A Furry Little Birthday (+ puppy tips & a video)

Come in, come in, and celebrate!  For in our houseling, it's a very special date...

You see, Once Upon a Time (one year ago, on September 1st)...

A wee boy was born, the tiniest of his brothers and sisters.

He had four lovely paws, and gorgeous brownish blond hair.

With pointy ears, and a blackened snout ~

He was beautiful.

Simply Perfect.

(tale about his first day home here)

 

Alas, like in every fairytale, he had a bit of adversity dealt to him in his young age.  His family called him "runt," and they weren't very nice.

However, one sunny autumn day, a girl saw a puppy sign and followed it...

She met the puppy boy, fell in love, took him home and made him her furry child...

The puppy boy also acquired a Daddy...

 

And a big sister, Baby.

 

He loved his sister very much.  Sadly she left us (story here), as many of you know.  And, we can't quite recover, we miss her profoundly...

 

Sister, we miss you so much...  Our hearts can not mend....

Yet, it is the love for Baby, that propels us to play and sing, even if we do it through tears, and puppy sighs.  (Grief is an odd thing.  You can go from singing and dancing, to 5 year old crying in the dirt, in the same second)

The smiley thing is that, if Baby were here, she would be in full celebration mode.  And that, is just how we like to remember her.

See here?

So, Matty and I spend all day together, frolicking and healing, and loving our little lives together...

Creating our own happily ever after.

Like today.

All of Matty's little friends joined us for a very special ~

BIRTHDAY, YAY YAY YAY!!! 

Hoooooray!

Matty (short for Matisse) is 1 year old today!! 

~September 1st, 2010~

Of course, no birthday party is complete without drama, right?

So, the birthday boy locked himself in his garden, proclaiming that he would not be going to his own party if he had to wear a silly bow tie.

Okay said I, we'll take the darn thing off.

So, we did, and he was a happy little rascal.

 

It was a beautiful party, under the canopy...

 

With billowing streamers...

 

We sang happy birthday (okay, I sang happy birthday)...

 

I crushed a bunch of organic doggie biscuits and pushed them into a can of dog food. Then surrounded the plate with real pup cookies sent from Auntie C ;)

Being the polite sort, Matty wasn't sure he should dig in?

 So, I encouraged him...

He liked it! 

He is just so sweet.  Polite, reserved, quirky.

(remember him here? aweeee)

Beloved.

 

He didn't wolf it all down either.  He left half for later ;)

And when he was done, he was ready to run...

 

We made you a video, so you could really be here with us.

Hope you like it ;)

Be Warned: It's wacky.  And fast.

It would have been too boring if it wasn't fast ;)

It makes me giggle madly, everytime I listen to it...

Thank you for coming to our party!!

See you sooooon ;)

ps:  It says "helipcopter" in the video, as a funny furry kid like pronunciation.

 

♥,V

 

 

As for puppy tips (actually, things I have learned on my journey with Matty), simply click below if you'd like to read the long tale... (if you'd like, leave your own tips too)

When we met Matty, Mister Lovee thought something was wrong with him. 

For starters, he grunted like a pig when handled, which his previous owner said was due to eating too much and having a full belly.  This was not true.  He was scared and upset.  That's why he grunted.  He still grunts if forced to do something he doesn't like.

Also, Matty didn't make eye contact when we met him.  He seemed to be in a daze.  (I have since learned that, his eyes glaze over when he is afraid)

The previous owner said we could take him back to her if we didn't like him.

However, the second we put him in the car, we knew he was ours for keeps.

So, here go some lessons I learned, puppy tips if you will....

Note:  I am not a veterinarian, these are just thoughts based upon my experience.  Please call a vet if you have questions or concerns about your pet.

 

1) Matty wouldn't eat hardly at all his first 2 days with us.  So, I started mixing a little bit of warm water in with his dry food, to let it plump up a little.  With that, he began eating.

2) Matty got hiccups every so often, after he ate.  They lasted about 20 minutes.  They didn't hurt him, and they stopped occurring after a few weeks.

3)  Matty didn't bark at all when we first brought him home.  He finally barked and found his voice after living with us for a couple of weeks.  He had to find the courage.

3a)  Matty showed signs of kennel cough shortly after living with us.  Baby caught it too.  They went to the vet, but there was no medicine prescribed.  I made them both doggie chicken soup, and they got better in a few days.

4)  Matty wanted to live behind the toilet when we first got him.  So, we gave him a little rug, and let him hide back there until he felt safe enough around us to come out. (he loved being outside though, and running free)

5)  Matty's grunting turned out to be anger.  He didn't like being held or smothered.

6)  Matty bled a lot when he was teething.  We would find our rolls of toilet paper covered in blood.  The bleeding subsided after about 5-10 days.

7)  Mister lovee built Matty a house under an end table on the porch. He loves his house.  He likes little nooks where he can hide.  It's his thing.

8)  Matty is mean to strangers, he is very protective.  But, he is getting nicer to our friends over time.

9)  When Matty was neutered no one told us about the puppy neosporin and the "yuck" anti-lick ointment, until we went back 2 days after surgery to get him fitted for a collar.  He didn't lick very much, but I was worried.  He got so used to the ointments, that when he saw me coming with them, he would lay down and roll over.  The ointments helped so much, he didn't need the collar at all.

10)  It has taken Matty losing his big sister, and living with us for 11 months, to get him to come out of his shell.  He loves to play, and has shown us that he trusts us.  He finally comes looking for affection.

11) I almost forgot.  Matty made ugly faces and tried to bite if we pushed or pulled him in a way that scared him.  I learned to be extra calm with him, and after about 7 months, it began to subside.  Now he doesn't nip at me at all, even when I force him to do things he doesn't like.  Like, take a bath :)

12)  Matty has never gone to the bathroom in the house.  Lucky us!

If you don't have a vet, you should try finding a vet that you LOVE and trust.  Don't be afraid to call or ask questions. 

I was afraid.

Until I found the perfect place after two tries.  Northwest Medical Clinic.

Oh and...

One important thing is that, Matty has always loved to play, so that showed me that somewhere in him, there was a loving little dog, who just needed encouragement and love.

It took him almost a year to trust us.

 

He finally let someone other than Me or Mister pet him lightly on the head, last month.

My Mom.

One year of love has changed this furry boy's life.

Don't give up if you have a puppy (or any pet) and are frustrated.  Be patient, and give them room to grow.  Discipline is good too, start young.  Matty is excellent at sit, stay, no, bad, good, and up.

He is not good at wearing a leash or going anywhere in the car.  I am still working on it.

I spend countless hours training him in my own way.  When he was little, teaching him how to go up and down our small sets of stairs was an ordeal.  I had to give him little nudges.  After working on it everyday for two weeks he mastered those stairs.

  His personality has not been very easy.  But, I didn't give up, and it shows.  I am loving, but strong.  He doesn't respond to weakness.

  Also, enjoy your furry babies all you can because, your time with them might be too short.

I say this from experience.

If you have any furry children tips to share, feel free to add them in comments.

Remember all furry children are different.  What works for you might not work for me, and vice versa.  Keep an open mind ;) 

Comments

[karin]

Happy Birthday Matty!!

xoxo from Karin and Skippy (woof!!)

[Rhonda Roo]

You are a freaking nut. That video made me giggle til tears dribbled. "]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATISSE!!!!~~~**~~~~*

[Krista Komis]

It's so hard to believe he's a year old already! Where does the time go..

Happy Birthday to fur babies everywhere <3

[Kim]

hehehehe....Vanessa, I am overcome with laughter and giggles right now!! Thank you so much for making and sharing Matty's birthday video.

Happy Birthday Matty from Kim (and Homer and Junior and Bonzo, too)!!

Kim
Gerushia's New World

[Marfi]

Brilliant!
Happy Birthday Matty!
Thanks Vanessa.

[Lavender Dreams]

You make every day special! I wish I lived closer to celebrate with you! Enjoy your week, sweet friend! And birthday hugs for the big boy! ♥

[Sherry Blue Sky]

This was wildly hilarious and endearing...........Matty is a lucky boy! I know what you mean about a puppy's early weeks affecting them. My poor old boy hadn't been fed as a new pup, and had followed some big dogs over to a nearby dump, trying to survive there when he was only weeks old....poor little thing...I rescued him from there - for the first months, he would always hide food, for later in case he got hungry. He also had some aggression problems in his younger years, due, I think, to those early weeks before he came home with me. He has been the most hilarious and badly behaved dog ever, but I love him with all my heart. He is in his last months now and I am dreading the parting that is coming. I know how Baby's leaving affected you. I will be the same. I'm so glad you have Matty. Thanks for this very hilarious post and video. It was SO much fun!

[Leslie cohoon]

Awwww....Vanessa! My girls(10,9,6,4)and myself watched the video at least 4 times! Giggles Galore!
Happy Birthday Matty!!!
Love,Leslie,Kali,Grace,Ella and Ava
Muuuuah!!!!

[Marrissa]

Happity happity birthyday Matty! What an amazing birthday party you had! You cute little thing! Big squeezes <3

[Kaerie Faerie]

Happy Birthday Matty, love the video tooooo funny
Karey

[Miss Linda]

A very Happy Birthday goes out to Matty from Miss Bella and Penny Lane. We all watched the video. Oh what fun.

[Willow]

Happy Birthday Matty! Such an adorable party. I've actually been wondering this for a while, what program do you edit your photos in? I've been wanted to stamp mine with my blog name (similar to yours). I'm a photoshop novice, so I haven't really figured it out yet.

[Marilyn]

Happy Birthday dear Matty, Happy Birthday to you! Your mommy is so funny, but I love the cake she made just for you.

[Laura Wynn]

Oh my goodness, this is hilarious!!
happy B-day, Pup! :)

[Theresa]

Happy Birthday to Mr. Matty! Hurray!!!! That was the cutest little birthday party. It was SO fun to watch Matty eat his special treats and look up and around every so often as to say "this is all really for ME?" You've given great puppy advice. Everything was so very true. And it is very important to find a vet who you find completely trustworthy of your furry babies. I loved seeing all Matty's toys at his birthday party. Oh, Vanessa - how much fun! Give your big handsome boy an extra squeeze from me. Willow and Neo wish him a happy day, as well! xoxo Theresa

[Michelle]

That was funny. Love the part where you let him out the gate and he ran off barking hahahaha.

Always an entertaining post thanks

<3M

[Alia]

Happy birthday Matty!!! He is such an adorable boy, I am sure he loved his birthday festivities, I know I did! That video was sooo cute. Birthdays are the best!

[Danielle Suplicki]

Happy Happy Birthday to a beautiful, quirky boy! I just know he loved his big day.

Many hugs and good belly rubs. xo

[Wendy Bearden]

Happy Magical Birthday Mattie,
Lots of Doggy Bone Birthday Wishes and Dirt digging dreams.

V,
I am still giggling hysterically. The Video was so funny, I just smile and laugh everytime I think about it.
Thank you for letting us come to the party.

Spells and Wishes,
Wendy from wonderland

[Lisa Oceandreamer]

This was an adorable celebration of Matty's birthday. You've done an amazing job raising him and goes to show that with love and patience comes results.
I have to tell you that when I was watching the video your speeded up chipmunk voice completely freaked out Sadey. Cracked me up.
Then the helicopter sound freaked her out.She's really still a fraidy-cat about noises. Silly girl.
XOXOXO

[Linda Diane]

Oh, how fun to be a fur boy of the sweet and doting Miss Vanessa! I loved that special cake you made him--and the video!! My hubby and son were in the room when I was playing that, so we all enjoyed it together. : ) Loved that old movie style! Oh, and one thing Miss V. must add to the training regimen of Mr. Matty--it's a must! It's called "gradual acceptance, yea, EMBRACING of bow tie and various accessory wearings of the magical Miss. V. variety." It just comes with being a Miss V. fur boy, doesn't it? Ha! I loved how he was being pouty about not attending his bday partay if he had to wear that bow tie. Didn't he understand that it made him handsome and irresistible? *sigh*

[Teresa in California]

Happy Birthday Matty! That was a great video, and I loved the birthday music...it was fabulous! And I could feel and SEE the magic all around you!!! What fun!!!
His 'cake' looked yummy too!...for Matty that is. You can tell he is growing up and calming down quite a bit. I am so happy you have Matty to hug and dance with.
Cheers! (Sorry, I am a little later in posting).
Miss Teresa

[Linda Diane]

Just had to add one more thing. That picture of Baby Matty standing up with paws on the back of precious Baby is the SWEETEST thing. Writing this is making me cry!

[somepinkflowers]

well
well
well

if there isn't ALWAYS a party
at your house

{{ thank goodness }}

:-)

love how your punkin babies
got a front row seat
at the party
which
is only right
i am thinking...

PS-- a dog with a spotted tongue
brings good luck to all
for he has licked the world
and survived.

{{ i think i just made that up
but it sound nice,
don't you think? }}

♥

[Carousel Dreams]

You are too, too funny my friend...I have a video of Georgia visiting our chooks, and it is sped up like this and still has me in hysterics everytime I see it! I wish you could have seen Pip watching the computer screen...her little head was cocking this way and that, especially when she heard Matty barking at the end...I have emailed you a little photo from us x

[Elaine]

That is SO CUTE!

[Katharine]

Happy Birthday Mattie

Hope your day was Purrfect!!

From, Katharine, Shasta & Pepsi Meow!!

P.S. We hope you like cats.

[Laura Irrgang]

You are a LOON!

Happy Birthday, Matty Matisse!
I love that photo of him as a puppy being hugged by Lovee.

I giggled when he slurped his water up lickety split. What in the world is in the background toward the end? Chickens? Peacocks? Is Matty nibbling something from the avian kingdom?

The music was good, too! I want to hear MORE MORE MORE of you playing piano!

[Laura S.]

Happy Birthday you handsome boy! Sounds like the puparazzi was checking out your party! You're one famous desert dog! And that was a pawsome looking cake! Enjoy being one!

[Jill James]

I'm glad I'm not the only "crazy" one! All my dogs were given to me as 1 year olds by owners who didn't want them any more....they just needed more love.....I wonder how many dogs are at the pound because they didn't have a patient people person. And they were also runts (my FAVORITE!) Our dog now is Mickie, a 5 pound chihuahua (and also very mean to strangers - people underestimate him)!!!

My fur child dog, Sasha & I used to do videos and name them "Sasha The Magic Dog" (back before You Tube) and I look like I should be committed but dog people understand! LOVE LOVE LOVE your piano background.....

[Tracy Martinez]

Happy first B-day to Mattie!!!!!!
Very funny video!
He looks to be Chow and maybe German Shepard. Chows will not go to the bathroom in the house, they are the best for house training, we had 2 for 15 years and only one accident once and that was our fault, (first time dog dog owners then.)
Have a great day!
Tracy M.

[Deborah]

OMGoodness, My Wonderful Magical Muse!!! You are my JoY! Your photos are as magical as always, but the video!!! It was exactly what I needed this morning. Oh how you lightened my heart today. This is most definitely my happy place, in your magical little world. You are the magic. Oh how God blessed me the day I landed on your blog. **blows kisses** Deb

[Deborah]

And, Ms. V, you are a wonderful Mommy! That's what our children do, be they of the human variety or the fur baby variety, they are our sandpaper...they come to shape and mold us into more. **kisskiss** Deb

[kristy]

Happy Birthday Matty!!

[Carl V.]

Awww....Happy Birthday! So very lovely.

And let me take this happy moment to offer my sincerest apologies. I am so sorry that I missed the announcement way back when about your Baby's passing. I've been thinking about you a lot over the last couple days with this urgent feeling that something bad had happened, and now I know it did, just a long time ago, and the urgency was my lack of regular visiting over the summer. I am so sorry for your loss. It isn't something one 'gets over', and the sadness lingers despite being tempered over time. We still miss our adopted dog, Razz, who we had to put to sleep after a severe stroke three years ago. I find myself calling our new dog Razz often when I'm playing with him, despite the fact that they are in no way similar and we've had Charlie for two years now. Pets, most especially of the canine persuasion, so easily become a part of our families and enrich our lives in ways that are hard to describe. No matter what goes on in the world that faithful love from a dog can melt it all away. As Charles Schulz so aptly put it in one of his Peanuts cartoons, "Happiness is a warm puppy". I wish you years of warmth and joy from your birthday baby, and I wish you years of happy remembrances of the time you spent with one who is no longer here in physical form, but certainly is in spirit.

Lots of hugs.

[teresa]

Vanessa! Vanessa!
Make me SMILE so BIG my cheeks are achin'!
So FUN!
I giggled through the entire MATTY~BDAY video!
And Doogan popped up on the couch as soooooon as he heard you SQUEAKING his language!
We BOTH send Mr. MATTY oodles and goodles and poodles of Bday Love!
Lots of SNUGGLES!
And I know Miss Baby was RIGHT there celebrating with you!
I just KNOW she was!
You and Matty are the dearest sweetest friends!
And we are honored to know and love you!
Happy Happy Bday week Matty!
Doogan will have a Bday soon!
Very soon!
Hope you can both pop in to celebrate with us!
xoxoxoxoox

[Lisa]

Happy Happy Birthday to Matty! I've never been good at remembering furry birthdays, but I always do Christmas. On the day after one particularly good Christmas, I couldn't understand why my Dave was following me around more than usual and asking (with his eyes) for something. Then I had an "ah-ha" moment and realized he wanted to celebrate again. I've noticed if my dogs really, really like something, it is quickly adopted as part of the "routine"- and they claim certain things should be done daily.

When I first took my Kate home, she was suffering from some degree of PTSD and would literally freeze with fear. She was particularly afraid of my boyfriend (which was terrible since he is one of the most gentle and nurturing people I know). I consulted a behaviorist and she advised a number of things - approach the dog from the side instead of head on, don't make eye contact, offer a treat and let the dog approach you, feed the dog by hand (a bit messy, as I feed regular food instead of "dog" food). It took a bit of time, but Kate is now relatively well adjusted, not afraid of people (generally) and a total joy - Plus, now she completely loves her dad (he's considered the fun parent).

[Anna]

Vanessa I watched your video in the wee hours of the morning (I am such a chronic night owl I might as well live in a different time zone!)and I laughed so hard my husband got up to see what was going on! And it's still funny in the light of day. What a magical little birthday you had for Master Matisse. One is so special as one can never be 'one' again (or 2 or 3...)Happiest of Birthdays Matty!! Such a handsome boy!

[Maia]

Thank you for inviting us! :) I really enjoyed the video. So happy Birthday to Matty, a very lucky and handsome furry boy!

[Snap]

A big Happy Birthday to Matty. Loved the video ... laughed myself silly. He is one lucky furbaby.

[Cori G.]

Beloved Friendling of the MOST Fanciful Kind,
First I laughed, then I cried, and then if I weren't at work I would have rolled on the floor!!!!!! Your Matty movie is priceless and the narration HILARIOUS TO BE SURE!!!! I love the helicopter and your chipmunk response...tee hee..I almost, well we won't o there, now will we. No sirree!!!!

Happy Birthday MaTtY!!!! Kisses and a thousand hugs. cori

Oh! Matty's friends look well loved ;-O.

[m]

My little buddy Bonsai the wonder wienerdog enjoys eating all kinds of funny stuff like apple peels, apple cores (sans seeds) carrots and broccoli! They are good snacks because they add fiber to his diet and they are low in calories. (all in small amounts, of course!) I also have a great dog biscuit recipe if anyone's interested! :)

[Bohemian]

Happy Birthday to Matty... what a poser, you can see how comfortable in front of a camera your baby is... I'm particularly loving the last photo before the video.

Dawn... The Bohemian

[Tara G]

I have a 8 month old puppy, that we rescued from outside my husband's office. Someone ran him over in their car when he was 2 months old and since he was a stray dog ( we have a LOT of stray animals on our roads)... they didn't bother. Poor puppy, snapped his leg in half and in December would cry in pain.

He has a similar temperament to Matty. sometimes, I just can't be in the same room as him... and he senses that I am upset with his behavior.. he does come and nudge me... that's his way of saying sorry.

He doesn't like strangers. Only people he sees everyday like the house keeper. He still screams at us... viciously when he feels threatened....sigh!

Its a long road with this one. But Its okay. i know he came into my life for a reason. He saved me in more ways than I saved him.

P.S: He is my third rescued dog. I no longer buy / accept dogs/ animals from breeders... only those that are abused and need a quiet, peaceful end to their horrid past lives.

P.p.s: Just realized.... this is like a blog post. And there are NO tips here!!
:o

[Sarah]

Happy Birthday to Matty! I love the pictures of him with his cake. Will be back tomorrow to see the video as off to bed!
Cassie sends Matty a big kitten kiss!

[Maria-Thérèse]

GRATTIS PÅ FÖDELSEDAGEN söta lilla hund! (Jag tror din mamma kan prata svenska nu för hon läser väl afiori. Hälsa henne tack för tips om papper.) Kram!

[Lynn]

Happy Birthday Matty!
What a lucky pup to have a sweetie like you to give him such a fabulous birthday!

[Chris]

Oh, Many Happy Returns of the Day, MattyPie! You are very handsome in this movie. What a neat eater! And faster than a helipcopter, too.

Yay for you!

[JO]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to sweet Matty!!! ...

I had to laugh at the photo of him pouting with his bow tie on.... way too funny!!

HUGS
JO

[vivian]

happy birthday to your puppy.. Vanessa you are a nut. I about died laughing at you video. thanks for being so silly!
hugs
vivian