Destination Las Vegas
Last weekend I went to Las Vegas for the first time. I can’t say I was very impressed with my mini vacation. Can you believe they don’t allow little Chihuahuas in casinos?! Not that I have any money to gamble with, but I could have done a lot of people watching.
Enjoying the Vegas Strip
Have Chihuahua, Will Travel
I suspected this was going to be a longer car trip than usual because I saw suitcases and my stuff being packed away.
I was placed in my car carrier, strapped to the back seat, and we drove and drove. I tried to nap but I was too excited. I kept my eyes open and watched. Finally we stopped for lunch in Baker. It was a small town. Warm and breezy. Luckily this was October and not July or August, or I would have melted.
Fine dining was limited to Burger King, the only place in town with outdoor tables that were dog friendly.
Checking in to Motel 6
We arrived in Las Vegas around 2 pm. Then we checked in to the Motel 6, next to Hooters and across from the MGM Grand. It was cheap, clean and Chihuahua friendly. The floor was not carpeted but I had my comfy bed, blankets and pillow from home so I was all set. My water bowl was set out, my toys were unpacked and I had a little snack.
Then off we went on a very long walk down what it commonly called the “Strip”. There were too many people for my taste. I was the only Chihuahua walking on this busy street and got lots of attention. Everyone wanted to pet me but I was a bit apprehensive.
Finally we took a detour and eventually ended up back at our new home away from home, Motel 6.
And then I was left alone. But I was so tired I didn’t care. I needed uninterrupted sleep as I had missed several of my naps.
Keeping Your Chihuahua Busy
The next day was much the same. A few long walks, several short walks, a little play time and then some alone time to nap.
Before you know it we were packed and heading home. My little car carrier is nice and safe but a bit constraining. I was so very glad when we pulled into our driveway. I was up and out and ready to play.
I think our next vacation should be a little more Chihuahua friendly.
Here are some vacation trips for your Chihuahua:
- When driving, keep your Chi in a carrier, strapped to the back seat. In case of accident you don’t want your little Chi to fly out of the car.
- Stop often to let your little dog take a walk and relieve themselves.
- Bring your pet’s favorite toys, bed, food, bowls, blankets and treats.
- If you must leave your Chi alone make sure they are safe, have an ID tag, and perhaps leave the TV on for company.
- Try to find a place with fun activities your Chihuahua will enjoy.
For more information check out Tips on Driving with Your Chihuahua. Also see Las Vegas, Nevada Dog-Friendly City Guide.
Leave a commentCandy is a Chihuahua No No
Chihuahuas, like most dogs, love Halloween. Sort of. Actually we love finding candy treats and will steal them if we can. Therefore it is not a good idea to leave candy lying around. Especially chocolate. We are not picky. We’ll eat any kind of candy. Including the wrappers. Why not. So be careful.
Dressing Your Chihuahua in a Costume Can Be Fun, or Not
Some dogs love getting dressed up for Halloween. I do not. What’s the point. It’s not like I get to go trick-or-treating and keep the candy. If your Chi does not like wearing clothes of any kind, please don’t dress them in a costume. It’s embarrassing.
Friendly Visitors or Annoying Beggars
A constant stream of noisy children coming to the door, begging for treats can be a bit bothersome for a sensitive Chihuahua. Begging for treats is my job. And I prefer to do it uninterrupted. So if your Chi is upset by all the commotion, please provide a comfortable, safe and noise-free place for them to hide.
Check out “Halloween Safety for Dogs” for some great advice from About.com.
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There's always time for a nap.
People Sometimes Have to Work
Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to spend 24 hours a day with your dog. People tend to have to work during the day in order to support their dog’s many needs. People also do errands and go out for entertainment purposes without their canine companions. Shocking, I know.
In truth, we dogs occasionally like having a little time to ourselves. It gives us a chance to catch up on naps and play with our toys without constantly having to entertain our human caretakers.
Do You Suffer from Separation Anxiety?
I know my daddy has separation anxiety when he has to leave me alone. We’re both lucky in that he works at home and so he almost never leaves. Help.
Actually I do like having him there. But I save my energy for when my other daddy comes home from work. Then I have three or four hours of fetch to contend with.
Even Chihuahuas Need Some Alone Time
Most dogs get to nap all day long. I have to go on three long walks every day. I show my displeasure by dragging my little feet. I secretly smile when I see my daddy’s frustration with me. Occasionally he’ll pick me up for part of the walk.
But hey, I don’t put a harness on him and pull him from a comfy bed to go out and walk. They made indoor piddle pads for a reason.
Alleviate Boredom for Your Lonely Chihuahua
If you do have to leave your little dog at home alone, make sure they have plenty of toys and chewies to play with so they are not bored. Keep the TV remote accessible (kidding). Don’t forget water. A few snacks would be nice too.
If your dog is anxious and destructive or barks continually, you may want to invest in a dog walker to help with the boredom. You could take your Chihuahua to day care, but I for one would hate that. I prefer my home environment.
For additional helpful information read Reducing Separation Anxiety in Your Chihuahua from Dummies.com
I worked hard to earn this nap.
Chihuahuas are, like most dogs, fond of taking many naps throughout the day. We learn early on that naps are fun and an enjoyable way to spend a day.
We sleep up to 18 hours a day so we’re pretty good at it.
In between naps, of course, we must work hard. I usually spend my days guarding, entertaining, exercising, supervising and protecting my daddies. Without me they would be lost.
I decided to list some of my favorite places to sleep and/or nap. They’re actually the same thing except naps are shorter. I am always on the alert though. My work is never done.
- In my office daybed. It’s pink and has a pretty daisy on it. A blankie is always on top.
- In my living room bed. Bigger than my pink bed with a nice blankie tent. A great place to hide.
- Anyplace there is sunlight. We Chihuahuas love to sunbathe and look for that special spot.
- On a pillow.
- On the sofa.
- On the carpet.
- On one of my daddy’s lap.
- In my daddies’ bed.
- In my own bed next to daddy. It’s the same as my office daybed. I think they move it back and forth.
- Anyplace under a blankie.
Check out more information about a Chihuahua’s temperament at YourPurebredPuppy.com.
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I'm ready to play, after my nap.
I enjoy sleeping. It’s fun, relaxing and gives me energy to play with my Daddies all evening long. I have many places to sleep so I can pick and choose the best options. There’s my regular, sturdy bed next to the living room floor heater that’s ideal in winter. It has two blankies over the top of the bed so I can easily run under the covers if ever I need a quick nap and wish to hide.
I also have a portable bed that is next to my daddy in his office where he works during the day. It has a little pillow and a comfy blankie. This is the same bed that magically appears beside my daddies bed at night. I prefer to sleep in my own bed at night because I don’t want to be disturbed by my daddies. Also, their bed is so high I might hurt myself if I decide to jump off and use the restroom (piddle pads).
Generally a Chihuahua sleeps 12 – 14 hours a day. Some sleep up to 18 hours a day. There’s light sleep and there’s REM (Rapid Eye Movement) deep sleep. We wake often to make sure our environment is kept safe and secure.
I would sleep longer during the day but my daddy wakes me for several long walks. I don’t believe in exercise but my daddy does. What can you do.
Here’s more information on the Behavior and Temperament of Chihuahuas from PetChiDog.
This has happened a few times. Everything is fine, I’m playing, acting my normal, cheerful self. Then it suddenly strikes. I freak and start running around the room with my tail between my legs. I have that scared look in my eyes. My ears are down. Then comes the shivers.
Just last night I was having a good time. I had a nice walk. Ate my dinner and was playing catch with my stuffed racoon and my two daddies. When I tore the foot partly off my racoon my daddy took it away before I had a chance to eat the tempting stuffing. I waited patiently while my daddy sewed my racoon’s foot back on and we played some more. Both daddies were on the floor so I had all the attention I could want. Except for that distracting television on the wall, of course.
I even enjoyed a crumb or two that fell on the floor from a cookie. Then I freaked. Eventually I ended up on my daddy’s lap under a blankie, shivering. This is so not like me. Usually nighttime is play time until I wear my daddies out.
From there I went to my other daddy on the couch and perched myself on his neck while leaning against the sofa back. I could not find a good place to rest. I did not want any snacks. I ignored the chex-mix my daddy was eating and eventually ran into my bed and hid under my blankies. In the middle of the night I went into the bedroom and hid under the blankies in my other bed.
Come morning I was back to normal as if nothing had happened. There was no barfing, no diarrhea, no loud noises, no earthquake, no explanation. I did get lots of worried attention, though. Not much helpful info online.
Has this ever happened to you, or your Chihuahua?
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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.
Please leave me alone.
Chihuahuas, like most dogs and people too, sometimes get upset stomachs. You can tell when we vomit all over the floor, sofa and even in our beds. Sometimes we give you a warning with a heaving, yucky sound. That’s your chance to move us gently to a better spot or grab a paper towel or two.
Most likely your little Chi ate something “bad”. A few nights ago one of my daddies tossed a foam pillow on the floor and left it there. Of course I had to inspect it with my mouth. By the time I was discovered by my other daddy I had chewed up a nice little hole in the pillow. He tried to get the pieces from me but I showed him. I ate them. Yumm. Except a few hours later I got the shivers. Then I proceeded to hurl my dinner, lunch and breakfast at once. After decorating the carpet in several places I took to my sickbed and hid under the covers until the shivering went away. I was not hungry that night.
The best thing to do is leave your little dog alone if that’s what they want. They need time to recuperate. Make sure they are warm and comfortable. Keep a watchful eye out for any signs of serious distress.
The next day I was back to normal and ate as usual. But you may want to consult your vet as to what to feed your Chi with an upset tummy. You may want to try boiled ground beef, turkey or chicken mixed with plain white rice with a little extra water to prevent dehydration.
You can find lots of advice and remedies online for Chihuahuas who have upset stomachs, like Chihuahua Vomiting (ugh) from Caring For Chihuahuas. You can also find great info on “Homecare for the Vomiting Dog” from PetPlace.com.
Again, if your little Chi is up-chucking all over the place all day long you should consult your vet immediately.
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Sniffing is serious business.
Do you feel like your dog is an anchor when you take them on a walk? Just think how you would feel if someone put a collar around your neck and dragged you outside. Sometimes we really want to go out and sometimes a nice warm bed seems much nicer.
Once we are outside we do enjoy sniffing stuff. And occasionally we feel the urge to taste and/or eat stuff. Some of this stuff may not be appealing to you but that’s because you’re uninformed of the quality, texture, taste and most importantly smell of the stuff.
“The percentage of the dog’s brain that is devoted to analyzing smells is actually 40 times larger than that of a human! It’s been estimated that dogs can identify smells somewhere between 1,000 to 10,000 times better than nasally challenged humans can.” Read more at Understanding a Dog’s Sense of Smell from Dummies.com.
In addition, “…a dog has a phenomenal olfactory memory. A dog can remember smells long after being exposed to the original odor. Not only can your dog recognize that a certain neighborhood cat passed by the day before, he can even tell what that cat had for dinner!” Read more at Dog Sense of Smell from Dog.com.
Thus, when you take us dogs for a walk you may be thinking a bathroom walk or an exercise walk. But we’re thinking this is serious business. We must sniff and catalog everything we pass. And then store it in our brains for later retrieval. Think of your dog as a living computer. Treat your iDog with respect and don’t pull us when we’re working.
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Here's my traveling home.
Last Friday my daddy got into a car accident on the freeway. It was very, very scary and the poor car has a big boo-boo. Lucky for me, this time my daddies left me at home. They were on their way to the theater (HMS Pinafore) and I was not invited.
This leads to the subject of dog safety in cars. It is highly recommended to have your dog harnessed in some way, either with a carrier or some doggie seat. This is to prevent your pooch from flying through the air in the event of an accident. My daddy’s last Chihuahua, Tasha, used to lay in his lap while he drove. Had he had an accident like this one she could have been crushed against the steering wheel. Yikes. And let’s not forget those deadly airbags.
I have my own little carrier, strapped in the middle of the back seat with a seat belt harness. It’s like my home away from home. Whenever I travel, I go right inside. It’s zipped up and quite comfy. Plush floor, see-through sides and top. And a mini blankie too. I can curl up and sleep or keep an eye on my daddy’s driving. Had I been in the car during this accident I would have been perfectly safe.
For more information check out Car Safety for Dogs by Sandra Ferguson from Pet Peoples Place. Also Road Trip Safety for Dogs from ConsumerReports.org
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