March is here and we have had some sun

Woof to all my friends,

March has arrived and we have had some sun, phew. A break from the rain which is driving Mom crazy BOL. She wants to sit outside and get fresh air plus I want time to wander around and smell all the new smells.

We have had a slow week this week because of the rain, but Mom took me to the park near our home and it was pawsome to see my friends and of course get lots of treats from everyone, that is the best part BOL.

Today, Thursday, Mom cancelled all appointments to be with me and we went to the park. The sun was shining, it was a bit chilly but everyone was there and it was great just to hang out, wander around, beg for treats BOL and of course after all that I took a nap on the cool damp grass which was muddy. It was the best medicine for both of us as Mom was off all electronics, just chilling and drinking her favorite drink, coffee of course. We came home relaxed, which was really great as being outdoors does so much for us.

The lawn feels so so good on my paws

Wandering around

With age, I am becoming a very picky eater, and it does not matter what Mom makes me I always want something else and it is worrying Mom big time, that is the Jewish side of her. Like today I did not want to eat my dinner so she boiled up some chicken for me which I ate part of and snacked on some freeze dried kibbles which as Mom says it is not real food but at least I got something in my tummy. She warned me if I do it again no treats in the park as I need to eat properly. I think that is unfair but sometimes I let her be the Boss BOL.

Our weekend plans are going to depend on the weather plus Mom’s Dentist appointment in the morning so we are going with the flow as she says. I will just have to do the same although she does take me out to potty so I should not complain, and I bark when I want to go and she jumps to attention.

Today is a very important day, Happy International Women’s Day to all the fantastic women out there that speak out against abuse, violence, equal rights and so much more, you are all amazing and please carry on the good work you are doing.

Have a wonderful weekend, be safe with a woof and love from Layla

 

It is always good to get a second opinion

TGIF! Friday has arrived and that means weekend and fun. Mom took a break from social media last week so we could spend some quality time together and it was pawsome.

On Presidents Day I had an eye appointment at the eye dogtor, she was very nice to me and told Mom my eyes are the same although I can see shadows which made Mom excited that not all my vision has gone. It was a crazy morning cos all public transport was on Sunday schedule, so it took more busses and time to get there and home and we were both exhausted when we got home. Mom fed me, then crawled into bed and took a nap and I joined her on my giraffe bed, so Presidents Day was sleeping and eating and of course walks.

Napping on my giraffe

What you did not know was the day before my birthday I went to the Dogtor for my annual check up and when we got home Mom was not happy with the checkup  because she put in my chart that I have a serious illness with no explanation, that I have a mass on my side with no explanation, and the vet tech told Mom I had lost 5 lbs which was a mistake.  The Dogtor told Mom to give me this awful Purina stuff for dehydration which made me really sick.  So, for a couple of days Mom was cleaning all the time although she stopped it the minute I got sick from it. The Dogtor told Mom to give me less which did not help, my tummy was a mess from it. Mpm, blessher even cancelled her Dentist appointment for me. So, with a lot of thought, Mom decided to take me to another Dogtor at another clinic which my friends rave about, and wow was he a nice man. He checked me, told Mom not to worry about the mass phew, my dehydration is not serious and discussed  all with respect and Mom walked out of there relieved and happy as she finally had all her answers to her questions and a happy Mom is a happy me.

So, on the way home Mom bought me a Puppacino to celebrate, ewww I do not like them and told Mom she never has to get me another BOL.

Yuck this stuff is awful

 

On Saturday we had a fun adventure. It was the monthly Shi Tzu meet up, so we went to this great park to have some fluffy fun. Mom was really tired, but it was great to be out in the sun, perfect day, and we walked around the park and enjoyed the fresh air, views and of course all the dogs. I really enjoyed myself, got lots of treats and we both came home exhausted and ready for a nap.

Meeting a new friend

Playing with my snuffle after the meet up

So, as you can see it is so important to get a second opinion when you are not getting the correct answers from your vet, it makes a big difference as Mom is now relaxed and I am a happy camper again. The Dogtor also told Mom I do not need a Rabies vaccine anymore as I am too old for it. Mom hates vaccines so she was happy to hear that as she does not want poisons in my body.

 

As you can see, we have been busy, it has been raining here also so we have not been out that much although Mom does take me with her when she goes on errands in my stroller which makes me happy as I am not home alone but napping away while my chauffer pushes the stroller, it is a good life and I am very blessed.

Rolling in my stroller

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, stay safe and warm

With a woof and love from Layla

 

The week is over.

Woof hello my friends,

The week is over, and the weekend has arrived.  I told Mom it is not allowed to rain as I need my weekly bark in the park.

This week has been crazy in my house. Gidget has been coming daily to spend the days with me, so I am not alone when Mom runs around doing shopping and errands, so we have been very busy. Poor Mom is so tired, but I must admit she does not forget me however tired she is.

Last Saturday the sun came out for some hours, it was chilly, but we bundled up and Mom took me to my favorite lawn, which was very muddy that the chair sunk into the ground BOL, but was great to be out, smell the bay air and of course I barked, sniffed and wandered around like I enjoy doing. It is good exercise for me and when we came home, I crawled into my bed and slept, which made Mom happy as she managed to take an afternoon nap till I woke her up to potty.

A quick bark was necessary as without it I do not feel I have been down to the Bay. See the video below.

https://youtube.com/shorts/YRvaD9qx4cw?si=vrMV4BJTPzHoYILy

On Valentines Day we went to a Valentines Party, it was lots of fun for Mom and I am happy she enjoyed herself as I just slept BOL in my stroller comfortably although I did not get lots of treats as always. Mom won a Trivia game and came home with a 2lb bag of her favorite coffee so she is really happy. There was lots of food, candies and people and of course lots of laughter, which Mom says is important as it is the best medicine as we forget our worries when laughing. It was pouring when we left but I wanted to walk or, as Mom says swim, so we took the bus home, got off one stop after ours and swam home. We got really wet but it was great walking although I do not like the rain that much. When we got home Mom walked Gidget, then dried us all off and we all relaxed happily.

I got two roses at the party, aren’t they pretty

So as you can all read, life is busy in our neighborhood, never a dull moment and although we are tired this weekend and relieved it is weekend, I am hoping I can go to my lawn for a bark, although Mom has already told me they are expecting major storms and lots of rain so I think we are going to be stuck inside. To keep me happy Mom has made me my favorite dehydrated fish treats for my snuffle toys so I will be occupied. You can see videos of me playing with them. The caterpillar one is hard but hey it keeps me busy and finding the treats is the best.

https://youtu.be/bPYYB0XN-Fs?si=X-CEsW5QQsMAwBN7

https://youtube.com/shorts/6vRoezK_GFA?si=kQ2SA43Zo1nlq01b

Stay warm and safe everyone, I need my beauty sleep now so am barking to Mom to stop typing, I am the Boss.

With a woof and love from Layla

 

The Birthday Party is over, and I cannot wait to tell all.

TGIF!! Friday has arrived and as Mom says she needs a break from all to relax and recharge her batteries.

I went last week to the vet for a checkup, day before my birthday party so the party was extra special as we celebrated my health, although the vet found a mass on my side which we going to monitor and I have started kidney disease at my old age so am dehydrated all the time, so drinking lots and making Mom take me out more times to potty including in the middle of the night. Mom says she would rather do that than clean the carpet all the time. BOL. The vet put me on some stuff to drink for the dehydration and it upset my tummy so oy vey Mom had a big mess to clean up, but all is good now.

NOW my birthday party which I have promised everyone I would talk about; it was the BEST ever. We left the house to go to a friend’s house where we were having the party as it was too cold and rainy to do in the park, plus our apartment is much too small for parties. On the way there we stopped at Rescue Row (see photo below) which is a street named for all the Rescue Organizations in the city. There is an amazing Rescue Organization that we stopped at to say hi which is called Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, it is a great very well-organized Rescue Organization and Sherri plus the volunteers are so great.  Mom explained to me that whatever is left of my party we would be dropping off at Muttville for the volunteers and dogs so everyone can have a party. Mom told me that when she was a child her mother used to make their birthday cakes in the shapes of houses, cars, planes, dolls and so much more and at their party they could eat everything but the cake as She would then take us and the cake to the Childrens Ward at one of the hospitals for the children to enjoy. I think that is a wonderful idea as that way everyone celebrates with a yum cake.

Walking to my party

 

At my birthday party was my favorite people and of course my dog friends, Dash, Storm, and Musik. We all wandered around looking for food and treats of course as that is what a birthday is all about. Carly from Paw Patch Pastries made me this delicious pink bacon flavored cake, it was so so good I am still licking my lips thinking of it although it is finished, grr. We each got a bag of treats to take home with us which were so delicious.

Me and my cake yum

Dash Storm and Me and of course I am sniffing the cake

 

Layla and Musik

My one Uncle also surprised Mom with the human cupcakes that Mom says were delicious and had happy birthday to me on them, they looked so cute.

The human cupcakes

The human table of goodies with our treat bags, my cake and of course BOL coffee cos Mom needed some

You can see on her website all the yummy cakes and treats, and did you know she ships treats all over the country? And most importantly she bakes for cats also, so they are not left out.

They are so so good yum, I pawsitively approve them, Layla

 

https://www.pawpatchpastries.com/

I was very spoiled and got a new bed from Uncle Ron and a new snuffle caterpillar from Uncle Troy, but as Mom says the funniest part of the birthday party was when I tried digging out the treats from Uncle Troy’s pocket of his jacket which was hanging at the back of the chair and instead BOL started pulling out the roll of poop bags and unraveled most of them, everyone laughed at me but it shows them I am 18 and still can get into mischief.

Pulling poop bags is fun

 

My new bed and snuffle caterpillar

I needed a nap in the middle of the party it was too much for me, Layla

I wish all of you could have been here to share in the fun, you were all missed but who knows maybe during the year we will have a get together.

I am now off to have my afternoon nap as dictating to Mom is exhausting.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, be safe and warm

Lots of love from Layla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is my birthday next week.

TGIF!!! Friday has arrived and I hope it does not rain so I can go somewhere as I am tired of being stuck in the house and Mom feels the same. I know I should not complain as so many of my friends are stuck with snow but enough is enough.

When it rains you snuffle for treats BOL

 

 

So weather permitting Mom is taking me to the Shi Tzu Meet Up tomorrow morning, it is a fantastic park and I am really excited. I cannot wait to wander around, bark of course BOL and embarrass Mom like I like doing, eat lots of treats and have some fresh air plus spend time with other fluffies like me. I am really excited and it better not rain.

 

On the 31st of January 2011 I was rescued from the Carson Shelter in Los Angeles. The story of how it was an online affair I love sharing to prove to people it can happen and it does work out. Mommy saw me sitting in a cage, emailed a friend of a friend who is a rescuer, Cindy went to the shelter and pulled me out, then Uncle Michael drove to me San Francisco.

 

Because they do not know my exact birth date, and have worked out I am 18 years old, Mom is working hard organizing a birthday party for me for next Friday afternoon, not sure who is going to be there, dogs and humans, but she says she will have a lot of surprises for me, my one gift arrived today but she would not me smell it and hid it in the closet immediately. She promised she would let me sniff it tomorrow when it assembled. I am so excited and cannot wait.

So I am getting really excited for next week, it is going to be so much fun I cannot wait. I might be old but you are never too old to have fun.

I am off to bed now as I am exhausted from dictating to Mom,

 

Have a safe warm weekend everyone, I wish you all could come to celebrate with me,

Lots of love as always with a woof

Layla xxx

 

 

 

 

 

We had an adventure

Woof everyone and how are you?  Friday has arrived and that means weekend, and woof weekend means adventures weather permitting cos as Mom says if it is raining we are staying home and hibernating. She will even give me extra treats if I let her do that, so the question is should I? BOL.

Last week it had stopped raining, the sun was out but chilly so we bundled up and took the train to my favorite park, it is a lawn on the promenade which has a dog park on one side but we sit on the opposite lawn, Mom gets her chair and coffee, and I wander around smelling and then normally lie down especially if there is sun and just chill next to the Bay, clean air and pawsome to be outside. Plus I get lots of treats from Mom, it is our quality time and we do not look at phones or any other electronics but enjoy the nature although Mom uses her camera to take photos of me of course, I am her model for all the shots.

 

I got very angry as there was garbage on the lawn which makes me angry as I wish people would respect nature and put the garbage in the bin and there are two right there, it shows how lazy people are, so I did what I do well, barked and barked but Mom was good and picked it all up and put in the garbage so we left the place clean. (see video below)

https://youtube.com/shorts/gUU-l3Tut0k?si=Hbfkzu9v1mc4ie_l

The rain came back so that was the end of our adventures this week so we have been stuck indoors, Mom I must admit is good and takes me with her to the stores when she goes shopping so I do get out in my stroller and stay dry while Mom gets soaked BOL, poor Mom.

I have a new quirk which comes with age and that is I now stand if I am not in the stroller although it is with us and bark for nothing, Mom stands there looking like a fool while I bark away and the empty stroller is held by Mom, I love doing it although Mom is not pleased especially if it is late at night but hey I am allowed to talk aren’t I?

We go for our last walk at about midnight cos Mom figured out the later I go the later I sleep in the morning so she is finally having 6 hours sleep a night and feeling more relaxed in the morning, so I can be nice to her if I want to.

It is my Gotcha Day at the end of the month and I am wondering what Mom is going to do for me, she cannot believe I have been with her 13 years and we are now growing old together. Does anyone have ideas for my Gotcha Day?

I am off to bed now it is past my bedtime and old ladies need their sleep,

Stay warm everyone, be safe and have a wonderful weekend!

With woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

Sun was out and we went for an adventure

Hello Friends, we hope you are all staying safe and warm in this cold weather.

It is Friday, a long weekend ahead of us and it is really cold here at the moment that I do not want to get out of bed in the mornings but Mom says I need to go out to potty so we go and then come back to bed.

Last Sunday, although it had been raining on and off all week the sun came out so Mom surprised me and took me on an adventure. We went to Stern Grove where they have a Chihuahua meet up once a month, so she texted one of her friends who goes and he picked us up from the train station as it is too complicated to get there without a car. The weather was perfect, warm, sunny and just what we needed plus the park is magical and has a lake at the one end which for Mom is paradise, she likes to sit and watch the ducks, enjoy the peace and just recharge her batteries as she says, which she needs to do so that she has lots of energy to walk or push me all the time when I demand it BOL.

Waiting for Uncle to pick us up

Walking along the path

Pine Lake with a duck, my heaven

Giving Mom a break to breathe next to the lake while I nap

It was a beautiful day out, there was lunch for the humans and of course Mom had goodies for me, So in a nutshell it was a wonderful adventure. When we got home, I made Mom walk me more to enjoy the sun so by the time we really got back home Mom was ready for a nap and me, snuffle time and then a nap.

Otherwise this week we have been staying warm and dry inside but of course I am getting Mom out so I can potty and smell all the trees along the way but the weekend has arrived again, and this week it is a long weekend so I hope Mom will surprise me with some kind of adventure. She has already told me we meeting my favorite Aunt for lunch tomorrow and that will be fun and then who knows !

So all my friends, have a wonderful long weekend, stay warm and safe, please keep us inside with you,

Woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

 

Being a Dog Mom to a senior fur kid

Good morning Friends,

We hope you enjoying our blog and will carry on reading it this year also, hopefully there will be lots of adventures and fun.

Last weekend Nigel, my new neighbor spent the weekend with us as his Dad went away. He is a cute dog, very mellow and slept most of the time like me so it was pawsome. Mom made sure we were safe and relaxed when the fireworks went off, grr as I hate them as much as Mom did but guess what I did not hear them and slept through it all, so did Nigel, he cuddled on the bed with Mom.

The sun finally came out on Tuesday, so Mom and I hopped on the train and went to the Promenade to my favorite lawns, it was great to be out but when we got there it started getting grey and gloomy and once we had settled, I had barked of course, sniffed everywhere the rain started so Mom had to pack us up, me under my plastic cover in the stroller, Mom got soaked, but we hopped on a train and came home. It was fun to be out on the lawn and in the fresh air and we hoping this week we will be able to do it again.

Grey and gloomy

Checking the pmail

Can you see me under my cover, Layla

One of the reasons I share our adventures is living with a senior dog can be trying and trying to keep her exercised and brain working can be challenging when it is raining as you cannot go out for long without getting drenched and unfortunately, I must look after myself and not get sick. It is a daily challenge, but I would not change it.

 

Layla is 18 years old, blind but very aware of what is going on plus has the energy that I need to burn off as such as sleeping all day is great but she needs mental stimulation and exercise also. She has become very needy, and I am learning more and more about her body language on a daily basis which is keeping me on my toes but can be exhausting also.

 

She has also become very picky when it comes to food, what she loved yesterday she does not want the following day so am cooking for her every couple of days different meals and alternating, it is not cheap, but I am relieved she does eat when she is hungry, I free feed her and I have slowed down on her treats so tough love is paying off. Her favorite still is Costco Chicken LOL but I only get it once a week, so she gobbles it happily when it arrives. So, her diet consists of ground lamb, chicken or chicken gizzards plus all her supplements (you can see the below link) and the food game goes on, what is on the menu will she eat that day. It can be very frustrating for me, but she is happy with a full tummy by the end of the day each day as I will not give into her also. Her treats are homemade dehydrated Tilapia which she loves and I look at it in a way as food also plus it is easy to put in her snuffle toy to dig for it and find it.

https://laylaswoof.com/?page_id=19

She has had the odd accident in the house, but it happened when I was out running errands and did not get home in time, but when home she moans to go out and I take her out and she potties outside. I try to take her out 4 times a day like clockwork plus at about 10 pm every night or later if I am awake so she is sleeping till about 5 in the morning, and then she wakes me up with a moan and I take her out to potty, bring her in and then try go back to sleep, not always working LOL. My clothes are ready each time to just slip on and run out with her, her stroller is ready next to the door. Thank goodness I live on a busy street so there are always people out so am not alone.  Another new thing is her standing on street corners barking into the air which worries me as I do not want to wake up the neighborhood but my vet explained to me that she does it because of her blindness.

Sleeping after going out to potty at 5 in the morning

 

In a nutshell, there is never a dull moment in the Layla Neighborhood but I count my blessings daily that she is healthy, happy and living the life of luxury which she deserves. Her 13th Gotcha Day is at the end of month which I do plan to make very special for her.

 

Be safe everyone, stay warm and dry

With a woof and love from Layla

 

2023 is over WOW

Good morning,

The weekend has arrived but guess what, it is the end of the year also. 2023 has gone so fast it is scary and 2024 is a few days away. WOW.

This past week it has been cold and rainy so we have stayed indoors dry and playing with snuffle ball and napping, it can be boring for me but Mom does not want me to get sick, so she is very firm with her plans when it rains. I do not like the rain so in a way I enjoy being home although I do have the stroller with a cover to keep me dry but Mom gets wet and she is not happy BOL.

I lucked out Mom spilled my treats so am vacuuming with my tongue

New Years eve is a nightmare for so many of my fur friends because of those horrible noisy fireworks, in my younger days Mom would make me a bed in the shower with my water and favorite toys so I would not hear them plus she played the Jaz station all night long but now I am old I do not hear them that much which has made Moms life a lot less stressful and easy. She never leaves me alone, so I feel very safe and secure.

 

Please keep all of us safe and it can be very scary to be outdoors with all bangs going off plus as I woofed to Mom I feel very sorry for the wild animals and birds that suffer from it all. Do you agree with me?

Did you know that January is overflowing with pets because people have dumped their pets for selfish reasons, they do not think that pets are part of family and should live all their lives with them. Layla was dumped in January and I rescued her on the 31st of January, a total matted mess but I lucked out with the most beautiful little girl in the world and her ex family lost out.

 

I must now go to sleep as an old girl needs her beauty sleep, Happy New Year Everyone, may 2024 bring peace, love, health and happiness to everyone,

With a woof and love from

Layla

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays Everyone

Good morning Friends,

Can you believe it is nearly the end of 2023 WOW, this year has gone too fast or is Mom getting old too quickly BOL.

I was not well last week and Mom was very worried about me. I kept pooping, not diarrhea though but could not hold my poops so Mom was cleaning all weekend after me and she was exhausted. Because of it Mom could not go to her Hanukkah party on Sunday and I feel bad. She phoned our vet and spoke to a tech about it and he suggested that Mom speak to a vet and gave us a phone number of an emergency clinic which answers questions over the phone. So Mom called them and spoke to a really sweet vet who calmed Mom down and since then Mom has relaxed and my problem has been solved. Mom emailed my vet on Monday telling her what had been happening and my vet told Mom to give me some medications. But because my tummy had settled we decided not to give me the medications but as my vet is going on holiday this week for two weeks she has left the medication on my name for an emergency but thank goodness we have no need at this moment.

My vet did tell Mom that pumpkin could have been part of the problem as I am a senior and sometimes pumpkin does not work on us, so no more pumpkin for me.

We have done something new, changed my diet which my vet thinks is a good idea. I now eat ground lamb with brown rice for fiber and my tummy is working perfectly and the lamb is so so good, although as Mom says it is not cheap either. But I am a princess and deserve the best.

Another thing we have done is because my back legs are not that stable anymore and I fall into my food or knock it over, I cannot eat out of bowls anymore as I do not see and knock them over, so Mom now feeds me on my own little table with a flat porcelain dish which is heavy and hard to push over. See the photo below and my video where you can hear me slurping away.

Yum the lamb is so good

Video :  https://youtube.com/shorts/jU5zZTVBM9g?si=j5cuqtISkBsmLCO5

Because of the rain all week we have not really gone out that much as Mom does not like swimming in the rain and neither do I so Christmas events we did now do this week but I have been spoiled and we are sharing some old photos from Christmas events in San Francisco. Memories cannot be erased.

From one of the Christmas events in San Francisco a couple of years ago

Video :  https://youtube.com/shorts/J8BUP0UMGyQ?si=04dl6CPv7-wwN35n

 

Please keep your fur family safe this Christmas, do not drink and drive and most of all adopt don’t shop if you are getting a new fur baby.

Merry Christmas Everyone,

 

Enjoy your time with your family and make lots of memories

With love from Layla