Basket Case

Sumo spent all night for the first time ever in the cat bed,

a Nigerian straw basket bought in the eighties,

covered with a freshly laundered towel.

He looked cozy and not exactly eager to get up and out.

Sumo's Birthday

Sumo on his first visit with us when he was only 1 1/2 years old. Tomorrow he will be 5, time flies.

The celebration started with a nice long bike ride this morning. He raced ahead as usual, and made it a challenge to keep him on my side.  I figure it is his nature, he is a natural athlete and needs that forging ahead, expending his energy, exploring new places.

For a treat I got my furry ones Sardines in oil, as Sumo can use the extra energy from the oil, while Isabella is more in danger of putting on the pounds and looking suddenly round. The Pretty Kitty snubbed the offer, no sense in arguing about likes or love and hate. Tomorrow there will be an extra large helping of chicken and something special I will figure out to do with just me and my Sumo-boy, likely by bike.

3 Years with Sumo

Sumo a Yorkie/Poodle/Maltese when he still sported a professionally groomed look, 3 years ago today, on his first visit with us and one week before he joined our pack for good. He felt uncertain as it was time to go to sleep in a new place, but on his bed - not mine!

Schnuegge (cute guy) on his first afternoon hanging out in our yard with bones he tackled with vigor, perseverance and single-minded focus. He was then still our neighbor's dog and Schnuegge was my term of endearment before I settled on his most appropriate name, Sumo. A name, I recently discovered to my great surprise, shared with former french president Chirac's 'vicious' Maltese. (After biting the president 3 times that Sumo was abandoned to a farm.) My Sumo is not vicious, but vigorous, be it in tackling bones or wrestling with Isabella almost 3 times his size.

Sumo at the dog park, rebuffed, unable to comprehend why I would not want his muddy paws on me.

Sumo not so long ago at the dog park after an extensive trim by me that brings out his contours nicely in the light of the setting sun.