Hiking Without The Teacup Chihuahua | The Perils of Hiking With Dogs

Hiking with dogs is a lot of fun, until one fine day, you find yourself hiking without dogs...

I, Twinkie Twinkerson, the teacup chihuahua, messed up! I messed up big time and I'm here to confess. Yesterday, my pack joined the two rhodesian ridgebacks for a hike. Little did we know, it was going to be the dog hiking experience of the century.

We met at the creek. My pack (my senior sissy, the crazy chiweenie, and I) got there first and when the enormous rhodies showed up we were overwhelmed by the warm welcome. We said our "hellos" (picture the butt-sniff train), and off we went. Our moms are good friends and they started to chat endlessly. After the first half hour, I, Twinkie, the three legged teacup chihuahua, decided to take off. I smelled something I simply couldn't resist and I broke away from the group for just one moment. Before I knew it, I had lost my pack. I looked everywhere for them, and I was starting to panic because even though I act tough, I've not been away from my mommy since my gotcha day. In the beginning, I tried to distract myself, smelling the bushes, the horse poop, and drank fresh water from the creek. Still, no pack in sight. My little heart was sinking as I started making circles looking for my family and friends. I missed them all so much and didn't know what to do. So, I made a decision. I walked all the way back to our brand new car, which I was hoping I'd recognize. I was very lonely and I was shaking all over, I was that nervous!

I was so sad when I got to the car. Nobody was there waiting for me. I looked back and I could tell I was really far away from my pack. Since I couldn't come up with a better idea, I decided to hang by the car, which luckily I recognized, but there were three dogs on a balcony across from where we were parked and they were barking at me. If M was there she surely would have used her ultrasonic dog bark control thingy. I was desperate, but they wouldn't stop yelling and it was very hot in the sun, so I decided to hide under the car until help arrived.

Ages later, or so it seemed to this scared puppy, my auntie pulled up in her car. My auntie? My favorite auntie, here, now? I waited for her to get out of the car and went straight to her. She looked down at me, as if she expected to see me, and she took me gently up her arms. Safe at last, but what was wrong with my auntie? She was crying! I clung to her as she made her way down the creek path with me in her arms.

Out of nowhere I heard a woman screaming my name. For a split second, I couldn't recognize the weird husky hysterical voice, and all of a sudden, it hit me. It was my mom. She was looking for me. Auntie started yelling M's name at the same time. When M and I could finally see each other, something weird happened. M fell down and started to sob. I felt very bad. I knew it was my fault and I hate to watch my mommy cry. She got up fast, ran to me, and grabbed me from my auntie. Auntie took off. Then with the rest of my pack in tow we started running fast deep into the creek. Now M was yelling Hank's name, my rhodesian friend's. I was confused but at least now I was in my mom's shirt, safe and comfortable. She had taken my leash and used it as a belt, tightening it around her shirt, to keep me in place, like a kangaroo. We kept running like this for at least half an hour. Near the end M was yelling both Hank's name and some not so pleasant words. Where we lost again?

Finally, M, very concerned about all the running about and what it's effects on our senior dog would be, took us all to the car and left. I wished she'd kept me in her shirt, but at least I was safe and I was reunited with my pack. They had all been frantically looking for me.

About half an hour later, M returned, dirty, sweaty, but smiling, and she was accompanied by her friend and the rhodies. It was the rhodies' mom's turn to start sobbing. I felt so bad. I started waiving my front paws at her and when she got close enough I jumped on her lap rubbing my head all over her, trying to explain that I was both sorry and okay. She forgave me, I know because afterwards she gave me a huge marrow bone, my favorite dog treat.

I am so sorry! I will never leave my pack again. I will not leave my mommy. I will be a good girl and if I want to keep my off-leash privileges, I will stay close to my pack.

Luckily, it all ended well and we got home late that night tired and hungry. My geriatric sissy had her senior dog supplements and a Rimadyl and she's fine today.

Hiking with a tiny dog is a challenge. The perils are numerous, from large prey birds, to coyotes, fast moving water that can carry a small dog, rattle snakes . . . and the list goes on. M is not giving up our hikes. She is going to be taking new measures though. We shall see what those will be, but I know she's already made up her mind.

Hiking with dogs is fun, but one must be cautious and alert at all times

Go hug your mom!

* * *

Update for the kitten lovers: I've been getting some smart comments from furiends who are teasing me about kitten blog invasions, take overs, and coups. Enough cats on my blog for my taste. I'm going to be posting frequent updates and almost daily photos and videos, over here: Pregnant Cat Info. Today's photos along with an adorable video can be found by clicking here: Kitten Pictures.

Oh, what the pizzle! Here are some kitten pictures:

 Go away bro

Oh, fine! Hug?

My kitten sure could smell better

I guess it's bath time

(even kittens get bathed)

Marilyn's debut

(we call her that temporarily because of the beauty mark)

Okay, now I'm really done. Bye bye.

Twink!

Hiking With A Senior Dog Sometimes Is Not An Option

Our Linguini may be a senior citizen suffering from dog arthritis and some nasty dog tumors, but with proper care, she's still able to enjoy her life and go dog hiking. Our friend Olivia though, is not so fortunate. Olivia is 13.5 years old, exactly three years older than our Linguini. She's mostly blind, her joints are stiff and she has difficulty walking. A dog in her condition, should not go hiking. Do not feel sorry for her. She's one happy senior dog and she has a wonderfully attentive family. We welcomed a break from the newborn kittens* and we invited Olivia over for a fun day in our yard, a supposedly controlled environment. 

Double the pleasure

Linguini (front) is a dalmatian and german shorthaired pointer mix. She's on K-9 Liquid Health, a dog joint supplement that has visibly helped her with her dog arthritis issues. 

Olivia (back) is a pure bred Dalmatian. She's on Petco's Senior Stage Joint Support and her mom says she saw a big improvement too. 

Olivia's mommy, Ms. Cyndy Wood, is Frankie's trainer, and she's the one we have to thank for Frankie's passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Without Cyndy, I'm not so sure the  oversensitive chiweenie would have made it. Cyndy is focused on positive training only!

"I know you're not my sissy, you impostor!"

Frankie and I were not easily fooled. Not only did this dalmatian have fewer spots than ours, she's also brown. She may be beautiful, but first I had to make sure she was nice. She sure was. We spent hours exploring our own yard through her eyes and nose. 

Happy senior dog escapes drowning

Poor Ms. Olivia, is partially blind and is lacking depth perception. Olivia went to the side of the pool and put her paw hesitantly down. Splash! In she went, the camera went flying somewhere off to the side of the pool, as her mom and my mom were trying to help her out. Olivia came out of the pool, totally unaware of the panic she had caused, wagging her tail happily and then she immediately enjoyed rolling on the lawn. She seemed invigorated, excited and not at all traumatized. Can't say the same about the poor bipeds. They were shaking as well. 

Senior dog reflections

The rest of the day went on smoothly as my pack did not feel at all threatened by Olivia's sweet disposition. We got tons of dog treats, one of the perks of being friends with a dog trainer, and we can't wait to have Olivia and her mommy back. 

Happy senior dog

At the end of her visit, Olivia, happy and spent, got in the car where she was secured in her dog car seat with her harness and the seat belt. In her case, the seat belt not only keeps her safe in case of an accident, it also keeps her more secure and comfortable because otherwise she can't balance very well in a moving vehicle. We waived bye bye from our driveway. 

Twinkie

* If you don't want a break from the kittens today, Here's the latest kitten video

Dear Twinkie | A Dog Advice Column

A dog advice column

houndstooth asked...

Another most enjoyable advice column, Twinkie!

Lately we've been admiring all the floof on the Sibes on some of our favorite blogs, like The Herd. Is it possible for us to get some kind of hair transplant? How can we grow some floof?

Bunny

TVT: I'm on it, but first I had to rob Thunder, from the OP Pack. Dear, skinny girl, all you need to do is use superglue at this point. I would personally dye Thunder's furs first, to better match my natural color if I was you, but you can always glue first, dye later. 

There are many other options but they're either costly, such as surgical hair transplant procedures, or time consuming, like dreadlocks. I think sibe fur would be a good match. 

Before

After

Cat Mandu asked...

Dear Twinkie,
A girl cat in South Africa wants me to give her advice on how she should treat her Mom. Do I need a license in order to give out advice?
Mandu

TVT: Are you kidding me? I'd be in jail by now if that was the case. I'm an unlicensed, b.s.-er, and proud of it. I believe you'd make an excellent advice columnist yourself seeing how grouchy you often are. Let us all know about your advice debut and we'll come support or boo you, kk?

You sure look the part

Sallie asked...

Yay!

You rock!

B.T.W. I'm lost in Hawaii. Do you know which way I should go?

Thanks!

TVT: I see you're still stuck, but I also know you're a romantic. Shouldn't you have your mom write you out of Hawaii in one of her romance novels? You can take off into the sunset with a handsome beau. That would be my recommendation. 

Sally Marie has bigger problems

(see alien in photo)

Khyra And Sometimes Her Mom asked...

Khan I win a khytten of my furry own?

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

TVT: By the look on your BroFur's face, No. By the look on M's face when I wrote this: Yes. Please, come help yourself to the khyttens, woo beautiful sweet sibe, woo! Do woo really need more khats though?  

Khyra's BroFur

Mango asked...

Twinkie, you sure set the bar high for some of us doggies. I will try to follow your advice, but it is not easy. Can I help it if there is so much Mango to go around?

Slobbers,
Mango

TVT: In your own words, RH, ehem, you state: I weigh around 230 pounds and eat almost 15 pounds of kibble each week. You could limit your food intake to 14.5 pounds of food each week.

Let's check and see if there's enough Mango to go around

the booker man asked...

awesome sauce advice as always, miss twinkie! i've got another question for you for next time. see, me and my big sis asa are having a teensy tiny disagreement over who gets to snooze in the bigger of the 2 doggie beds. i say i should get the bigger bed cuz i am a bigger doggie. she says she should get the bigger bed cuz she's the oldest and a lady. who's right???
*woof*
the booker man

TVT: You are! Normally I'd say "ladies first" because I'm a lady and I have seniority too, but . . . Asa's got the biggest bed, and she can't hog the bigger one too. That would be greedy. Asa, leave the large dog bed to your brother. 

Asa, stay right where you are.

ocmist asked...

We just really enjoy getting a chance to come by and read your dog advice column, Twinkie! It's always got some chuckles and such great advice! I just wish I knew why pups have to lick the sides of older dog's mouths after not seeing them for a little while. I'm not fond of that as you probably saw in the blog about Pip's Ventura trip last weekend. BG

TVT: It's clear from the photo below, that you're not fond of it, but if you hear why, perhaps you'll change your mind. In the wild, the puppies' fist solid food is offered through their mom's regurgitation. Puppies lick to stimulate and encourage regurgitation. It is also a sign of re-submitting to the alpha dog. Lick on, Pippin!

Lick on!

Frankie the Chiweenie asked…

Where are the newborn kitten photos? 

TVT: Silly girl. You'll never learn. Not only do I have kitten pictures to share, I also have new kitten names to chose from. I'll start with the names: Minet, Cherie, Joli, Lisette, Margot, Miaou (meow!), Gaston, Guy, Remy, Blaise, Cali, Trixie, Lucy, Cleo, Zipper, Stop (BOL), Charlie, Bosley, Sabrina, Kelly, and Vuvuzela (voo-voo-se-luh!). All names are under consideration.

Newborn Kitten pictures

I Saved the Best for Last!!!

M got the surprise of her life a couple of days ago. I must confess, I haven't seen her so emotional before. The reason: Twix's super considerate, caring, and most amazing present. It left us all speechless and barkless, no, not because of the ultrasonic dog bark control device. I think I should be quiet for once and just show you the photo. 

Not only is this an invaluable present, it is incredible. The artist has managed to capture my essence and my micro-expressions, like the slightly raised right eyebrow and the slight upwards curve (snarl) that is permanently affixed to my face. I know the artist's name, Suzy Chow, and I have her FB fan page link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Universal-Stones-and-Arts-Paintings/129043957120766

Thank  you Twix and Ms Chow. We will cherish this forever!!!

Now go take on the day!

Twinkie

Newborn Kittens | Day 2 and Bonus Kitten Video

As the cute and inventive and thoughtful cute kitten names keep pouring in, we're starting to have fun with the newborn kittens. They are more active by the minute, they make cute kitten noises, and they even have organized speed races on their tummies: The winner makes it all the way around their birthing box, a drawer.

Kitten pictures - A sequence

Watch the white and buff colored one

On your mark. Get set. And he's off!

About to manage a full U-turn

Running out of steam

Crashing

Crash!

The observer from LOlcats icanhascheezburger

Cute kitteh iz making fun of his bro already

Cute kitten names suggested yesterday:

Earl, Suzy Q, Sno Ball, Hoho, Ding Dong, Puddles, Duddles, Raindrop, Venezuela, Fifa, Pele, Beckham, Max, Lucy, Amigo, Khrya, Snookums, Patches, Cali, Rivers, Lakie, Speckles, Fawn, Holly, Dink, Rudy, Frankie, Brax, Bobo Jr., Little Jo, Peanut, Miss Kitty, Benny, Mona, Frankie, Albert, and Lorenza!!! As if the kittens' presence wasn't overwhelming enough, the kitten names you're coming up with are adorable. What to do?

Many of you, correctly assumed the calico kittens, aka tortoiseshell kittens, are most likely female. I'll get back to you on this one after I'm completed my research. In Greece, where my mom grew up, nobody wanted a calico kitty because they're considered . . . nuts! Silly greek old wives and their tales!

Bonus Kitten Video

Me hopes you enjoyed today's newborn kitten edition.

Twinkie

Newborn Kittens | Full Debut

Having newborn kittens is disorienting. It's exhilarating, entertaining, a lot of work, and it makes one goofy and giddy. So, we asked for your help picking kitten names yesterday. Some of you had funny suggestions and some actually came up with cute kitten names. I'll include them all... But first, let me share with you some newborn kitten pictures.

Kitten Pictures

Fresh out of the oven

"The Huddle"

The pack

All these cute kittens, with the exception of one need cute kitten names

Your kitten name suggestions so far: Sagira; Smiggle; Cuddles; Pataches; Toodles; Toby, Jeter, Ginger and/or Halle the Grand Diva (a bit of a mouthful as far as kitten names go); Stormy; Sprinkle(s); Misty; Thunder; Cloud; Ashley, Gracie or Cinder for a grey one; Madi, Captcha, Catcha, Fishface; Hamburger Helper, Mac&Cheese, or Pumpkin Pie (those from an obviously hungry friend); and Bunny, a not bad suggestion whatsoever.

And now back to more kitten pictures to better help us decide.

I also wanted to share with you a momma cat picture, so you can see how relieved and content she is

She did great and is very healthy and attentive to her newborn kittens, if only she'd stop attacking the hand that feeds her!

Puddles, the superstar

After making her debut yesterday, she's requested we add "Diva" to her name. We're humoring her, pretending we're considering it.

 All the happy newborn kittens

Now that you've seen them all, any more name suggestions? I'm sure you realize by now that we all eat, drink, sleep, and dream . . . kittens and that we'll be sharing kitten pictures and updates for a short while. Hope you enjoy!

Twinkie

Newborn Kittens

The newborn kittens are here!!! We are too excited, moved, elated . . . no words, really. They are all beautiful, healthy, and strong. The ex pregnant cat, Farrah, seems absolutely relieved. She's in great health and won't stop purring and taking care of her cute kittens. I'm not going to tell you yet how many they are. I'm going to give you a sneak peak of one kitten though. We need four kitten names. We welcome all suggestions, except for this one. This one is got it's name yesterday, a few hours before his birth. There are too many cute kitten names to chose from, but this one is in honor of our blog friend. This blog is about to be filled with kitten pictures. For now, may I present to you . . . 

Puddles!

Twinkie

Hiking With A Senior Dog And A Three Legged Dog

We met up with our buds, Hank and Sue, the rhodesian ridgeback dogs, the other day and went wild. We went to our local creek to romp, pee, sniff, swim... What a day! Of course, our pack included a senior dog and a three legged dog, we had our limitations. We made sure we didn't go too far in case one of us got suddenly tired.

Senior dog and three legged dog take the lead

"Catch us if you can!"

Our young friends had a ball

They have endless stamina and they're both in great health

The rhodies love to chase us

Good thing three legged dogs can also run fast!

Retaliation

Surprised, huh?

Unfortunately, I had to turn Hank down again

"Find somebody your size, Hanky."

I'm so well adjusted as a three legged dog that I can manage all kinds of terrain

It was a great hike!

After hiking with dogs, we were invited to Hank's for . . . dog treats, slurp

I have to tell you, Hank is one pawesome host

At the end of the day, I was one exhausted three legged chihuahua, so I grabbed a good samaritan ride back home

The chiweenie crashed too

We make the most out of our dog hikes, despite our physical limitations. No senior dog should be punished by being restricted unless it's a necessity. No three legged dog should be restricted ever. As long as we're alive, we'll continue to enjoy our dog hikes and everything our life has to offer. 

Life is beautiful as long as you have a forever home that cares for you. 

Twinkie