Get A Chihuahua If:

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I’ve had Dolce for 7 years now. I got her when I was part of a couple, and now, I’ve had her as a single (for half her life). I can’t explain why I wanted a chihuahua so badly, it wasn’t for the jewelry. I just knew it HAD to be a chihuahua. We spent weekends in Brisbane looking for the perfect one and of all the dogs to choose from, I picked the most problematic one. These are the lessons Dolce has taught me. (Yes, there were supposed to be two chihuahas, but after I got Dolce, the notion of getting a “Gabbana” was quickly abandoned)

Get a chihuahua if:

You have a family and are not single

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All dogs don’t like to be alone but Dolce has these crazy lunatic “ERRRMAAAGERRRDDD MOMMY’S HOMMMMMEEEEE” attacks whenever I’m in a 5-km radius around home. She runs around, throws herself on the door, runs up the stairs, runs down the stairs and then finally has a reversed trachea attack (more on that later). If it wasn’t for the support of my family, it would be tough for me to have a social life that would allow me to stay out all night (what? clubs open till late now) or go on vacations.

You want a dog that you have sat on

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My ex-boyfriend threw his whole body weight on the sofa and smushed our little 3-month old chihuahua in the process. She was alright but I suspect some mental damage occurred.

You want a dog that you have to carry around

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Initially, this was super cute when she was 500grams. Then, she ballooned into some sort of Yao Ming chihuahua at a whopping 4.3kg and walks to the beach end up with me carrying her tubby ass home.

You want a dog that wedges herself everywhere

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Chihuahuas are burrowers – they love crawling under blankets (I lost her there once) and wedging herself right against your body, or in her case, her favorite place, between my legs (hey, who can blame her?). This results in cramped legs and being pushed off my own bed by a chihuahua.

You want a dog with health problems

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Dolce has every small dog health problem: reversed trachea (sounds like an asthma attack), heart murmur, ear infections, impacted anal glands (yes, this is exactly how it sounds) and luxating patellas. (Pic was her after a bee sting, which she, of course, was allergic to)

You want a dog with social problems

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Unfortunately, I think Dolce was from a puppy mill which means poor breeding and as a result she has poor socialisation skills. I’ve sent her to puppy kindergarten (yes) where the specialist diagnosed this as a form of “doggy autism” and I had an epic crying breakdown right in front of this large Australian woman who had no idea what to do. Dolce is petrified of all other dogs – from fluffy puppies to lazy seniors. As a result, she’s a little dog-lonely, but I don’t think she notices.

You want a dog that doesn’t eat a lot of dog food but wants all your food

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Dolce wants ALL YOUR food. If you want her to be your friend, just have food. This bundle of nerves will suddenly transform into Lassie if you have bacon. She loves durian and fro-yo.

Every guy you’ve ever dated puts you in the “Paris Hilton” high-maintenance box

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I understand the association but I don’t see why my having a chihuahua would have anything to do with my high-maintenance form. That comes from a whole lot of other things.

You want a dog can will sleep anywhere

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Dolce can sleep anywhere – on my table, on my mouse, on my feet, on my hands, under blankets, under beds. She’s quite gifted.

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I love Dolce. Remember, a pet is for life.

Of all the Chihuahuas in the world…

… I had to get this one.

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Before I got Dolce, I was certain that I wanted a chihuahua. I liked their snobbish nature, closeness to their owners and no-one else and of course, their little faces.

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I remember Jamie and myself doing weekend runs to pet stores but my heart never seemed to catch with any of the chihuahuas I had seen. And then, ironically, in the pet store across the road was this little brown thing that seemed to sleep all the time and wasn’t rambunctious. I went to look at her almost everyday for 2 weeks (amazing fact alone because Chihuahuas tend to get snapped up quickly). Finally, I persuaded Jamie to come to have a look at her and the minute she was in my arms, trying to claw her way up to the top of my head, I knew she was the one. Like the way you know about a good melon.

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We paid $500 for her and brought her home. She weighed about 750 grams and was positively tiny. Within a few days, she had marked her territory everywhere in the apartment, cried incessantly every night, been sat on by Jamie and dropped once.

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Her life is Australia comprised sleeping in the sun by the door, playing with all her toys at once and driving with Jamie to pick me up after school or work.

Not shown in the pictures was also her hectic schedule of chewing furniture, being dragged for walks, whining incessantly outside the bedroom door and the continual marking of territory. Finally, it was time to be shipped off (metaphorically speaking. She took a chartered puppy transfer to the airport and then, Singapore Airlines direct) to Singapore!

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Dressed in her travel clothes, with her teddy and blankie to keep her company, she made it safely to Singapore to Jamie’s arms and stayed away from everyone else at Mum and Dad’s. Mum (now, Gammy) was nice enough to stay home the day after and finally, Dolce warmed up to her.

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I arrived a few days later to my tiny thing and her first few weeks was kept busy with acclimatising to Singapore weather and meeting her cousin, Pepper. That still isn’t going well but we’re hoping their family relations will kick in anytime soon.

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She has been here for 3 years now (turning 4 this November!) and she has developed into a dog that loves to sleep, sleep, sleep, play, swim (but only if someone carries her over the break) and being mocked through various devices. She is my pride and my burden all rolled into one delightfully smelly package. She wakes me up in the morning for tickles, lays on my laptop if she wants attention and will do anything for food.

Still occasionally marks her territory.

Save This Dog!

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This picture was taken by Mish, while I was knocked out! I can’t believe I fell asleep so quickly and deeply  that I missed this whole tomfoolery and Caitlin yelling goodbye to me as she left. (By the way, Mish only contributed 20cents for her SPCA sticker).

This weekened ended up being a lot more sedate than I anticipated, which goes to show Murphy and his Law are always present. I was in a DJ capacity at Penny Black for a birthday on Friday night and endured mild abuse – it’s honestly hard to please everyone – and I’m not a take-requests kinda DJ (unless the song fits the mood) because if you want to hear a song, go download the mp3 or switch on the radio.

Saturday ended up being nap day (although I watched I Am Legend again and hugged Dolce after Sam the dog died in the movie. Damn you, Will Smith!) and Sunday was take Dolce to the groomer day, which ended up being Fight With Groomer Day. I do regret my less than productive weekend but in a way, am glad for a calm one since the past few have been fairly active.

Say hello to my little friend.

Ok, it’s no big secret that I am cuckoo over my Chihuahua. So, here’s some pictures of my little possum, looking thoroughly depressed as she knows I’m going out for a Friday night.

She starts out at the feet
She starts out at the feet
Moves closer up, to the shin
Moves closer up, to the shin
Finally rests her sad head on my thigh
Finally rests her sad head on my thigh

The weather has been ridiculously hot recently (Heatwave!) and I was suffering from a faux-stomach bug/in reality drug allergy, so little puppy and I stayed in, with the air on, on a Sunday, watching Buffy. I still always tear up when Spike dies. I’m such a girl. (And in case you were wondering, that is a Gene Simmons doll next to the TV. And empty photo frames. What a sad tale.)

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Mixed Bag v.2

I recently had a photoshoot to at Old School (which houses Timbre and yes, I’ll admit it, I have never been there before) but since it was my first time and I had a camera, I took a couple of shots of the name, which is really kinda cool. Side note: The cabbie that took me home asked if I was a teacher at the “Old School”.

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I also wanted to add some pictures of the Bubby – 3 of her many “ear” looks.

Full Mast
Full Mast
Half Mast
Half Mast
Crinkly Ears
Crinkly Ears

Here’s a shot of her little feet, when she naps on the sofa, I have no idea why she needs to support herself like that:

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Chihuahuas in the Mist!
Chihuahuas in the Mist!
Chihuahua in the East
Chihuahua in the East