Tenzo Blog #9

Dear granma and granpa....
Why did you leave me? Was I a bad puppy? If you come back, I promise to be good. I'm being very quiet today--not eating and not jumping around. Mom seems to think it might be a "phase". She did brush me and introduce me to another dog on the hall that is just my size and she says later she is taking me for a long walk in the park when we visit Dad. I haven't had much exercise today because everyone left me for SIX hours so I am practicing getting my backpack and running away from here and going back to Pittsburgh where people cater to me all day long and everyone tells me how wonderful I am.
Miss you!
Love Tenzo

Tenzo Gram #2

Hi Grandma and Granpa,
I had the most interesting evening last night. First, dad kidnapped me from mom's house to get her to come over for dinner. Does that make me a victim of parental custody rights?
After mom came over, we went for a walk in the park. We played ball where I ran back and forth between them until I was really pooped.
After that, we kept walking and dad took me to doggie beach. Mom wasn't too happy about it because she thought it was dirty and I'd catch something nasty--plus she had brushed me that afternoon and I was all clean and soft. At the beach, I was the exact same color as the sand. I met a golden named Zack who was chasing his ball into the water. I didn't intend to go into the water but my ball went in by accident and I followed. I went out about four feet but had to doggie paddle back to shore. Dad was real proud but mom kept muttering something about raising two kids. After I came out, I looked like a drowned rat and I didn't want to go back in again. When we left the beach, a man told mom his dog got sick after swimming at the beach and ended up in the hospital. I told mom I was strong and healthy and not to worry but she kept giving dad "that" look. She also wrinkled her nose every time I got close.
On the way home, the most exciting thing happened--I met a girl Shih Tzu. Her name is Bella and even though she was born in Iowa, she came from the same store as me. I guess that makes us relatives. She has longer hair (girls usually do) and looks like a big guinea pig--all white with caramel and black splotches. She's only a puppy (13 weeks) so I had to be more mature to set an example. She's teething and kept biting my ears so I kept having to pin her. They let us wrestle for a while until Bella got too excited and was sick. Dad said I seemed to be getting excited too and maybe I needed a shot sooner rather than later. What do you think that means?
After we left Bella, mom announced she was going to give me a bath while dad made dinner. Thanks to dad's vintage plumbing, mom ended up in the tub with me (I thought it was funny but she didn't look happy). Since all my shampoos etc. were at mom's, she just used conditioner and vinegar. Unfortunately, dad didn't have any apple cider vinegar so she had to use rice vinegar and kept muttering that I smelled like a sushi bar! After, she made dad hold me while she blew dry my hair. Maybe they felt guilty because I got some white sticky rice for dinner.
I was upset when mom left last night because I'm not sure that dad understands the concept of "Tenzo cuddle time" in the AM after my first daily consititutional. I won't be back at mom's until Thursday afternoon so that is two whole days without my AM cuddle. I think dad needs some puppy training!
Anyway, miss you tons. Do you miss me?
Love, Tenzo

Tenzo Gram #3

hi Granma and Granpa,
Yesterday (Thurs) Mom called me a puppy monster all day. I'm sure it was really a sign of affection. I spent Wed night at Dad's and was good as gold. When mom came to see me Thurs AM before her class, I was SO excited that I started doing that biting thing and accidentally nipped her. She wasn't happy but once I calmed down we did Tenzo cuddle time. She left me to go to class and when she came back, she packed up my kennel to take me home. It was a really long walk to her car because they are repaving all the streets and she couldn't park close. I wasn't too excited to walk. I did meet a really big dog and even though he was gentle and we seemed to get along fine, I freaked out and hid behind her legs and kept hiding in bushes so he wouldn't see me (we'd already rubbed noses etc.) Finally, I was successful in irritating her enough that she carried me for 3 blocks (which was my goal anyway) so I basically rode on top of the kennel. While I was riding, a man came over, told me how adorable I was and wanted to take me home. (I decided to stay with mom). When we got to the car, as she was loading in her backpack and my kennel, I jumped in and sat in the drivers seat. I realize that I can't get my license until I am almost 2 years old but that doesn't mean I shouldn't practice. When I got home, I was so excited. I raced down the hallway and attacked my rug. After that, I got a little wound up again. Mommy was talking to Marcia and I started biting again (managed to get her other hand this time). She basically sat on me to calm me down then I had a brief time out in my kennel. I whined because I couldn't see her. She let me out but ignored me until Aunt jenny came for a walk. I'm sure YOU would never ignore me like she does! Mom and Aunt Jen took me on a 2 mile walk up towards the church and made me sit every time we crossed a street. There sure are a lot of streets in this neighborhood. I was calm when I got home and crawleed in my kennel and went to sleep at 10PM. Mom seemed pretty happy to go to bed early too. However, a little after 11PM, I woke up and decided that I wanted water and cuddles etc. so I barked until I woke up mommy. She didn't seem thrilled but did let me have some water. Of course, I slept the rest of the night but woke here up earlier than usual because my bladder was really full. She looked so funny standing in the grass in sweats, glasses and her hair on top of her head early this AM.
Today she says I am much calmer and she's given me extra cuddle time. However, except for peanut butter, I haven't had a treat in nearly 3 days!!! She claims that later today we are going to the puppy store and maybe I'll get some ice cream for her birthday. I met another dog today (Pete) and his owner gave her all sorts of info about some place that trains puppies. I'm not sure what she's thinking but from my viewpoint, she's the one who needs training, not me. I've been practicing with the zippers and strings on my backpack so I am getting stronger and might be able to come back to Pgh soon. I've even been trying to drag around mom's heavy backpack as an extra workout! I'll bet you'd be surprised if I showed up on your doorstep. There's even a famous book about another dog that did that and Disney made it into a movie so don't underestimate me!
Granpa, I hope you're feeling better. I just wanted you to know that you are much better at holding and cuddling me than mom and your lap is more puppy-friendly than hers. I can't wait to get back on it over Xmas.
Well, time for the 2nd nap of the day,
Love, Tenzo

Tenzo Gram #4

Dear Dogs:

When I say to move, it means go someplace else, not switch positions with
each other so there are still two dogs in the way.

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other
dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the

middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food

and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me
to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help, because I fall
faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king size bed. I am very sorry about
this. Do not think I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your
comfort. Look at videos of dogs sleeping, they can actually curl up in a
ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out

to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out

and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space used is
nothing but doggy sarcasm.

My compact discs are not miniature Frisbees.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some

miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not
necessary to claw, whine, try to turn the knob, or get your paw under the
edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I
entered. In addition, I have been using bathrooms for years, canine
attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dogs butt. I cannot
stress this enough. It would be such a simple change for you.

Rules for non pet owners who visit and like to complain about our pets.

1. The dog lives here. You don't.

2. If you don't want dog hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.

3. I like my dog a lot better than I like most people.

4. To you, she's a dog. To me, she's an adopted daughter who is short,
hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

5. Dogs are better than kids. They eat less, don't ask for money all the
time, are easier to train, usually come when called, never drive your car,
don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry
about buying the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, don't need a
gazillion dollars for college, and if they get pregnant, you can sell the
pups.

The same applies to cats, except they ignore you until you are asleep.

Tenzo Gram 5

T's quite happy today.

We just got back from our last walk today. Both of us were panting when we
came home. I thought he would go in the kennel for sure. Before I even got
up the first flight of stairs he zoomed to the top, then ran back down and
stopped a flight above me with his tongue hanging out. He did this all the
time a labored up the stairs, the little show off.

Tenzo Gram 6

Dear g'Mom and g'Dad;

I don't know about this new guy. He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer,
if you know what I mean.

Today we had dinner at 6:00
First, he has to be one of the worst cooks I have ever had the displeasure
to see. I watched him the whole time he was cooking, being my cute little
self. The dolt didn't even drop a single piece of food. Not one. You
would think that by accident he might get one bit right. So I had to eat
dinner without any flavor.

Later wasn't so bad. He ate in the living room and one of the walls came
alive. I growled at first, thinking strangers were in our living room. But
he quieted me down, so I guess it was OK. He ate while we watched the wall.
But of course he has the most terrible table manners! Not a scrap. All of
it went in his gullet, like he needed the food, harumph.

After he finished we watched more of the wall. After a while, I had to go
potty. So I dutifully left the room and waited by the door. And would you
believe it? Nothing! He sat there staring at the wall, like he was waiting
for the paint to dry. He got up ounce and I thought; Thank goodness. But
the oaf just scratched me on the head and went back. Is he stupid? What's
wrong with him? Doesn't he understand plain and simple language?

After a while I knew I was about to burst. It had been over an hour since I
had eaten and there just wasn't enough room inside me for everything. So
next time he got up I ran over and grabbed his pants cuff and started
pulling. Of course, Mister 'dense as 4 day old banana biscotti' didn't get
it at first and I had to keep tugging at him. Finally a dim (and I mean
DIM) bulb went off in his head and he got the idea. When we finally got
down the stairs, I peed and pooped and pooped and peed again. Can you guys
buy him a clue or send him to remedial training? geeez!

When we got backed I was so relieved I zoomed all over the place. Right now
I'm laying on the floor hyperventilating and can't make up my mind which
side of the den rug to lay on.

Miss You
Hope g'Dad is feeling better
'T'

05/15/10

Sweet Home Chicago

Week 1

Tenzo Gram #1

Tenzo Gram #2

Tenzo Gram #3

Tenzo Gram #4

Tenzo Gram 5

Tenzo Gram 6

05/15/10

Sweet Home Chicago Week 1

Tenzo Gram #1

Tenzo Gram #2

Tenzo Gram #3

Tenzo Gram #4

Tenzo Gram 5

Tenzo Gram 6

Sweet Home Chicago

Week 1