The holidays are a busy time for most people. There’s gifts to be bought, parties to go to or give, decorating to be done.
The list seems endless. My daddies and I are very busy, between work and a new “temporary” foster brother for me to get to know.
A Chihuahua’s work is never done. I wanted to take a few moments to give you some easy gift ideas for your little Chi or for those who love Chihuahuas.
1. Chihuahua-opoly. If you love Monopoly, you’ll love this Chihuahua version. Your Chi might not understand the rules, but if you give the game to a Chihuahua lover they will greatly appreciate it.
2.Chuck-It. This is my most favorite toy. I have five of them all over the house and absolutely love it. I toss it to my daddies and they toss it across the room. Fetch is fun. You should really try it. Sometimes I just don’t want to give up on the game and fall asleep with the ball in my mouth.
3. Kong. Every night I get a treat in my Kong toy. The object is to not only give your dog a treat, but to encourage them to think as well. Figuring out how to get the treat out of the Kong is part of the fun. Sometimes I cheat and bring the Kong to my daddy. I nudge him until he finally takes the treat out and gives it to me. I know that’s cheating but oh well. I’m just a little girl.
4. Stuffed Hedgehog. You can’t go wrong with a Stuffed Hedgehog. It’s easy to grab, easy to toss and easy to make squeak. I love it and play with it daily. I have three of them in various stages of wear. My Hedgehogs are part of my daily fetch routine. I go from Chuck-it ball to Hedgehog. It’s the perfect size for your Chihuahua.
5. Bully Chew Sticks. When I’m tired of playing with my daddies I like to relax and chew on my Bully Chew Sticks. I have several hidden around the house. Sometimes I find them under the furniture. I don’t know how they get there. It takes a daddy to retrieve them but then that’s what daddies are for.
All people need mental stimulation.
Chihuahuas are no different. We think, therefore we are.
Did you know Chihuahuas (and most dogs) have the mental capacity of a 2-3 year old child? Freaky, huh. That’s why it is very important to keep your Chihuahua thinking. Just like humans, if Chihuahuas are allowed to vegetate all day, every day, their minds will turn to mush. At the very least, their senior years may not be too pretty.
6 Tips on Stimulating Your Chihuahua’s Mind
- Exercise – Lots of Walkies with your human companion. It’s a bonding experience and healthy too. There’s a lot of sniffing to do.
- Crossword Puzzles – Or else toys like Kong* that challenge your Chi. I enjoy my Kong, but only when there’s a treat to eat. I still have a hard time writing without thumbs, so crosswords are out for now.
- Meeting and Greeting – A large social network of friends is helpful to keep your Chi entertained. This can be part of the walking routine. Or just take your Chi on play dates.
- Working for a Treat – Make your Chi work for their treat. Don’t just give him/her one. (I wouldn’t mind getting more treats). This could be as simple as asking your Chihuahua to sit first.
- Don’t leave your Chi home alone every day – Chihuahuas are portable. Take them wherever you go, even to work. Who doesn’t love a Chihuahua?!
- Get your Chihuahua a pet. Another dog makes a great companion for your Chi.
Give Your Chi a Mini Kong
Show you really care. I love my Kong and play with it daily. Especially when daddy puts a treat inside.
*The Small Classic Kong Toy is
- Perfect for typical chewers.
- Small: Up to 20 lbs.
- Perfect for stuffing with Kong treats.
- All natural, puncture resistant rubber.
- Super bouncy and chewer friendly.
- Cleans teeth, conditions gums.
- Recommended by Veterinarians, Trainers & Dog Professionals.
- Made in USA.
Features
- Cleans teeth and gums
- Hollow center can be filled with food and treats
- Keep your dogs busy and out of trouble for long periods of time
- The world’s best dog toys!™
Another source of information about stimulating your Chi’s mind:
Doris Day is a great fan of us little dogs and animals of all kinds. April 3rd was her birthday and she called in “live” to a streamed broadcast on KIDD 630-AM in Carmel, California.
Ed Dickinson was the DJ host from 8am to noon, PST. Some of Doris’ famous songs as well as tributes and Doris herself was heard.
My daddy has been a great fan of Doris Day since 1962 when he first saw Jumbo at Radio City Music Hall. That’s a long, long, time ago I think. He even met her twice and she was very nice to him.
Don’t forget to check the Doris Day Tribute website for more information.
Update 4/3/11: It appears KIDD 630-AM did not have live streaming of Doris Day’s birthday celebration. But you can still listen to Doris and help celebrate her birthday on this special website.
Update 4/4/11: Listen to excerpts of Doris’ live phone call on her birthday. Also check the official Doris Day website to see when a recording of her birthday celebration will be posted.
Update 4/13/11: Listen to a more complete, commercial free version of Doris Day’s birthday interview on her official website.
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Waiting for my lunch.
Eating out with your Chihuahua can be a great experience. Yesterday my daddies took me out to Chicken Maison in Redondo Beach. We all enjoyed a delicious Chinese Chicken Salad. I love the crunchy part of the lettuce as well as the carrot slivers. I didn’t get to taste any of the chicken since I have to eat my well-balanced Turducken dog food from Merrick instead. (FYI the Chinese Chicken Salads are huge. For a dollar extra you can split the order and get extra pita bread. My daddies think it’s the best they’ve had. Be aware that you order inside and they bring the food to you. You cannot bring your dog inside and they do not take your order outside.)
It’s always fun to take your dog out to lunch or dinner. Living in Southern California makes that adventure possible with lots of restaurants that have outdoor eating areas. Even if you’re sitting next to a parking lot there’s still lots of people watching to do. Pack a nice blankie and water dish and you’re all set.
When not sleeping or eating Chihuahuas like to play. If you don’t have a lot of time to play give your Chi a toy that will stimulate him/her mentally and keep them occupied for a while.
I’ve been given the Kong toy. This is a challenge. I am expected to work for my treat by getting it out of this “Super Durable” toy. The packaging says it “entertains and satisfies average chewers”. I consider myself above average in most things but enjoy this toy anyway.
You can put any variety of snacks inside the Kong. So far I’ve tried the Liver Recipe Snacks for small dogs. It’s made in the USA, is low fat and tastes yummy. Like potato chips, it can be addictive. But I only get one a day so I can keep my girlish figure. A carrot might be a nice insert too.
These treats even come with instructions. Just squeeze the Kong, insert the large end of the snack inside and have at it. Of course I’d prefer to eat the snacks without all the bother, but I’m told dogs like to work for their treats. That was never my idea but I guess I’ll have to go along with it.
You can buy the Kong and treats at most pet stores or order from Amazon.com. And if you do, I get more change for my toy fund.
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