I see a CJ7, Brussel Griffon!

I think Brussel griffons are those very RARE type of dogs that you seldom see on the street, and I get to see one in REAL life last weekend. Their fur are SOFT like hair and they are very soft and sweet nature!! And one of the more famous Brussels Griffon would be from 'As good as it gets'!

I never thought that I get to see this in real life, and the one I get to see is really really very pretty. And the lady was so shocked that I can recognise the dog and NAME IT OUT. She mentions not many people can recognise the breed! So ODD huh!

And The reason is because I always find this particular breed of dog, looks like CJ7 in Stephen Chow movie! Don't ask me why, that is just my impression! But this breed looks very princessy, like some pampered 小姐! NOT hardy like our Toto!

Hiding his face to SLeEp!

Got so bright OR NOT!?

What is he hiding from, hahahaha ....

A tale of Mari and her 3 puppies!

Based on a TRUE STORY!

This video has been circulating in my facebook with different people re-sharing the videos; VERY TOUCHING! Why is all the BRAVE and LOYAL dogs in JAPAN!? ERmmmm, then Hachi now Mari? But this is remake into a movie in 2007!

Just before we know of this movie, we did discuss that if we are to have another dog, Shiba Inu is one of our choice for a 2nd dog! Oh one of the other choice will be a Norwich Terrier (very rare)! Ok, out of topic, I guess not many people can experience the magic relationship between a Dog and a Human Being.

Very touching, a sure cry trailer ...

Credit to Redstarcafe.wordpress.com :

This 2007 Japanese movie is based on the story of a real family that was caught in the 2004 Niigata earthquake. The basic plot involves a family consisting of a father, grandfather, and a son and daughter; the mother died some years before. They live in a rural town. On their way home one day, the kids stumble upon an abandoned shiba inu puppy, and the little girl falls in love with her. At first, they avoid taking care of her and keep her far from home because their father is afraid of dogs.

Eventually, things work out and the dog is accepted into their home. Some time later, the pup, Mari, has grown into an adult and has three puppies of her own.

The the quake hits; the son is safe at school, the father survives the quake in town, but the daughter and grandfather are trapped under their collapsed home. Mari eventually runs off and finds some Jietai (Self-Defense Force, or Japanese military) rescue workers, who rescue the girl and her grandfather, but the dogs have to stay behind in the abandoned village.


Mari and Her Puppies

Three puppies were born on the day of an earthquake.

On the fateful morning of October 23, 2004, a dog named Mari gave birth to three puppies in Yamakoshi Village, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

That evening, a severe earthquake struck Niigata and devastated the village, causing almost all of its homes to collapse, including the one where Mari lived.

During the quake the newborn puppies were jolted away from their mother, and since their eyes were still closed, they could not find their way back to her side. Also, because she was bound by a leash, Mari could not reach her babies. She tried repeatedly to pull free from the leash, but to no avail. Then, several tremors occurred and Mari tried even harder to break free until her neck began to bleed. Suddenly, another strong aftershock struck, Mari struggled with all her might, and the collar suddenly came loose. Next she quickly picked up her puppies, moved them to a safe place, and without taking a rest ran toward the ruins that were once her house.

Three qualities define a true shiba inu: Kan’i, Ryosei and Soboku.

Kan’i is translated as “spirited boldness” and means “well-balanced, courageous and self-confident”.

Ryosei (“good nature”) refers to the loyal and obedient character of the shiba and to her strong senses which make her an ideal home guardian.

Soboku refers to the natural beauty of the soul, meaning that a shiba is unaffected,cheerful and spontaneous.

Courageous rescue of the grandfather

The grandfather of Mari’s family was home alone that day.

He lived on the second floor, but suffered from a neurological disorder that made it impossible for him to stand on his feet or climb the stairs unassisted.

After the earthquake, the old man was immobilized as he had been trapped beneath a wardrobe. Aftershocks and the total darkness resulting from a power outage pushed him into desperately thinking that death might be around the corner.

Just then, Mari appeared in his room on the second floor and looked at him with encouraging eyes. The grandfather had been slipping into unconsciousness, but when he saw Mari he regained awareness although he was still immobilized. Mari then licked him to give him encouragement and went downstairs several times to check on her pups before quickly returning to the man’s room. She ran back and forth many times even though her paws had been injured by the sharp-edged glass and pieces of porcelain that lay all over the floor. Each trip gave her new wounds, but Mari managed to kindle new hope in the grandfather’s heart, and looking at Mari he thought “I must live on. I cannot give up.”

Finally, he pushed at the wardrobe with all his strength, it gave way and he managed to free himself. Then with Mari’s encouragement, the grandfather spent two hours climbing down the stairs – a feat he had previously been unable to accomplish without help. Upon reaching the ground floor, he was happy to find that the three puppies were safe and sound.

A sad parting and further ordeals

After the October 23, 2004 earthquake Yamakoshi Village was in a state of total destruction and isolation as all local roads had been cut off. And with a continuous series of aftershocks increasing the danger of landslides, on October 25 all the villagers were evacuated by helicopter to a nearby accommodation center.

Under these circumstances, the grandfather was forced to leave Mari behind, for in times of disaster saving human lives is the main concern. He left all of his pet food for his beloved dog, prayed that she and her pups would be safe and took off her collar. Then, with no other options, as he boarded the helicopter to leave behind the one who had saved his life, he said with guilt and sadness, “I’m very sorry, Mari,” and felt heart-broken as Mari howled in deep sorrow.

As time passed and her supply of rations ran out, Mari had to search for food in her abandoned village, suffering many ordeals as she tried to protect her little puppies. All the while the grandfather thought of her constantly, and with anxiety over the continuing tremors fell ill and had to be hospitalized.

Then two weeks after the evacuation, the villagers were allowed to return to Yamakoshi to see their homes. Among the returnees was the man’s son, who immediately began to search for Mari. Upon finding her, he noticed that she was much thinner, and she hesitated for an instant after hearing her name but then dashed toward him. He held her close in his arms for a long time.

Mari had not had enough food for herself, but she fed her babies milk and took care of them as well as she could. In contrast to their skinny mother, the three puppies looked chubby and healthy as they slept sweetly on the porch. The son was delighted to see the little pups growing up in good health.

Before Yamakoshi Village was reconstructed, the villagers remained in temporary housing in a neighboring city. Being in charge of advertising affairs for the village committee, the son was a busy man so he placed Mari and her puppies in the care of another family. When the grandfather was still in the hospital, Mari’s caretaker took her to visit him.Thus, after undergoing countless trials, Mari and the old man were finally reunited. Mari was very happy to see the man, who was recuperating and said with quivering lips and tears filling his eyes, “Thank you for saving my life.”

Then in April 2005 the grandfather was discharged from the hospital and began living with his son and Mari in an apartment. By that time Mari’s three puppies had been adopted by other families and were growing up healthily in their new homes. Today, the grandfather and his family are still living in the apartment but look forward to returning soon to Yamakoshi Village.

Fireworks for Mari

Mari’s touching story, which illustrates the mutual trust and love between humans and animals that helps them through ordeals, has frequently been reported in the news media and has also been adapted as an illustrated storybook – Mari of Yamakoshi Village and Her Three Pups. The book has received a huge response in Japan and serves as a great inspiration for disaster victims. The company that published the volume is contributing part of its sales revenues to the reconstruction and relief funds for areas affected by the October 2004 earthquake, and distributes the book free of charge to children in Yamakoshi Village and its thirteen neighboring cities.

On August 2, 2005, the villagers held a fireworks celebration in their city of refuge just as they do in their home town each year, and this year event was entitled “Fireworks for Mari.” While participating in the festivity they wished that Yamakoshi Village could be recovered as quickly as possible. Amid the dazzling light and smoke of the fireworks, Mari’s radiant smile seemed to fill the night sky, bringing hope and encouragement to the spectators.

Neutering Why?

FOr Yanyan or anyone who don't know ...

Actually before coming to USA, I also don't realise that neutering a dog actually does MORE good than not. It sounds cruel but then the 'facts' are we Human wants to live in harmony with our Dogbuddies, so more or less we have to 'sacrifice' them for everyone of us.

Being a 'responsible' dog parents here meant 'Spaying' (for female dogs) or 'Neutering' (for male dogs) when they are about 6months old or older for the BIGGER dogs; because they mature later. But 6months are the 'recommended' age. Best; before the dogs reaches sexual maturity ...

The advantages noted is as far as I can remember :

• Reduce sexual tension thus reduce the chances of your dogs running away because he 'smell' a bitch in heat.

• Reduce Aggression in a dog, VERY IMPORTATNT!

• Prevent territorial urination marking at home or ANYWHERE! This is CRUCIAL to US, haha we don't want him to keep urinating everywhere IN THE HOUSE!

• And then neutering also prevents the embarassing habit of always trying to 'HUMP' other dogs or Humans! (VERY EMBARASSING to the owner, and this habit is the hardest to break!)

• Plus alot of Daycare or Dogs permitted area only allowed Neutered dogs.

From : Y2SPAY.org
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS TO THE DOG?

There are several health benefits to neutering. One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog's life. In age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere w/defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.

Other health benefits of neutering include the prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Excessive preputial discharge is also reduced by neutering.

WHAT BEHAVIORAL CHANGES CAN BE EXPECTED AFTER NEUTER?

The only behavior changes that are observed after neutering relate to behaviors influenced by male hormones. Playfulness, friendliness, and socialization with humans are not changed. The behaviors that change are far less desirable. The interest in roaming is eliminated in 90 percent of neutered dogs. Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated in 60 percent of neutered dogs. Urine marking is eliminated in 50 percent of neutered male dogs. Inappropriate mounting is eliminated in 70 percent of neutered dogs.

Of course there are other health benefits, but since the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, there is no choice but to SACRIFICE TOto le. It was a small sacrafice for the WHOLE family, TOto will understand. We will bring him out more often because they aren't any undesirable habit of him that we will be embarassed of! And more people will LUV~ him!

So if we don't intend to breed him, that is a small price to pay for Toto own happiness as well!

PLUS it is in HIS contract clause from his Purchas Contract! Kekeke, yah we have to 'KACHA' him!!
Understand?

TOto now, TOto then ...

He used to be able to sleep comfortably under the glovebox, now it seems abit tight. My feet and Toto has to squeeze abit for space!! He used to be able to sleep with FULL STRETCH!! Hahaha, only 4 short months, he has grown so much! Even his face is SO HUGE now!!

His wound ...

Today Toto went Dogpark, he is very not himself. We guess he is still very traumatised by the incident yesterday so when a big dog approached, he don't really want to play with it!! And he is more careful and ran less, very PICKY about the dogs he want to play with, so...

CONCLUSION, DOGS do have memories!!

Hahaha, he look so pitiful in the picture, nah he is JUST TIRED!!

He is such a good poser huh!

Me and 豆豆!

His dog-daddy say he heartpain seeing his dog got hurt while playing!!

Toto is SCRATCHED!

We have brought TOto to Lewisville dogpark consecutively for 3days and he enjoyed himself very much! But ...

Pretty Sunflower growing at the Perimeter of the Park ...

Yesterday there is a dog who play so rough with Toto, and after being 'shove' for the 3rd time and rolled, TOto let out a LOUD YELP! In other people's point of view, Toto must be a weakling who cannot be rough played and played PUNK by Yelping ...

But we knew something must be wrong, and TOto must be IN PAIN. After that TOto jumped up the bench and just want us to 'sayang' and cuddle him.

After going back, YQ did a thorough check, and indeed there is a wound about 7cm long!! And the fur around that area is STRIP OFF! That is VERY ROUGH play! But still TOto didn't become aggressive and BARK or GROWL, we are still proud of him. But we know he damn DU LAN tat dog, and don't want to play le, hahaha ~

Sleeping like a human being, with MY mini Pillow!!

RA photo of his Recovered Stitches >> read more!