Bedtime blues

 

Every night, I have to relocate Riko to her side of the bed. I should be thankfully I don't have three on the bed....otherwise, I would have to move into the guest bedroom.

Rainy days and Sundays

It was a weekend of (monsoon) rain and (Deepawali) fireworks.

Riko was in her panic room for two nights in a row.

While the other two....sleeping through the racket.



At the negotiation table

Dori has improved tremendously at breakfast time since the early days. Nowadays, I have different challenges in the morning.

 

Birthday kisses for Mariko

My baby girl is FOUR!

Dori goes for surgery

 Dori was a such trooper today. (I think she didn't know what she got herself into.)

She finally got her ovaries removed. Now, she and Ruki can co-exist tanpa was-was.

Post surgery



This cone is most annoying

Home sweet home

The Kitchen Dog Series - Synchronized Sleeping

 

 

The Runaway Blonde

 



This evening when I came home, Riko and Ruki came running to greet me. What happened to Dori?

I asked my dad and he said she ran away. WHAT? My mum was out looking for her. The gardener came to mow the lawn earlier that evening and left around 5.30pm.... the last time the gate was opened. My mum realized the missing dog at 7pm during feeding time. One and half hours before alarm was raised...and nobody (dared to) call me?

At 9 p.m. (3 hours later). when I returned, she was still missing. OMG - what will I tell her previous owners? How do I explain it to the vet when I have to cancel her spaying appointment next Monday? Sorry I need to cancel coz I lost my dog.

I drove out looking for her but it was dark and the roads were really deserted. I had doubts she could not have wandered far. Plus, she is totally unfamiliar with the neighbourhood because she is not allowed to venture outside. Only my boy walks daily at day care. I doubt even Riko knows her way "home" to daycare or my house....let alone Dori.

Anyway, I stopped by the neighbourhood guard house down the road on my way back. The guard told me they saw a brown dog. Where? It was at Road 56, which was two roads from Daycare. He asked me to go to that guard house. Much relieved, I rushed to the guard house (met my mum in her car on the way). Apparently, our neighbourhood mechanic from the petrol station was also driving around looking for her since 7p.m. We got there but no dog!

The guard at Road 56 said there was no dog. Confused. Then wondered whether they are colluding to keep her by taking her home. After some further questioning, we realised the guard just took over the night shift. After some calls, another guard came and ask us to check House 19. So, we went down the road to the house.

Thank goodness she was found safely by Benny and family. I forget all their names in the excitement :(

Apparently, she ran up the road. Then along the main road (OMG) and two road down. Benny was driving home. Got down to catch her. She ran the opposite direct and straight to the guards at the guard house. The brave guard got their chairs up to shield themselves from her ("in the guards...we trust with our security...when they are scared of my girl!).

Anyway, Benny open his car door....and Dori jumped in without hesitation. She's way too trusting. Maybe he drives the same car model as me.

Dori made herself completely at home in the rescuer's house. At the house, she took me inside the garage to show me her new dog friends... which included a rescued Golden Retriever. I don't think she knows that she was lost. She is EXTREMELY lucky she found her rescuer family. We are extremely lucky that Ruki and Riko did not join in the escape.

Since my mum will be away in the U.K. for 6 weeks, my dad has been instructed to do a dog count every hour at day care. He thinks I'm crazy....I don't. I've been meaning to put my mobile number on their collars again for the longest time (since they got their new dog tags). Now, I really have to do it!

OMG.... I forgot (as usual)

Some photos over the weekend

 

Grand dad walked Ruki over to my house for a visit on Saturday. On Sunday, he seemed to have stopped being psycho around Dori. So, it looked okay for him to stay over. This photo is Ruki feeling totally dejected after kong-kong left him behind.... which meant his walk was abruptly cut short. He was waiting patiently like this for whole half hour. I think he was waiting for kong-kong to come back for him.

This is Dori falling asleep next to the drinking bowl last night. On Saturday, she fell asleep with her head hanging inside the bowl. She LOVES to drink water.



 

 

Riko went to the vet on Saturday. She was her usual nervous self..... like me going for dental visit. More in future postings.

Life in times of haze and heat

I thought things have settled down pretty much.
Girl house-trained. Everyone goes to day care.
Then, girl goes on heat. Boy becomes a monk. ((Good boy))
Everybody comes home every night - one big happy family.

Then, one day last week - both Dori and Riko decided conspired to stay at home instead of going to day care. So, they were home alone all day. I wonder what were they up to together.

 

But, I guess they were bored to death because the next day, Dori didn't want to go home and Riko decided she will stay on with her at Daycare. And, I had some one-on-one time with my boy at home. It seemed like a good thing  after all, he spent two weeks at day care full time when Dori first arrived.  

The next night, Riko decided she wanted to stay overnight at Daycare on her own. So, I came home with Ruki and Dori. And the next night, Riko stayed on with her brother at daycare. So, I came back with Dori. By now, I didn't know who will come home with me every night.

Then, Ruki decided to end his monk-hood.
...and the haze came...complicating the whole arrangement at day care because the kids have to stay indoor. Since Ruki has now a big crush (literally) on Dori now ...they cannot co-exist under one roof!

So, the girls are home alone at my place, while Ruki is at day care.

Last night, I did a crazy thing. I brought my boy home because he refused to come indoors at day care despite the heavy haze. My house windows were all closed. All the air-conditioners were turned up. Everyone was indoors as if it was a cold winter's night (except that it was all haze outside).

Well, I must say it was not the best idea to have a sex maniac hot-blooded casanova, dumb blond and innocent brunette schoolgirl under one roof. It was like playing musical rooms - there's a girl's room and boy's room. One door can open at one time and everyone took turns to play and pee.

 

It's all in their names

I have a confession to make.

I've been secretly calling her Dori for some time now.

 

 

When I used to call her Puri, I always visualising "Bali" or something Indonesian. Like I remember our old indo maid - Puji. Her original given name Bori draws a blank image in my mind most of the time. Sometimes, I think of barley when I call her (Bori means barley in Korean). But, Bori always seemed way to masculine for her.

 

So, searching for a close enough sounding Japanese name, it was Dori.

Midori - her new full name seems more fitting for her character...like Princess Midori.

 

Now, each time I call her, Ellen DeGeneres's face pops up in my head (more than her fish character in Finding Nemo) for some reason.

 

Sometimes I call her "Dor" for short, I am thinking of some Swedish barbarian-looking guy. Oh well.... I can't help thinking in images.

 

 

 

Haruki - means sunshine in Japanese. He was named after my favourite Japanese author - Haruki Murukami.

 

Mariko - means village girl. My favourite Japanese girl name. I remembered it from the first time I heard it in "Shogun" starring Richard Chamberlain. Mariko was his love interest.

 

 

Midori - means green. My favourite colour. Co-incidentally my favourite female character from my favourite Murukami novel - Norwegian Wood was called Midori.

 

 

 

So, finally these many variation for each of them which I use... (yes, the name calling probably confused them).

 

Long name = Haruki

Medium name =  Haruk, Ruki

Short name = Ruk

 

Long name = Mariko

Medium name =  Marik, Riko

Short name = Rik

 

Long name = Midori

Medium name =  Mido, Dori

Short name = Dor

Not time to surrender her ovaries

It looks like Puri will keep her ovaries for another 2 months.

 

Her original appointment two weeks ago was cancelled due to her sudden paralysis. I managed to re-schedule to the next earliest appointment set for today.... but I had to postpone to Friday due to work. Then, the vet called to cancel our Friday appointment because of insufficient vet for the procedure.

 

When we finally set a new appointment for next Monday, Puri decided to go on heat.

 

Started out with some spots of blood on the floor, two days ago. At first, I thought it was from their overzealous playing as I did see some wrestling bite marks on Riko's leg recently. Everybody was body-checked....nothing suspicious came up. Even my Romeo boy (barometer) did not raise an alarm about anyone on heat at home. 

 

 

I think my boy has turned into a monk.

 

 

Last night, he paid no attention to Puri but mysteriously wanted to sleep indoors with the girls. Hmmm.... For fear of hanky-panky while I was sleeping, I had to throw him outside.

Training at Breakfast

 Everyone has to have some manners during meal times. This means sitting calmly and waiting for the command "OK Food" before eating. I think Puri is getting the concept although hunger sometimes get the better of her.

Another lazy Sunday

 



All aboard

 

I guess everybody will go to Day Care from now on.

First Day at Day Care

 

This morning, it was Puri's turn to she has had enough of being home alone. She has been watching how my kids get up the car. For the past week, she has been lurking around the car door to figure out how to do it herself. Today, she thought that she can graduate from Home Care to Day Care. So, she decided to climb into the car with Ruki.

 

 

When it is time for grandparents to go out, no hanging around the driveway/ garden or "escorting" the car down the driveway or running outside the gate. My kids are trained from young to take position at the pond bridge by command "ON THE BRIDGE".

Puri needs to be trained as well. Like today, she escorted the car out the driveway  and ran out the gate. NOOOOOO... my parents will not be happy with this :(

SEE no TOUCH



After more than 2 weeks at Daycare, my boy has had enough of boot camp.

Yesterday evening, he jumped into the car to head home. And so he went home ....to find a girl in the house. Of course, he was all smitten and wanted to hump her immediately. After several attempts, he gave up and decided to just be friends.

Puri is re-scheduled for spaying procedure next Thursday (13 June).

Girl wrestling

This is what it looks like. Maybe Puri was doing too much of this lately.
This video was taken over the weekend (post sudden paralysis).
Nowadays, I have to act as a referee in during such matches.

 

You are what you eat

My boy is on home-cooked meals in the morning and loves it. He has been on it since his health scare last year. My girl has never been a fan, preferring kibbles. Commercial dog food especially kibbles and treats (absolutely no) are so convenient but nothing beats fresh foods and knowing what is in the food you feed your kids. Now everyone is on home-cooked meals. I must say they have a more balanced diet that me!

 

Kampong chicken, organs, fish, fruits, vegetables, ginger & turmeric, fish or coconut oils

My Starter reference

Imagine a prey animal.

Most of the animal is made up of meat and bones. A prey animal in the wild is a lean animal - not fat and plump like those raised domestically for meat. The amount of meat to bone is close to 50/50. Perhaps a little more meat than bone overall, but not overly much. Then you have the organs. Imagine the amount of organs compared to the bones. It is a much smaller percentage of the whole animal than the bones and meat.  Now vegetable matter. In the animals stomach and intestines there will be things like grasses, herbs, berries, seeds and so forth. No grains really apart from some grass seeds in season. Lots of leafy green vegetable matter all pulped up. Again though, it is a smaller percentage than the amount of bones and meat. Imagine the prey animal living in an environment that is not overgrazed and has lovely healthy rich soil. The diet it is eating is full of nutrients and trace elements and has good levels of omega 3's. The prey animal is also a 'whole animal and includes the things most people don't buy commercially such as eyes and brain etc (things higher in omega 3's). To emulate this, we can include things like kelp/alfalfa and flax/fish oil. In its stomach along with all those vegetables, it will also have some enzymes and bacteria. This is where things like probiotics (eg yoghurt) can come in to the picture. So, here we have the basic 'animal' that forms the foundation of the diet. Picture all the bits together in the proportions you might find them in the animal.

Now picture them in your dog's bowl.

Back to normal?

Puri seems to be back to her old self again. I wonder what happened a few days ago to cause her acute immobility. Today, the handyman came to fix some things in the house. As usual, she was the busy body. She thought she could be his apprentice.... perhaps hold the ladder for him or maybe, fetch tools to him.

The day after meds

At bedtime last night, Puri was lying in the hall, looking pretty much paralysed. So, we bid goodnight and went to the bedroom. A few minutes later, she came limping into the bedroom. I guess she did not want to be alone outside.

 

This morning, she was lying in the bedroom although we tried to do the regular routine to get to the garden to pee and poo in the first thing in the morning. She remained in the room as I prepared for work.

 

The vet said that she will probably feel better in the morning once the medication kicked in. Hence, I was worried that it was more serious than expected. Worse still, the vet is closed tomorrow due to a public holiday.

 

My sister dropped by and Puri decided to get up to see what was happening. Her legs were still stiff at first. Then, she seem to be ok with standing and back to "her normal clingy self"....wanting to jump and get into the car. Maybe, she thought she couldn't walk at first and then, realized that she was back to normal.

 

She should not exert herself too much because whatever is given to her now is only a temporary relief. Will have to schedule for x-ray to see what is the actual problem.

 

Wee Game

As Puri was not able to move about or even stand up much of yesterday, she was not able to go wee.

Despite two attempts to bring her outside, she didn't want to go to the garden to wee. Both times, she limp back into the house. By night fall, I was really worried that she was still holding it all in her bladder.

 

It was such a relief that she finally wee when I got home from dinner last night.

 

After over a week of toilet-training and several "accidents" in the house, she sort of understood that weeing and pooing is something you do in the garden.

 

But last night, I never thought I would be so glad to wipe wee on my kitchen floor. She might have wanted to go to the backyard to wee but the door was locked when I was out.

 



Suspected arthritis

Puri was scheduled to be spayed today but she did not make it for the surgery. On Tuesday night, I did noticed her front leg was slightly limping Since yesterday, she had trouble walking. Literally, she could not put pressure on her hind leg for long periods.

 

We went to the vet today. As it happened suddenly (at least to me), it might have been a stroke. The vet said it might be unlikely as she is still considered young. By physical observation, there is some stiffness in the legs and inability to put much pressure of her hind legs. It might be arthritis.

 

She was given an anti-inflammatory jab and is taking anti-inflammatory pills and nerve supplements. On top of that, she has to be on glucosamine. Have to put on a proper diet.

 

At the moment, she has to be monitored and to make sure she can resume the function of her hind legs. Doctor said with the medication, she should feel better tomorrow. Next week, I think she will need to get x-rayed to ascertain for sure what the issues are.

 

 

According to the vet, she might be in some pain and hence, she should not be moving about a lot. Anyway, she is immobile (not by choice) and has to be brought out to the garden to use the toilet. She poo-ed today. But, I have not seen her pee...which is worrying at this point.

 

Each time, I bring her out....she wants to come in the house again. I hope she heals soon.

Right now, she has to gain strength to stand up, put on diet, take her medication and get x-rayed. Only then, we know what can be done. Poor girl. She has been such a trooper... she's is in some discomfort but she is totally quiet about it.

Food exchange program



My girl Riko has never been a fan of food. I think if she had a choice, she could just live on cream cheese and Greek yogurt. I believe she was a Dutch girl in her previous life. For a couple of days now, she has been fed once nightly instead of twice a day since only the girls are at the house.

 

In the early days, she used to get annoyed when Puri strays into her bowl. Nowadays, she is more tolerant. After the first cup they will have in their own bowls. Then, they exchange bowls to have their second half cup. After that, a tablespoon of Greek yogurt each to lick for dessert.

 



Round 1

Round 2

My abandoned boy

With the arrival of our guest a week ago, Ruki has been putting up at day care (became night care too). It has become rather difficult parting ways every night. Every time, he is eagerly waiting to jump up the car only to be told to stay behind.

Yesterday, we decided it was best to keep him in the house while we slip out into the car. Last night, as soon as we left and the front door open, he came running out to the gate to see where we went. Grandma kept calling him to come back to the house. After a long while, he finally came in. Grandma offered him his favourite butter cookie...but he refused to eat it. This is serious stuff - he does not resist any form of food. Ever.

Only after much coaxing, he relented and ate his cookie.

Guess who came to visit over the weekend

Today's a holiday!

 

They are getting along
 ..... but with Ruki, not.

Going to work in the morning

Someone has the idea that she could skip day care and play at home.














Someone has the idea that she can go out.















Someone at day care just want to go home.

Where are the girls tonight?

Last night, she was napping independently in the study. Tonight, she wants to sleep under my work table.

Where is my girl, Riko?