Archive for July, 2008

I Don’t Like Pound Cake Mom & Dad

“OOOh daddy, who’s that!? He’s so cute. He looks like me, well except for the color. And I’m a little bigger than him. Let me down, let me play with him. He’s jumping around like a little bunny. Let me go dad. I want to chase him around and play with him.”

“Wow, this guy is fun. I can paw his face and tackle him with no effort. Ouch, you bit my face. So, I’m going to bite yours. You like that!? Oh, you want to bite back. Ok let’s roll around and wrestle. This is great, I really like this. I’m so excited. Now he’s making a weird noise. Why are mom and dad yelling at me? Whatever, I’m playing.” He makes that crazy sound again. “Why are mom picking him up and telling me no? What’s going on? Is playing wrong all of a sudden? Why is mom walking away kissing and hugging that guy like she loves him? Oh my goodness, they do love him. They like him more than me. Ever since that guy got here, all I been hearing is “No Tink”, “Stop Tinkerbelle”, “leave him alone”. What, do they think that he’s too good for me? I know he’s cute and all, but oh my gosh what’s up with this change in roles and attention. Why all of a sudden am I the bad guy?! Ok this is gone too far. Mom and Dad, this guy has got to go. He took my spot in bed, he’s using MY potty, drinking MY water, playing with MY toys, chewing on MY bones. He’s been here too long and I’ve had it.”

 

Next Morning:

 

What!? he’s still here!?! Stop following me Chubs, I don’t like you. This is my bone. Stop bothering me. Oh, you want to play. OK! Yay, this isn’t half bad rolling around with him. But, now you had to make that weird sound again. Now dad is picking him up and treating him like he’s something special. Ok, I guess, I’ll just have to play with him when you guys aren’t looking. For now, I’ll just give him dirty looks and reminisce on the times when it was just us three.

Here are 3 videos of Tink’s 1st 3 days adapting to a new French bulldog in HER house.

Video 1: Supervised Playing and Wrestling

 

Video 2: Tink is Mad we are Showing Chubs Attention

 

Video 3: Tink Doesn’t Want Chubs to Come with Us.

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Frenchie Fridays Feature : Ninja

Today’s Frenchie Friday Feature is Ninja, he is a frenchie that Tink plays with at Kate Sessions Park. Long before we even met Ninja we heard stories about the cool looking French Bulldog that frequents Kate Sessions Park. We longed for the day that another Frenchie would come to the park and then one day Ninja showed up.

French Bulldog Ninja French Bulldog - Ninja

We immediately knew it was Ninja when we saw his trademark black patch around his eye that we had heard so much about. Tink and Ninja instantly became best friends and is was as if they were only the two dogs in the whole park. They reverted to their own corner of the park away from the other dogs and just rolled around together. We were so happy that Tink had finally played with another French bulldog at her favorite place to be. We have had the pleasure of seeing Ninja a few times more after their original encounter and every time the two dogs are instantly drawn to one another and the rolling around starts and lasts forever.

Ninja the Frenchie Pied Bald French Bulldog

Unfortunately, Ninja is moving away to Northern California so we will not be seeing our French bulldog friend anymore but we had a wonderful night with him last night and took lots of pictures to share. French Bulldog Photo Gallery or Watch this French Bulldog Video of Ninja and Tink I filmed with my camera phone.


A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6-year-old)

I came across this forward today in my inbox and I felt compelled to share it. Sometimes all the stresses of the world stop us from realizing just how great life really is and far too often we take the simple pleasures in life for granted.  Take a minute and read this post I hope it brightens your day as much as it has brightened mine.

A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6-year-old) 

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.  I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.  As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.  

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.  

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ‘I know why.’  Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.  

He said, ‘People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?’ The Six-year-old continued, ‘Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.’  

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.  

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:  

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

 Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.   

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently. 

 ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Tink taking a joy rideTink laying back


Frenchie Fridays Feature: Chubs - AKA Pound Cake

Thank you every one that has submitted pictures of their frenchies with comments about how you feel about them to us. We now have enough loved frenchies to post one every Friday for rest of this summer.

Today’s Frenchie Friday and new co-star of Frenchie Tink is Pound Cake AKA Chubs. We are pleased to announce that come Tuesday there will be an new addition to our family. We were going to wait until then to formally introduce Chubs, however we are just way too excited. Chubs comes to us from Alabama and James is boarding a plane Tuesday morning to go pick up Tink’s new best friend. Tink isn’t aware of her new friend yet, however we think she will be very excited when her and I pick up James and Chubs at the airport Tuesday night.

4 weeks French Bulldog Puppy French Bulldog Puppy 4 weeks

This is our French Bulldog Pound Cake at 4 Weeks (above) and almost 8 Weeks (below)

2 months French Bulldog Puppy French Bulldog Puppy 8 Weeks

Keep sending us pictures and comments. We will be updating our French bulldog pictures page this as well.


French Bulldog Puppy at Dog Beach in Del Mar, CA

Thanks so much to everyone who gave me advice on whether or not it was safe to take Tink (a 4 Month Old French Bulldog) to the beach, we went and had a great time. We started off our day early in the morning and Tink was still tired because she had kept me up the night before playing till 3am, so she slept the whole car ride to Del Mar. When we got there she was excited to explore her new surroundings. I juggled my beach bag, her toy/water & treat bag, and a case of beer I promised my friend down to the beach. I was carrying so much and controlling Tink at the same time my arms felt like they were going to fall off, not to mention all the times we had to stop so people could pet her, take pictures, and ask me a million questions about her. It really is amazing just how many times you get stopped in a big crowd when you have a cute little Frenchie by your side.

Frenchie at Dog Beach Frenchie at Dog Beach

I dropped off all our baggage at my friends tent and Tink and I sprinted down to the water. Tink was very curious about everything on the sand including the seaweed, shells and animals. It was great to watch her try and figure out what was going on, however her attention span was cut short as soon as she saw her first dog. Tink began rushing over to the dog with her playful face on, the dog ran into the water and Tink quickly pitter pattered her feet across the shallow part of the ocean. I had tried to get Tink to put her feet in the water before but until there was another doggie in there she wouldn’t step foot in the water. After the water we went back up to the tournament area, by this time the sand was too hot for Tink’s feet so I carried her whenever we walked anywhere. We spent the rest of the day under a shaded tent lounging around and drinking tons of water. Overall, we had a blast and I can’t wait to bring her back again. I washed the salt water off of her when we got to the car and gave her a bath again when we got home just to be safe.

French Bulldog and Pug Frenchie Puppy

Tinkerbelle the French Bulldog French Bulldog Puppy

Can I Take Our 4 Month Old French Bulldog to Dog Beach?

James is going out of town and I’m going to a charity Bochi Ball tournament in Del Mar this weekend. The tournament takes place at the dog beach portion of Del Mar. Our french bulldog puppy Tink is 4 months old now and is up to date on all of her shots, we have one last shot to go and that is her rabbi shots and then she is fully vaccinated. We have already begun taking her to this park we go to all the time that allows dogs and she plays well with other dogs and loves the social interaction. I am wondering if I could bring her to “Dog Beach” in Del Mar.

Up till now we have been cautious to take her to any exclusively “dog beaches” or “dog parks” for fear of infestation of sick dogs left behind on the grass or sand. I feel that a beach is a little different than a dog park because the waves are always breaking and re-circling the sand. I also feel that since she has interaction with other dogs on a daily basis there is nothing at the Dog Beach that would be any different then where we take her now.

Just last night the park we went to had at least twenty dogs running around. James thinks that it would be safer to wait until she is 6 months to take her to any sort of a dog beach. However, I hate the thought of leaving Tink at home when I am going somewhere she is allowed and I know she would have a great time. I of course will ultimately do whatever is best for Tink’s health and I am posting this in hopes of getting advice on what to do.

So should I take her or leave her home?

PS: Don’t worry, we don’t let Tink read these posts so she won’t be mad at you if you say we should leave her home :)


My Frenchie Doesn’t Want to Play with Me

I know why my Frenchie doesn’t want to cuddle with me. I play with her too much…

This is a video of Tink after playing with her for almost an hour straight. She stopped out of no where an decided that SHE was done playing.

Well, isn’t that cute… But, it’s wrong.

I’ve been reading that WE (humans, owners, alphas) decide when play time is over and when it starts. Play with them as long as needed. But, stop playing with them before they get bored and when it’s obvious they still want to play.

Make it a privilege to play with you, not a right!

Our Frenchie Doesn’t Cuddle Anything More

I’m sitting on the couch watching a movie and all I want is for my french bulldog to cuddle up next to me. And as she looks at me with that adorable face from the floor I can’t help but to pick her up and bring her on the couch. The problem is as soon as I pick her up and bring her up onto the couch she goes to the exact opposite side of the couch and lays down. It’s as if she just wants to be next to me all the time but never cuddled up to me or touching me. It’s the same at night when she sleeps with us, she needs to be on the bed or wherever we are but once she is by us, she reverts to her own little corner as far away from us as possible. I wonder where my little cuddle bug has gone, when we first got Tink all she wanted to do was cuddle, she was so cuddly James was worried we weren’t going to have an active frenchie, boy was he wrong!

 

In my opinion, Tink is too spoiled and she has begun to think we are her servants and we are living in her house and sleeping in her bed. She is so cute it’s hard not to wanna just pick her up and squeeze her and give her a million kisses and tons of attention. But, I believe this attention has started to get to her head.

James has been reading an article referring to the Alpha dog and Tink definitely has a lot of traits that this article talks about. James said ‘French bulldog puppy boot camp starts today‘…..