Bubba Barkley

Bubba's 2007 summer outings

2007-09-10T13:37:00.000-05:00

Since May 2007, Bubba has been the little busy cotton ball. If I could bring him everywhere, I would. He's pretty easy to travel with and he loves to take road trips.

Upstate road trip to the country
Bubba traveled with us, north of Albany and met 3 Shih-tzus by the names of Jack, Hanna, and Benny. What a bunch! They really didn't know what to do with Bubba's playfulness at all. If Bubba could talk, he would be asking me, "Mommy, what's wrong with these dogs? All I want to do is play and they won't play with me."

By the end of the weekend Hannah warmed up to him and was teasing him the way she does her brothers. Benny still doesn't know what to do, so he stays clear by sitting perched up on the couch.

We've been back once more and things were much better, but they still can't take his energy all the time, though they love to have him around, which is great.

Beantown, baby!
It was a very hot weekend in Boston. I was hoping to bring him to Boston Commons to run around, but it was just too hot. He did get to run off leash at the family reunion in Framingham, but I had to leash him since he kept chasing after the bocce balls and messing things up.

Central Park
Early this past Sunday morning, 8:00 AM to be exact, Bubba and I took a cab ride up to Columbus Circle to venture into the "off leash before 9 AM" world at the park. Everywhere you turn, there are dogs running around, playing catch, walking beside their owners, it was amazing! I learned that Bubba's fear of big dogs supersedes his attachment to me. Poor Bubba got chased for a bit because the big doggie thought he was playing. He was happy as can be. I think we might head back this weekend with Jack (jack-russell terrier) and his mommy, Juli. Should be good fun!

Amateur Agility Training
I'm hoping to enroll Bubba in agility training classes sometime this year or next. I think he would really enjoy it. In the meantime, Adelaide (australian shepherd and Bubba's gf), has been hopping over the stone steps by the marina. I thought I would give Bubba a few lessons to learn too. He does wonderfully... "up" means up the steps and I point to the places I want him to jump to. Pretty cool! I would love to see him do more with that type of training. We'll see!

Mother's Day

2007-05-15T22:11:00.000-05:00

My very first Mother's Day. I got a card from my little Bubba. It was perfect. It was wonderful.

Bubba Faces

2007-05-10T16:27:00.000-05:00

Mushy Poop

2007-05-09T14:52:00.000-05:00

Poor Bubba. He's got the same energy level, but his stool is a bit mushy. I'm not sure if he's sick or if it's something he ate. Never fear. He has a vet appointment on Friday morning. What I do know is that he's not pooping on the same schedule he was before so we've experienced some accidents in the house a couple times now. This morning he was jumping at me and hopping around running back and forth. I finally got it and realized he was telling me, "Mommy!! I have to go-ooooo!". I grabbed the leash and headed out with some doggie bags, but by the time we got to the elevator, he just couldn't manage. Mush.

Poor mommy. I had to clean it up. 'Nuf said.

No Lyme!

2007-03-30T10:46:00.000-05:00

Bubba had a vet visit this morning. I brought him in to be tested for Lyme disease. I found 3 ticks on him in the fall after his first visit to NJ. Even though it's been a few months and he's been fine, better safe than sorry later.

He was such a good boy. He played with other puppies and dogs at the vet. Everyone loved him and kept telling me he has a great personality. Yes, he does.

Good Bubba!

Too much fun in the dog run

2007-03-29T08:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Bubba had quite the treat at the dog run. All his buddies were there and he got to romp around for at least an hour! Jack (jack russell terrier), Liam (another coton), and Lucy (4 mos old mini-schnauzer) wrestled and chased each other to their hearts' content.

All of us (owners) were so glad because it meant the dogs would be exhausted by the time they got home leaving us with a more peaceful night.

Boy was Bubba tired! I wish I had taken a video. We left the dog run with Liam and they were still very excited and playing. Then after 10 feet Bubba would plop down into a pancake and lay on the sidewalk. He was tired. I'd be able to get him to walk a bit saying, "Where's Liam? Follow Liam." and he'd get up and chase after Liam for a bit. Then plop down again. I think it took 3 or 4 to finally get to the lobby of our building. I was afraid I'd have to carry him home.

But I did have a peaceful night. Since we didn't get back to the apartment until after 8 pm and I had to get to bed early, I didn't bother taking him out again. He drank some water and slept moments after we got in.

Bubba had too much fun.

Happy Birthday, Bubba!!!

2007-03-26T12:33:00.000-05:00

It's Bubba's first birthday! He got some american cheese this morning after his walk! I can't believe it's been one year. He's been a doll. A few habits that still need breaking, but all in all he's always been an easy dog to care and love.

This weekend was his very first road trip with me. We went down to DC to visit my brother, Chris and cousin Fraggle. Throughout the weekend they really made strides to being friendlier. Fraggle gets a bit nervous and territorial, so Bubba learned to keep his distance. But that distance is now only a couple of feet. Before it was about 4-5 ft.

When they walk, the pack mentality kicks in and they bump into each other and it's like nothing happened! A very good sign. Bubba had lots of fun and he was so good sitting in the car. He didn't whine. He alternated between sleeping and staring at me. Such a cutie!

Barking "bully"

2007-03-20T12:58:00.000-05:00

Bubba has definitely found his voice. When he turned about 7-8 months he started barking at other dogs or animals would see down the street or out the window. He started this when he was in my parents' house in Jersey where the windows are not 34 floors high and dogs walk by the front doorway. I got worried that this behavior would be unbearable, especially in my small little studio and where my neighbors can hear his bark down the hall.

Bubba barks at people in the hallway and large dogs outside, but not all of them. I trained him not to bark more than a couple of times inside the apartment. He barks at the noise hears at the door and then he gruffs and whimpers and comes to me to acknowledge what he's heard. So cute.

But until this week I didn't know what do to about him barking at larger dogs. I didn't even understand why only certain dogs and not all dogs. The only thing I realized is if he knows the dog, then he doesn't bark. Once he approaches and meets the new large dog, gets a little sniffing in, he's back to his own business or he'll start playing.

Maybe it's a dominant thing? Maybe he has to announce his presence?

News about Rocky. We bumped into Rocky the other morning. Bubba didn't even flinch. He was eager to greet him, but he didn't bark at all! Progress!!

An Encounter with Rocky the Pit bull

2007-03-14T10:10:00.001-05:00

Bubba has recently had a habit of barking at larger dogs. He is dominant so I think he feels like he has to protect his "turf" whatever that means in an NYC dog-friendly neighborhood. Last night we were about to head out on a walk and Bubba saw Rocky down the hallway with Jeff. Rocky is a beautiful chocolate colored pit bull who is about 2.5 years old now.

Anyhow, Rocky and Jeff were so kind to hold the elevator for us (especially since it takes on average 10 mins to get one these days) and Bubba repaid them by barking up a storm. I'm sure my neighbors appreciated it at 11:30 pm last night.

Bubba even growled a bit. I let him down next to Rocky, whom by the way was the calmest dog ever, and they exchanged sniffs and that was that. Bubba stopped barking and the two of them went about their business as if no confrontation was had.

Jeff and I walked them both along the river and around the block. There weren't any issues at all, which was nice. Bubba though had to mark every tree and corner in his path though. I actually think Bubba successfully dominated Rocky since Rocky seems to look away first whenever Bubba approaches him. Very interesting. The true test will be when they meet again.

A Picky Habit

2007-02-20T20:23:00.000-05:00

For some reason Bubba has decided to be a picky eater. It was almost like he was protesting for over 2 days... one day at home and the first day at my parents' place. He didn't eat any of his normal food, Nutro - Lamb and Rice. I was getting worried. My parents had a little bit of a different type of Nutro food, we tried that at their place, no luck. Bubba would sniff it and then back away. I'd move my hand closer to him again, and he'd run away. I mean he literally ran away!

I broke down and I went to Wal-mart to find some better food. During the Superbowl at the Doyle's, Bubba got a taste of Brutus' food, Beneful. So I bought a small bag for Bubba to try. But instead of changing it all at once, I mixed his old food with his new.

What happened? Bubba starting eating. I thought, "Great!" I went to watch a little bit of TV and let him be with his meal. About an hour later, I went to check on the bowl to see how much he ate.

I walked towards the kitchen to find a trail of food leading into the kitchen from the dining room. Bubba was eating alright. He was eating his new food... and only his new food. He would take a mouthful, drop the bits on the floor, sniff out the Beneful, and then eat piece by piece only the Beneful food.

Oh, my little low maintance, happy-go-lucky-puppy, everybody's-pal, turns out to be a picky eater! Literally.

Bubba's quirks

2007-02-18T19:50:00.000-05:00

As Bubba approaches 1 year I have noticed lots of little quirks and habits that he has:
1) Bubba likes to carry his leash in his mouth to and from the elevator. It's almost as if he doesn't want to leave it behind, despite the, fact that it's clipped to his collar.
2) After every walk, even if he's tired, he'll sprint back and forth in the hallway before he's ready to come back in.
3) When Bubba gets a new treat or toy he'll tease it with a bouncing hopping dance, darting and nipping and jumping back before taking hold of it.
4) He loves to look out the window (more so at my parents' place) and watch dogs, people, squirrels. One night I saw him staring at a small set of lights in the sky (plane on landing approach). He was standing up on his hind legs on my bed watching the plane in the distance pass by window.
5) No matter how big or small, Bubba will pick up a stick as long as he can put it in his mouth and carry it home with his tail up high and proud for all to see. Some of his sticks have been too wide/long for him to get it through the door, but he'll try and try until it fits! Yes, I've watched him and not helped him... mostly out of curiosity to see if he can do it.

Bubba Home Sweet Home #2

2007-01-22T00:10:00.000-05:00

Bubba is finally home with me... again. He's been in Jersey since early December right after Thanksgiving. I was spoiled being able to travel all around and he was spoiled having so many people around and barely being left alone.

So now we're both reacquainting ourselves with the neighborhood doggie park. Tonight we met Liam and Bubba sure did have a good play time!

This week, I must get all the knots out of his hair. Though my mom tried her very best to comb him, I don't think she really did. She caressed him with a comb. We'll see what I can do otherwise, I'll have to turn to the boutique Le Pet Spa to do the dirty work... at a cost of course. Which is what I'm trying to avoid. Wish me luck!

Lots of spunky, now a little less spunky...

2006-12-27T16:45:00.000-05:00

Bubba's been at my parents place since Thanksgiving. I missed him dearly, but not enough to want to him back just yet. It was good since my last week or so before vacation I was working 10-12 hour days. Bubba would've been so lonely at home and the sunsetting to early.

My parents told me he is very happy always playing and running around, being very "shim-shick" (Taiwanese word) or a literal translation, "characteristic". I don't think there is an english word that quite explains it. Anyway, my dad would take him out on walks 3-4 times a day, Bubba would get to ride in the car whenever my dad would go run errands. My mom would brush him every now and then.

This past weekend Fraggle came to NJ with Zim. The last time they met Fraggle was not a happy dog. Bubba's energy was a bit too much for Fraggle to deal with. Well, this weekend, Fraggle successfully dominated over Bubba. Bubba got nipped and some hair pulled out when he got too close to Fraggle or startled him. Poor Fraggle, so nervous. Poor Bubba, so innocent. So whenever I would call Bubba, if Fraggle was too close, Bubba wouldn't come. :(

But I made sure Fraggle knew who was boss. Bubba slept on the bed with me. Fraggle would try to hop up, but one little growl and then he was banned. *sigh* If Bubba could talk he would say, "But... but... I just want to play. Why won't he play with me? ... Hmph."

I was afraid he'd forget me, but of course, he didn't. We brought him to the church celebration at the church. He was a popular pup, running around greeting anyone who called his attention. At the end of the day, he always came back to me. Aww. I felt very loved. Even at my parents, he would readily hop up on the couch and just lay right by my leg.

Right now I'm back in NYC, then I'm off to Mexico then the following weekend to Seattle. Bubba will join me late January. He's so cute!!

Bubba Home Sweet Home

2006-11-14T23:25:00.000-05:00

Bubba is back home! He was staying with my parents for a week or so. I needed a break from being a puppy-mommy. :) It was good. I got to do my own thing, not have to worry about coming home right after work. Freedom is nice.

My dad drove in to the city tonight to drop him off. He picked me up from the east side as I was hanging out with AC for some Guitar Hero and Noodles 28. I got into the car and I saw my little fluff ball with a happily wagging tail.

He sat on my lap all the way home. In fact, he fell asleep in my arms. He was tired. Awww...

Bubba in the Burbs

2006-11-03T17:43:00.000-05:00

Bubba's second visit to NJ has been quite fun.

Stair climbing. He's learning how to climb house steps. He has only done the steps in the park which are shallower and wider. In the house, I guess it looks steep so Bubba gets scared. *sigh* But he's learned how to run down the stairs. I'm still trying to get him to go up the stairs. There have been two techniques applied:
1) Mom-Dad Technique: Place Bubba on the steps and move his legs for him mimicking what he should do to get up the steps. Bubba just gets all tense and keeps peering down to run down the steps because that is all he knows how to do.
2) Cindy Technique: Strap on the leash. Drag him up 2-3 steps. Bubba at that point stops resisting and he runs up the entire flight of steps! Success! Now how do I get him to get over the first 2-3 steps... Hmmm...

Goose poop. Bubba likes to eat goose poop. Gross!

Saying goodbye. My mom left for work this morning. Bubba sat by the front door and he whined. I was upstairs with Bubba. He sat at the top of the steps and watched my dad leave. He whined. I think he whines whenever someone leaves. I thought it was because he really liked them. He just doesn't like to see people leave.

Knowing my name. My mom asked me if Bubba knew my name.
Me: Um. How would he?
Mom: Well, Fraggle knows Chris and Zimmy's name.
Me: I don't usually call myself when I'm at home. I do live alone you know.
Mom: *laughing* Oh yeah. I guess he wouldn't know your name.

Blustery Day

2006-10-29T23:07:00.000-05:00

The wind in NYC has been crazy this weekend. So far gusts up to 40-50 mph. I think Bubba actually likes it. This morning I took him for a long walk around the neighborhood and he just seemed so happy to be outside with the wind pulling back his long fluffy hair.

We walked down South End, then across West Side Highway to the other side. I was hoping the wind wouldn't be as strong. I was right, but it was still windy. We headed back to our neck of the woods and ran into Clint, the malti-poo. They romped a bit on the sidewalk until we continued on our way to the dog run. Since the dog run is right on the marina the wind is vicious there. He seemed like he was itching to run around, so I let him play a bit. He was joined by Clint and Neilsen, Shih-tzu. Over all it was about an hour and ten minutes outside. I would've let him play some more, but my ears and fingers felt like they were going to fall off. I had to get inside.

Bubba had a good morning. Now he's being lazy on the bathroom floor sprawled out for a nap.

Bubba's check-up at Bid-a-wee

2006-10-27T15:25:00.000-05:00

This morning I took Bubba uptown to be checked out by Bid-a-wee where he'll be having his "big day". Poor guy, he doesn't even know it's coming. I decided to take a taxi up since his appointment was at 9am and the last thing I want to do is lug him in a travel bag on a crowded rush hour train uptown to 42nd St stop. No thank you.

He's grown so much! Can you believe he's now 16.7lbs!?!?! Funny thing, the breed specifications say a Coton De Tulear will grow to be between 12-15lbs. He's already exceeded it and he's only 7 months. He had his 7 month birthday yesterday.

All in all he's doing well. Next week I'm going to visit my parents and Bubba is going to stay with them for one week to give me a little break and let my mom indulge in having a puppy around the house. If that works out well, Bubba may be a guest of the parental unit household through to Christmas. I guess I'm not so worried about Bubba. I'm more worried about my parents.

It's not long until Thanksgiving is around the corner! Crazy, huh?

Who is Bubba Barkley?

2006-10-15T08:03:00.000-05:00

Bubba is a Coton de Tulear. He was born March 26, 2006 and found a new home with me in NYC on July 30th. He loves to have his belly rubbed and is the friendliest pup on the block, dogs and people alike.

Bubba is long for his breed so he'll probably grow up to be over 15lbs. I think he's almost 15 lbs and he's 6.5 months old. He's all white with very light champagne markings on the tips of his ears and along his back. His nose and eyes are deep dark black, a good sign of gene health.

I bought Bubba from a breeder in Oklahoma that I found from puppyfind.com. I didn't think I would buy a pet off the internet, but look at me! M. Faulk was wonderful in educating me on what to pay attention to when looking at a puppy. She gave me great advice and provided an excellent reference as well.

Why "Bubba"?
I had a few names in mind: Barkley, Bubba, Dash, and Buster. Barkley from Sesame Street. Bubba from Bubba Crosby on the Yankees, Dash from The Incredibles, and Buster from Arrested Development. Bubba came out on top as the favorite name with all my friends, but Barkley was not far behind. Thanks to Alice, I just named him Bubba Barkley, though I call him Bubba for short.

Bubba's Likes
Bubba is quite the funny one. He loves to drink water from the shower. He'll stick his head into the tub area and lap up the water as it falls. His faces gets all wet and makes him look so skinny.

Good boy, Bubba!
"Sit" - I taught Bubba how to sit and within two days he knew the command. I think that's the easiest one to teach and can be used the most frequently as the "substitute" when you want him to not do something else.

"Paw" - I also taught him "paw" and "up" before I enrolled him in puppy training.

"Look" - In puppy training I learned how to walk with him and teach him "look". It really helped me teach him not to pull on the leash since he was trained to walk by my side and expect treats. What better way to learn!

"Stay" - I haven't spent much time with him, but he's learning stay a bit more. I'm hoping to practice with him enough so that he'll sit in one spot while I walk around him.

"Stand" - I tried to teach him this one, but it's not the most natural one for him to catch on to. At least I don't think so. I guess I should just practice with him more.

The best one of all.. he's crated while I'm gone so he doesn't chew up the entire apartment. When I ask him to come to me when I'm by his crate, I say "Night, night" and he'll know. He walks into the crate and sits in the back to wait for his treat. I'm glad I don't have to put him in the crate against his will.

Bubba's Friends
In my neighborhood, Battery Park City, there are many many dogs. Many owners have more than one dog. Here is a list of dogs that we've met in our few months living here:
- Clint: white, large Maltipoo
- Sasha: Pug that is one month older
- Charlotte: Maltese
- Lex: German Shepherd
- Yogi: Minature Schnauzer
- Chase and Oscar: Black and white Papillons
- Oliver: Terrier
- Cinnamon:
- Ike and Diego: Pug and Chihuahua
- Cannoli: Coton de Tulear mix
- Fred: Coton de Tulear
- Goose: Havanese
- Lily: Havanese
- Cesar: Havanese
- Joey: Lhasa Apso
- Max: Minature Schnauzer
- Jack: Shepherd-Collie mix
- Mighty Dog: Maltese
- Pebbles:
- Sammy: Dachshund
- Katie: Shiba-Inu
- Mishka: Pomeranian
- Taz: Rottweiler
- Tahoe: Siberian Husky
- Miller: Westie
- Louis: Yorkie
- Lepa: Teacup Yorkie
- Neilsen: Shih-tzu
- Butter: White Shepherd
- Harley: Havanese
- Apollo: Puggle

Of course, we can't forget a couple of other "family" related dogs:
- Fraggle: Corgi-husky mix
- Sweetie: Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
- Sammy: Black Lab