The Party's Over....

Now I know how little Cindy Lu felt when the Grinch stole Christmas!  The tree is soooo bare and I keep looking for more presents!   Of course, the Grinch didn't steel all my presents....ummmm....I ate them!

Now my tummy hurts and Dr. Rob says I must be on a very bland diet for a while.  BUMMER...but I get to eat slippery elm (oh yeah, can't fool me...Daddy tells me it's ALL the rage down under but we Princesses know better!)..... I want me kibbles! and Treats!  Where's my gourmet duck boob that Daddy always gives me to get in my crate at night?  Oh WHAT'S a Princess to do!!!???

I must say, if I do say so myself, that I was MAR-VAH-LUS with this tree thing....I didn't eat ONE ornament (yet!).  NO fences for THIS girl.....I would MUCH rather eat those slippahs that everyone wears here.....

Oh well, wishing ALL my fans a very Happy New Year....especially my Aussie family and friends.   Thanks to Aussie Mum and Dr. Rob for being there....always.  Hugs....

When the Tough Get Dirty, the Tough go....

....Swimming!  Yes, my friends I have my own pool!  Don't you just love the decoration...hand painted by tiny Chinese workers too!  (okay I made that last part up!).    Daddy puts me in here sometimes when I get dirty.  I had just found a wonderful mud puddle. Can you tell??

The only challenge is that after a while, I feel VERY VERY heavy and carrying a huge wool rug on my back is so tiring.....but it's OOOOOHHHHHH so worth it!

P.S.  See I'm NOT so big....but I am up to 52 pounds!!!

What the (*&^!!???

Please excuse my language in the above title...but WE are NOT amused!!!   Okay, I am a PRINCESS.....that has been firmly established.  I am NOT some run-of-the-mill trollop half-breed bitch from the Outback.   So WHAT is Daddy thinking?  He kept saying that Aussie Mom approved it.   So NOW I'm supposed to wear THIS appendage on my coiffure?!  Sorry, dear fans---I'm NOT buying that this is supposed to be some sort of crown....I would've been ecstatic if it was rhinestones at a minimum, diamonds preferably.  But THIS?!   Come on' Daddy...where's the love????

A Humble Mahalo!

Today dear friends is what we call "Thanksgiving."  I know that my Aussie roots don't know this holiday although my Aussie family does celebrate.  Go Colts!!  But I've learned that it is a day that Daddy stays home, my brother and sister have no school, and there are LOTS of great smells in the house.  And everyone is saying "Thank you" a lot...

So.....to get into the groove, even a Princess like moi can be thankful for lots of things in my young life.  I'm six months old now by the way and I am STILL waiting for presents (but I digress)....

I am most thankful that my Daddy found my wonderful Aussie Mom almost a year ago.  From their first cell phone call when Aussie Mom was coming back from a rowing tournament, they have remained in constant contact and I know they were together across the ocean every step of the way from my conception, birth, first 8 weeks of life (Thank you Sam for not sitting on me!), to my horrendous trip across the ocean in that noisy tin box, to finally being in Daddy's arms.  Daddy still is in contact with her almost every day.  Thanks, Aussie Mom, for telling Daddy NOT to hand feed me anymore....but I forgive you.   Seriously, what Princess could've asked for a better beginning!?

I am thankful that Aussie Mom is somehow connected to Dr. Rob (they sure seem awfully friendly???) who knows sooooooooo much about us four-legged Princesses!  What a true gift to be connected to him...what a find?!  I know I'm so healthy because Aussie Mom and Dr. Rob are in cahoots.....

I am thankful that my brother Dig B landed in an awesome home (Aussie Mom sure does pick 'em huh?) where he gets to get dirty every, single day! And run after sheep and everything!

I am thankful for my wonderful family....Daddy, Papa, Sophie and Eli treat me quite well thank you.  Some people say I am spoiled rotten---don't know if it's the three water beds, the gourmet food, the 15 different types of treats, the expensive hair dryer, or my fabulous new daytime dog suite? But I say "let them eat cake!"  I love the ocean, the breeze that blows through my house, riding in Daddy's truck, and playing, playing, playing.

But most of all I'm just thankful that I just AM....I'm allowed to be my best, play, run, lob, and just BE....I'm most humbled.  And for a Princess THAT says a lot...

And now it's my turn to say "Happy Thanksgiving!" to all my friends and fans....

Me and my Throne....

Finally!   I finally received my throne...being a Hawaiian Princess, I expected no less.  It just took Daddy a while to "allow" me (read: GIVE IN) to me being adorable and sitting in this marvelous chair.....As Goldilocks says,....."It's JUUUUST right!"  (And it's even (okay, used to be) WHITE!!!!  Oh, and I did get a bath right after this....

Woe is Me!!! The Pain, the Pain....

Okay this last week was traumatic for me....not a good one.   Bottom line--I was sick.  And it was even more traumatic because Daddy was a WRECK!!!  Daddy thinks it was the swimming pool at the dog park or that yummy (he calls it disgusting) water feature in the pot by the front door which I do oh so love very much.  Whatever it was, I got some sort of bacterial infection and my tummy was--to put it mildly--not so good.  

We went to the vet....I was very happy to see them.  Don't know why considering that they performed my cosmetic surgery there, but then the excitement was just too much....Here I am waiting for Dr. to come in...

I was all pooped out.....literally and figuratively.   Daddy was beyond himself with worry and I got whatever I wanted.  I could only eat little bits of water and food. And Daddy had to stick his fingers down my throat and give me "pills."  NOT very Princess like if I do say so.    He called them canapes but I wasn't fooled...

Well within a day of the medicine I felt oh so much better, but I was seriously liking the pampering.  So between you and moi, I faked just a little.  After all, I am a Hawaiian Princess!  Daddy let me do whatever I wanted and was ESPECIALLY giddy once I had a solid "you know what."  I've never seen him so happy!

He was so happy I was feeling better, he didn't even blink when I went into a flower pot after a rain storm and ended up looking like.....

Notice my tiny paws...I'm particularly proud of them!  I was a mess and very happy.  Of course, Daddy bathed me promptly and now I look like this...

Frankly (and I'd never tell Daddy this because his feelings will be hurt)....I like the "before" better.  I know I smelled better.

P.S.  My beloved fish water pot now has wire across the top....Darn the irony!

Please Help Me! Daddy is Mean to Me....

I don't know why it's so difficult for Daddy to understand.....Since I'm a Princess, I deserve to sleep in the King-sized Bed!!!

I tried to talk with him....This where I want to sleep.  As you can see, it's quite a natural fit for a Princess like moi....

I even tried to be "Cute" which I don't like to revert to but it's oh, so effective usually....

 But he wouldn't budge....

Then I finally just played like I was asleep and couldn't hear him when he wanted me to move....

And then there was this pose.....oh so darling if I do say so myself!  (Notice the mood lighting!)

But no...Daddy gets me down after a few minutes of tubby rubs and hugs and kisses (which I do love).  My Aussie Mum said Daddy would be in trouble if we weren't allowed on the bed.  So I'm telling the world...I AM NOT ALLOWED TO SLEEP ALL NIGHT IN THE BED!

How Many Princesses sleep on a Water Bed!

Here I am, exhausted after doing, doing, well, I ....okay I can't remember but I know it was very very important and I was very, very busy!

I must say I absolutely LOVE my water bed...it's a Cool Bed III.  Daddy fills it with water and it makes it very cool and I get to slosh all over it and it vfeels MARVELOUS......I have another one upstairs in my sleeping crate....that one has a sage green 100% linen sheet on.  This one is colored chocolate.  Don't you just LOVE the feel of linen against your skin, I mean fur?   I'm really very fortunate but I don't let Daddy know that.   I mean otherwise, HE'LL want to sleep on it!

20 weeks and Growing

Here I am in all my pre-bath, pre-brushing glory on a Saturday after a very tough soccer game!  I kept wanting to get in there and play but Daddy said it wasn't for me.  We lost I guess, but I was still happy...although I don't know who was more exhausted...me or Elijah.  It's TOUGH watching all those boys play...


Then I went to get weighed...and I now weigh 37.4 pounds!   Now Daddy says it's time for a bath and a brush....don't know why, everyone knows that stinky is the new Chanel!

Everybody Goin' Surfin' Kauai Surfin' Girl

Yesterday, Daddy said we were going to the "beach"....I thought, at first, that we were going to visit another girl dog, but then I remembered that he didn't speak with an accent.  So my interest was piqued because, you know, girls just gotta have fun!

I got to go in the truck which I love....I'm getting very good at driving:

That's me right by our post office waiting for Papa to get our fish express dinners for our adventure.  We got to the "beach" (and I'm still really in the dark about it but, hey, I get to ride with the family so who cares?!)....

We walked down a short path and....okay....It looked like a big bath tub...so I 'm thinking...no big deal.  Been there, done that.... BUT THEN....

Well, at first I must admit (only to you dear, dear fans) that I was bit scared...but then...those waves, the taste, the smell...I wanted to go for it.   And I did.  I was in heaven!

I could've barked all night, I could've barked all night, and still have begged for more.....Daddy told me that if I REALLY looked hard I could even see Australia!!   Yes I was heaven....and knew I had really found "home."

That's me with my Daddy....after my first real swim....

It's a Whole New World....

Oh my, oh my....I got to leave my yard today...and I had NO idea what was on the other side of the fence.  I'd seen things whizzing by and heard things as I peered through the bushes but thought they were just sounds and sites that were "out there."  I even saw many many runners as the Kauai Marathon ran right by our yard...I tried to get them to behave--running up and back to get them to listen but they just lept on going....

Oh, I digress....Today....well TODAY I was awakened!

Daddy put the bondage contraption on me....I'm kinda getting to like it...but don't ever think that I'll be into that sado-machistic stuff....I do NOT look good in black leather or latex!!! MY contraption is a lovely shade of blue with tiny white pawprints on it....I look amazingly stunning in it if I do say so myself.

Anyway, we went toward the gate, Daddy reached up and it.....opened and I could see lots of stuff....I had NO idea that that gate opened!  We crossed the street where the contraptions with rubber round things whiz by and it was all I could do not to collapse with the plethora of smells!

Cut grass, new grass, flowers, poop, more poop, dead frogs, dead god-knows-what, even MORE poop and best of all PUDDLES AND MUD everywhere!!! Bestill my beating heart... And dear readers--I even saw ANOTHER DOG!!!!  Not a very pretty one I might add--nothing like I saw in my Aussie digs---but still another creature like me....

It felt like I could go anywhere....well, I soon found out, anywhere that about 16 feet would allow me to go as then I had a rude awakening as I was jolted back.  But you get my point I'm sure.

Now I know how Princess Jasmine felt....because, of course, we Princesses do all think alike!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things.....NOT

Okay, dear fans and readers....Daddy keeps bringing out this toy that annoys me, fascinates me, tickles me, irritates me, and--frankly--drives me nuts!  He keeps running it over my body and saying "good girl, pretty girl, no biting" over and over.  He calls this device of sado-machist torture a BRUSH.   And what's worse....I can't eat it!! 


Here it is....

See the vicious teeth....the hard, cold plastic....Oh dear god--help me Aussie Mom....is there anything ever created that is more of a tease?!   And if that isn't bad enough....Daddy keeps saying "this is for your own good.  We're getting you ready for when we really have to brush you!"  All said with this happy, loving tone---do you SEE where I'm going with this?  Do you have any doubts now about my torture/pleasure?"  And then--hel-lo--"until we really have to brush you"--what does THAT mean!?


And then...he opens the BOX--yes THE Box--and shows me more brushes he has for me....here's one...

And another....

AND THEN.....THE TWINS!!!!.....

Oh Mother of great Nana-Dog (from "Peter Pan")....is this what beauty has come to???

Princess Matilda Diaries--How to Spend a Very Productive 90 Minutes

7:15 a.m.  Dear Diary...everyone left for work and school earlier than usual.  What's a girl to do?

7:16 a.m.  Playing with real bones on the lanai....what fun!  I never want to stop...I could do this ALL DAY!!

7:20 a.m. Okay, done with that.  I'm bored now.....  Next?

7:25 a.m. Ooh....there's still water in my bowl....

7:26 a.m.  Not any more...water gone...I'm wet.

7:30 a.m.  I'll take a nap...I could sleep for days....so very very tired.

7:45 a.m.  I'm done now.  What's a girl to do?

7:46 a.m.  See partition between between my part of the lanai and the part of the lanai with all the fun stuff...looks like chairs, a small house, a pot (water???)...  A princess such as "moi" could never get over that!!

8:01 a.m.  I'm over!  I'm in.....let the good times roll!

8:02 a.m.  I'm busy.....did my business in this brand new area!  They'll be so happy that I marked it.  Can't wait until Daddy finds it.....[Note to self:  Daddy did find my treasure...with his shoes....discovery of business in this manner not so exciting for humans.]

8:20 a.m   Still busy...the pot DID have water in it AND some dirt AND some plants. Oh joy!  Oh joy!

8:35 a.m.  Mission accomplished...that plant is toast and I'm thoroughly smelly and dirty.  Now how to get back to the other side so no one's the wiser....

8:45 a.m.  Stuck...can't get back....Okay, there's still more water....I'm back....

8:50 a.m. BUSTED....Papa came back from the gym and I think "We are not amused" is an understatement....

9:00 a.m. Daddy home from work...YEAH!!!  

9:01 a.m.  Daddy reinforcing my fence between the two parts of the lanai....now it's higher and I'll never get through....

9:20 a.m.  Daddy gives me a bath......

9:45 a.m.  Daddy puts me in my sleeping crate until he comes home at lunch....tells me he loves me very very much....

9:46 a.m.  Sleeping....catching my zzzzzzzzz's.......

Here's How Hawaiian Princesses Really Sleep....

FINALLY...my playing exhausts Daddy....It's so hard to get him to slow down...But isn't he just the cutest thing you ever saw??  That's my iddy widdy little human (okay not so iddy)...but you get the point...

I get so pooped keeping him occupied with running, fetching, chewing.  I mean, seriously, I keep bringing back my squeaky toy to him...and then, hello...he throws it again.  When do these humans slow down?

P.S. I now weigh a svelt 26 pounds!  That is just about twice my weight when I emigrated from Aussie-land.   A girl does have to watch her figure but I in my growth phase....That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

"Take Sominex Tonight and Sleep....Safe and Restful...Sleep, Sleep, Sleep"

No dear readers...this is not me....alas, it's my brother in Western Australia... Although I sleep in bathtubs and under BBQ grills, I've yet to find a nice cubby like this.  He is a handsome devil isn't he?  Can you see the family resemblance?  I wonder if this picture was taken right after his harrowing day eating something "unmentionable" which, according to his Mum made him "smell like a skunk"?  It required at least two baths!!  Can you imagine?  He must have smelled MAH-VAH-LUS!!  Simply MAH-VA-LUS!!

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head....

....and I can honestly say I LOVE it when those raindrops do....especially in this wonderful blue hole I discovered.  It's cool, moist, and the drips keep coming and coming....I discovered it when my sibs Sophie and Eli were taking a bath....I jumped in--didn't like that as much.   And I really don't like it when Daddy makes me take MY bath (you've heard about that before)....but I still just keep coming back because....well because....just look!!!  Who could resist???

Th

The other day I even discovered a little human in the tub!!! And she didn't move at all and she let me grab her leg and run around with her naked in my mouth.  (Didn't taste as good as the other humans though).  Then Sophie started screaming "Matilda's got my Barbie!"  Being the Aussie at heart that I am, I immediately thought "Silly Sophie, there is NO way I have a BBQ in my mouth!"  Then I realized she was talking about the little human in my mouth.  Well, now Barbie's  a paraplegic--whatever that is.....too bad, so sad.   But it was such fun while it lasted......

This is the "AFTER"...the "BEFORE" just wasn't a pretty picture

Well dear, dear readers....I found out that Daddy DEFINITELY does NOT like when I dig in the red dirt.  Okay, how was I to know???  There I was walking around the yard with my sister Sophie (she has two legs but is wonderful despite) and she let me go into the bushes and have some fun.  I just knew there was SOMETHING there...it smelled so good!  A combination of something dead, something else even deader and oh, did I mention something absolutely DEAD! After about 30 seconds, I heard Sophie screaming for Daddy.  I of course, being the quintessential Hawaiian Princess, thought, "oh Boy! Here comes the camera (again).  Daddy's going to come and be sooooo proud of me."  I know I look and smell MAH-VAH-LUS!!!  I had red dirt on every part of me that was white....I liked the effect.  Kind of like "punk rock meets diva."

Anyway "we are not amused" was an understatement based on Daddy's reaction.   And NO CAMERA!!  I immediately tried to run into the house so that I could jump on the furniture to rest or get back out back....and "hel-lo!???" that made Daddy's even more upset.

Bottom line---I took a bath, a very long bath.  So did Sophie....here's how I look afterwards.  Not sure what the big deal was but....Maybe he was just upset because he didn't have the camera???  Oh, I get it...I guess I'll have to be more tricky next time to allow more time so Daddy can go back and get the camera.

"By George She's Got it...She's Really Got it!"

Okay what is it about humans that make them do the silliest things?  First they make these ridiculously happy, squealing sounds when I do "shi shi" on the lawn....A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. So what's the big deal.  But I love teasing them, walking around and watch them begin to squeal with delight only to delay the inevitable....it's hilarious.

And THEN--I mean really...do they think they can dangle DELICIOUS treats in front of me and not expect me to do whatever to get them?    I mean who wouldn't "sit" for a salmon treat or a piece of REAL pork or REAL lamb?  All this Princess had to do was come and sit down for it. Then I got the treat.  Do they not know that, of course, sitting is a natural position for a Aussie-Hawaiian Princess such as Moi!  H-E-L-L-O, Princess. Throne. Sitting on the throne????

Daddy kept repeating it and repeating it.  And I'm like, Okay already I got it....Frankly, I'll even do it now without the treats.  But ooooooo I'll never tell them that.  Seriously--how much reptition do they think I need?   What do you take me for....a common mutt?  PUH-LEASE....I say them let them eat cake...I'll eat my all organic, natural, made in USA, all meat, no preservatives, no animal testing, no fake colors treat thank  you very much and will "sit" to your heart's content if that's what it takes and if that floats your boat.

Of course, now that the cat's out of the bag and they KNOW I'm smart--after all I learned this behavior when I was only at about 10 weeks!--they'll expect me to do EVERYTHING. Oh, the trials and tribulations of my world..... But I do enjoy the challenge of training humans into thinking that I am being trained...

Just what Don't they Understand about "Putting Another Steak on the Barbie"???? ...Sigh...

What if you gave a party and no one came?  I TRIED to get these Yanks to get the barbeque going but "oh no"...Maybe if just stay here long enough they'll get the hint???

We Herd 'em Big on Kauai

All I can say is herding is exhausting!  I know it's part of my culture, but running around chasing these big animals is very hard work for a little princess such as myself.  But my bra' Dig B in Western Australia kept bragging and boasting about the wonderful time so I thought "hey" I better walk the talk... I do see why it's such fun...but boy are these sheep DUMB...they kept going round and round in a  circle.  And the costumes!  At this rate, I'll have them in line within no time...

Okay, to be totally honest, this is usually my view of humans...so I may not get the whole picture.... But I think it's funny that Daddy and Papa have all these interesting thing to play and eat and taste and chew and yet they say "no" or "off" or make some obnoxious noise all the time to stop me... No to the frogs, no to the baby bird hopping in our yard OBVIOUSLY wanting to be tasted by moi, no to the chicken poop, no to the dead "I-don't-know-what-but-I-want-to-eat-its" I find all over the yard.  And no to that lovely fish pond at the front of the house AND the one in the middle of our living room....That's just for starters; I won't even go into the other goodies around the house that I want to play, sniff, or chew....including, one hint..."MEOW"... Sigh....Humans seem to be hung up on "stuff" and what is okay/not okay to touch.  Hmmm....

Sometimes A Long Soaking Bath is just what a Princess Needs!

And I climbed in here ALL by myself.....Relaxing, quiet....ahhhhh.....Now if I can JUST figure out how to turn the water on!

Okay....I give up....HELP DADDY!!!

I caught this HUGE rat in my yard!

What fun....this brown mouse or rat showed up in my yard and I got to catch it.  I tossed it, chewed it, ran after it.   And all it did was squeak, squeak, squeak.  It showed up in this brown paper box today from Auntie Alice but oh joy...it's all mine.  And the best part is that when I'm tired of playing with it, it just LAYS there!  It must know I'm a Princess and must be obeyed!!

THIS is the type of sheep a Hawaiian Princess herds on Kauai!

I just love the smell and taste of boiled wool after I'v gnawed it for a while....AND no animal activists coming after me. This wool is from Nepal and the money from it goes to an orphanage (which helps kids I'm told).  Yummmmy.... 


P.S. Daddy says it's from a place called www.acheerfulpet.com.    

Oh, is THIS what Catnip is like???

For some strange and amazing reason, I can't get enough of this plant!  I run, jump and hide in it...it makes me feel amazing, giddy, happy, and frisky.  Daddy says it must be like catnip....and my response is "HEL-LO...WHAT is that?!" But I don't care, if makes me feel like I can conquer the world....or at least I imagine I can... 


And THEN Grandpa put a fish bowl right next to it....FREE water...it's like the latest designer water.   Everything tastes oh so much better in Hawaii!

Mud, rain, gardens--the stuff of life

Today we traveled for a long time in the truck--not as far as that awful plane--but far none the less.  I got to sit on Eli and Sophie's lap; they always smell like food and dirt at the same time.  Yum!  


We went to a garden pond store up North island...very chi-chi....lots of stuff from Burma, Thailand, and oh who cares--there was MUD and puddles and it RAINED!!! I tried to catch the drops with my mouth; now that's a thankless job.  I was so exhausted I slept the whole way home. 


Then we got to dig and play in the garden at home--oh joy oh joy...now I'm just pooped out....

The Bachelorette is a commentary on U.S. Life

One of my latest discoveries is the TV!  I love the moving pictures--makes me think I'm always following someone in the paddock....they move so fast!  Thought the pix were just a set of meaningless images, but then I discovered "The Bachelorette"!   My heart still reverberates with the warmth of that show!  What a remarkable commentary on U.S. life!   Daddy says its very realistic and that true love can actually be found here...

This show is about a girl looking for true love among 25 or so suitors.   They are HOT for humans....  Daddy loves this show and I can see why.  This process seems so genuine and real, the girl is obviously of princess stock like me (although my blonde hair is oh so much more real!)....They make it look so glamorous and easy to find a mate.  Of course, in my life, I have NO clue about how a Princess like moi meets suitors.  I thought we just got stuck in the pen with someone?

Last week "The Bachelorette" participants were all over the country (U.S.) and I heard they went to Europe.  I hope they go to Australia--maybe the girl would like my Dr. Rob?  I enjoy the places they go and oh...the food...But humans just eat way too nicely for my taste.  Hey if a girl's gotta eat, just EAT.   Just open your mouth and chew!

Daddy and I sit and watch the show.  He comments all the time about the details and what he thinks will happen.   It's a bit a blur still for me....after all I don't know what a "date" is.  Silly me--I thought it was something you ate.   But I love the passion, the reality, and genuine emotions coming from the people.  Obviously people in my new country meet people all the time, take them on beautiful expensive dates, wear nice clothes, and then sleep together.  Sounds easy to me!

I wonder if Aussie bachelorettes would like to be on this show???

There is only ONE Pineapple Princess in MY Yard!!

Okay, yesterday I had my first "get off my land" moment!  I was just wandering around doing my own "business" when all of a sudden this horrible thing appeared.  I was scared and shocked.  WHAT was IT doing on MY turf!?  I, being the Hawaiian Princess that I am, was mor-ti-fied.  It had long spikey things coming out of its head which hurt when I tried to say hi (by biting of course!).  It was roundish and quite ugly.  Daddy said it was a "pineapple" but okay, so what?!  It still was trespassing so of course I had to attack and make sure IT knew that I was in charge here....Of course I won...as documented in this video....

Blood is Thicker than Water...or WATER is the bond!

Hi Dig B....my big bro!  Actually, I don't know who's older but who cares!?  Just heard from your Aussie Mum....sounds like you landed in a gold mine just like I did....and you even have another OES to help you learn the ropes!  Does she look like our Mum?  I'm posting a picture of you here so that readers can see the family resemblance! 

I hear you are still playing in the water bowl like we used to do with Mummy Fiona's place!!! I love putting both my paws in the bowl and splashing and splashing....with this Hawaiian heat it feels soooo good.  Daddy "LOVES" when I keep spilling my water over and over and over and over and over!!   I'm always wet and happy. Thanks for teaching me that trick!  

Finally! Daddy got it right...

Okay, how hard is it to get "1 cup kibbles and a little water.  Serve immediately"  correct?  I mean, seriously, Dad, there are just a few ways.   But for two days I ate the puppy version of muck...I kept looking at you and trying to say "it's WRONG!  It's WRONG"   but oh no, there comes the muck again.  I guess Daddy finally had a light bulb go on and emailed Aussie Mum and she must've set him straight because tonight, it was YUMMY!!  I feel...so much better.

Jeez, these humans I guess needs LOTS of patience.....

Dear Aussie Mum....

I am here on Kauai....and yes it's as gorgeous as you promised...My new family, Daddy, Papa, Sophie and Eli are even nicer than you said. And gorgeous too! (Okay, maybe Dad added that last part?) I've already picked Lychee, smelled all sorts of new things (bamboo, hibiscus, plumeria, and oh heck, I've forgetten the rest). I got my dog tag (it's blue and shiny....I know why Lady was excited in "Lady and the Tramp", saw a new vet (gentle like Dr. Rob), and played, played played....

So I'm okay...very okay....but still just a little sad. I miss my Aussie brothers and sisters, my kennel caretakers and you, Dr. Rob, and the girls....And all the noise from my friends at the kennels....it's SOOO quiet here...

Thank you for your love, nurturing, and care for my first 8 weeks. I know yours were the first hands that touched me, held me, and took care of me. Daddy says without you I wouldn't be alive! You made sure I came from good stock (isn't that what they make chicken soup out of??)--whatever--Daddy says it's a good thing. I know I feel strong in side; I know I feel good.

There are only three things a Princess from Down Under really needs--food, water, and love. You provided all three until I could get to my new hulu home. How hard it must be to let me go....I know I was sad and still can see your face. I will always remember the touch and love you provided. They are imprinted on my brain.

Daddy says there are two things we give our children--roots and wings. You've provided both in a very short time. I thank you and please know that I will always be the best Old English Sheepdog in Hawaii with VERY strong Australian roots because of you.

Love and Licks....Matilda....

Home! Home at Last!!!

Kauai....home...Omao Road....All those words....Aussie Mum had talked about Hawaii, my going there and how lovely it would be....but WOOF! This place is wonderful....This picture is me sitting by my carrier after I landed in Kauai. Then I met the rest of the family.....talk about stimulation....two wonderful kids--I hear they're called Sophie and Eli....they look a like but then humans tend to do that for me. Then my other dad....Papa! He held me, pet me, and okay, I'm in love....

Busy day traveling....exhausted....but of course a Princess puts on her best effort....I played with all but at the end...was exhausted!

Wow, Whoa, and Wheeee!

Oh, paw pals, I have just so much to share. I finally took my long journey on Friday from Australia to Hawaii. Let me tell you....10 hours in a plane is just WAY too long for ANYONE that breathes. And even though I had water and a little kibble, it's just not very luxurious....

When I got to Honolulu---even the name sounds exotic....I was met by a very nice Hawaiian airlines woman. She took care of me but then put me in a spot next to EVERY type of animal you can imagine. I was slightly humiliated being a princess from down under and all. But the nice people told me that I had to wait until Dad came and picked me up. Dad! My Aussie Mom, Fiona, had told me all about this trip, my new family and frankly, I was scared and excited at once. Is that possible for one such as moi?

After what seem forever, my cage (and boy was I ready to get out of THAT thing; after 10 hours even the Queen Mum's room would smell rank!) was lifted and I went through some doors and heard this voice quietly say "hi Matilda...oh look at you....Oh my goodness.....hi honey....oh you're so cute...." And I think there were wet drops in his eyes.....THIS WAS DAD!!!

Here I am in my first steps on terra firma in Hawaii.....

Waltzing Matilda's final Aloha to Down Under!!

Hi Dad

I am leaving my Aussie home now and on my way to you.

Can't wait to meet you but I am not looking forward to the flight, you could

have paid for 1st Class!!!

Don't forget to ring my Aussie Mum as soon as you have me

Love

Matilda

P.S. I've been PROMISED at least a better upgraded seat! Do they provide a blanket at least and peanuts???

Well--I'm on my way tonight!!! Fiona sent this to my new Dad--what is that anyway? I have no idea what "going on an airplane means" but I'm ready....I got washed and brushed and I'm all packed! Australian bitch ready to travel....whatever that is???

Are microchips the latest "lite" chip???

Okay, so I had to get my microchip today....getting ready for Hawaii is what I was told. I assumed, being the lady that I am, that a microchip was a new fast food for my figure. Lo and behold--was I shocked and VERY disappointed when Dr. Rob stuck me with this thing and then I heard Fiona say "now that was easy." So why do I not feel satisfied? Somehow sticking something between my shoulder blades is NOT my idea of a snack.....

Hawaii--here I come!

I can hear! I can hear!! Of course I could've told my breeder that! But Dr. Rob did my hearing test today and I'm cleared to go to my new home. We are so fortunate that I come from a loving Aussie home that cares about hip dysplasia and hearing issues that I guess run in my breed. But what do I care--I'm only 6 weeks old!

I wonder what I'll hear on Kauai!???

A Sad Day of Passage....

Today I was told that my grandfather died. He was 12. I didn't know him very well--in fact I hadn't met him. But that's okay in the dog world--we really don't remember our extended family. But I'm glad that part of him will live through me because I know I have champion blood lines in me....he was an amazing stud.

I just had to post another picture of myself....ever have those mirror moments when you just keep walking by and saying to yourself (because you'd be so embarrassed if anybody heard) how absolutely C-U-T-E you are today! I wonder if this is how Lad-A-Dog felt on the set before Doris Day came on?

My Australian breeder sent new pictures of me to the U.S. I had to sit very very still---I think I'm a natural!

Countdown--less than 3 weeks

Getting so close...Daddy and Cousin Aaron built the new gate...it's a little off center, but will still let me get to the park without getting into trouble (whatever THAT is!)....I heard there's a new boutique natural dog store on Kauai....so love to shop....

My papers are set for the plane trip...what DOES a sheepdog diva pack for an international flight these days.....I just want something to sleep. So help me if some massive bitch whines throughout the flight, I will not be happy.....

Wheeee! Daddy got the stuff to build a fence for me.....OMG, I'm so excited.

Ummm.....what's a fence?

Aloha all...today it became official--I am going to be a U.S. citizen soon. My adoption fees and papers are all set and I will arrive on the beautiful island of Kauai on July 9. Looking forward to meeting my two dads--yes I'm going to be a VERY liberated pup--my new brother and sister. If I'm the dog of a gay family, does that mean I have to be more fashionable, more humorous, more talented? Probably....but I'm game....