Celebrating Gotcha Day!

One year later on 4 March 2019, we celebrated Dusty's "Gotcha Day"!

I vividly remember the struggles I had to face dealing with the food aggression, toilet-training and the destruction of home furniture 😡. In particular, the sofa . The once scrawny little devil would used to growl and snap at my husband and I whenever we went near her food. Since I spent the most time with Dusty, I decided to seriously do some research on home training methods for food aggression. I ordered books such as "Siberian Huskies for Dummies" and watched religiously watched Youtube videos of "Cesar Millan". This dog is gonna receive some bad-ass military style training!

In between the training to stop her food aggression, I thought maybe I could challenge the ever so famous obstinate nature of a husky by seeing how many tricks she can pick up and how fast. Most husky owners and books says it takes alot of effort to get a husky to do tricks #challengeaccepted. Of course I started with the basic "SIT" which was pretty easy - I mean all dogs must know that command. "I'm going to teach Dusty how to "Pawshake" and "High-five", I told my husband one day. "She is too young, she will not get it", he said nonchalantly. Dusty was almost 5 months. "Well, easier to teach a child than an old fart I guess!" I replied giving the husband a side-glare 👀.

With patience and repetitive practice, I was able to finally toilet train my feral pupper 💀 within a month and tame the food aggressor in 2 months. GOD, that was some intense training. She really wasn't happy about it. BUT! I managed it like how any Alpha would 😅.

Alas! The chewing persist especially when we leave her at home on her own. Well, I guess that's at least 2 down and only 1 bad habit to conquer. We sent Dusty for Basic Obedience training when she was about 5.5 months. It was more about having her properly socializing with other dogs than anything else. By then, Dusty had already understood most of the basic commands that included "Pawshake" and "high-five" #proudmom. Basic Obedience class did help us teach Dusty to walk properly on leash and reinforcing commands she already knew in an environment that had distraction. We loved it 💓!

Anyway, fast forward one year, Dusty still occasionally chews on the sofa. We are now so immune to it we just let her instead of giving her the pleasure of getting the attention from us whenever she does it. Our sofa is so far from "gone" at this point we just worry it might break while we sat on it 🙍.

Dusty coped with her food aggression really well and now humans can basically go near her food or while she eats and she has no problem with that. We felt it was important to curb this bad behaviour as we were worried if we were to have kids over or even our own children in future, this bad behaviour may escalate and caused unnecessary injuries. The downside of overcoming her food aggression was she becoming a super slow, chilledout, picky A-hole eater. So much so, now she doesn't want to finish her meals. Pretty weird because we do not over treat her nor do we give her table scraps. She would vomit bile from starving herself #stubbornhusky. Well, we think she is just weight conscious and have an undying ambition to become a VS model. So we just let her be since she is growing well and not undernourished in anyway according to the vet. That's a story for another day.

Despite her occasional b**chy attitude, we are  so blessed to have Dusty in our lives. The only thing left to train her on now is how to bark when strangers enter our home and not sprawl on the floor and ask for belly rubs 🙄. Even though it brings me great joy each morning when I get out of bed, to see Dusty waiting for me downstairs with her legs spread wide open waiting for a belly rub 😂. It sometimes amazes me how smart Dusty is (sorry bias dogmom here) and how well-natured she has grown up to be. So sweet nature that sometimes  I can't help but wonder if I were to be attacked by another dog or human will she protect me😓? She occasionally still gets bitten by small dogs although she just minds her own business. How and why, I am unsure.

 Anyway, 4 March every year will forever be etched in my mind as the day Dusty came into our lives and sparked so much joy and we will never be KonMari (ing) her. EVER.

1 year Anniversary "Gotcha Day"  - 04032019
Dino Bib by PawsNWags cox "D" for Dusty
(Looking like a bobble head here)

The Destroyer

The "Dead" Sofa

How she behaves during meal times

Books for Dummies

What I wake up to every morning

So much love to give #mybestdogever

Why PAWSNWAGS?

Hello Friends.

 

Today, let’s talk about how I came to know about pawsnwags & their beautiful work.

 

Last year, mid of May, I was planning a last minute surprise birthday party for my hubby. A soccer themed party as he is a die-hard fan of Man UTD! During the last few planning, I realized my princess was going to be awkward because while all the friends are going to be in soccer themed shirts, she had none!! How can that be?

Imagine the stress I was facing? I was in panic mode. Messaging everyone I know if they can set up something for Sofia to wear at the party. Not many had ideas. Until my friend Rin, recommended pawsnwags.

When I messaged Jasmine, founder of pawsnwags replied me immediately and agreed to actually help me do up a bandana for Sofia!!! You will never guess how happy I was, because I was running out of time to have everything in place for the surprise party.

One aspect I love about Jasmine-the founder of pawsnwags is that she delivers what she promise!

 

The Man Utd Bandana

All I had to was tell her the theme & she mix & matched the colors for me. I was saved from stressing over the design & colors!!! Thank you Jasmine!!!

 

That was just the start, after that whenever I was running out gift ideas, I always turn to her.

Cause a furkid can never have too many bandanas right?? Hence, I went to her to create cutie bandanas for Sofia’s nieces & nephews. They are really beautiful!

 

What I most loved was when I ordered another set for Sofia’s friends for the Christmas party! That was abit too many orders and quite time constrain because it was the festive period & even she needed a break. But she took the effort to rush out the orders for me.

Did you see how colorful and pretty the bandana looks?

Churios- Sofia's niece with the bandanas
for herself & her siblings.

The colours standout on the furries. And the bandanas are reversible. Yeap, if you are bored of your furkid showing off only one side, just reverse it & wear it for them. Ta-dah! It’s like your furkid just got another new bandana. Haha…  

These are the bandanas given to Sofia's friends for Christmas.

PawNwags will always be my go to for orders for Sofia because she knows my preference well & also she remembers the size of my Fat Fat Princess! Haha.

Thank you Jasmine for always rushing out my orders. Looking forward to ordering collars for Sofia so that she can change according to the occasion. hehe…!!

With Lots of Love :

Minnie-Mommy of Princess Sofia!

Sofia, The Golden Princess

Hello everyone.

Firstly, Thank you PawsNWags for giving me the opportunity to blog for the Month.

I am Minnie, the proud Pawrent of Sofia the golden princess.

 Being born on April 8^th 2015, this golden ball chose me to be her pawrent at two months old. My wish was to actually own a chow chow pup, but it was difficult to find a cute one with a bear face.

Princess Sofia during her puppy days.

Chubby & active pup.

With an open mind, my hubby brought me to view the golden puppies at his friend’s place. With only 3 puppies- 2 boys & 1 female left, this girl was the only one who kept running up to me. She stole my heart when she adorably fell asleep on my feet while we humans were talking. It was then that I decided to have her even though I was busy with pursuing my Diploma.

This golden ball is a best friend any girl can ask for. Even as a pup, she was the one who kept me company while I stayed up all night to complete my assignments & studied for my exams. Though she was busy tearing down the walls & destroying my sofa.

She was my motivation, my companion & my study buddy.

Sofia taught me what RESPONSIBILITY was. Learnt the definition of commitment because of her.  As a pup she was a terror and being a first time Pawrent, I knew nothing about discipling her or training her. But with the help of my hubby and a trainer, I managed to discipline her.

During the puppy days, Sofia had weak immunity. She was often getting ear & urine infections. Each vet visit cost me a bomb & I had to cut down on my shopping expenses for her. At first, I was the only princess at home. Which means, I always get what I want & I can always buy whatever I wanted. But with the arrival of this golden ball, all the privilege went to her. Yeah, even my Dad would rather buy treats for her than to buy back my favorite food.

She is pretty much allergic to almost everything. Allergies & all the infections on her was starting to annoy me that I almost wanted to give her up. Imagine spending a few hundreds per vet visit every month? Seeing her always scratching & having numerous wounds cause of her allergies broke my heart. I spent nights crying as I didn’t know how to help her.

With the advice from a close friend & deciding not to give up on her, I switched from standard shelved dog food to home cooked diet plan for her. I included supplements which helped to boost her immunity, strengthen her bones, complexion & probiotics for her digestive system. Since then her immunity and digestive system has improved vastly. 😊 Which means visit to the vet were much lesser. Thank god for that.

 She also has separation anxiety. Leave her alone and be out for a few hours, I will always have to come back to damaged golden! Yes, you read it right, DAMAGED GOLDEN!! Because she would have chewed all her 4 paws till they are swelled & sore. Or she would have ripped her fur from her tail. Imagine coming back to a partially bald & bleeding princess? It always breaks me down & causes a lot of stress. Hence, I learnt never to leave her alone at home or even if I have to, she will be on her e-collar. Yeah, just like a princess, that’s her CROWN.   

That's how badly she scratches when I left her alone just for 15mins.

Since a pup, I encouraged Sofia to meet & interact with people from all walks of life. It is the best thing I have done because she has gained lots of love from different people. She brings so much joy around. People who never really liked me are now pretty much close to me & are always pampering Sofia with lots of love & gift.

Sofia while she does her usual MEET-THE-PEOPLE Session. And a few toys she got while she met people.

Sofia has gained so much popularity that whenever I am out, people flood me with the 4 “W’s- ‘Where is Sofia?’, ‘Why isn’t she with you?’, ‘What time will she be out for her walk?’ & ‘When can I play with her?’

Thanks to my Princess, I have gained a few more good friends, became closer to my family & learnt to appreciate everything around me & be happy with little stuff.

Above all, I get to dress her up & spoil her with lots of love. Stay tune for her upcoming birthday party pictures later this month!

Just a few of her dresses & bandanas that i spent hours looking for online & purchasing them.