Month: April 2015

My First Pet Expo

Arya's Mom Uncategorized
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Me and Polly waiting for the adventure to start…

Every year in Arizona, they hold a Phoenix Pet Expo, and this year was my first time going!  It was awesome!  Mom said it would be a very good social outing for me, and I made her very proud by being a good girl!  When we first got there, it was a little overwhelming for me and mom.  There were LOTS of people and dogs everywhere.  We had to wait in a long line with to sign something that let mommy bring me in.  It was hard for me to listen because I wanted to say hello to everyone!  I quickly remembered my manners, and remembered to listen to mom. We met up with one of my favorite people, Brenda (my trainer and friend), and her dog, Polly.

We set off down the aisles of the expo to check out all the cool stuff there was to see!  I had to be very good and practice heeling next to mom’s side.  There were SO many dogs to say hello to – it was hard for me not to stop and sniff everyone, but I know I have to wait for mom to say it’s “OK” first.  I was very well behaved!

One of the first things we got to do was meet Shorty from Animal Planet’s Pit Boss.  It was so cool to meet him!  He does a great job of rescuing pit bulls, like me, and also helping to make people more aware about the breed.  What an honor for us to meet him! Lots of people were waiting to say hello and get their picture taken – I just wanted to say hello to the little dog he had with him!

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Meeting Shorty from Pit Boss! I was preoccupied with treats on the ground…ooops!

Just after the Pit Boss booth, there were lots of rescue booths with dogs that still needed to find their forever homes.  I stopped and said hello to a few of them – mom and I wished we could have brought them all home!  We stopped by the Crazy Pit Bull Lady Rescue’s booth – that’s the rescue that mom adopted me from!!  They were so happy to see that I ended up in a great home, and they all stopped to say hello to me!

I loved saying hello to all the people and dogs, but I must admit, my favorite part was getting lots of treats!  I think I have finally perfected my adorable begging face – works EVERY time!  I learned that people behind tables ALL had treats, and were willing to give them away for free!  Awesome!!

Mom and I met so many great people – and all of them loved animals!  The very friendly people over at Berkeley’s Run pet-sitting were VERY friendly, and they really loved meeting me.  I got to meet their little girl, and she sat with me for a while.  I LOVE kids, so I was eager to let her pet me and we became fast friends.  It always makes mom so happy when people are so kind towards me, and judge me by my personality, not my breed.  We will definitely be recommending their wonderful services!

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Being a good girl during our lunch break!

We stayed at the expo for several hours, and met so many wonderful people and animals.  I got to play with quite a few four-legged friends, too!  A bunch of people asked if I was available for adoption, but mom had to set them straight – I guess I am pretty cute!  After all the walking, meet-and-greeting, and play time, I was exhausted!  Once we got back to the car, I was out in minutes!

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SLEEP!

It was such a neat experience for us!! We really hope to be back again next year.  It’s always wonderful when we can share our experiences with new people, and help show everyone that pit bulls are wonderful dogs!  I think I was able to change a few minds, and that makes me very happy!

If any of you get the opportunity to go to a Pet Expo – take it!  You will have so much fun!

I hope you all have a wonderful day, and remember to follow us on Word Press and Facebook!

Love and licks,

Arya

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“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”

Toys!!

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Today I want to share with you one of my favorite subjects, TOYS!  I love them!! It doesn’t matter what kind of toy, as long as I’m allowed to play with it!  I’m not sure why, but mom seems to be particularly interested in what kind of toys I play with and chew.  I have had a “few” mishaps with certain kinds of toys.  And when I say “mishaps”, what I mean is that some toys just seem to….explode!

Exploded Toy
And this is what I mean by “explode”….

So you see, mom likes to find me special toys that don’t “explode” when I play with them.  One of my goals in life is to destroy ALL stuffed animals….isn’t the stuffing supposed to come out anyway?? And what about that little plastic squeaky thing?!  I just know it’s meant to be found and destroyed!   Mom disagrees, but she lets me have my fun until I try to eat the stuffing.  She tells me this is why she only buys stuffed animals on clearance…I don’t know what that means, but I like it!

So, because I love to chew things (and don’t worry, it’s only things I’m allowed to chew); mom is always trying to find strong toys that I can chew on without destroying.  Believe me, it doesn’t stop me from trying to destroy them, but so far these are the few toys that have not succumbed to destruction, despite my valiant efforts.

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My Orbee bone is never too far from reach…

My first and favorite bone to chew on is my Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Bone.  I have had this bone for many months, and despite all my efforts, I haven’t made a dent in it.  I will keep trying, but mom seems to be fairly happy with my lack of success.  I like to chew this bone because it has a minty taste and smell, and it’s rubber so I can chew it without hurting my teeth.  Mom won’t give me any hard bones (i.e. Nylabones, Rawhide, Bully Sticks) because they can fracture my teeth….OUCH!!

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Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Bone

I also really like my Kong and Kong Bone.  I have my Kong Bone in my crate all the time so that I have something to chew on while I am in there – it’s just like my Orbee bone, and doesn’t have a dent in it despite all my hard work!  It doesn’t have the minty taste, but it’s just as fun to chew.  My red Kong is a lot of fun too.  My favorite thing is when mom fills it with something tasty so that I can work to get it out.  My favorite Kong stuffing is banana – my favorite food!!  It’s also fun when she fills it with treats so that I can roll it around to get them all out.

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Safemade Biggie Bone

The newest addition to my collection is this great new Safemade Biggie Bone I got in my first Bark Box!  It’s purple (my favorite color), and mom tells me you can freeze or bake treats into it!  We haven’t tried that yet, but it’s on our list of things to do in the next week!  I haven’t had this bone as long as the others, so I have yet to determine if it will, indeed, be indestructible, but so far I haven’t been able to destroy it!

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Chuckit Ultra Ball

Finally, my favorite toy of all time, is my Chuckit Ultra Ball!  I loved this ball from the moment mom took it from the box!  The only reason I am on my second ball is because we lost the first one.  I think mom was more upset than I was, but I was very happy to get another one!  I tried to take it to bed with me the first night I got it!!  It’s the perfect ball – it bounces, it’s waterproof, and it’s strong.  Again, mom likes it because, I cannot destroy it, but I will keep trying.  It makes an awesome fetch toy, and a great chew toy as well!  I can squeeze it in my mouth, and it doesn’t break!  I also really like orange tennis balls – don’t ask me why – so this is perfect for me!  Mom says I won’t get tennis balls anymore because I destroy them so quickly….I suppose this awesome ball will make up for that, but I know I can make her cave in!

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So much fun!!

If you guys are looking for some awesome, strong toys; I suggest you check these ones out.  They are my favorites, and I think every pup should have some good chew toys!  I don’t know about you, but chewing is one of my favorite things to do.  These are great, and they keep me entertained.  Mom also says they keep from chewing on furniture or things I’m not supposed to (which I would never do!), so she loves them as well!

I’m looking forward to a busy weekend with tomorrow’s Pet Expo.  I’ll be posting after that so you guys can check out all the fun I’ll have meeting all those people and animals.  I’m hoping I’ll have a chance to change some people’s minds about pit bulls!

I think it’s time for me run off and play now!  I hope you all enjoy your Saturday, and do something fun!

Love and licks,

Arya

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Bark Box!!

Happy Earth Day

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Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Earth Day!  Mommy and I spent our morning taking a nice, long walk to the park.  I saw all kinds of people and animals.  I always want to say hello to everyone, but mommy says I have to learn to ignore people unless I’m told it’s okay to say hello – apparently not all people love dogs (what?!?).

I love the park!

I saw lots of people on bicycles – that looks like fun!  Mom says she will take me bike riding when my legs are all better!  I really love to run, but my legs get really sore if I do too much strenuous activity.  I also got to see a family of geese crossing the street to get into the water (who would want to get in there?!), but I wasn’t allowed to play with them.  They seem innocent, but mom says I wouldn’t like them if I met them face to face!

A family of geese at the park.

I also saw lots of other dogs at the park.  I wanted to say hello to all of them, but I guess not all dogs like other dogs, either…..there’s so much to learn!  I got to say hello to a little Australian Shepherd.  She was nice, but didn’t really want to play with me.  I also got to make friends with a Cane Corso on the way home!  He was really friendly, and liked me a lot.  His dad said he liked my big head….haha, mom agrees!  It makes my day when I get to meet other dogs!

I was such a good girl on the walk.  Mom says she is proud of me for learning to heel so well!  I always walk nicely on a leash, but she is walking me on a regular collar instead of my Easy Walk Harness, and that makes it just a little more challenging for me to heel when I see people or dogs I want to say hello to!  I’m learning that it is always best to walk in a heel.

I hope you are all enjoying your day as much as I am!  Make sure to take some time today to enjoy nature, and do your part to decrease your carbon footprint!  I helped mom take the recycling out when we got home today – it’s the little things!

I have already had such a good morning…I think it might be time for a nap!

Nap time!!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Love and licks,

Arya

“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everyhing better.” – Einstein

Adventures of Arya

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There’s nothing I love more than to go out and about with my family.  I may be young, but I have experienced many places in the great outdoors!  Mom says this will help me feel comfortable with new experiences and people….I LOVE both of those things!  Ever since I was old enough to explore (and properly vaccinated), mom took me anywhere and everywhere that dogs were welcome to go.  I thought you guys might like me to share some of the great adventures I’ve already experienced!

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My very first outing to my favorite hangout, Buzzberry!

My first outing was to Buzzberry Bistro, which is now my absolute favorite hangout.  Mom loves to go for their coffee, and I like to go for the people and, of course, the Buzzbones that they give me every time we visit!  They make homemade, natural treats, and you’ll hear no complaints from me!  They simply rock!

One of my other favorite places to visit is O.H.S.O.  These guys are VERY welcoming to four-legged friends!  I have been to one of their locations twice – once for a pit bull rescue and awareness event!  Their new location even includes an awesome grassy area for dogs to play, AND a custom doggy drinking fountain!  I’ve had some GREAT times meeting lots of dogs and people at O.H.S.O.

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Being a good girl at O.H.S.O
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My friend, Prada and me on an outing to O.H.S.O – we had a blast!!

One of my most exciting adventures, was when my mom brought me with her to California to stay with her parents!  I was such a good girl in the car for the six hour drive, and I was a very well behaved guest at my grandparent’s house.  I couldn’t begin to tell you about all the fun I had in California!  I got to meet lots of great people who were so kind to me.  My Uncle William loved spending time with me – he and I became fast friends.  I also got to spend time with five year old, Elijah, who played with me, and was so much fun!  He got to walk me at the mall, and I was so good with my leash manners!

We also got to go to the beach, and I wasn’t sure what to think about that!  The ocean was a little scary, but I REALLY liked watching the sea gulls, and seeing all the people and dogs passing us by.  We even stopped for some fish and chips on the way home!

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My first experience with the ocean….hmmm
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Hanging out with little Elijah at a dog-friendly mall!

Another great way mom gets me out and about is through training.  I went to a group puppy class with my awesome trainer, Brenda, at Awesome Mannered Canines.  I got to make some great two and four-legged friends, as well as learn all my basic commands – and some more advanced things too!  Besides training classes, mom and I spend a lot of time training together at pet stores, parks, and anywhere with lots of distractions!  I always have a great time working with my mom!  I am currently taking more classes with Brenda so that I can practice all the tasks I need to master in order to pass my Canine Good Citizen test!  My friends, Prada and Penny, join me every Sunday as we work on more advanced tasks – we’ve all been working hard on our extended down-stays!!

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Graduation day from puppy class!
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Ginger and me at our training class!
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Nikko and me practicing our down-stays

I have so much fun going places with my mom, and I strongly recommend that all pet parents get out with their four-legged kids.  Mom says it really helps build the bond between us…..I agree!  We have so much fun, and I love making friends with everyone we meet.  I have already learned how to behave when I am out and about, and that really helps me show people that pit bulls can be great members of the community, too!

Thank you for stopping by, and please continue to show support for pit bull education and awareness!

Love and licks,

Arya

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“Where you go I go, and where you stay I stay.”

Stem Cell Shenanigans 

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So, I figured I should share what my week has been like.  It’s been a little different for me because I had to have surgery on Tuesday.  You see, I have hip dysplasia.  This is a congenital disease, which my mom says, means that I was born with it.  It causes me to have pain and stiffness in my back legs.  Another doctor (an orthopedic surgeon) also felt me knees and said I also have a problem with my right knee – this is the one that sometimes hurts me and makes me limp.  Mommy was sad because I have trouble getting up when I am laying down – my back legs aren’t as strong as they should be!  The doctors don’t think I need orthopedic surgery right now, but are hoping stem cell therapy would help me feel better, and with any luck, avoid orthopedic surgery alltogether.  My mom really doesn’t want me to have to have that type of surgery if possible – and I agree!!

My awesome veterinarian, Dr. Newland, performed my surgery on Tuesday.  Mom explained to me what was going to happen.  They gave me a small injection that made me feel pretty tired – I wasn’t worried about a thing after that!  They also drew some blood from me, this is in order to collect my Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), which is part of the Stem Cell process.  Dr. Newland, then put me under anesthesia and removed a layer of fat (adipose tissue) from my tummy.  The techician then processes this tissue, adds the PRP, and activates the stem cells under a special light.  Once that process is complete, I received a second sedation, and Dr. Newland injected the Stem Cells into both my hip joint, my right knee and intravenously.  Then I woke up, and my mommy sat with me so I wasn’t scared  – I was VERY brave the whole time!

Mom now says that I have to rest since I had surgery, but I don’t really like the sound of that!  I’ve been trying to be good, but I don’t feel painful, so I just want to run around and play!  So far, I haven’t been limping, but I am getting a little anti-inflammatory medication every day.  Hopefully, once mom stops giving me that, I will feel better from the cells!  Mom says we have to be hopeful, and let them work their magic! 

I’m so thankful that mom works with an awesome veterinarian who is able to do this procedure!  Please keep your fingers crossed for me – and thanks to all my Facebook friends for all the kind words and healing vibes!!

Love and licks,

Arya

Here is a picture of me after surgery – I was very brave!

First Things First

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Hello friends! My name is Arya, and I am a 10 month old pit bull.  I live in Arizona with my mommies, and a whole gang of furry pals!  I was adopted from a local rescue at 12 weeks old, and I have been loved ever since!  My goal is to help change the way people see my breed – we are not the monsters that the media often makes us out to be.  I am definitely a lover, NOT a fighter, as the saying goes.

I am a gentle soul, and I love EVERYONE!  Whether you’re a person, dog, cat, or mailman; I consider you my friend.  Mommy says I don’t know what strangers are, and I doubt I ever will!  I live with a big dog, little dog, and several cats.  I love them all very much, but I don’t think they are always that keen on me – I really like to lick their faces.

Since I was adopted, I have been “in training”.  I really love working with mom, and I am always eager to figure out what it is that she wants me to do.  I know a lot of commands, and I’m pretty smart (at least that’s what I’m told!).  I graduated from my puppy class with my trainer, Brenda, at Awesome Mannered Canines last year.  I am now taking a class with my mom every Sunday to work towards earning my Canine Good Citizen certification.  This is an AKC title that shows people that I am a well-mannered canine in my community.  I have to work very hard, but mom thinks I am almost ready to take my test!!

Mom also takes me loads of places for socialization.  I don’t really know what that’s all about, but it MEANS that we get to go to all kinds of cool places!  We like to go to dog-friendly restaurants every week, and I get to go anywhere that dogs are welcome!  My favorite places to go are Buzzberry, Julios II, and any pet store (they always have treats!!).

I hope you guys will stick with me on my journey, and help me spread the word that pit bulls can be loyal, loving and very CUTE dogs!

Love and licks,

Arya