To Pee or Not to Pee on Other Dogs

Does YOUR dog pee on other dogs? Huh? Does he?

Actually it's a quite common behavior that our Pedrito, El Diablo, the little yellow "Great Dane", is fond of. Overall, the act itself can have diametrically opposite interpretations: submission OR domination.

Let's analyze this!

Your average dog pee pose

A safer distance pee

Notice the indifference in both beasts' faces

You can almost hear them singing indifferently

These two gentle giants, are secure in their relationship. They go potty only when and because they get the urge. 

There's another reason for dogs to go potty however. We will have our little DOGMINATRIX demonstrate the rest:

Eggs-ibit A

Eggs-ibit B

Eggs-ibit C

Lil' Pete, is a dog full of surprises. If you remember him from past posts, he is also a talented Po(o)p Artist... 

Let's focus for a minute. Peeing on other doggies, is an excellent way to spread one's scent; however, one possibility is that the Pee-er is submitting, therefore showing deference to other dogs. Hmmm. In that situation, the Pee-er means no harm to the Pe-ee. Let's look at the body language in the 3 photos above. Is Pete's head lowered? NO. Is Pete showing his belly, even just a tinsy bit? NO. Is his tail down? NOPE! Well, in his case he is trying to DOMINATE. This is no subordinate urination, it is treachery and he's lucky the Great Dane litter mates are so laid back.

Mark away Lil' Pete, mark away you amazing little big dog...

Twink!

Extra, Extra Read All About it!

A couple of days ago, I received the most pawesome email from Silver Lining Herbs. A kind lady contacted me to say that my bloggie had been featured on their TOP 10 FAVORITE dog blogs! She went on to mention the criteria used for their wise choosing:

"Although there are lots of dog bloggers out there, the blogs written from the POV of the dogs tend to be our favorites, especially because they're quite entertaining. We also love looking at lots of cute pictures. Through your posts, you have displayed responsible pet ownership, compassion, a sense of community, and dedication to sharing the story of your pet(s), which we admire."

This is the first thing I did when I received the email

Here's my personal take (yes, I am still as opinionated as ever)

1. I am quite entertaining, I agree. 

2. My blog has cute pictures. I agree, although sometimes my human makes me post photos of the cat-astrophic kittehs. Blah

3. Through my posts, I have displayed responsible pet ownership. That is correct! I, Twinkie, love all my pets. Okay, so I wasn't crazy about all our adoptions right from the start, but I've learned to trust my humans plus I am also responsible, so there's truth to this statement.

4. I have demonstrated compassion. Being a rescue dog myself, of course I feel compassion. I was a MESS when M found me. It's been several years now, and I'm healthier than ever, with the exclusion of my useless leg, but even though I have a forever home, I always think of my beginnings and think of other abandoned animals in need of a bit of food, water, and TLC. 

5. The sense of community makes me a bit emotional. You see, that was the goal, once upon a time when my mom and I had lots of spare time, and a smaller pack. I put up lots of events to feature my friends, I spread the news, put links up, contests, my Dear Twinkie column, and the cherry: GABE, the Global Animal Blogging Event. Everyone's link is still up, but unfortunately, I currently do not have much time to  dedicate to my community. As some of you may know, we are an ever growing pack; a pack which includes a geriatric case, a Wobbler, a scrawny and sickly tiny dog, mois, a demanding devilish younger terrier terror . . . mom also works a lot teaching Pailates... While the sense of community is still strong, lack of time gets in the way. Sniff. 

6. Dedication to sharing the story of my petS is also true. If I'm not blogging, I'm still finding a moment here and there to share through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the rest of the most important media. 

This is my custom badge (for all you skeptics)

You may also read the actual Silver Lining Herbs' post by clicking HERE

Therefore, after this breakdown and careful consideration of each and every point, I am HONORED to be part of Silver Lining Herbs' Top 10 Favorite dog blogs, especially when that means I am on the same list as (here I will mention the long time bloggie furiends that I am familiar with only): the legendary Ms. Khyra, my beloved Chronicle of Woos, the hilarious comic duo of the Two French Bulldogs, and the rest of the deserving blogs.


Before I wrap things up though, allow me to break down the blurb that Silver Linging Herbs used to feature my blog, 'cause I really can't help myself:

Twinkie is a very appropriate name for the sweet little Teacup Chihuahua who runs this blog. He was rescued off the streets and rehabilitated despite doubts he would ever pull through. Despite only being able to use 3 of his legs, he’s a happy little dog who shares space with his fellow K9 siblings and even cats. Although this blog is centered around Twinkie and dogs, it also is appropriate for cat lovers, too!

"Twinkie is a very appropriate name"  . . . They are correct, I was named after the infamous "Twinkie Defense". I also do run this blog, don't ever be fooled. 

"He was rescued," is almost accurate, but I am a SHE. I'm a girly girl, kk? Good. 

The rest of the text I cannot object to, until we come to the last line: "[Twinkie Tiny Dog, the blog] is appropriate for cat lovers too." While it's true, I do NOT want my blog to go to the cats. 

I'm afraid it's time to wrap things up. Don't ask...

Lots of licks to y'all!

Twink!

Wordless Wednesday

I'm terribly sorry, but due to the unfortunate fact that this is Wordless Wednesday, I cannot post about the development of events in my dwelling after the untimely passing of Brother Bubba and the subsequent and sudden arrival of Brother Rocket. All of you caring furiends (and Curious Georges) are going to have to wait a bit until I can post again. As you can tell, I'm still in one piece, since I'm still able to type and all... (remember that words in ai-talics do NOT count as words)

Now, can you name this new two-headed beast?

All I can say is that it has the potential to make it on the updated Designer Dog Breed List.

Twink!

The Brother I Never Met

When my animal lover humans first met, they were faced with a major decision. She already had Us (me and the rest of the blog gang, 6 dogs and 7 cats), and he had two boy doggies; Bubba and Rocket, aka The Boyz. The Boyz were ... trouble. Both rescues, both aggressive, both outweighing most from my pack. So, fearing for Us and all seven of our naive kitties, the humans made an extremely tough decision: The Boyz were to stay at their initial forever home, and we were to meet them when they "slowed" down; they were both, by this time, considered senior dogs, but they sure didn't act like it! 

Fortunately for Bubba, but perhaps unfortunately for our humans who loved him and wished to bring him home every day, he never slowed down. Overnight, he just went to sleep. He simply never woke up. 

2000-2013

Bubba, the ferocious, beautiful brindle Pitbull mix will be forever remembered by his humans and the many he touched (and occasionally bit) during his long lifetime. 

Bubba was always aggressive. The first and the second family that adopted him, could not deal with him. They wanted to get rid of him. To Bubba's good fortune, a dog lover, my pawrent, heard all the bad stories about him and went for a visit at the second family's home. He found Bubba hiding under a table, baring his teeth, and lunging at anything that moved near him. That puppy needed a home and he got it!

Lil' Bubba remained aggressive. When he got a brother, Baby Rocket, a Chow mix, Bubba attacked. He was sent to obedience school to learn how to stop being aggressive and to play nicely with his brother. He came back home many days and dollars later. The trainer placed him and his bro in a large enclosure and watched. The two watched each other for about an hour when they finally couldn't take it any longer. Muzzles were flying, as they each tried to grab the other. The trainer grabbed the hose... To sum it up, after all his training, Bubba had only learned how to walk well on leash. His nickname was Kujo.

Bubba and his purple-tongued bro, Rocket, were both alpha males and fought most of their lives, but they somehow also got along. There was no option of rehoming either one of them. Aggressive Pitbull mixes are the last to find a home, and aggressive Chows, don't fare well either. 

By the time our humans decided to join their lives, the stories of Bubba's ruthlessness belonged in the past, still my pack is a vulnerable one: we me, Twinkie, the lightweight 3-legged teacup; Frankie, the scaredy-cat brindle chiweenie that squeals at the sight of another dog; Pedro, Mr. I'm Da Boss, aka El Diablo; Sasha, the ADHD slightly aggressive Great Dane; Ziggy, an ailing dog that suffers from Wobbler's and can't even move some times; and we finally have a spotted senior dog, Linguini, that can barely move. 

At first, our humans used The Boyz' two story home and yard as a kennel only. They referred to it as "the world's most expensive kennel." After a few months, a couple moved into the house. Part of the deal was that they would at least try to take care of the boys. They did that and more. They cared for the boys.

That all brings us to today, the day sweet Bubba decided to go to sleep, forever, at his forever home. We got a call early this morning. Rocket is upset, missing his lifetime best rival and best furiend. He is on his way here.

Wordless Wednesday

Twink!

Wordless Wednesday

Guilty!

BTW Anything in italics, does not count. 

My blog, my rules, and guilty he IS ;)

(do not let the innocent look deceive you, look at the stuffing on his perky lil' nose)

Twinkie

Happy 2013, Sort Of...

This is a random update for our good furiends. We're slowly trying to work out a regular posting schedule...paws crossed.

We wish a happy and healthy new year to all of you!

The end of 2013 was rough on our furry and a bit less furry family. Gigi, one of the kittens born here, never came back home. We do live in the foothills, amongst wild life; coyotes, bob cats, and mountain lions. That's all I'm going to say about this. I did mention Gigi's disappearance last post, but what I did not mention, because it happened a month later, Momma Cat, Farrah, went missing, in November. My mom was and IS still looking. She coped with Gigi's loss, but Momma's disappearance was devastating.

If you know anybody who lives near La Canada/Flintridge, La Crescenta, or Altadena, CA please share this photo. Email us with good news at

twinkietinydogATaolDOTcom

Thank you!

As for the rest of the cats . . . they don't seem too rattled

While, I still rule the pack, little Pedro still pawrents his Great Danes. He is still as mischievous as ever. He has a new nickname (duh) I hereby present you with:

El pequeño diablo amarillo 

Linguini is still hanging in there. She's 15 years old, but acts like she's 5 months old. She is SEEEENILE! Most of the day, she either sleeps, barks at the danes, or rolls on her back moaning with pleasure. She loves food as much as ever.

Linguini's doing pretty great, but our M's got lots of cleaning to do, if you know what I mean. 

Let's see . . . oh yeah! Frankie celebrated her 4rth Gotcha Day! All she wanted was treats and M's TLC. 

She got 'em!

Some of you may remember that our Great Dane boy, our Ziggy, has Wobbler's Syndrome. He had a major episode this past weekend. He couldn't stand up, and he was depressed and confused. This started on Saturday. M kept an eye on him and isolated him (esp. from his rambunctious sissy). Sunday he was even worse. Monday he went to see the specialist. That's when he took a turn for the better. Many human dollars later, the vet prescribed another round of Prednisone which M did not start, since Ziggy's constantly improving on his own! Now that's great news!

The beasties (aka Great Danes) basking in the sun

That wraps up the major highlights of our life in my home. I am personally doing better than ever! Yup yup! I beat the odds and I'm planning to keep doing so. I'm one tough chihuahua!

HAPPY 2013

CHEERS!

Twink!