Upcoming Events

April 1st - Holly goes crate shopping!

April 2nd - Tiggy has an appointment with a new vet to discuss his dental health

April 3rd - tentative outdoor excursion to new neighbourhood, weather permitting

Future possible events/activities:
-Getting to know Holly
-Vancouver Island Pet Expo
-Local dog park reviews

Saturday adventure in North Delta

The forecast was for rain but when we awoke to clear skies on Saturday we decided to take advantage of it and headed out on a local walking excursion.

Holly has only been with us since late December so me and HuMum figured we’d take her out and show her the larger neighbourhood that we live in.

We decided to walk on the tandem leash, easier for HuMum to manage and another opportunity for me to remind Holly that I’m the bigger dog and thus the leader of the pack.  We’re still adapting to the tandem set up, sometimes Holly has a few flips and spins and cartwheels until she figures out just how the set up works.  But soon enough she sorts herself out.

Our first stop on the walk was the video store to return movies, and then we carried on to the recreation centre to see the new renovations and for HuMum to pick up a brochure.  Next we had to stop for a potty break at the gas station (really? Why can’t she just water the flowers like we do?), then after about an hour of walking we arrived at our local PetSmart.  Both Holly and I had our obedience training here so we like to stop by and wave at the other dogs that are in training.

We had a good wander about the store, waved at the dogs in class, even got a few happy barks in response J  HuMum picked up a greenies for me and H and then we went outside and sat on the bench and had our snack.

We carried on along a very busy road, all of this is good training for Holly apparently, she needs to get out and experience new things we’re told.  After 20 minutes or so we arrived at another pet store!  This one is called Bosley’s pet food plus, and this is where HuMum got my birthday cake from last year.  We had a drink of water and shared beef pepperoni stick and each took home a chicken stuffed bone for later.

As we carried on our journey I sensed some anxiety in HuMum.  She told me that we didn’t have our house keys and that HuDad had gone golfing and wasn’t at home to let us in.  Me and Holly weren’t too worried, until we saw the HUGE barking dog on the sundeck of the house we were walking by.  Now that was scary!  We led HuMum across the street away from the barking beastie.

Finally after two hours and forty minutes we were back home again.  I couldn’t wait to have a nice drink and then a nap on my sheepskin.  We went to the front door and it was locked, then we went around to the back door and it was locked too, basement door also locked.  HuMummy was not pleased.  She checked the windows within reach, they were all locked.  I was pleased to know that HuDad locked all the doors when he went out so that my toys and treats would be safe from burglars.

Holly went up to the back door and lay down on the mat that had been warming in the sun all morning.  I was more interested to follow HuMum around.  I stayed in our yard and watched as she went to the neighbour’s house and retrieved a huge ladder from their back garden.  Then she came back to our yard and put the ladder up to the bedroom window.  I watched as she climbed up the ladder, pried the screen from the window and then suddenly leaned forward and disappeared into the house!  I started barking because that’s just what I do when something exciting happens and I was a bit worried that I’d be expected to go up the ladder too.

Very quickly I heard the back door open and there she was again.  Me and Holly ran in and checked to make sure that all of our stuffies and treats were safe then we had some water and settled in for a nap!

Maltass meets Modern Dog Magazine!

March has been an eventful month in Tiggytown.

Probably the most exciting month of my life.  In late February my HuMum responded to a Facebook post from Modern Dog magazine.  They were looking for ‘interesting mixed-breed dogs living in Vancouver’.  The sent us an email mid-March and invited us to a photo shoot to take place at the Dog and Hydrant in Yaletown.

HuMum was very nervous, she brushed and brushed me and had Holly lick my eyes until they sparkled.  We drove downtown, parked and had time for a bit of a walk by the water before we had to go to our 4 o’clock appointment.  One scary moment on our walk, as we strolled past a sombre looking Boston terrier waiting outside a coffee shop he suddenly lunged at me and went for my slender Maltass neck.  I was horrified and leapt out of reach before he could draw blood.  HuMum gave me a little pat and reassured me and we carried on.  We also encountered a movie set with filming in progress.  Boy this was an exciting place this Yaletown!

We wandered off to the Dog and Hydrant and checked in for the photo shoot.  HuMum had to fill in some paperwork so I visited with two of the resident dogs.  One a large mixed breed, very calm and friendly, and another curious little white and tan beast who seemed a lot like my sister but was apparently a Chihuahua/Basenji (which was what I used to be before dna testing).

The lady from Modern Dog came in and then we got started.  Everyone at the shoot was very nice and offered me fancy treats but I resisted (I know better than to take treats from strangers even if they are in a fancy store/photo studio).  I sat nicely by the blue background and gave my best Maltass smile when directed by HuMum.  Curious Miss White and Tan wandered in to distract me but I was unflappable.  I’m used to Holly trying to stir things up at home.

Everyone was impressed, clearly they have no idea how often I’m photographed by my camera crazy humans.  The pictures were done very quickly and the nice lady from the magazine said I could keep my fancy monkey collar that I wore for the shoot.  HuMum was very proud of me.  The magazine lady said that my photos will be in the summer edition of the magazine and that she will be sending us some copies in a few months.

Not bad for a shelter dog!