One Beat, One Dance, One Vision

This is the Sinulog catch phrase, and that, my dear puppy friends, had been the reason for our absence.

Just what is “Sinulog”, most of you would probably ask.

Well, truth be told, I don’t really know seeing as I am a dog, and this is the time of year that I’d rather not be outside the confines of my comfortable home in the hopes of not being squished by the sea of people basking in the hot dreary sun or withstanding the chilling cold winds and rain just so they can catch a glimpse of queer individuals dressing up as giants, cartoon characters, mystical creatures or personages from the past.

Nope, puppies and gentledogs, that is not our cup of tea. That is why I brought my plea before the good judge and ask the Sinulog fairy to spare my hoomans. Alas, my motion for hooman exclusivity for the last week was denied, and as a result thereof- no bloggie posts. Drat

And so, I have come to the realization, that just maybe, this is one event not meant for dogs, but our humans, to enjoy. I rest my case.

The word sinulog comes from a Cebuano word meaning, “like the movement of water currents.” The name is a reference to the forward-backward steps in the Sinulog dance; the rhythmic motion is reminiscent of the movement of the eddies of Cebu’s old Pahina River. The dancers basically take two steps forward and one step backward to the beat of a drum. The dance is traditionally performed mostly by elderly women. (source: http://en.wikipilipinas.org)

Sinulog is arguably the biggest, grandest and most anticipated celebration in the country- a celebration of oneness of a nation in hope, love and adulation (for the patron of Cebu- Señor Sto. Niño or the child Jesus). The festival is a week long celebration filled with dances, street parties, concerts, prayer rallies and parades, fireworks competitions and on Sunday- a mardi gras which will run from around 9 AM until 6 PM and a fireworks display at the Ayala Center Cebu.

Here are snippets of some Sinulog events attended by humans.

Sinulog 2009

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view of parade from manang's office

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'giants' parade

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Everyone gushed during the mardi gras. They ‘oohhhed’ and ‘aahhed’, I blinked. Really now, they say it was filled with colors.

But aren’t dogs supposed to have limited color recognition?


They said the floats were intricately designed, more like eye candy. Really now, I’d rather have something I can eat...

I'm a sourpuss. I know. What's a dog to do to have human exclusivity, these days?

Bath Time!

Now, we all know that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But, since I don't have any memories of Christmas to speak of yet, here is my favorite time of the week -------

BATH TIME!!!

Oh man, is it a H-O-T Sunday or what?!

The floors are like coal embers, good thing we are up here.

Manong, I said, Isn't it a H-O-T Sunday, or what?

We are wilting here.

(manang: look at Poopie's hands. This is her 'please' pose)

BATH TIME!!!!
Woofy! And off I go!

Okay, this is crucial.
Step 1: Soap?
Check.

I am currently using Banjo soap, a herbal soap made out of madre de cacao which manang bought from my Mommy Lilli (of the Animal Doctor). This is very good for sensitive skin such as mine because of the all-natural effects of the madre de cacao plant.

Okay, for the piece de resistance.

Step 2: Water? Check!


Step 3: Soap and Lather the dog.


Make sure you cover all parts of the body


and I do mean ALL parts.. *wink*


Bath time, sure is fun.


The end result is a soap sudsy, slippery and happy dog.

Now, which pup wants to take a bath next?

An E-Card Christmas!!!

Hellow everyone! Sorry for not being able to visit all of your bloggies this week. Manang has been grumbling about something called a 'Christmas Party' on the 13th and 'Committees'. We had a serious talk last night and Poopie and I said that we may have to trade her in for a love bird as our Secretary if she continues to take her job for granted.

I think our message got through cos she promised to post our thank you's to all our doggie friends who sent us e-cards. (although, she has yet to upload our photos with the cards of Maggie & Mitch, Simba King, Arabella and Lenny *pouts* -- Thanks a bunch puppies!!!)

We'd like to thank all those who sent us Christmas E-Cards....

Amber-Mae, Faith & Chloe

Chow Chow

Benson, Gibson, Sasha & Theodre


Ben & Benjamin

Comet and Blu

Dobby

King King

Charlie Daniels

Rusty

Cayman

Coco

Roxy

Gio & Romeo

Eduardo

Sophie, Dixie & Harley
Bolo

Hercules

Beckett

Mona

Kirby

River

Thank you so so much!!!! We love all of you!!

Love,

Aki & Poopie

Love

Last night, we were disturbed by a lot of muffled sobs and little shrieks. Manong was in Bohol since Saturday AM and I am left with an all-female household.

Poopie and I decided to sneak towards the room of the woof woman to investigate on the cause of all the hullaballoo and found the demented one all scrunched up in her bed and leaking away.

“what’s wrong, manang?” Poopie inquired as she gathered herself beside the sobbing manang.

I too, propped my head on the bed spread and just stared at her.

The culprit--- a yellow energizer labrador named Marley...

After about 3 hours, at around a quarter past 12 midnight, she closed the massive wad of paper, patted dry the final ounces of dripping salty water off her face, unhooked my leash, called on Poopie and Me and gave the both of us a firm hug and a big fat kiss.

“I love you, Aki. I love you, Poopie.” She croaked. Her eyes leaking and her eye bags more profound.

“We love you too, manang” we managed to say almost in unison

Although, we never really got to say it, we knew that she knew what we were saying.

Poopie and I cuddled and snoozed off with manang’s hands dangling from her bed. Her hand clasped with mine.

We snoozed away, just as it should be. Me and Poopie all cuddled up beside our manang. We don’t know how long this will live on, but in her heart, and in our hearts, our bond will live on forever.

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Manang’s note:

Sometimes, we tend to forget the importance of the friendship, love and devotion that our furfriends/ furkids bestow upon us.

I know a lot of you may have had read the book- Marley & Me already and this little review may come in a little late. No matter. I’ll just pour out my two cents and relay how much reading this had gripped me, moved me and managed to make my tear glands work overtime.

Reading about Marley made me think back at the antics that Aki does. In many ways, I find that John Grogan was actually describing Aki and so I found myself warped inside the book- laughing until my side aches and bawling like a baby during the last 4-5 chapters of the book.

I am happy to share that the movie version will be showing very very soon. As a matter of fact, it will hit the movie screens on December 25, 2008 in the US.
We hope all you pups will catch this one. I am especially excited to see how the movie plays out (I hope they do justice to the book- paws… er.. fingers crossed)

To my furbrothers and sisters- Aki, Poopie, Syxx, Jhudora, Cadness, Y.Y., 750, Askalon, Chippy, Batista, Sha-sha, Kim Tzih, Rucci, Prof. Heinz, Ninorta, Cao Cao and Guan Long and to all my beloved dogs in the Rainbow Bridge, I love all of you so much and I am so blessed to have all of you in my life.

Special thanks to The Animal Doctor's Secretary for letting me know about this book.

How to Play the Perfect Fetch Game

When it comes to getting my humans to play ball with me, I have devised the perfect scheme...

To get undivided attention, let your humans know that you are BORED. The best way to do this is ....

What?

Are you saying something, manang?

I can see your mouth opening and closing but I don't have any idea what you are saying... BOL...

When the hoomans get the message, they will just bring you outside and ask you to play fetch with them.. Upon hearing this, wag your tail furiously to express your interest. hehehe.

Sometimes, they will attempt to run away with your toy, so watch out for this.

When they realize that the ball is for you, they will just give up the chase and allow you to fetch it.- This is where the real fun begins.

At some point, two evil ladies (i.e. Poopie and our dachshund neighbor, Peachy) will try to overtake you and attempt to steal your ball- NEVER let them.

I said never to let them take possession of the ball because often times, they will refuse profusely to return it to you. (at times, this may even involved growling- hahaha- as if I am afraid of you, Peachy)

After recovering your toy, take a break and quaff up some water. And oh! don't forget to secure your ball.

Nobody can get it from me if I drink like this... BOL

After a little drinky, retrieve the ball and give it to your human. Never forget to put up a little fight when returning it to them- this makes the game more exciting.

After a long day of playing, try to relax.

And after you have cooled down, it's time to cuddle with your humans and get some vitamin zzzzzzzz...


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While passing by the 4 musketeers' bloggie we got interested in Chow Chow's bloggie and decided to pay a little visit (manang promised that we will try to visit more doggie friends in the next few weeks when we will be on vacation- woofy for that!) since he looks a lot like our brother Guan Long...

Our sister Cao Cao (she lives in Bacolod City with manang's family)

Which one is Chow Chow?

Is it this one?

Or this one?

Okay, the catch.

When we got to Chow Chow's bloggie, we were the 2nd to leave a comment and so....

Now, We are Paying It Forward too !

Here are some of the rules: "The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and 'pay it forward' in their own way.

This is how it works...I am going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry, in turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog.

There are no cost restraints, BUT don't go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique from where you live? And, remember that kindness does not have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around."

So go on, post now!! :)

Love,
Aki the Tropical Santa