Crafting duo presents....

the simplest project EVER.

All you need is an old shirt. 

(Hee, yes, you saw it right, it's a A&F!)

As usual, I had to test the fabric before we can begin. 

Once again, I approve.

Curious about what the project is about? 

Pity the shirt didn't fit, else it would have looked great on me. 

And nope, it wasn't a shirt for me...

Hope you guessed it right, and yes, it's an upcycled dog collar!

All mummy did  was to use a pinking shears and cut the collar out. It took no more than a minute and the project was completed! I swear I could have done it if I had thumbs! Easy breezy...

Awesome isn't it?

Check out the handsome boy and his new collar!

 Loving it. 

Hee, I feel like a grown up wearing it! 

Mummy felt that the collar was a tad bit big for me while Daddy thought it was okay.

After all, the shirt collar is 15.5" but my neck is only 12"..oops, now you know my waistline too. 

*shy*

It does look a little better when it's tighter (the photo on the right). Unfortunately, mummy wasn't able to resize it. Well, partly because she was lazy. In addition, it would require alot of work and with her (LOW) crafting XP, there was no guarantee that it would succeed. 

Hm...certainly not worth the risk...

The truth is, I don't really care!

In fact, I like the collar big cos I could run comfortably in it.

Yet, another awesome project for the crafting duo!

Time to keep my eyes opened for smaller shirts for a better fitting collar though...

On a side note, pardon for the slow updates for the past couple of weeks (and probably for the next few months to come). My dearest mummy found an internship (after 3 years of housewife-ing) that is paying peanuts. But don't feel sorry for her just yet as she's loving it. 

Unfortunately for me, that means less attention and blogging. (BoooooOOOOooo... CUSS you, whoever invented jobs!) 

Nonetheless, there are some pretty good perks on the job! Hee, will reveal more as it comes! 

Meanwhile, bear with me please?

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Our little picnic...

We had a quickie picnic a couple of weekends ago. 

On the spur of the moment, mummy decided that we do a little picnic at West Coast Park, followed by some cycling. 

(The truth was... my stupid mummy overslept and missed my meal time. Hence, they had to pack my breakfast, brunch rather, along with them for the cycling trip.)

Presenting Sammy's little picnic box!

I was pretty excited about the picnic till I saw that it was nothing more than my regular food. 

What a wet blanket. 

But since I was starving, I ate it anyway.

My poor parents didn't have it any better. Since the picnic was really last minute, they decided to just grab a MacDonald's Takeout. 

Sad.

(I am normally VERY fond of Macs for it's yummy nuggets. Too bad for me, breakfast is served till noon so no nuggies for me. Sigh~)

I finished my brunch earlier than the rest and could not be bothered to sit around and chill. Hee, got into my Sammy little hunting mode and was scouting for squirrels.

Unfortunately, there wasn't ANY!!! (At least none I could see)

Boo~

Anyway, we set off for a nice bike ride around West Coast park before my parents let me stretch my little limbs at the dog run.

Another exhausting but fun afternoon.

I hug weekends.

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Because I love you...

and you promised to buy me treats when you get your pay soon.. 

Oh, plus you are paying for my next grooming session..

 Huh.. not happy enough?

Okay, take 2.

Better?

Anyway, HAPPY nth 21st BIRTHDAY!!!

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My new old bowls...

Mummy is a sucker for Flea Markets and would buy tons of trash cool things from there. She recently discovered the Public Garden Flea Market and happily dragged Godmummy along for a little shopping spree. Sadly, unlike the fleas in NYC, this clearly isn't dog friendly. Hence I've to trust mummy to buy things on my behalf.

She came back with a bagful of really weird things - a terrarium, one melted and disgusting mango sago tart (even I didn't want a bite) and two cute bowls for me (that I totally approve!).

Aren't they cool?

The two bowls were retro new and reminded mummy of her childhood! Plus, she thought that the two bowls would photograph the future goodies she's gonna make for me well.

She decided to get me used to the bowl by putting some treats in it. However, I was a little uncertain as the metal bowl was making some clinking sounds when it hit against the tiles when I touch it (the bottom of the bowl isn't completely flat).

I finally got used to it, after a lot of coaxing.

Once again, I approve!

Not too bad a purchase afterall!

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My disrupted swim..

I was happily rescuing my monkey one lovely sunday...

when a golden retriever came along and stole my job and my monkey!

Nooooooo....

I decided to be nice and tried to talk the goldie into returning me the drowning monkey.

But goldie simply ignored me and walked away!

Say what~~~

Despite my relentless ways, my effort was futile and the goldie monopolized the monkey for the rest of the swim...

 

I only managed to get it back when it was time for goldie to go home.

Sigh. 

Didn't realise it was that easy to lose my job... 

What an annoying day. 

While at least between me and mummy, one of us had some fun - some fun laughing at the whole situation. 

Terrible mummy.

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My demanding mummy...

Mummy fell in love with this homemade Modern Geomatric DogHouse.

(source: Home Made Modern)

Being the unreasonable person she always is, she decided to request this as her birthday present.

I accidentally chanced upon the email she sent daddy.

Demanding Mummy.  

Poor Daddy.

But again, who cares.. since I stand to benefit!

=D

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The Yellow Dog Project...

The Yellow Dog Project is indeed a clever initiative. 

While Mummy is quite good and pretty attentive when walking me (always asking for permission before allowing me to approach another dog ), there have been instances where dogs would appear from a blind corner, startling both of us. Thankfully, the neighborhood dogs are usually friendly and we would end up having some fun greeting each other. However, there have been a couple of instances where we would bump into an unfriendly dog and a little argument would break out. (Growling and barking). I'm generally friendly, but can be really feisty when I come head to head with an unfriendly dog. 

That being said, if the yellow dog project is adopted here, owners with dogs who need more space, will be able to warn other people (dog owners and people alike) about their dogs from a distance,  avoiding unnecessary confrontations and thus, protecting their own dogs and other dogs. 

Another win-win situation!

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Sam's haircut

Rumor has it that I'm going for a haircut...

Noooooooo..... 

Mummy always loved my shaggy and unkempt look. 

In fact, my look was exactly what convinced mummy to step into the traps of owning a crazy Jack Russell terror. Yes, she is that shallow. 

The truth is, how not to love? 

That being said, mummy did make the mistake of getting a groomer to shave my coat down in preparation for my first summer in NYC. When she came to pick me, she was convinced that she was given the wrong dog as I looked so different. She was a little heartbroken that she had ruined my cute shaggy look and I looked really unhappy too. 

Lucky for us, my coat grew back gradually. (Phew~)

Well... I really ain't too pleased to recall my 'botak' (hairless) days. Thank goodness it's over.

-_-

Since then, besides getting my eyes hairs and hygiene areas (my cute butt and little weewee) trimmed by groomers, I had not gotten any other haircuts and I kinda liked it that way. 

Until we moved to the little red dot...

Mummy was initially very resistant to getting me a haircut as my coat is generally weather resistant and should be good even in a climate like Singapore. 

However, after endless nagging by Grandma (probably due to my endless shedding) and seeing how lethargic I was in dealing with the heat, she caved in and booked me an appointment with a groomer. 

Honestly, the real tipping point was when she was walking me one day and a little boy who walked past with his mother pointed at me and said I looked like an old man because of my shagginess.

-_-"

Anyway, under Godmummy's recommendation, mummy decided to visit Happy Pets Grooming Salon for my groom. 

Coincidentally, the groomer is called Lulu, which also happens to be mummy's nickname among her friends. Guess that gave mummy a cordial feeling and some assurance too.

Daddy and Mummy accompanied me there on my first visit.

Here's some BEFORE shots.

 

A good hour later....

TADAH~

Mummy learnt her lesson and asked for my coat to be lightly trimmed as opposed to shave so as to prevent me from getting sunburnt and looking like crap again. She also requested that my 'mane' be kept, so that I would still look suave. What a vast difference it made! I certainly looked neater and younger (Bring it on little boy.. whereever you are... grrrr)...

Besides, Auntie Lulu was really patient with me and despite my initial whining and struggles (when mummy first left), I took to her quickly and became a good little dog (kinda). Well, the treats did help too... shhhh... The groom is really affordable and she even offers pick-up and drop-off services. Awesome isn't it?

How do I look? Not bad?

 I wasn't very convinced initially. 

So, mummy engaged me in a game of fetch.

And boy, did it feel different! I was able to run faster (with less baggage) and I really didn't feel as warm as I used to.

Yap, now I'm way happy!

 In addition, everyone I met, after my haircut, was full of praise of how good I looked!

Hee, maybe getting a haircut isn't too bad afterall. 

To save some $$ while ensuring that I stay cool, I'll be getting a haircut once every two months. 

Kinda looking forward to my next groom!

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Leftovers...

One of my favorite things about mummy's made with love sessions is the leftover ingredients! To reduce wastage (and to indulge me a little), I am usually given the leftovers.

The leftovers from the chicken pops was none other than... YUMMY yoghurt!

Sounds unhealthy doesn't it?

But the truth is... plain yoghurt is actually good for us. The active bacteria, acidophilus, acts as probiotics and keeps the good bacteria our intestines in check (knocking out the bad bacteria). Thus, aiding our digestion! 

Yummy healthy food.

What a Win-win situation... 

The yoghurt was seriously lip-smacking good.

Each time mummy removed the yoghurt out of my licking range, I would continue to lick my face and nose clean.

Hence, mummy was extremely fascinated with the number of different expressions I can make while licking my face clean. 

Also, check out my yoghurt-coated goatee.

Pity good things always finish way too quickly.

I want more...

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Made with Love...Frozen Chicken Pops!

After residing in the little red dot for the past 3.5months, I think I'm doing relatively well. I've mastered my singlish, made a pawful of doggy friends and visited a good number of dog friendly places. While I'm beginning to consider myself Singaporean, the only one thing that constantly bugs me (and I just cannot get over it) is...the weather. 

Yes, the horrid warm warm WARM weather. 

Summers in NYC, while warm (perhaps even warmer) were bearable as the humidity was low. Besides, summers last no more than three to four months. Before we even knew it, it was over. Unfortunately for me, both me and the heat are here to stay (Noooooooooo~) and I've to learn to cope with it. 

My solution? 

I lie around the house like a dead dog. 

Sad huh?

Mummy was browsing through the "You bake 'em dog biscuits cookbook" when she suddenly got excited. 

I dragged myself out of my bed to check out what's causing her excitement.

She showed me a recipe she chanced upon and thought that it would be a brilliant solution for beating the heat... FROZEN CHICKEN POPs (p. 66)!

I took a quick glance of the recipe and guess what, it's unbelievably easy to make. 

I certainly could make them myself (kinda)!

There are just two ingredients required - chicken broth and plain low-fat yoghurt! 

Ice cube trays are also required to make the pops.

Mummy and Daddy found two sets of adorable Wiltshire chocolate & cake silicone moulds from Giant (Vivocity). One of which is the mould of retro robots and the other is the mould of zoo buddies. 

Too cute and super appropriate for a little boy like me!

All we had to do was to mix the broth and the yoghurt together. 

Easy breezy!

Once done, we poured the mixture into the silicon moulds and carefully placed them in the freezer.

To ensure that the pops was frozen solid, mummy left them overnight. (4-5 hours should suffice actually) 

Looking good~

Mummy popped all the pops out on the tray and was pleased that all the pops formed perfectly. 

I personally preferred the retro robots (partly because they were bigger in size .. more to eat!) as they looked really cool!

To prevent them for melting, mummy quickly transferred them to a container and back in the freezer they went.

I was sizing the pops up while waiting for the 'GO' signal.

All hyped and excited to start licking tasting!

 Here goes....

 Oh mine...

 The pop was so delicious that I couldn't stop smacking my lips after licking the bowl clean!

The contrast of the sweetness from the yoghurt with the aroma of chicken from the chicken broth was rather interesting. While the yoghurt was the dominant taste, the little burst of chicken was a nice surprise and gave the pops a pleasant aftertaste. Most importantly, licking the frozen pops cooled me down instantly and I could barely remember the heat! 

Oh oh.. I swore I even got a couple of brain freeze moments!!!

Sadly, for the sake of my already-diminishing waistline, I had to stop after three awesome pops. 

Sigh~

On a good note, I am no longer dreading the hot long days for I know, when the heat comes, the pop comes. 

Woohoo~ Bring on the heat!

Mummy's note: Yes, I tried this as well. I honestly did not enjoy the taste of the chicken broth with the yoghurt at all. It was just..weird. I would certainly skip the broth if I'm in mood to make some pops for humans. But that being said, Sam seemed to really love the taste of the frozen chicken pops... so whatever he says, goes.. 

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