The Dog Speaks
The Dog Speaks
I was born in Missouri at Mike Riddenhour's place. He sent me to Alsip Nursery in St. John, Indiana. That's where Mom and Dad came and picked me up. That was on Friday, November 25, 2001. They got me toys, a bed, a den, bones, snacks, treats... everything a dog could want! Then they had to go and get that blasted training collar. I almost had them trained, too! I was born on September 3, 2001. That's really cool because that's also my Dad's birthday. We're going to party on my first birthday. For those of you who know Daddy, you know exactly what I mean.
I got my name because it rained for 3 days after I got home. I peed on the floor fast as lightning and when I get done playing, it looks like a hurricane swept through the house. It's a good thing my parents have a good sense of humor! My full name is Thunderstorm Cloudburst Jania. But please, call me Storm.
I potty trained myself pretty quickly. Then I got to spend Christmas 2001 with my Grandparents! We visited Rick and Bonnie and all the Uncles and Aunts were there. Uncle Scott and Aunt Holly got me this really cool severed arm for Christmas. I love it! Grandma Bonnie got me some snacks and I got some toys and a really nice blanket. I'll upload some pictures soon. I have to wait for Dad to get out of the house so he won't know I'm using the camera. I also got to meet Cal and Linda on Christmas. Hobo owns them. Hobo is pretty old and didn't want to play with me, but I thought he was cool anyway. He let me eat some of his Kibbles and Bits.
Also in December, I got my licence! Doesn't do much good, I don't know how to drive. And it expired at the end of 2001 so Mom got me a new one for 2002. I sure don't understand this human business. Someone clue me in!
Mom and Dad got me a personal trainer in February. Her name is Barbara and she works for Act Now Dog Obediance. She's lots of fun and she gives my Mom and Dad lots of good advice. Barb smells nice, too. She helped them get me through teething. That sucked the big one. Mom saved the teeth that I didn't eat. What a weirdo. You know how parents are, though. *sigh* I finished teething by the end of February and as of now (March 18, 2002) all of my big girl teeth are in and seated nicely. I can crunch the biggest bones now! My favorite are Booda Bimple Bones (Cheeseburger, please!)
February was also Mom's birthday.
We celebrated and partied and crashed.
On March 2, 2002, Mom's friend Dave Dubie came to visit from San Fransico, California. He smells good, too. Not quite like my friend Brian, but good just the same. He played with me and gave me treats. I did my Circus Dog trick for him. He liked that. I didn't even eat his shirt! I was so good and Mom bought me a toy. Sucker!!
March 3, 2002 was the day I turned 6 months old. I'm a teenager!
On March 6, 2002, Mom and Dad did the nasty. No... you dirty minded oaf! They took me to the Vet. And they cut me! Good Grief! The Vet stole my fropians and my ovarlies! And my Looterus, too! I got my stitches out on Saturday, March 16, 2002. What a relief that was. Finally, I can stretch and engage in some serious haunching!! I'm healing nicely and my fur is growing back. What a horrid haircut that was. But the good news is that I can make fun of my little sister when she gets it done.
My new baby sister arrived on March 18, 2002. At first, I wasn't sure that they sent a dog. I thought it was just a furball! But she's in there. And she's sparky. Mom and Dad named her Quake. Her official name is Earthquake Tsunami Jania. But we're calling her Quake for short.
Quake got her name because she quaked on the way home from the airport. Mom's driving is a bit scary so I can't really blame her. Also, Quake is so mellow and then, without warning... Boom! She's all over, playing and jumping and running! And then it's over. Calm and mellow. She's funny, too.
Hey!! Check this out!!!! This is a baby from the Jolliff's farm! In fact, this is Quake's half-sister. They have the same Sire: Macho Man! How cool is that???
Seriously, anyone even play thinking about getting a Shiba Inu should read my favorite article first. Please click the link and visit The Misanthropic Shiba.
Quake's new page is almost ready. My Grandma Mary from California was visiting for Easter and so I spent time with her instead of at the computer. Didn't want to seem rude, you know. She's a hoot! I loved having her watch me because I got away with murder! Well, it's not her fault. Her glasses broke and she couldn't see when I pulled Quake's tail. Teehee!
In April 2002, Mom got Quake her own licence. Now we both can't drive!
Quake and I are getting to be best friends now. Sometimes sisters don't, but she's cool. We have fun together. Mom and Dad are going to be building a fence for us! It should be up by the beginning of June 2002. That means no more blasted harnesses! I mean, I am happy that I can go outside without a chaperone, but it will be hella super sweet to go outside without a lead attatched to my back. Yeah Fence!
Meantime, Quake and I spend hard days playing. What hard work it is to be a dog!
Memorial Day was a blast! Uncle Ryan and Uncle Scott and Aunt Holly were here. Also Grandpa Cal and Linda and Adam and Butters and Ian and Mario. We had a blast! I got lots of attention and scratching. I even got a slurp of Andy's drink!!
The fence was sort of up. The posts were cemented in but that was it. But the piles of dirt left from the post holes sure were fun to dig in! Quake and I helped Mom distribute all that dirt. I'm actually a really great dirt flinger! I didn't care for the bathing after the fact, but I sure do like flinging dirt. The fence is now complete and Quake and I can do a proper Shiba 500 in the back yard. It's so awesome not to have to wear a harness and lead any more. I can't see anything, but I can run!
Quake has spent the last couple of weeks in June teething. Boy, she's a crabby little cur. I can't blame her, though. She lost 6 teeth in 3 days and now all her baby teeth are gone. Her front adult teeth are fully in and now the back ones are sprouting. She's got no fangs right now which makes it really easy to snatch the ball from her. One more month and Quake gets the silly haircut! teehee!
The 2002 4th of July bash was a huge success. Uncle Scott and Aunt Holly came with some friends and we had a great time. Julie and Val came, and Uncle Ryan and Adam came. I was complimented on my new necklace, too! Everyone paid ample attention to me and I got lots of love and petting. I didn't really like the loud booms, but it wasn't too bad. I just barked a couple of times and made it stop. I'm just big and bad and no one messes with me, you know. And, of course, the silly humans tied themselves together again. What's a dog to do?
Quake is scheduled for her silly haircut on July 30th, 2002. Mom lost her mind and scheduled it on the 24th, but the full moon is that day. I mentioned that to her and she was smart and rescheduled. Grandma Mary also gave her what-for. Lucky dog, though. Quake gets to ride to the vet in Mom's new car! Mom's old car finally bit the bone and she got a Honda Civic to replace it. She got a 4 door so Quake and I would have our own doors. It's got a sunroof, too! I can't wait to stick my head out of it!
Dad is going to be famous! His song is going to be on a Dodge promotion CD and then he's going to Los Angeles to do a showcase at the Whiskey a Go-Go. He's a bad mamma jamma. I'm so proud of him. You can visit my Dad at his website.
I'm totally miserable right now. I'm blowing my undercoat and it bites the big one. Mom's brushing me all the time and I don't like it. It's pretty funny when she's done, though. She gets a ball of fur as big as Quake off of the brush! I'll have to admit, I look good. Blowing the coat makes me look as if I've lost weight and I look sleek. Fluffy was cute, but sleek is more sophisticated. Goes with my new collar! Just 6 weeks and I'll be celebrating my first birthday. Can't wait! I just know I'm going to get some really cool presents!
Mom took Quake in for her funny haircut today. I got to ride in the new car, too, because Mom's a wimp. She didn't want to come home from the vet alone so she took me with her. The sunroof is awesome! We will pick Quake up from the vet tomorrow, July 31, 2002. I'll be ready with the camera! Teehee!
Quake is back from the vet. Her spaying went really well. She's doing great and is resting. I just don't understand why Dr. Young gets off on stealing ovarlies and fropians. Quake's haircut is as bad as mine was. She only got 3 stitches and I ended up with 4. Quake will get her stitches out on August 9, 2002. In the meantime, I'll take really good care of my sister.
Quake is doing well. She's 8 months old now. And I had my birthday! On September 3, 2002 I turned 1 year old. I'm finally an adult. Now maybe I can get some use out of this licence Mom got me. Hey Ma! Can I borrow the car?? I've got some new pix, but I have to help Mom clean the house. I have to put my toys in the box so she can vacuum. I also have to take care of Quake while she does this. I have no idea why, but Quake is afraid of the vacuum. I just try to chase it because it smells so good. Oh well, off to the salt mines!
I got an email from a visitor! In October of 2002, Bruce and his family welcomed their new daughter to their home. Luckily, they have this awesome Akita to babysit for them. Hey Mom? Can we get an Akita???
I also had my first Halloween! We had so many trick-or-treat gouls and goblins. We even saw some ghosts!
Christmas is coming! I have all of my shopping done. Quake is definatly getting coal. No, not really. It's just fun to make her squirm. I'm off to wrap some gifts!
Christmas was a blast. Oz, Scott, Holly, Brian, Ryan and Monica came to celebrate with me. We had pizza! I got some new Booda bimples and velvets and Quake got some pigskin chews. We love those! We also got a new rabbit because Quake chewed the butt off of the old one. She has this thing about butts that I can't figure out.
Mom should be going down soon to get our new, not improved, still can't drive dog licences. I knew it was time because the fireworks went off in the middle of the night. It's about enough to give a girl a heart attack! Mom and Dad let me sleep with them New Year's Eve.
Quake is going to be One Year Old on January 20th! Only 3 weeks and I get to give her a birthday swat!! Muahahahaa! I can't wait!!
Woof!!
~~Storm 1/4/03
