Sunday, September 13, 2009

Raw Food Diet, Day 591- Beasts and Their Boats

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Big Pupi talks about his big day:

I had SUCH AN EXCITING day today! But before I get into that, I'll give you a little update on my brother~
Stanley has been on his medication for over a week now, and boy-oh-boy is it helping! The intense snoozely side effects passed after only 2 days, and since then he's been steadily climbing uphill. Mom hasn't caught him doing one single fly-biting twitch, and although he still whines a lot he doesn't really scream anymore when outside. Also, when we are out for our runs about town my people are able to get Stanley to "watch me" and "sit, wait" when we're stuck at a red light. It's fairly easy to get his attention now! He'll even "come, sit" during our potty walks outside! (All for cheese and beefy jerky, of course.)

My bro is still a wild and wacky, hyperactive cocker spaniel, but that dark, manic part of his personality is fading. He just seems happier - lighter, almost. Furthermore, Stan will begin a compulsive behavior and then never follow through with it. For example, he'll look into the TV to see the reflection, and instead of getting all crazed and obsessed he'll just sniff and walk away. Same goes with his bark park patterns - he'll go to one of his "stations" out of what looks like habit, and the compulsion to run his pattern never actually kicks in. He'll stand there for a moment before turning and looking for a fellow party animal to thrash with. Normally we'll lose him to one of his triggers and patterns, and never really get him back for the rest of the day. It's AMAZING! My folks are so proud of him.
He's been getting extra squenches and snugs for being so Good Boy-ish. I'm jealous! My people are going to try their best to keep from pushing him too far too fast, and we still have another 2 weeks before the Prozac builds up in his body. They will develop a training plan once they see where he's at then.

Now onto his more intelligent and gracious older brother ... ahem, ME.

Today I got to go on a doggy boat cruise with my fellow therapy dog friends! Mom and I got up nice and early to make it to the ticket booth on time, then I got to shake my tail feathers at these awesome canines while we waited to board.
There were SO MANY lady chihuahuas also in line that were not with our group. I was in HEAVEN!! I LOVE wee lady chihuahua doggettes! I made sure to flex my rippling muscles and prance all manly-like to convince them of my beastliness.

I was determined to snag a seat at the front of the boat so that I could get first dibs on any stinks and smells. But first, I made sure to ask mom if it was okay with her that I sit on her lap for the ENTIRETY of the 90-minute trip.

I didn't like this dog too much because he kept trying to break into mom's bag and eat all my Good Boy cheese bit treats, but I have to admit - dude could pose for some good photo ops.It was gloriously sunny and I relaxed under the toastiness of the sun's rays.On our exit from the river in to the lake, we saw these crazy bee-hive buildings. Can you imagine the size of those bees!! I've eaten a few bees in my lifetime and let me tell you... those guys are SPICY!!Once in the lake we saw my aquarium and stadium (I have weebled on the lawns and therefore they belong to me.) I prefer to call them the Underwater Feasting Center and Supreme Dog Park.
I became very interested in this crazy ball/balloon thingy and wondered what king of fetch is played with something that large. I figured it was probably Great Dane sized but didn't smell any horse dogs on the horizon. I was confused.
The ball got even bigger the closer we got to Navy Pier (also mine).
Our human boat speaker guy said that this lighthouse was once rented to a human for $1 a year as long as he took care of the lighthouse. He lived there for a few years before being evicted for being too much of a party animal. I wonder if he ever met Stanley.
These onlookers were all juicy and delicious. I took much interested in both of them, but they honked at me in mocking since I couldn't actually give chase.
This is Merchandise Mart. It was built by Marshall Fields as a place for all Chicago merchants to sell their wares. Its grand opening took place about 90 hours before Black Friday, after which the building went bankrupt. Fields had to sell the building to the Kennedy family for about $12 million in cheese money. They held the building for over 60 years before selling it to another company for over $700 million. I wonder how many chickens and goats you can buy with that...
This building was the famous Sears Tower, but now it's called the Willis Tower. I hope my name never gets changed like that! There are also rumors that it will be turned silver. Remind me to weeble on this one later.Towards the end of our visit I spotted the most important and well-named landmark of all~~ this boat!!Our boat eventually docked and I said bye to my buddies. Mom and I headed home and I did a little of this:That is... until I saw her giving some unearned attention to Stanislaw. So I grabbed a piece of cardboard from the rubbish and pranced about trying to steal her attention away.
It worked! I was so Good Boy today that I DESERVE all of the attention!
We hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!

Snoozeling with my cardboard,
Big Pupi

13 comments:

Mack said...

What an awesome time you had BP! (And what beautiful pics your mom took!)

We are so glad Stani's meds are working...

keep us posted

The Oceanside Animals said...

hello big pupi its dennis the vizsla dog hay i am glad stan is doing wel and wow wot an adventcher!!! tucker is kwite a con ... conno ... wel ennyway he reely likes cardbord too he sez the best kind is old butter bokses!!! ok bye

Lorenza said...

Hi, Big Pupi!
Thanks for the tour! I enjoyed it a lot!
Glad to know the med is working for Stan!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Molly the Airedale said...

What a great time you had with all of your therapy doggie buddies, Big Pupi!
We're so glad to hear that Stan's little blue pill is working!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Hero said...

Thanks for that awesome tour of your beautiful city, Big Pupi! Your city is soooo big and shiny compared to anything I have on my island. The city that I'm named after, Angra do Heroismo, is so old and cramped and nothing, not even the churches or monuments, are as tall as your "Willis Tower." If I ever went to a city like yours I'd probably come off as some backwards country pup. I'm so glad to hear that Stan is making some big improvements. You'd better watch your back, because if this keeps up you may lose your title as top good boy in the family.

Joe Stains said...

We are so glad to hear such a good report, its amazing. Of course we are also very happy you got to go on a super fabulous boat tour, we have never done anything at all like that. Then again, we live in the desert. BOL

Sally said...

We are so glad the prozac is helping - we hope things just get better and better. That was a great boat tour - thanks for showing us your city - it looks beautiful. Lots of licks
Sally and Paddy

Coco Bean - The Princess said...

I'm so glad to hear that the Prozac is working. mommy's old Cocker was on Prozac and it helped him too.

thanks for the tour of the east coast! its beautiful

Tail Wiggles & Puppy Kisses,

Coco The Princess

parlance said...

It's wonderful to hear Stanislaw is doing better!1

That boat trip sounds great. I didn't realise you were in Chicago. Once when I was in the US I did a boat trip to see all the superb buildings in Chicago. I loved it!

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

First, what great news about Stan's meds working great!
Thanks for the tour BP, you has a pawsome day and, even better, maybe, you got cardboard!!
~lickies, Ludo

Fenway said...

I barely have time in the midst of some World Class Spoilization today to thank you for wishing me happy birthday!

I'll send you some inside info on how to maintain your position of Being the Center of Attention...but I was impressed with your bright idea to look cute and hold the cardboard winsomely in your maw. Nice, creative approach.

Get me on that cruise next year and I'll give you personal dock diving lessons!

Gotta get back to being totally adored!
Fenway

Heather and Pumpkin said...

Oh I luv the canine cruise! I have pictures from my trip but lazy Mommy hasn't helped me post them yet.

xoxo
Pumpkin

Canine Aficionado said...

Big Pup,

Wow! That cruise looked super fun and made us homesick for Chicago! (We lived there when Louis moved in and he also weebled his puppy weebles by the aquarium and Navy Pier, all up and down Lakeshore Drive, and of course, Lincoln Park).

SO glad Stan's meds seem to be helping!!

Your fellow dog bloggers,

Hilary, Louis and Ella Bean