Fast Friends

Simba loves to play with Caesar. They are very similar in size and when they get in the mood for a rumble, it's ON! They chase one another around and around. Caesar will bark at Simba and they will continue the chase for several minutes. I love seeing how care free Simba is when he plays. It is rare that he finds a dog that he likes to play with these days so Caesar joining the pack was great for all of us.

Of course, it wasn't easy to introduce Caesar to our pack. Simba is set in his way and he likes to growl and bark at other dogs. We had to hire a very special trainer to help us, help me, to gain control. Now, these guys cuddle, play and share treats. We are all so happy.

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. :-) 

Simba Turns Two

I like celebrations. I think it's great to make a big deal out of small things. It's important to make people feel special and it doesn't take much. I feel the same way towards my pups. I found another perfect cake for my baby boy and the decorations are ready for his party tomorrow. I sang a happy birthday song to him and danced around with him but his expression never changed. Typical Shiba Inu! All of this celebration and gifts are meant for Simba but he doesn't need those things in order to know that he is loved. I guess that is the difference between dogs and most humans. We need reassurance and a dash of appreciation. Shower us with praise, gifts, parties and we smile and rejoice. Dogs know that they are loved without all the fluff. They don't get upset if you come home without a new toy or a gourmet treat. They love you and they know that you love them just by the little signs of affection that you show.

It's a selfish consumer act but I derive happiness from making a day spectacular (be it for a human or a dog) and I don't want to change. All I know is that tomorrow Simba won't understand what the balloons are for and why all his doggy friends are around or even why he gets an extra yummy cake. He'll be happy because I'm happy and duhhh there is cake involved!

Indulge in the little moments and gush over the things that make you happy. It might seem insane to some but this is how I love and treat my dogs. They are my family and we all express our love in different ways. Nothing wrong about that!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMBA BABY!!! 

Red Buddha Photography

I have had a lot of time to think about the things that make me happy during my illness. I have meditated on how to get healthy again and how to turn my hobby into something more. I have more and more people asking for photographs and I am excited that it gives me something to focus on besides law. So Red Buddha Photography was born! I really love capturing photos of our furry friends because there are so many different kinds and I think the camera can truly catch their essence. Humans are cool too but I am totally in love with taking photos of animals, especially dogs.

Anyway, I can't wait to see what this new chapter in my life brings!!

Sleepy Time

Simba is a stubborn young Shiba. He can't just go to sleep. He has to know what is going on around him at all times. He loves taking naps in the car but will only do so when he has fully inspected everything to make sure no remnants of treats are lurking about. Then he peers outside, scratching at the window. The other day he even tried to commit suicide by sticking his head out the window and opening it further. I had to pull him by the collar to drag him back in. After he has gotten his fill of the assorted scents he begins to feel euphoric enough to settle down. However, Mr. Simba does not go to sleep so easily. He holds his head up high and fights it. Then the eyes begin to flutter and the head bobs as he struggles to hold himself up. It always makes me chuckle because he can't just relax. If he is trying to nap at home, he always finds the best location so that he can see where everybody is located at all times. Forget doggy beds! Simba wants human beds and he doesn't particularly like to share. He will leave you high and dry. So if you're thinking of cuddling you better hold on tight because he will use all of his strength to get out of the Kung Fu grip!

3 Pound Yorkie

This 3 pound Yorkie needs a good home. He was with an owner who favored her other dog and cigarettes above all else. Miles is two years old and he loves to cuddle. All he really wants is love and kindness. Do you know of a good home for him? Contact me for more information!

Two peas in a pod

Let's get philosophical for a moment. What is companionship? What is love?

I'd say the fiance and I only partially understand these concepts because when I look at Simba and Onix I realize that they GET it. Dogs don't hurt each other with words. Their lives are less complex and they feed off of each others energy. Don't get me wrong...humans feed off of energy too. I can feel negative energy when I walk into a room and it will make me feel uncomfortable. Dogs can also sense it and that is why they react differently in certain situations.

Where can you see a lot of this? Go to your local dog park. If you notice that a dog is exhibiting anti social behavior or is aggressive look to the owner. Recently, we met a woman with a female Shiba. The Shiba did not want anything to do with Simba (who was so excited to meet her). The owner and the dog had the same "don't come near me" demeanor and the same facial expressions! No lie! Who did the dog learn this from? DUH! Clearly, she was not a very nice woman and her Shiba displayed the exact same attitude. It's all about the energy people! It's for this reason that I remove myself from situations that involve people with negative energy. They bring me down and have no place in my life.

So I am trying to look at the calm that Simba and Onix exhibit (once in a while) and pick my friends carefully.