How Asha got the nickname Chicken

You would think it's because she's scared. However, while she is a bit apprehensive about new experiences, this isn't the reason.

Since she grew big enough to do so, she has shown a fondness for licking the kitchen counter. And this is with no specific purpose, such as licking up food remnants. In fact, I could have just wiped the counter and she would come into the kitchen and start licking.

She has some sort of fascination with just licking the counters. Of course, this would result in me asking: "What are you licking?", which progressed into "What are you licken, chicken?" taken from the fast food restaurant: Chicken Licken. And so, Asha also became known as Chicken.

Needless to say, I very quickly got into the habit of wiping down the counters before preparing food.

Titan, on the other hand, is so lazy that he doesn't do anything without a purpose. So his favourite thing to do, is lick the dirty dishes that are lying in the sink, to lick up all the yummy flavours. And there is no way of stopping him, given his height and because the kitchen forms part of the open plan side of the house.

So if Titan has disappeared, and it happens to be just after dinner time, you know exactly where to look for him.

And I believe that these days you can't leave any food lying around unattended, even on the shelf that happens to be eye level for me. Titan assumes you have left it there for him, and it takes very little effort for him to get to it.

My babies are three

It is Titan and Asha's third birthday today. To celebrate we went to Walkhaven dog park - http://www.walkhaven.co.za/

They had lots of fun. Titan met lots of doggies, something he loves, and even had one or two play with him - most often they're too scared because he is so big.

Here are some pictures:

The automated biting shredder, and other messages

About six months after getting Titan and Asha we went on holiday. It wasn't a great holiday, as that is when the decline to the divorce started. But more importantly, it was the first time that we were away from the baby dogs.

Naturally, I was a worried new 'mom'. And I missed them like crazy.

So it was great to get update messages from my sister, who had volunteered to look after them while we were away.

The first was a reply to: "Did the woofies jump all over you?"

Yes, I was attacked... And eaten, and slobberidified, and licked and scratched and growled at and barked at, I was made into a doggie sandwich with a Kerry filling, my arm was chewed, my bum was bitten, and my snollies licked out of my nose.

Perhaps at this point I should let you know that Great Danes puppies are the complete opposite of the docile Great Dane dogs - they are highly energetic, and always super excited to see you. And their size makes it impossible for you to escape the excitement.

Knowing that I was worried about them and missing them, my sister then sent a couple more updates while we were away. 

The first:

Doggie diaries: this weekend Titan and Asha have decided to do some work around the garden and some dog house redecorating. They moved three of the irrigation sprinklers into their house as well as the lawn sprinkler and the tap connection.

Asha has been up to her usual anything goes biting tricks and almost severed aunty Kerry's left nipple right off. Aunty Kerry was not amused.

They are both doing well and are enjoying playing with Uncle Brandon, and even gave Costa (our gardener at the time) a run for his money. Both have been getting lots of kisses and hugs, more so Titan cause he has had a few tear drop stains. They send their love to their mom and dad, and hope they are having a good holiday and are looking forward to lots of lovies on return. xxx (doggie kisses)

Message 2:

Doggie Diaries: Asha is sulking today, she has been sitting at the front door and kitchen door staring at them... She is also feeling a bit fluish and she has been gagging all day. Titan has been very helpful at inspecting everything that happens in the kitchen, and keeping an eye on the counter top to make sure that the cooking is above board. It's cold and rainy today so they have been snuggled in bed all cozy and stuff.

About eight months later, my sister and I went on a girls weekend. I got the following message from my ex:

They are running around like mad things, getting ready for the comrades I think... The automated biting shredder is working at full speed today, she must have gotten properly oiled while sleeping last night.

And then, just after I moved out, I received this message from my ex:

Damn it was funny, gave the Tin a grape to eat. He kept on spitting the whole thing out and pushing it with his nose, like he does with bugs. When he eventually figured out what it was 10 minutes later, he wanted more. It then took him only a second to eat it after that...

LOL