Snowing in Spring

Smell of Spring!

Spring is in the air! My pups are feeling the heat. Buddha has already started panting and I have to vacuum my house every single day because there is fur everywhere. They wake me up earlier because the sun creeps out and there is no rest for the weary. But I'm glad to be up early and going to the dog park early gives me time to breathe it all in and listen to the chirping of the birds. It brings a smile to my face and peace to my heart.

So tomorrow is the first official day of Spring and it is also the Persian New Year. The vernal equinox marks the first day of the Persian New Year as this calendar is solar. Iranians everywhere will celebrate with their families and with beautifully colored haftseens in each home. A haftseen is a spread adorned with seven items, which each have a symbolic meaning.

1. sabzeh(سبزه) wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
2. samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence
3. senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love
4. seer (سیر)- garlic - symbolizing medicine
5. seeb (سیب)- apples - symbolizing beauty and health
6. somaq (سماق)- sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
7. serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar - symbolizing age and patience

In other words, symbols are powerful and they are found in every aspect of the Persian culture.

To all of my Persian friends, NOROOZ PIROOZ! Eid Mobarak! Here's too a wonderful new year filled with happiness and health. :-) 

Sibling Rivalry

Every morning I make sure to give the boys their CET Enzymatic chews. I turn on the TV and make sure that they have a full bowl of water too. This is my morning work ritual after we have gone on our walk. They truly look forward to receiving the chews and it makes the anxiety of me leaving almost a moot issue. Unfortunately, I have noticed that Buddha's behavior has changed towards his brother. He takes his treats and watches to see where Simba is going with his. I try to keep them separated because I have noticed that Buddha will slyly go up to Simba, steal his chew and hide it under his paw! I was amazed and flabergasted that this silent, kind dog was being a bully. Simba is typically the alpha in the group but he doesn't even go towards Buddha when this happens. He sulks in a corner and looks at me.

When I do see this behavior I immediately correct it but unfortunately I am not there most of the time to see what's going on. Other indications that there is something going on between the two of them are that Buddha pushes Simba out of the way when I come home. He will even go as far as chomping the back of his neck if he is getting too much attention from me or chase him around the house. He doesn't typically hurt Simba but there are moments when Simba will scream.

It disturbs and saddens me because Buddha does not have any aggression or cruelty. He would never bite a person and he is just such a playful, relaxed dog.

Anyone out in the doggy world have any suggestions? I think that I am going to take Buddha back to training. But he is so well behaved with sitting, staying, etc. so I'm not even sure if that will help.