This is my 6th year Blogaversary. Once a month for the past 6 years, I've journaled a blog that was topical to what's going on in my life (that includes world or local events, soapbox issues, flaws, victories, things I've learned or overcame, life with my hubby, family, friends, neighbors, hopes and dreams, fears and faith, pet peeves, and pets). For my 6th Blogaversary, I'm happy to share something wonderful going on in our lives. We have welcomed a new furry-child into our lives: Buddha.
My name is Buddha Brandt. I’m
a Tibetan terrier.
I was born in Florida. I’ve only been on this earth for 10-weeks. I’ve been living with Kim (mom) and Rich (dad) for 2-1/2 weeks.
I was born in Florida. I’ve only been on this earth for 10-weeks. I’ve been living with Kim (mom) and Rich (dad) for 2-1/2 weeks.
They told me they named me
Buddha because my breed comes from Tibet. And while they follow Christ, they
also appreciate Buddha’s wisdom of letting go of thoughts that create suffering
(like our tendency to ruminate on the past) and instead to live in the present
moment. I’m a reminder of that wisdom. And it’s pretty much what I do well.
BEING Buddha.
First thing some people say,
“Oh another terrier?” As if that was a bad thing. I’m actually not of the
terrier dog breed. Tibetan Terriers (TT’s for short), were given the name by
European travelers because we resemble terriers. I personally don’t see it. The
Tibetan name for the breed is Tsang Apso, loosely translated, ‘shaggy or
bearded dog. I think we look like
miniature sheep dogs. Our breed dates back thousands of years when TT’s were
kept as good luck charms, mascots, watchdogs, herding dogs and companions. We
were also considered the Holy Dogs of Tibet. TT’s were never to be sold.
Instead, they were given as gifts by monks to promote good fortune. So Kim and
Rich are lucky to have me.
I'm small now, but I'll probably grow to weigh up to 30lbs and be about knee high. I'm told I have beautiful eyes. (presently, they are a hazel color). TT's come in many different colors. I'm a white and gold TT. I have panda feet. They are broad, flat feet with hair between my toes. Which are ideal for mountain climbing. I'm not sure how much mountain climbing I'm going to do in Florida? But I can dig to Tibet with my big paws in the sand or high-five people I meet on the beach.
I'll probably grow my hair long and put it up in a man bun. I think that looks cool. Don't worry about the hair getting in my eyes; it's what I was bred to look like. I have damn good eyesight. Plus, I have long eyelashes to keep the hair actually out of my eyes. I don't shed but rather slough hair off like human hair. Mom is already got me on the grooming area everyday for 2 minutes to get me used to the brushing. Daily grooming is a TT requirement if I'm going to continue to look selfie-ready.
.
I came home on June 12th. The car ride was 4-hours. Kim sat in the
back with me. She put up a soft crate with a cushy bed and a few soft toys to
chew in it. She left the flap open so I could go back and forth between her lap
and my crate. We had no issues our whole ride home. I was curious about everything and wanted to
look out the windows. I was calm, but I never settled down or slept for more
than 10 minutes.
It’s almost been 3-weeks since I’ve come to live here. Mom and dad are more sleep deprived then they imagined. I pass out around 9pm. But I wake up sometime around 3-4am to go potty. And I’m HUNGRY. I have a yelp that could wake up the neighborhood and the dead. They seem a bit grouchy about my barking. Hey, you and the neighbors will thank me if I ever have to wake up the whole neighborhood for any reason, like a zombie apocalypse.
Mom had me alone for the first 12-days. Dad was traveling for work. We did a lot of hammock time. She loved being with me but was shocked at how tired she was by 10:00am. We napped together on and off throughout the day. When dad came home, he took over. He was also surprised how wide-awake I am in the middle of the night, how piercing my bark is, and tired he was by 10:00am too. I think they are going to become morning people whether they like it or not!
I have grown 2x my size in
just a few weeks. I have a ravenous appetite too. I’m eating 4x a day, plus
snacks if I impress them with come, sit, and gentle (gentle is the positive for
no biting). I’m told I’m smart and a
real pussy cat except for the one incident where I may have almost took off
mom’s hand because she was removing my bowl that had food in it to teach me how
to not be dominant about my food. And I may have turned into an ancient
werewolf that snapped and growled so fierce that it required mom to back away and ask for
professional help from a trainer. So because of that one time I was trying to
let her know ‘Back off bitch, I’m not finished’, I no longer get to eat out of
a bowl. For the next 2-3 weeks, maybe a month, I have to eat out of her hand
like a lowly peasant. She keeps saying that she forgives me for scaring the
shit out of her, and that in the end this will be a positive thing. I’m learning to
passively receive, passively sit well, eat slowly, by gently licking her hand
after each bite of my food she gives me. I don’t get another bit of food until
she says, “Gentle’ and I lick her hand. After some time, she will feed me by
dropping food into my dish so my brain rewires and knows that she only gives me
food and never takes it away.
When I’m out of the pen I
love to “zoomie” all over the house. They tell me I’m lighting fast. And with their
eyebrows all crinkled and worried, they say it looks like I’ll be able to bound
over furniture like an obstacle course real soon. I like the shoes in the
hallway (that I’m not suppose to grab). It’s hilarious when they chase after
me. I like any kind of cardboard boxes or rolls, plastic water bottles, and
ropes to play tug-o-war. I’m pretty good about keeping myself content in my
X-Pen for an hour or two while mom and dad are home. If I get bored, I sleep in
the corner of the X-pen and the crate. I’m not sure why I do that, but I do. Mom
and Dad have started to finally go out and leave me alone for a few hours. I go
into my crate without a fuss. It’s nice and roomy. I usually nap the whole time
they are gone or chew on something for kicks and giggles.
I’ve been hearing a lot about
their previous dog, Fred. He sounds like a furry dude I would have liked to
hang out with. At least once or twice a day they accidently call me Fred. Which
they really need to stop doing because I can hardly remember my name is Buddha
at this age. I know he was special dog. When they talk about him I can feel
their hearts (they don’t know I can feel their hearts, but I can.) They still
have an ache for Fred. That actually makes me happy because they loved him so
much. Which means, I’ll be loved so much too. That makes me feel peaceful and
safe. And long after I’m gone, they will have an ache in their hearts for me
too. But for now, I’m going to be their Guardian of BEING. I’ll teach them how
to live in the present moment and enjoy life right now. And anyone else that wants to learn how to live in the present moment (which is the only moment we have, you can follow me on Facebook at BEING Buddha. I'm going to share what BEING is all about. I'll make lot of new friends and go on adventures. This life is pretty spectacular. Mom reminds me of that all the time when she's cuddling me.
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