PAWS for a Good Cause

Last Saturday was the Saipan's Annual Best of the Worst Dog Show. Meatball and Rescue joined the fun but beforehand we did some costume fitting...

Meatball as Princess Leia

"I don't really wanna do this..."

"What!? There's prizes!"


Rescue as Yoda

"Judge me by size, do you?"

"Skilled with my tongue, I am"

After all the planning, Brad and I packed up the Rav and headed to the airport field for the competition. Meaty won a couple of prizes for her costume and her talents, but PAWS was the real winner for bringing together a group of people for a celebration of man's best friend.

Thanks to all of the organizers like Katie Busenkell, Angelo Villagomez, Cinta Kaipat, PAWS, Beautify CNMI! and all of the volunteers who helped make PAWS WARS III: Revenge of the Boonie possible.

Meatball Trouble

Have you heard of Marley and Me? Marley the sweet, affectionate puppy who grew into a mischievous hyperactive dog.

Meatball falls in that mold.
Maybe worse. Who knows, she's still growing.

Last July, Brad and I picked up the cutest well-mannered puppy at an unusual pet store. Let's just say we joke about saving her from being on the Menu. She was the sweetest thing on four legs. Now, not so much.

Among the many antics she gets herself into, chewing is her top priority. She chews anything that would fit in her mouth. Gum. A piece of Frisbee. Shin Guards. A large rawhide would last 3 days before it would vanish in thin air. If it weren't for the splinter on her lip, she wouldn't have stopped chewing on our furniture. She has also managed to chew on all my sandals before Christmas, giving Brad the perfect opportunity to buy me six new pair of shoes :D
The best part is when she chooses one out of a pair leaving the other unharmed.

hmmm... left or right?

One beautiful day my neighbor called me with a muffled laugh and said "um, Kathy, I think Meatball ran outside with your bra." Movie fans, sounds familiar?

Another time, she started her very own top soil business right in front of our door. Now, we don't keep any plants on our porch. Just last week, Brad came home to a clay covered Meatball. As he forewarned me about her appearance and the giant red paw prints on our stairway, he hadn't the slightest idea on where or how she ended up that way. Before the day was over, Brad had solved the mystery. Our poor neighbors came home to this...

Sorry Glen and Lindsay.

And while I am in the subject of deep remorse, I would also like to apologize to the Church of Latter Day Saints for interrupting your baptismal ceremony at Wing beach. *blush*

I was packing our things after a day at the beach, when Meatball decided to acquaint herself with one of the girls from the congregation. The little girl was trying to run away from her, while Meatball thinking "PlayTime!" The ceremoney came to a complete stop as they heard little shrieks of help from the girl. As I was running to resue her, Meatball thought I came to join in the fun. You could imagine how much chasing I had to do with a wet sandy dog.

I know Meatball's heart is huge and her love boundless despite her lack of social graces but I sure am looking forward to that day when she decides to be a fire place dog.

For the meantime any suggestions from all you dog lovers out there?

Dog Eating Moth

Meatball has grown twice her size in the past three months. She learned how to sit, lie down, crawl, and give her paw when you command her to do so… alright so there’s gotta be a treat on the other hand (it's a work in progress).

Although, she'll jump in the water without a command or a goodie. We might have her take diving classes soon :)

Brad also managed to teach her how to chase her tail and eat live animals such as baby geckos and moths. She can now survive in the wild!

Three Liner Pix

UNDER THE SEA...

(Brad Derksen Photos)

WHERE IS MEATBALL?

HUGS AND KISSES

READING WITH CAUTION

HOPPIN' WHITE PARTY!

THAT'S A PLANE?!

Fan belt and beyond

So my fan belt broke. Now I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere waiting for rescue. Okay, so it’s not the middle of nowhere. I’ve managed to name at least three landmarks such as the stoplight by NMC, Western Union and the old garment factory. If you live out here, you could locate me in a jiffy.
While Boy, the mechanic, and his partner are mending my ant infested Rav, I am typing away, thanks to the power of my smart phone and EVDO, as well as enjoying a power bar called TWIX.
We literally had three months of summer during which I’ve managed to check most blogs in a week and have discovered new ones that are just as fascinating. Now, nada. Despite bloggable moments, there was no way I could manage to sneak in a few minutes to type out a couple of lines. I guess breaking down isn’t so bad, especially when you’re not in the middle of a freeway.

So here are some updates.

Papa. Seeing him in his current situation is heart breaking. He usually has a million things to say when I drop him to dialysis on Mondays and Fridays. But now, the most I get from him is an unsure “NO!” (I asked if he wanted to listen to some music). I just found out that he’s back in the hospital, under observation.

My new set of 2nd graders. This year I have 7 staff kids and more from parent requests. My coworker said that this is probably the highest form of compliment I could get from the other teachers. It is pretty flattering but I also feel pressured about the unspoken expectations. Also, I could never get used to not missing my old class.

Meatball. She is a giant terror! She responds to Brad’s “HEY!” while she barks back at my “NO!”
When I ignore her, she puts on this pouty face and hides behind the couch. How can I not fall for that?

Alright, they are done with my ride. More updates later…

Diving… I gotta write about diving. It’s been a definite thrill.