Remember Me Thursday

Hello to all my friends,

Saturday is a special day for Mom, it is her birthday as I am speaking for my sister Layla also wishing Mom a very happy Birthday, I am so blessed to have been adopted by her and spending her special day with her as my sister is over the Rainbow Bridge makes it even more special.

I have always rescued a pet and that is why today, 25th of September is Remember Me Thursday is so dear to me.

What is this day?

Remember Me Thursday is on the last Thursday of September every year when we speak out for the orphan pets in shelters wanting homes, they are innocent and, in many ways, we are to blame.

This is a day when we all get together campaigning for them as no innocent orphaned pet should have to die in a Shelter because someone dumped them there.

 

As Mike Arms, President and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center says : We all come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, but together, we can raise our voices and share one life-saving message and literally save millions of pets on this one day.”

You can read more about it on their website:

https://remembermethursday.org/about/

How can we shine a light on:

  1. Attend a Remember Me Thursday event near you. – You can find the events near you on Google or on the website above.
  1. Hold a pet food plus other pet related items fundraiser for your local shelter.
  1. Check to see if one of your shelters in your area are having an adoption event.
  1. Speak out, encourage friends and family to adopt and open their homes to an orphan pet.
  1. There are so many ways we can all help, so let’s take one step forward today to do it.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our friends a Happy, Sweet, Healthy New Year as our New Year 5786 started on the 22nd of September and our prayers are that the New Year will bring homes to all the orphaned pets.

With love and woofs from Nili

 

 

 

A day in the life of a rescued dog

TGIF! Weekend has arrived and that means time to kick back, relax and forget all the errands and tasks for two days but spend quality time with Nili.  I need to start doing this the way I did with Layla as it is only fair to her. Yup am having a guilty conscience at this moment LOL. So I decided to share with you what a day with Nili is from early morning till we fall asleep at night and how she keeps me on my toes, plus her training that she is getting, which is helping a lot, thank you Dani.

Nili my growling alarm clock, wakes me up at about 5 every morning and does not keep quiet till I am awake and searching for clothes plus to get her out. This for her is the best time of the day as I am sleepy and she is a bundle of energy but off we go. I normally walk her for about 3 blocks for her to potty, sniff and of course burn off energy. Once done and I by then am desperate for coffee, we come home. I normally let her run into the building to burn off more energy, but she will make a bee line for the front door, sitting with a wagging tail waiting for me.

I then take her harness off and feed her breakfast which is air dried kibbles, carrots, blueberries, apples and some coconut oil. She gobbles her breakfast down and then starts squeaking toys or takes a nap. While I drink my coffee finally LOL, she will sit at my feet growling and barking for attention and of course treats but have cut back with them because of her diet.

Breakfast time

 

While I work during the morning she will let me know if she needs to go out which of course we do and then once she is settled, I get back to whatever I am doing. I normally give her YOMP toy or Kong with veggies in plus a bit of salmon which keeps her busy for about a half hour. Then it is nap time for her. If we have been out longer than planned and it is hot I will give her some chopped up watermelon, carrots, blueberries and apples instead.

Yomp time yummmm

In the late afternoons around 4 or so I take her to the park to run and play while I sit back and watch her with my  coffee. She loves that time especially if all the treat people are out although most know she cannot have treats because of her diet.  I am battling to keep her on her diet plus now buying everything for her to munch on that is not more than one calorie which is not easy. If it’s a biscuit she gets a quarter. She is not starving but I do not want her to be obese and the 2 lbs she needs to lose. When we get home from the park in the evenings she gets her dinner, which is the same as breakfast and then the kitchen is closed for her.

Nili and Monkey, I just love this photo

Our last walk at night is around 9 pm when we walk about 4 blocks, she has time to potty, smell and check the p-mails. The other night while walking we came across a racoon which was as big as her, she barked like crazy while he looked at her as if to say what do you want. She thought she was so smart walking home tail wagging it was quite funny.

 

I then brush her out, make sure there are no matts, clean her teeth and she gets half a greenie and it is bedtime. Nili sleeps in different places each night but am relieved she settles down and goes to sleep.

 

So that is what our days are like, of course we do different things on weekends, but she gets lots of exercise, playtime in the park, and most of all she is not starving and goes to bed with a full tummy.

 

Rescuing a stray, is not easy in some ways, but I would not change it for anything, she keeps me on my toes and for a senior that is enough LOL.

 

Have a wonderful weekend, be safe

With a woof and hugs from Nili

National Disaster Preparedness Month

Woof hello Everyone,

This is Nili here telling Mom what to write as I am carrying on my sisters Laylas Legacy.

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month; it is very important as we must be prepared for any type of Disaster especially with climate change happening all over the world and not knowing what can happen.

Because we live in San Francisco where earthquakes happen, we have a bag ready for emergencies with everything Mom can think of so that we do not have that worry if we must run out of the house. Since I have come to live with Mom, and having been a stray in my past life, Mom has added to the list a carrier for me so she can put me in it and not have to worry about me trying to run away or hurt myself walking on the debris in the streets. The plus with this carrier is that expands so that I will have room to stretch out plus Mom can put a water bowl or food in it. She would keep it closed for carrying but once in a safe place she would expand the sides and front. It also has a strap in it so she can strap me in, and I cannot run. It would give her peace of mind.  Thank you Mr. Peanuts for this amazing carrier, you can see their fantastic products on their website :

The bag I have to carry Nili, it expands so when on the ground I can open it up on all sides so it is bigger and more comfortable

https://mrpeanutspetcarriers.com/?rfsn=7819747.8b3521&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7819747.8b3521

I am practising to stay in the bag for an emergency, Nili, when I carry it the sides are folded in and it looks like a normal pet carrier

This is what is in our bag which Mom has and it on wheels so it is easier for her to pull as it is heavy: Boxes of Water, Food for both of us, Treats, Flashlights with batteries, sleeping bag for Mom, toys for me of course, Leash and harness with ID tags on,  and BOL some coffee for Mom, and most important a first aid kit for both of us. We also have a wallet with cash in just in case ATMs are not working so I feel Mom has covered everything.  If you think she has forgotten something, please tell Mom so she can add it to our bag.  I also keep my phone charged so that it will be charged if I must grab it and go out. Most important and was reminded all vet documents and of course your personal documents also (copies are also great)

Layla and I shopping for items for our disaster bag

 

We are discussing this subject this week as Mom says it is very important to be prepared for all so that we can be safe as we are family, the furkids of the family although I am the only kid here.

Have a wonderful weekend, be safe

With hugs and love from Nili

Vet Experience

TGIF!  Weekend has arrived and they are expecting a heat wave here in San Francisco so we are going to be indoors quite a bit as to not overheat. We have had a cold summer with drizzles and suddenly it has decided to warm up and Mom is happy but I am not, too hot for me grrrr. Thank goodness I have my cooling vest which helps a lot.

As you all know two weeks ago Nili was sick and we went to the vet clinic that Mom has been going to for over 15 years. She always loved them but this time she got fed up. I am going to break down the story here which upsets me as it was one of the best clinics to go to but since it has become private, owned by the vets that work there, has all the modern day equipment,  open 24/7 so much has gone wrong also and we have decided to move to another place, smaller but friendlier.

These are the reasons / red flag that made me do it :

 

  1. When Nili was sick, I made an appointment with our regular vet who knows Mom but was not there so we saw a new vet. A young guy, and during the exam he had another vet there too so we are wondering if he was a student or not, I have no issues with that but feel vets should listen to the dog Mom not force things on her. While checking her he said she needed fluid shots, nausea shots plus dog diet food to help her lose weight. I was astonished that he was deciding all this without discussing with me. Nili had just finished a cup of water so she was not dehydrated, she had been eating so I knew she was not nauseas. Telling me to buy diet food is not an option as I do not believe in them plus in a nutshell he was telling me to have her get a flu shot. I was in shock over it all but kept quiet as I did not want stress at the clinic for the sake of Nili. He also mentioned probiotic dog food which although I hate kibbles decided to give her instead of medications plus so much more. He wanted me to buy the cans but I put my foot down and got the kibble which I must admit helped her. In a nutshell I came home with no answers to my questions but being sold as such things I did not need.
  2. The final straw with this clinic was on Monday I called them to make an appointment for her Leptospirosis vaccine, I told them on the phone that I wanted a vet tech to do it as it is a lot cheaper and they told me they would call with time and date. By 6 that evening I had not heard from them so I called them back, the customer service told me the following : There is no vet tech appointments, He then had the audacity to tell me that for an extra $55 I could have it done with a vet and as I have credit there to cover it there would be no problem. That is when I got really angry and told him he has no right to tell me what to do with my credit, so his reply was well he would give me other places to go. I told him about an article I had read about vets thinking more of money than pets and felt that is what is happening at his clinic, he was not happy that I said that, I also told him I blogged and would talk about it here today, and then put the phone down.
  3. On Wednesday they called me again, LOL, telling me that they had place for a vet tech at the price they had quoted me $98 but I told them thanks as I had made an appointment at another clinic. I know the reason she called me was the other clinic had called them for all Nili’s files so that they would have everything before I went today.

This morning, Nili and I went to get her shot, what a difference, what a great family vet clinic, everyone was smiling, welcoming and the vet was fantastic. Did not push anything on me,  discussed chunky monkey’s weight, what to do and in a nutshell I have found the place to go now. Actually, all my friends rave about this clinic and they are so right. I always say a first impression says it all.

Waiting for the bus to go to the ver, Nili

Mom can we go home please, it is nice and cool here but I do not like vets, Nili

One of the many reasons I am sharing this with everyone is I want pet parents to know there are always other options, and it is sad that some clinics are so money motivated, causing many pet parents to avoid them plus dumping their pets as they cannot afford the vet expenses. I am not wealthy, on a fixed income, am blessed to have certain coverage for Nili but I still must watch what I am spending as to not go over my annual budget for vets where possible and if a clinic is checking my finances as such I am not interested in working with them. Their loss not mine and Nili and my gain having found a fantastic new one.

As always Nili keeps me amused so am going to share our video of the week, as she is such a clown.

Please be safe and have a wonderful weekend, with lots of  memories,

Love Nili  aka chunky monkey and Mom

 

 

 

What a week

Good morning, friends, we hope you have had a good week as mine has been a busy crazy one and phew thank goodness it is weekend time.

I have been very naughty eating the mud in the park which made me sick, Mom took the hood off my head as the dogs did not want to play with me when I wore it so I went crazy being hoodless and ate some mud, which is not good as it is full of fish fertilizer and it upset my tummy big time, yes I paid the price of being naughty and Mom did not sleep for at least 4 nights. She was giving me probiotics, bland food, no treats but nothing was working so on Thursday she took me to the vet for a check up as she felt she was losing. I was eating and drinking but nothing was staying in my tummy and as she said to the vet I suppose it is a good way for me to lose the weight that I have to lose BOL. The vet laughed with her and told her I had not lost anything.

Sitting on the windowsill at the vet clinic waiting for the vet, Nili

 

So after a thorough check up including tests which came back negative the vet sat down with Mom and suggested a vet kibble, now you all know how anti kibble Mom is but this time can you believe it she agreed and am munching on them plus she is giving them to me as treats but not getting more than the vet told Mom to feed me, she is on a strict regime with me.  The vet and Mom think I am allergic to rice and chicken and that is why my tummy was not settling so we are taking each day as it comes but I must admit today for the first time in a week I am feeling a lot better.

 

Today, Friday was one year since I arrived home from my foster family, but we could not celebrate cos of my tummy issues and Mom explained to me that is the price I am paying for eating the mud, she has promised me a cookie when I am healthy.

My first photo on Nili in the house sitting on a pee pad chewing a treat

 

So this week has been a crazy week with my upset tummy and we have not done much, we are recharging our batteries this weekend as it is miserable outside and drizzling, next week we will take each day as it comes slowly cos Mom says she is getting old BOL.

My first time in the indoor crate and it is cozy, Nili

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, be safe and stay cool,

 

With hugs and love from Nili

 

A week in the life of Nili

Woof hello my friends,

Friday has arrived. Mom says it is Friday the 13th so she is lying low BOL as she is superstitious and does not want to take chances but has promised me park time phew or I will drive her crazy BOL.

The past week has been cold, windy and really gloomy, the sun poking it face in here and there but not enough for long park time so I told Mom we should share with yu my fun times in the park so you can see how  much fun I have with my friends while our parents freeze and yell at us not to eat the mud, it is so much fun seeing them freeze and yell while we play.

Waiting for my friends to arrive, Nili

Some of the videos where you can see she is fearless when it comes to size of dogs LOL.

https://youtube.com/shorts/bgUoAlKqHbc?si=x2wTUhU6ik7X3lbZ

https://youtube.com/shorts/2_-cNfZufhc?si=ea42nKKNG7XVaOl3

https://youtube.com/shorts/vyj2fp9mQZU?si=UJYSdasJI1r5da16

My diet is going well, and I have lost weight, thanks to the good food from Mom and the exercise I am getting so my summer figure is ready for my bikini BOL and Mom says I am slim and sexy now so all the male dogs will want to play with me.  Thank you to Yumwoof for the good healthy food, which has helped a lot plus the Real Mushrooms mobility chews for keeping my joints in shape. With 4th Of July around the corner it is worth stocking up on their Relaxing Chews also which help me stay cal when I get scared, helped my Angel Sister Layla also, so they are a must have for emergencies in your house. (They are for cats and dogs)

YumWoof  : You have 5% off if you enter the coupon code YUMNILI –   https://yumwoof.com/?ref=nbmzrsze  

Real Mushrooms:  You have a 10% off  if you enter the coupon code LaylasWoof  –  https://shop.realmushrooms.com/?ref=488

Sleeping after dinner and the park

Don’t forget if you use the coupons Mom gets paid a small amount which will help her buy me more treats as that is my pocket money.

Have a safe wonderful weekend, take lots of photos for memories,

With a woof and Love from

Nili

 

 

 

 

 

Summer has arrived

TGIF!! Hi friends, I hope you all are going to have a great weekend with adventures and fun like me, it is so important to make memories Mom says as when we become angels like my sisters Layla and Baby Mom will have lots of memories to make her smile.

Last weekend I went to the Shih Tzu meet up where there were lots of friends like me to play with. It was so much fun and what was the best was it was a different dog park which means lots of new smells to roll in which of course I did BOL so I came home stinky. I went on the bus there and Mom was so proud of me as I sat nicely and rode with no fear, Mom was also happy the bus was not full and she did not have to carry the backpack which I hate.

On the bus being a good girl, Nili

Hmmm something smells good should I roll, Nili

Meeting new friends, Nili

 

Did you know that riding the bus takes you to different places which means lots of new smells and dogs and that for me is a real adventure so I cannot wait to do more of them. I told Mom that summer has arrived, so the time has come to go out more and she agreed although she says it means her carrying lots of water for me, treats of course and BOL her coffee too, but it is worth it.

 

This weekend they are expecting HOT weather so we will be going out to the park, maybe a different one, and spending time outdoors so I can relax on the lawn in the sun, wearing my cooling vest of course, and just enjoy the outdoors. If I am good Mom says she will take the mask off too although I can drink through it but not eat oy vey.

 

Yesterday Mom went to have lunch with friends at one of the non-profits she belongs to, a part of this organization is PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) which I am a client of and they have a food bank for us brats. Mom found there for me 3 new toys, some yum healthy treats and some great dog food which she so approves of so am all set here. I had so much fun with the toys which are really loud squeakers and woke Mom up this morning playing with one, it was 5 am and she was not happy BOL but when I want to play I will play. (See the video below)

So in the Nili Neighborhood life is busy, I am keeping Mom on her toes big time and enjoying my life to its fullest. I am one lucky rescued dog, from the streets as a stray to a wonderful loving home with everything I want plus so much more.

Have a wonderful weekend with love and woofs from

Nili

 

It is a long weekend

Hi Friends,

 

Mom told me that this weekend is a long weekend, that means I have her for 3 full days, no work only play and that sounds so exciting. I hope she has some fun lined up for me as I need some fun in the sun (hopefully) and of course playtime with my friends.

 

Mom explained to me that Memorial Day is a sad day as we remember all those that lost their lives in wars, terrorist attacks and so much more and we must not forget out four legged friends also, they are heroes too. So we are going to lie low on Monday out of respect but am sure we will go to the park for some fun, while Mom of course drinks her coffee BOL. She needs her coffee as much as I need my friends there so it is a win win situation plus we are outside in the sun.

Please keep them safe

 

Last Friday Aunt Alice, Mom and I went to Lake Blue Heron for a picnic, it was such a beautiful day to sit next to water, watch the ducks and the racoons (lots of them) and as Mom said while I barked BOL they chatted and caught up. It was a couple of hours of heaven, fresh air, wildlife, picnic and sun. I am sharing some of the photos here so you can see what Mom’s favorite past time is BOL. She tied me with an extra leash to the bench so that I could not go far or jump into the lake to try catch a duck, I was not happy but what Mom says is done and I have to obey. If I don’t obey I don’t get treats grr.

Can you see the racoon, I made sure he knew I was there, Nili

Showing his face to everyone

I want to go into the water to chase them but Mom won’t let me, Nili

On Wednesday I met Lauren, my dog behaviorist so that I can learn not to eat off the streets, not to eat the mud in the park, not to pull on my leash so Mom can fall and many other tricks, it was fun going for a walk with Lauren also so for me school is beginning also. Lauren told Mom I am very smart, oy vey BOL, very pretty and a good girl in many ways and she was so happy to see me entertain myself while they were talking, Yes I made a mess and threw all the toys everywhere and it is fun watching Mom pick them all up so I can start all over again.

 

So as you can all read, I am a very busy girl, keeping Mom busy from morning till night, in between her doing everything else so life is good in the Nili Neighborhood and as Mom says she is blessed to have me although she does miss my sister Angel Layla.

My Angel Layla

 

Have a wonderful safe weekend everyone, please keep us safe and make lots of memories,

With love and woof from Nili

 

Happy Easter Everyone, please keep us safe

When Spring arrives, Easter arrives, and everyone is hopping for chocolates plus some parents are busy buying bunnies for their kids. This is a sore subject for me as so many bunnies, like other pets, are bought for a holiday and then dumped in a shelter or as some do which is so stupid is let them loose in the fields where they cannot survive.  So if you want a bunny for your child get them a toy, one that does not need care and will not be thrown out  when your child is bored with it. Bunnies, like so many pets are family, and you do not want to be dumped by a family member then please do not do the same to your bunny.

Easter can also be hazardous to your pets; I am listing below the hazards to keep your pets safe especially when it comes to chocolate or candies with Xylitol.

 

Happy Easter to everyone, we hope you have a wonderful fun weekend with your family, please be safe and most important don’t OD on chocolates, BOL

Happy Easter Everyone from Angel Layla

 

With a woof and love from Nili

 

PS Mom put the bunny ears on me and I broke them BOL so no pic of me this week on our blog, I am on strike cos I cannot have any chocolate.

 

 

My first real adventure

TGIF! Hi friends, I am sure my sister will be very proud of me as I went on my first real adventure last Sunday which included a train ride, car ride and then lots of fun in a new dog park.

On the first Sunday of every month the Chihuahuas of San Francisco meet up in Stern Grove Dog Park. Mom has been going on and off since my sister Baby was on earth and then with Layla and now me. I know I am not a chihuahua, but we are always welcome and it is loads of fun.

Mom wanted to take me on the train in the backpack but I hate that contraption so she took me on the train without it. The train was scary and I am sorry there no photos but Mom was busy keeping me calm, not getting off and making sure I lay down to keep my balance. I moaned here and there and I have decided that it is no fun but as Mom says I have to get used to it if I want to go places with her. Mom calls it tough love.

Uncle Mark picked us up from the train station and took us to the park, the car was ok but I do not like them that much. When we got to the park the fun started and so much fun and food for both humans and us dogs. I barked, sniffed all the dogs and then saw the big dogs so I started chasing them, don’t tell Mom but Huskies are my favorite dogs to play with woof woof. Mom then took me for a long walk or should I say I ran along the park to the Lake where my sister’s (Layla) ashes are to say hi to her and Mom wanted to sit in the peace and quiet there with her memories but I wandered around and saw the ducks, which I wanted to chase but they were in the water. It is so beautiful there and now I understand why Mom spread Layla’s ashes there.

Mom says I look so tiny compared to the trees BOL

The ducks and turtles on the rock

Watching the ducks

 

On the walk back to everyone I ran, stuck my head down gopher holes BOL, sniffed a lot and just ran around happy as Mom was relaxed and happy also.

Hmmm Lots to smell

 

We did not take the train home, Aunt Suzanne gave us a lift which was pawsome as we got home quicker so we could nap which Mom needed. Of course that evening we went to the dog park for an hour and then called it a day.

Waiting to go home

 

This Saturday night starts Passover, the Jewish Holiday so Mom tomorrow is going to finish getting the house ready, she has promised to take me to the dog park to play with my friends especially as the sun is shining, and otherwise nothing exciting is happening.

 

To all our friends I want to wish you Chag Sameach, Happy Passover and don’t eat too much oy vey.

 

Lots of love

Nili