tell you I have a pretty muscular doggie arm from it - so no. :) I am so used to it I can give them with my eyes closed. I was also asked if I get paid and I explained that therapy dogs volunteer all their time. I do get treats at times after volunteering, like carrots. But I don't expect it. I just enjoy it.

HELLO TO ALL THE CHILDREN & STAFF FROM

THE ZION EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN IN TINLEY PARK!

THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING ME IN YOUR CLASSROOM, I ENJOYED THE VISIT.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

WW: Piranha Drinks Water - Seriously!!

Really Mama? I don't think me drinking water is all that interesting...

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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.