Peeps and Sleeps

Dear mom & dad,

The above picture is of me needing to go pee. I just didn't want you to forget the feeling of having to take me out to do that. I miss that time together! I'm sure you miss that too, so I just wanted to give you a taste of what it used to be like.

Moving on...

I wanted to write you a short note to let you know that I am growing increasingly anxious to see you!! The time is drawing near to our reunion! I miss you alot. But let me just say that I am not mad at you for staying another year in Tawain. I have 3 young people here that I have grown very fond of. When my foster mom says, "Where's Bubby & Ell?", I know exactly who she's talking about! And as for me & Wilson? Well we're big buds. He gives me lots of people food that I'm not allowed to have and tells his mom he has a "clean plate". This is my kind of dude! Therefore, we have become quite close. We play together and he gives me lots of cookies, even when I don't do any tricks! I typically end up sleeping with him at night because, well let's face it, you never know what hour one might produce a treat, am I worng??

Here we are trying to settle in... the camera makes me be like, "what the???"

But then I recognize my foster mom, so I settle...

But it seems a tad cold at the end of the bed, so I adjust my position...Aaaaawww, yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about. ...Nice and nuggly!!So good times here at the Gores. I will warn you though... we have rearranged the rooms a tad. The guest room (i.e. your room) has been relocated to the upstairs guest room(the boys' old room). The boys and I are now downstairs in the old guest room and office. I may feel rather torn when you get here, btw. Just a warning in case it hurts your feelings if I leave you in the middle of the night to snuggle with the Wilb!! :) Either way, I am so excited that I get to see you soon!! I love you so much and can't wait to lick your sweet faces!

My foster mom would like for me to say right now that she is also very excited to see you, but is not so much looking forward to licking you in the face. That part was exclusively me (Tica) talking.

Your little stinker,

Tica-Lica

Snow Day

We got snow!! I'm sure you heard, but I thought you might be interested in my particular dealings with it. So here's a little play-by-play for your enjoyment!

My foster mom let me outside on this day and to my surprise was some foreign, very cold mind you, matter on the ground. I flew down the stairs as usual, only to immediately put on the brakes and run back onto the porch to make peeps, as I had to go quite badly from the night before and sure as shootin' wasn't going out there! With that, foster mom got quickly dressed and went outside with me to explore the foreign ground cover. This is what came of that...

I wasn't at all sure about this stuff at first. So naturally I did a lot of sniffing and investigating.

This went on for some time, until the tree in mimi's yard, where I "tree squirrels" each day, caught my eye. And for the first time since I've been here, I didn't sprint in pursuit of them. I just couldn't risk it in these curious conditions. But soon enough I was off exploring a bit. I looked very much like a deer or an antelope at first, as I wasn't so sure about the snow sticking to my feet.And soon I began to feel unexpectedly frisky and wild and I couldn't help running!!!

That was short lived because #2 called. This was unfortunate in that it not only interrupted an amazing energy sprint, but it caused me much stress in the dilemma it put me in. Where does one go in this fluffy cold stuff?? No amount of sniffing in the world can help me decide.

But soon enough it decided for me. When ya gotta go, you gotta go!

After standing in the snow for #2, I decided to remain on the rock walk for the warm comfort of my precious paws. But you never know who you might run into on such a path... like Cinco de Frio! And no matter the weather, some things never change. You just never know if the snow might make someone smell different, so I had to see. Whew! Same old Miles.

As it turns out, I wasn't the only one feeling frisky this cold, snowy day. Just look at him getting ready for the pounce!

But once again, it didn't go his way and off he went. When will he ever learn? he he he he...

Now at this point, I was beginning to get used to the idea of playing in the snow. As I stared off into the blanket of pillowy delight, I ask myself, "Should I?"

And decided to go for it! I made loop after loop, circling the tire swing. It was SO much fun!

Then I began to venture further out, making my rounds to include the entire circumference of the yard. Aaaah, the freedom of that run!! I even barked a couple of times for joy. Can you see me in this picture? Where's Tica???

Here I am grinning from ear to ear as I whip around the yard. "Cheese!"

Oh it was a glorious time. And when it's all said and done, one must always eat some yummy snow, right? I took several bites! It was quite refreshing, if I do say so myself.

But after awhile, you're forced to come in (by your foster mom) to thaw out and have a snack.

I can't seem to get that last little morsel... apparently it was in my snout somewhere by the looks of this shot! ha.

And it just wouldn't be a day with foster mom without dressing me in something appropriate to take a picture. My ears were not even the least bit cold, mind you, but I aim to please so I wore this head band thingy for a cozy shot, while foster mom said, "Aw Tica! Snuggle in the snow!" And then it was time for a looooooooooong afternoon nap. I can assure you it took only minutes for me to assume this position... I was pooped!! But oh what a wonderful day it was. I wish you could have been here. I miss you both like crazy. Our reunion is getting closer and closer!! I can't wait to see you!!

Love always, Tica-Lica (your little stinker)

Pretty In Pink

That's right... I'm PINK! In honor of Valentine's Day, my new mom dyed my hair. Aren't I simply the cutest??? She used something called "Kool-Aid", so it's safe for me and quite frankly smells deeee-licious!!

In fact, I have licked most of my cute color off over the past several days, but it was so much fun being pink! I smell like fruit punch, which is a real crowd pleaser with the kids.

This is my diva self from the side view.... oh yeah. That's what I'm talkin' about!

So here's how it all went down.... My mom bathed me in "fruit punch flavored Kool-Aid" (which did I mention I'm a huge fan of?... Oh that was a tasty bath!)

Then my new dad came home from work and said...

Oh Tica, I'm so sorry girl! My sweet girl.... mama made you look so crazy!

But I don't know of this "crazy" of which he speaks. Life, for me, is carrying on as usual...

I'm still hangin' with the Wilby Jones.

And wrestling him to the ground over nothing more than a simple...Taste of that yummy lolipop!!! Mmmmmmmm......

So whether I'm "pretty in pink" or "grandiose in grey", I'm looking ahead (refer to above photo) to the summer when I can see you again. I miss you so much! You will always be my first loves. After all, you rescued me from the maggots! Not everyone would be so loyal, given the details of that situation! And for that, I'm forever grateful.

You have my heart mom & dad, even though you've decided, w/out even asking my opinion mind you, to stay in Taiwan another year! Even so, you'll always have my heart.

However, in all honesty, I should let you know how I feel about that previous said decision....

I'm watching you!

But Happy Valentine's Day! And I would lick your faces off if you were here!! I'm looking forward to snuggling you all summer long, especially the nights that you can stay with the Gores!

Hope you're buying me some sa-weeeet Taiwanese doggie treats!

XOXO, Your little stinker,

Tica-Lica

Just poppin in...

Ok, so blogger wouldn't let my foster mom upload our b'day video.... so sad!! And I was all dressed up in my party hat too, just for you!

That being said, the hour is late, so I must be quick... just poppin in to say, stay tuned for Valentine's pics that will melt your heart!!

Love you!!
Tica-Lica

Happy, happy birthday, Mommy!



I hope you have a wonderful month in celebration of you!! My foster mom celebrates the entire month of October in honor of her birthday, so I'm assuming you can do the same in January!



What did dad get for you? What did y'all do?



I wish I could do more for your special day, but seeing as how I'm a dog, I can't make that happen. But I love you!! And to prove that love, I would lick your sweet face extra good if I could. Though seeing as how we're apart and all, I'm hoping this video will suffice.

You're the best mom ever. Happy, happy day!

Love (Your little stinker),

Tica-Lica

Christmas "Tica-Style"

Merry Christmas, mom & dad! Did you have fun in Mexico?

I had quite a time here at the Gores for the holidays. Here is a quick overview (in pictures) of the festivities, as they apply to me and my cuteness. Enjoy!

THis is me & the boys running downstairs to see if Santa came.(oh, & I so won, by the way. I always do!)

This is me (& Uncle Rob) sleeping through the boys tearing into their presents. We didn't make it 10 minutes before we were both snoring!

This is what Santa brought for me! A new rope, since I completely shredded and destroyed my old one, and a new set of balls. (Tennis balls, just to be clear.)

This is me starting in on my new rope! It's the only thing that got me to stop moping around because of the stupid bandanna on my neck. My foster mom didn't even act concerned that I hated it. She actually squealed in complete denial, "Aaaw, Tica! Why you love me so much in your new bandanna, huh?" I actually loathed the new bandanna and pouted at her for an hour in hopes it would get her to remove it. I pouted very hard.

It didn't work.

Not for a very long time.

When she finally did take it off of me, I started to jump playfully in my renewed sense of nakedness, only to be restrained again, but this time with a tight, itchy sweater!

I felt paralyzed. This is me trying to decide if I can make peeps in this thing. I hobbled down the stairs like a cripple. Then I stood here on the sidewalk for several minutes like a statue, trying deperately to drum up enough pity to purchase my freedom.

None came. Treats came, but they were not accompanied by pity and sweater removal.

Even when I shot them this look...

It only made me cuter, apparently.
So I gave up and turned in for a long Christmas nap.


With my head buried in shame.

When I arose however, elation came over me when I was greeted with a cheerful "arms up!" and the sweater was whisked away over my head (hopefully never to return!). Whew!

But what to my wondering eyes did appear?? A tight, wobbly headband in the shape of a reindeer. Good grief already!

Oh, but this made everyone go so crazy over my cuteness, that I complied. I sat up tall and wore it with dignity (as the monkey tunes played in the background).

So like I said, quite a time. Quite a Christmas. And let's just say that I'm quite a dog!

I am very loved here.

And so are you!!

Happy New Year!

Love, Your little Christmas Stinker,

Tica-Lica

Good Eats, Bad Peeps, & Warm Nuggly Sleeps

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I heard y'all went to Hong Kong. Please tell me you didn't eat any of "my kind" there? That would just make me so sad, and it may take me a lifetime to trust you again!

Well, I had a lovely holiday here at the Gore house. Abbey's family was over on Wed night and I rested my chin upon many a knee during the meal and it paid off! The Malcoms are all big dog lovers and didn't hesitate to slip me the goods.

The next day, my foster family went to Gore's for the day and had to leave me here to fend for myself, as the Gores are not big fans of animals. But the neighbors came over to let me make peeps during the afternoon, so that I didn't go on the floor.

And speaking of making peeps on the floor... I've been here for months now without the slightest accident of any kind (well, with the exceptions of puking up plastic toy particles early on in my stay and just recently hurling up the contents of a ham bone that was a bit too much for my delicate intestines)

OK, back to peeps on the floor... I must confess that I went in the hall this morning. Oh you wanna know why? Because it's freezing outside!! And it was raining on top of that!!! Who can peep first thing in the morning in those conditions? Well not me, apparently. Although I think I'll give it another try, as my foster family was not very pleased with my new "winter peeps" plan.

In other news, just in case you're worried that I'm going to run off with Ra when he moves to the country, I wanted to say that I don't think I will. I'm starting to think we just don't have that much in common after all. For one thing, he eats raw venison! Eeeewwww!!! I tried to think of it like"sushi for dogs" but the smell alone made me turn my head away and then sneeze a couple times to get the stink out of my prissy little nostrils. Gross! He goes crazy for it, but I just couldn't make myself do it.

So, my foster mom picked up some Thanksgiving treats for me that were much more suitable to my palate. They smell (and look) just like grilled chicken! See?? Yummy!

Below is the delicious ham bone that I later chucked up on my foster parents' bed. They were lovin' that to wake up to, as you can imagine. I doubt I'll be getting anymore of those anytime soon. :(

Gobble gobble gobble...

And this is a picture of where wolf-dogs, who eat raw deer meat and actually know that they're dogs, bed down. Well, and the cats too, of course.

This, on the other hand, is where Princess Ticas, who apparently think they're people, nestle in for the night.

Oh, it's good to be me! I miss you.

Love, your little stinker,

Tica-Lica

P.S. My foster mom bought me my own special outfit for the holidays... pics coming soon to a blog near you!! :)