Varla in Philly

Varla in Germany

2011-02-23T17:36:00.000-08:00

Varla and New Hampshire Snow

2008-01-03T04:35:00.000-08:00

Exhausted during the Dog Days of Summer

2007-08-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

2007-08-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Toy Destruction is Exhausting

2007-06-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

Butterflies

2007-06-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

I found an exciting new way to drive my owners crazy today! I just sit down by the door and cry like I have to go potty really bad and they take me outside to chase butterflies! If I do it three or four times an hour, they get the strangest looks on their faces.

Here I am practicing my "take me out to pee" look:

I also managed to sneak up on top of the big soft cushion my owners stay on at night. I can see why they stay up there, it's very snuggly.

I think I'll also need to train them to leave the computer alone more often. More and more I'm being neglected as they pay attention to something on the computer other than me! You would think the least they could do is help me update my website more often, but no!

Favorite Sleeping Locations

2007-05-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

Is Your Shag Carpet .... Breathing?

2007-05-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

Before the stripping (see http://www.norfolkterrierclub.co.uk/coatcare.htm):

and after:

Recently Interred in the Graveyard of Varla-ed Toys

2007-04-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

More astute readers will recognize yellow bear as one of my first babies, from when I moved to Philadelphia almost 5 months ago. So, everybody's arms and legs seem to be detachable these days!
Lots of good fluff to play with!
Well, I'm now officially a big girl, as in, they said I can't go out and play with boy dogs for a while!

Spring Is Here!

2007-03-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

12 pounds of Varla

2007-03-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

Well, the owner flew away to Japan again, but I got a grandma visit and grandma made me this swell knitty thing to cover my poof bed. I love grandma, and I love the knitty thing. I overheard my owner telling grandma on the phone to start knitting another knitty thing, 'cause this one is starting to show my unknitting skills.

I get to help the owners surf the internet and play computer games. My name is exactly the same as some dwarf mage on WoW! (I'm cuter!) I think the computer is kind of boring.

Treats are an issue here - as in, not enough! I got this bag of treats from the nice people across the street - they own the cute, but barky, black and white dog and they clean the owner's suits.

Strange Visitors

2007-02-22T19:05:00.000-08:00

Headquarters warned me strangers might be visiting my territory. I was warned to keep a keen eye out for spies eager to steal my secrets.

I was not at all surprised when visitors showed up a short while later. Of course I adopted a pleasant and friendly demeanor to allay suspicion.

I discretely observed all the new visitors. I immediately recognized Mr. Plod and Stumpy as spies. Mr. Plod appeared susceptible to my feminine whiles, so I invited him up to my budoir.

After a passionate encounter, evidenced by the disarrayed state of Mr. Plod's clothing (I managed to arrange for several pictures), he confessed his true purpose. He had been sent here to uncover the secrets of the magic toilet paper roll, but his love for me was too great. He could no longer suffer to deceive me.

Of course, having uncovered his original motive, I discarded him and turned my attention to Stumpy.

Discerning Stumpy's motives required a different approach, but after removing several of his appendages, he was willing to talk.

Mmmmmmm ... Stumpy feet!

Mr Bunny

2007-02-15T16:50:00.000-08:00

A few new neighbors have made their way into my domain:

I've been watching them warily from a distance.

It's probably a good thing, as some of my current "playmates" have been getting a bit ragged. I'll have to spend some time lulling these newcomers into a false sense of security before ... well, you know.

Return to the Graveyard of Varla-ed Toys

2007-02-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

Victim #7

It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of Bandit 2

who apparently never saw it coming ...

Victim #8
and Moo Moo:

The people who live in my house had mentioned how good something called beef tastes, but it was only recently I discovered beef comes from cows. Of course, since I had easy access to a cow, I just had to try it out:

The little white fluffy pieces of beef are fun to play with, but so far I'm not really certain I would agree they taste that great. Maybe its an acquired taste?

Soccer Star

2007-02-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

I feel very sorry for the less talented dogs out there. I recently discovered my athletic talents. Watch my fancy footwork as I practice my soccer moves:

Some LA team called me a few weeks back offering me a position on their team, but i had to turn them down and they were forced to go with their second choice instead.

The Return of the Poof

2007-01-31T16:55:00.000-08:00

Catarina fixed my poof!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ... snort, snort. Cough ... oh! Sorry! I was just resting my eyes.

I also got a cupcake from the nice girl at the corner store!

Here I am examining the cupcake with a discerning eye. Hmmmm ... it must be one of those upside down cupcakes.

Maybe I'll just take a little taste.

Ooooooooh! It's just soooo good! It even makes the floor taste good!

Frisket and Sailor

2007-01-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

Frisket of Hicks St and Sailor of Hicks came to visit this weekend. Varla had fun climbing all over Frisket, as can be seen in a great video on Frisket's site.

New Animals in the Neighborhood

2007-01-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

There have been many new developments in the neighborhood. First, Caterina (one of my favorite people) fixed my poof. My owners have threatened to take it away if I eat it againt, but for the moment, I'm enjoying it

Bandit's twin brothers also arrived in town. Apparently they heard he had been "roughed up". Bandit has been sent off to rehabilitation, perhaps never to return. However his brothers have taken over. They may need to be put in their place.

I have a hard time believing they're twins, tho. They don't really look that alike, do you think?

At the same time, a boat load of other strangers have moseyed into town:

there's Moo Moo:

and Hoggy:

and Monkey ... well, because he's a Monkey - duh!:

Memories of the Pink Slipper

2007-01-11T14:19:00.001-08:00

Escape Tunnel

2007-01-09T15:21:00.000-08:00

Well, the owners caught me trying to dig an escape tunnel out of the bottom of my crate.
Rough past few days. First, on Sunday one of them went to a parents-teacher meeting for something called puppy obediance classes. I had assumed they would start obeying my wishes in a more responsive manner - well, I've got a sore butt from this whole new "sit" routine they have me doing for treats! They're also trying to get me to acknowledge when they call me.

If that wasn't bad enough, they took me to that nice vet again yesterday. I got stuck with some needle - AGAIN! Then I got something for mortadella sprayed up my nose - I don't get the connection between Italian deli meats and coughing. The owners said I'm getting to be a big girl - I now weigh 8 lbs and 6 ounces. What does buddha belly mean?

Pretty?

2006-12-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

The owners thought I was getting kind of stinky, so I went to the corner pet store groomer to get cleaned up. It was okay but I didn't like getting my nails trimmed.
The bow was not my idea.
I smelled all baby-powdery for two days, but hopped into the shower the other morning to get my original wet-dog scent back.

Bandit

2006-12-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

Grandma sent me this swell racoon, Bandit, for Christmas. Thanks, Grandma!
May I have another Bandit? I'm not sure what happened, but this one lost his nose.

Graveyard of Varla-ed Toys

2006-12-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

Victim #5
Bandit only recently immigrated into this household, as part of the gnome's "underground railroad". HQ notified me immediately of his presence and I was ordered to eliminate him as quickly as possible.

Victim #6
Pinkie, aka the "Sandal" had been living in the area for some time making a living as an informant. I had leaned on Pinkie, myself, a number of times to get him to squeak about the doings of my various rivals. Alas, Pinkie had squeaked one too many times and clearly needed to be taught a lesson.

I am really not happy about this

2006-12-30T10:45:00.000-08:00

2006-12-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

It was late at night when I heard it. A strange click-clacking sound and a thump coming from the roof. I checked to make certain my owners were sleeping soundly before sneaking out of my Sherpa and heading to the main room of the house.

As I made my way to the living room, the click clacking continued, but was now accompanied by what sounded like heavy footsteps making their way in the same direction I was headed. The footsteps were moving faster than me, however, and by the time i reached the stairs they had faded off towards my destination.

The living room was bathed in the bluish-white glow from the big tree my owners had brought in a couple weeks ago and there, just under the tree, I could discern the movement of something small and quick.

I stealthily made my way around the couch to get a better look. The creature appeared to be a small gnome in a red suit with a matching hat. He had a bright red nose and a white beard and mustache and appeared to be messing with some boxes under the tree. While he worked, he mumbled a strange silly song ... something along the lines: "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, i'm telling you why".

Of course, as protector of this household I couldn't leave this interloper alone.

\

My new bed

2006-12-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

Big day. I got to go for walks outside today! I met a spaniel on the corner - she was afraid of me. And, that dachshund was cute.

They took me to the pet store and I picked out a new bed - it's very comfortable and I took naps all afternoon. (But, I still miss my Grandma.)

Uncle Alex

2006-12-16T15:08:00.000-08:00

Uncle Alex came over to visit the other day. Very quietly, so the owners couldn't hear - he told me of the secret plan to help me escape with him and Katerina. I'll keep you updated.

Grandma

2006-12-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

One of the owners went to Tennessee this week and Grandma came to visit and to help take care of me. Grandma brought me some new toy balls; they squeek.
Grandma held me - it was nice to take naps in Grandma's lap.
I got to walk Grandma to the car and go with her to the airport - I cried all the way home because I missed her. But, then I got to walk to the pet store and got the owners feeling guilty and scored some new stuff (see above).

Loft conversion

2006-12-08T14:29:00.000-08:00

Lots of news to bring you up to date. I've converted the Sherpa carrying case/bedroom by adding a deck to the roof - nice. [click my picture for a close-up]

The owners keep taking me to the vet. I like the techs and the doctors, but...
Let's just say that my temperature was normal, but the technique was disturbing.
And, today, the nice doctor is talking about how pretty I am, and then stabs me with a needle!

Good news, the doctor says I can go outside in a week and meet some other dogs!

I'm up to 6 lbs 2 ozs - I heard one of the owners refer to me as a heifer - I sure hope that means something pretty.

One of the owners tries to leave me every day for someplace called work - I've learned how to untie his shoes to keep him here.
He says he's going out of town next week - we'll see. But, I heard that my grandma is coming to visit from Florida - I'm going to be so spoiled!

Secret Agent VJ - Objective TP

2006-12-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

Secret Agent Varla Jean reporting.

I received my first instructions this morning. Unfortunately, HQ could not tell me the location of my target. Instead, they directed me to the next-door neighbor, Uncle Andy, who they believed held its secret.

I used my feminine wiles to lull Uncle Andy into a false sense of security and then, when he wasn't looking, rifled through his coat seeking the secret documents he possessed.

The ruse was successful and I was able to discover the location of my target.

I had to exercise caution, as the homeowners had erected barriers to prevent my access beyond the kitchen. While they weren't paying attention I was able to steal away to the half bathroom off the living room.

Imagine my excitement as I discovered my long sought after goal ... the magic roll of top secret paper. I quickly grabbed a sample and fled to a hiding spot under the couch, using the radio transmitter secreted in my green chew toy to contact headquarters. Unfortunately, I was discovered.

I fled quickly to the kitchen, but was cornered by one of the homeowners, so I called upon my masterful judo skills and launched into a flying kick to enable my escape.

Uh ... I meant to do that. Really, that's not me lying flopped on the ground, that's the finishing stance for my Four Winds of the Flying Squirrel master technique. I'm perfectly comfortable. In fact, I think I'll just stay here like this a while.

Hah hah hah! That's a good one!

2006-11-28T18:18:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Bliss

2006-11-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

Aunt Peggy

2006-11-23T04:02:00.000-08:00

This is the nice lady who lives on the third floor - I am so good at bounding up the stairs. Aunt Peggy brought me chewies and is great for kisses - I love Aunt Peggy.

Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T03:43:00.000-08:00

It's my first Thanksgiving. This is me resting with the little daddy before the aunts, uncle, cousins, and friends begin to show up. I'm having kibble; they will be having pork roast and a turkey.
I'm grateful to have such a nice warm house and such nice people taking care of me.

Varla Attacks!

2006-11-21T17:44:00.000-08:00

For Crash's Mommy

2006-11-17T13:32:00.000-08:00

Crash (a.k.a. Mia) lives with a friend of one of my owners. She wanted a pretty face photo of me.

Sleepy in Philadelphia

2006-11-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Don't I look peaceful? Uncle Andy brought over Petee's (remember the English Bulldog next door whom I've mentioned before?) old crate.

This is a photo right before they slammed the crate door shut and made me a prisoner. Nice selection of toys, huh?

It's been an interesting week. I showed one of the owners that I'm creative at finding wee places - especially if I'm being ignored. I think I wore him out; he went to New York - I don't know where New York is yet.

I've also learned to climb the back stairs. And, the yard has a great selection of edible leaves, twigs, and stuff.

The food's okay. I'm a bit fussy and insist that the owners stay right next to me while I eat.

They think I have separation anxiety - I'm nine weeks old - I don't know what that means. But, I don't like it when they leave me alone.

I did go to the new vet in Philadelphia today. That was fun; the whole office said that I was the cutest dog they'd ever seen, and the vet fell in love with me. I got a clean bill of health, and I now weigh 4 lbs 11 ounces.

If I sleep under the edge of the desk, I can keep an eye on the owners while they work.

transitions

2006-11-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

Last week I was a cowgirl in Montana. This week Uncles Andy and Joe, Petee's owners from next door, decided I should be a princess instead and brought me this lovely collar. I think I'm going to stay in Philadelphia; everyone is so nice to me.
Petee's an English Bulldog - we met through the door because I still need the rest of my shots - he seems nice and I think we'll be good friends.
I had a good day so far today. I've got a pretty good handle on this whole going outside thing. I learned how to climb the back stairs. And, the wee-wee pads that Uncle Andy got for me make swell toys and great places to nap - since I don't need them for the other thing.

Smile for the Camera

2006-11-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

First Day in Philadelphia

2006-11-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

After a very stressful day in airplanes and airports, I made it to my new home in Philadelphia. First order of duty was an exhaustive examination of the toys made available. I paid particular attention to testing this green and white rope thingy, subtly flavored with spearmint:

Early results indicate this may be a fun toy. I also enjoyed my sandal and the little yellow squeaky ball with feet (I'll show you this later).

Toy testing is exhausting work.

Oh! Ignore that last picture! I have no idea how that got in there. In fact, its probably a completely different puppy. After all, I must not give my new owners the impression I like my Sherpa carrying case - but, shhh, the patio of the Sherpa and my mom's blankie made for a nice nap.

After hours of dilligent effort putting my new toys through their paces, I was so tired I passed out from exhaustion on the kitchen floor. Much better.

I'm doing pretty well with the poops - there's a nice white table out in the garden, next to the pile of leaves. Peeps have been difficult. I have a keen fondness for the mat in the kitchen next to the backyard door, however, my new owners seem to disagree this is an appropriate location. Uncle Andy from next door brought over some wee-wee pads; they are fun to chew on and drag around the kitchen. My new owners got all excited when I used one for the intended purpose - go figure.

Cornucopia

2006-11-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

My new owners appear to have misguided notions about my appetite. Here is a picture of the food they purchased in anticipation of my arrival:

It is actually hard to see the big 20lb blue bag of food behind the four smaller 8lb bags and the various treat bags, but you can make out a corner of it on the left. I think it is also important to notice the disproportionately small number of toys on the far left of the picture.

I believe I can make my peace with the vast quantities of food, but I'm going to have some serious words with them about the shortage of toys and other things to chew! This will likely require suitable punishment. There are certain to be a few shoes carelessly left lying around ...

The day approaches

2006-11-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

The dreaded date is almost here ... on Friday I'll be packed up and shipped off to Philadelphia. I have been told my new owners are nice. I am reserving judgement until I get to meet them for myself.

Seven Weeks

2006-11-06T06:20:00.000-08:00

I was born on September 15th, 2006. In a matter of days I will be swept away from my comfortable home and relocated to Philadelphia. I don't really think about it too much. At the moment, there are far more pressing things that require my attention.