Day Four of Fashion Challenge is all about puppies and comfort

On January 4, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn Dog, expat, Fashion, SeattleLeave a comment

Sunday dawned rainy and grey…big surprise for a Seattle winter, right? So, the fashion challenge today was finding something to wear that would be appropriate for puppy cuddling AND watching lots of football. Very low impact and high comfort. Warm, cozy, loose, and simple….tomorrow will be the start of a crazy work week and the outfits will have to actually be acceptable to interact with people on a professional level. HORRORS! But today, Thor and Izaak were my constant companions and their standards are quite low as long as I could quickly transition from bed to couch to quick trips outside to do their thing and get them back in out of the rain fast to get a biscuit. Ahh…to have a dog’s life!

Wrapping me in warmness, this grey sweater cardigan has been my favorite for a few years and is always top pick for travelling on cold planes because it’s like wearing your favorite blanket but more socially acceptable. To spice it up, I added a jeweled scarf that my daughter had gotten for me (again, she IS the stylist I can always count on) plus some super cozy black pants that are perfect for pairing with my faithful UGGs to walk the dogs in the rain. People mock us UGG wearers but there is a reason that they NEVER go out of style and they cost so much–they are like walking in warm, dry pillows from heaven. Seriously, I’m a huge fan though I admit they do look clunky.

Add some simple earrings and the cross necklace that I adore from a trip to Sedona many years ago and it was the perfect Sunday outfit! Tomorrow, the Spanx goes on, the stiletto booties get dusted off and the work week begins. Let the Fashion Challenge continue on!

Day Three of 30 Day Fashion Challenge

On January 3, 2015January 3, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Dog, expat, Fashion, Seattle1 Comment

A grey, rainy Saturday calls for fashion to match. So, on Day Three of my fashion challenge to wear a new outfit every day this month, out came the grey tones in the form of a Merona grey balloon cozy cardigan that Hannah picked out for me awhile ago and the grey V-neck t-shirt that she also sourced for me at the Boise thrift store for a few bucks. I love having her as my personal shopper because she has such a good eye for fashion AND she loves a bargain. I taught her well–fashion isn’t about how much you spend but how you put it all together no matter the price you pay.

Day Three in grey tones rocking a bicycle scarf

Of course, no outfit is complete without a necklace and scarf so I wound my grey bicycle scarf around the gorgeous silver Chinese inspired necklace that James got me for Christmas. Done! Off we went to run errands after we borrowed my son’s car (really my old car) that is now held together with plastic tape and a prayer. We noticed another large dent and the side mirror pretty much hanging off the side, to which James replied when asked what happened, that he had a run in with a very solid pillar that got in his way. Oops! We were in China at the time of impact last year so he never thought to tell us since we had already warned him that there would be no further repairs to this 19 year old car–Infiniti makes a great car but it can’t run forever. But, for now, it got us to Ikea to buy some final home stuff we needed and to Lenscrafters for new glasses. We get around Seattle without a car most of the time using Car2Go, Zipcar, Uber, our own two feet and an Orca card but it’s nice to borrow our own wheels sometimes. Having James over to puppy sit Thor and Izaac while we ran around town was an added bonus. They love him and give him LOTS of puppy love while he was here. We bribed him to stay for dinner by promising Chinese food, which is not at all like food in China but still yummy. Good to be back in Seattle with family close by!

Thor and Izaak giving James lots of puppy love

Thor’s Incredible Improbable Journey

On December 28, 2014December 28, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn China, Dog, expat, Seattle, Shanghai, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

From his very humble beginnings in China as the runt of the litter, riddled with illness and unwanted by everyone including his mama, by all measures, Thor should not have even lived let alone be now enjoying life in Seattle. Rescued by a kind expat who found him in the Shanghai stable where she rode horses, he was given a second chance at life. However, she almost immediately faced a life crisis of her own when she had to leave China quickly due to personal issues. She reached out via our apartment complex’s Shimao Riviera Facebook group that Thom belonged to and improbably we became foster parents to a Chinese rescue dog in July 2014.

Teeny tiny Thor barely weighed a pound when we got walks between James' legs — Teeny tiny Thor barely weighed a pound when we got him. Here, he explores walking between the legs of the giant, otherwise known as my son James.

Thom quickly started taking Thor to the vet to do whatever it took to nurse the little one pounder back to health. I had been in the U.S. on business and came home to meet the little ball of fur that would steal our hearts despite all the odds against him. Sequestered inside for the first few months as he got his shots, we were finally able to take him outside at about four months old. Teaching him to climb stairs was vastly amusing and the look on his fuzzy face when he met his first cat, who promptly hissed at him, was priceless. Of course when we found out that we were repatriating to the U.S. in October, we knew Thor had to come too. Though we feared what a transatlantic flight experience would be like with a puppy, we prayed heavily and, miraculously, he silently sat underneath the seat and was perfect the whole trip to the point we were poking him to see if he was still alive he was so quiet. Amazing!

Not that Thor is always perfect. Last week, as we transitioned from our temporary apartment to our new digs in Seattle, he went through a “I’ll piss on Thom” rampage every day as his teeny tiny bladder needs what feels like constant attention vs. his older brother, Izaak, who only needs walked a couple times a day. Thor’s more of a “walk me every two hours or I’ll piss on you” type of dog. Thom especially hopes his bladder grows stronger quickly as he ages but, in the meantime, water is regulated and walks are frequent. He is just getting old enough to be fixed so, on Valentine’s Day as is our custom on this romantic day with our dogs, we will take him to the vet to be changed forever. Maybe that will help? Here’s hoping!

Thor’s brother, Izaak, our eight year old Vizsla who stayed with our daughter while we were living in China, has become his new chew toy and constant partner in crime. Izaak has taught Thor to raid our trash cans. They also just love to chew on toilet paper right off the roll-yum, yum. Thor can only dream of getting big enough to eat off the kitchen counters and drink out of the toilets like Izaak can do if left unmonitored. They love chasing each other, lapping the apartment. Our neighbor below us doesn’t find it nearly as fun and pounds on his ceiling (with a broom??) to show his displeasure. Too bad grumpy person–dogs just LOVE to have fun and while Thor at four pounds doesn’t sound like the thundering herd, Izaak topping out at 50+ pounds probably does sounds like a small pony galloping around. So sorry! Thor has also become the consummate sock stealer and only needs a second left alone to take off and hide under the couch to chew on his ill gotten goods. Our pet sitter, Madeline, found out the hard way as she must have left the dynamic duo alone for a few minutes, in which time Thor stole her socks while Izaak collapsed on our bed/pillows for a quick nap-check out this tag team of devious dogs below. P.S. Izaak chose Thom’s pillow to park his ass and I got doggy drool on my pillow. Ahhhh, being a pet owner is fun.

Thor guards his stolen sock booty while Thor naps on our memory foam pillows — Thor guards his stolen sock booty while Izaak naps on our memory foam pillows

Settling into Seattle

On November 22, 2014November 22, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Dog, expat, Seattle, Shopping, Travel2 Comments

We’ve only been gone a little over a year but it seems like much longer as we settle back into our life in Seattle. Leaving Shanghai with only a few suitcases, we are hoping that the Seattle port slowdown will end soon so our sea container will arrive in time to move into our new apartment. I sympathize with whatever they are trying to protest but please RESOLVE YOUR ISSUES and get back to work quickly. I miss my pillow collection and need my pots and pans. First world problems, right?

The air shipment arrived-now for the sea container!

Having lived in Lower Queen Anne in downtown last time we passed through Seattle, we naturally gravitated back to our old neighborhood that has a quaint little movie theater, a Mud Bay store now for all our dogs needs, which are plenty, and a plethora of bars and restaurants for when it stops raining and we finally venture outside.

Our temporary housing is actually quite nice and next to the Seattle Center and Key Arena. We looked at an apartment here to move into but we didn’t pull the trigger fast enough and lost out when someone else jumped on it before we did–lesson learned. After seeing lots of places that didn’t get me excited, I finally found a condo for rent on Craigslist and we made haste to see it before anyone else could. Walking in, I took one look at the water view and winked at Thom. This was it! HOT DAMN! Big enough to accommodate our son too should he choose to move back in while he goes on with his education and with the needed outdoor deck (we’re on top floor) overlooking not only Elliott Bay but the Space Needle too, it was a no brainer to just write out the check and lock it in. While it is a private condo building lacking the amenities of an apartment building with no gym, rooftop deck, etc., it’s a block from our temporary housing, close to my work commuter bus and I know it will feel like home when we get to move in soon. It looked like a single guy had it before us because all he had in the living room was a big screen TV and a leather couch. Can’t wait to decorate!

The "Before" picture of our new living room — The “Before” picture of our new living room-single guy who had it didn’t believe in any decorating. Can’t wait to hang our art onto those walls!

Now, of course, silly us moved all our furniture to our new house in Boise but that has worked out well as we have rented the place most of the time but now we will get to enjoy being there for the holidays with our family. Score! Thom and I have scoured Seattle for unique furniture (love you Ikea but am ready to move on) and found some great pieces. Today we got a great deal at a resale shop on a mid-century cherry dresser with leather tab draw pulls-sounds weird but it’s cool. We bought some furniture in China but not nearly enough so we ended up buying quite a few items at Kasala Outlet. Nice quality and fair prices in south Seattle by the stadiums.

I've never owned yellow furniture..until now! — I’ve never owned yellow furniture..until now!

We were thrilled with Kasala’s customer service and would highly recommend them. We went wild with color and may be the coolest of them all with our bright yellow chair and ottoman. Combo that up with our red chaise from China, the Tin Tin prints and all those bright pillows I collected and it will be a riot of color in our new pad.

Thom actually negotiated down the price (I taught him well), on a cool old Chinese wood chair at a consignment place for less than $100-a steal. Yes, we could have gotten it for far less actually in China but not knowing how big our apartment would be, I was hesitant to buy a lot there. Now, I’m kicking myself. After we order a memory foam mattress online, I think we will finally have what we need and will get it all in next week after the holiday. I’m seriously looking forward to recreating the look and feel of our beautiful Shanghai apartment but instead of watching the coal boats drift by on the Huangpu River, we’ll be watching and waiting for our sea container to follow us to Seattle. Luckily, as much as we move around, home is wherever we lay down our heads at night.

View from the living room looking out onto Elliott Bay

Wherever Thor is happy is home..hope he likes his big brother Izaak!

Thor Becomes a US Citizen!

On November 1, 2014November 1, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Dog, Seattle, Shanghai, Travel1 Comment

My cute adorable Thor is flying at my feet for ten F*#king long hours…he’s barely been out of the apartment in his short five months of life. How would he handle a journey that tests even the most journeyed traveller. Bad food, cramped quarters (no business class for us this time) and an airline mandate that he stays in his teeny, tiny softsided carrier at all times. Would he shit and piss the whole way? Would he bark and cry because he couldn’t play fetch with his beloved ragged ass squirrel that he has eaten the face off of? I braced myself for what could be the longest and worst flight of my life but Thor was worth it. Today, Thor would become a US Citizen.

Thor is making sure we don't forget to take him with us — Thor is making sure we don’t forget to take him with us

Prepping for the trip, Thor laid on Thom’s open suitcase while the final packing was being completed. He knew something was up and wanted to make sure he wasn’t left behind. Once we arrived at Pudong Airport, Thom walked him up and down the crowded sidewalk trying to get him to do his business but NOOOOO…..nothing came out. Great, he was saving it all up to dump at 30,000 feet at my feet. Our poor surrounding passengers would probably give us the stink eye all the way to Seattle or worse depending on Thor’s bowels. Armed with multiple pee pads, cleaning wipes and plastic bags, we braced ourselves for shit patrol big time.

So how do you quiet a puppy who loves to run and yap and play? Napping really isn’t in his DNA yet. Well, it seems that the magic collar is all you need. I had visited a doggy designer boutique on Capitol Hill in Seattle on my last trip. They were so helpful when I told them about my concerns for Thor’s upcoming trip. They even recommended I go to another store (since they didn’t carry it) and buy the Sentry calming collar made with who the hell knows what and I don’t care—IT WORKS! It is a miracle product that I will endorse from the roof tops from now on.

Knowing the culture of Seattle, it probably has some medicinal weed woven into it. Knowing this could be a possibility and Thor could get the munchies mid-flight, I also bought some calming doggie treats but we didn’t even have to break those out or the bacon flavored bone that I got as backup. Thom stuck his water bottle to Thor’s lips and he lapped a little up. Of course, Thom knocked back the rest of it. UGHHH! But, Thom also ate street meat in China so nothing surprises me when it comes to what he does. What are puppy germs when you’ve eaten Chinese rat on a stick chargrilled on an open kettle street fire.

Thor taking his last walk on Chinese soil

Thor was so quiet and passive that we had to keep opening up the carrier to check and see if he was still breathing. Upon reflection, we decided that the collar was probably made for a huge 50 pound dog and little 4 pounder Thor was probably overwhelmed by the powers of it’s magic. Soon, Thor will be walking along the Seattle waterfront, enjoying the clean air and easy living in Seattle. From runt of the litter found in a stable by a kind Laowai lady who had just had the shit kicked out of her by her dirtbag husband who had taken all their money and left China with his local girlfriend. She took Thor to the Vet, got him medical treatment and then, having to leave the country because she couldn’t get a job to support herself, found us to take Thor as his foster parents. Our rescue puppy quickly became part of the family. So, from forgotten ailing stable misfit to superstar strutting his awesome self on the Seattle waterfront, Thor will now enjoy his US citizenship to the max and bring joy to all who encounter him. Welcome to the USA, Thor!

Shanghai Farewell Tour-US Citizenship for Thor

On October 8, 2014October 8, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, Dog, Shanghai, Travel1 Comment

Thor is coming! Thor is coming! Back to the U.S. that is! Our adorable four month old puppy, Thoraxis, has become a part of our family so when we found out we were headed home, my first thought was OH NO THOR CAN’T GO! We hadn’t brought our beloved Viszla, Izaak, to China due to the expense and hardship it would take on his health being a big dog who would have to ride in cargo.

So, Izaak stayed home with Hannah and Mike to become Ollie’s (their Great Dane) brother from a different mother and he has loved his new family. But, soon we return to Seattle and will welcome him back into our lives to walk and cuddle with–Izaak loves to spoon.

Luckily, we worked out the details with my company and Thor can now make the trip back with us. He has gone through so much in the three months that we have had him. Thom and James got him while I was in the U.S. on a business trip in July when he became available as a rescue dog. The runt of the litter with health problems, he has now gone from a sickly one pounder to a healthy four pound bundle of energy with THE sharpest baby teeth. After getting all his vaccines, he has now graduated to outside walks which we used to enjoy so much in Seattle with Izaak. After being afraid of steps, both up and down, Thor now takes them with no hesitation and seems to at least tolerate other dogs he meets outside. Good news for his cohabitation future with Izaak.

Thor looks so skinny when he's wet yet didn't fit into his cute outfit — Thor looks so skinny when he’s wet yet didn’t fit into his cute outfit

While walking the local streets, Thor looks right at home and plops down on the dirty sidewalks to rest intermittently because he does have short legs after all. After stepping in his own deposit on the street, though, Thor had to endure only his third bath of his short life, which he desperately needed. Now I understand completely why most dogs in China wear booties–after stepping into their own DNA and that of many other folks who spit and poop on the streets, you do not want that dog jumping on your furniture and sitting on your lap. YUCK!

Thor tries on clothes but alas he's too fat now — Thor tries on clothes for his new Northwest home-plaid shirt and sweat pants

I did find him the cutest outfit to wear (over Thom’s loud objections) that had a checked shirt and sweatpants, but found out quickly that he had grown so much that it was too tight. After laughing at him falling over because he couldn’t move in it, we stopped the puppy torture and decided to regift it to my sister’s Chihuahua, Sierra Marie, who is teeny tiny and needs some cozy fleece to keep warm on those cold Midwestern nights. We’ll just have to keep on looking for appropriate street wear for Thor to style in Seattle. He needs to be a hipster to fit in at Stumptown coffee–he would look cool rocking some skinny jeans, suspenders and a bow tie… just saying.

Dogs Play in Shanghai Despite The “Rules”

On August 25, 2014August 25, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, Dog, Shanghai, TravelLeave a comment

So, residents in my apartment complex have obviously not been informed that the unofficial rule is you’re not supposed to have large dogs in China. On our walk today around the property, we came upon the British Lawn, a large expanse of green lawn and trees-a really lovely oasis for us in the chaos of China, our very own small Central Park. This morning, and perhaps every Sunday morning, it seemed that the British Lawn had been turned into a Shanghai Dog Park, complete with one guy driving his pooches crazy chasing after a remote controlled car all over the greens. Super funny to watch Mr. Golden Retriever run ragged chasing the car until he finally said F*&K It and stopped, panting with his tongue hanging out. Where’s my water, Mr. Owner???

Unfortunately, our new rescue dog, Thor, is teeny tiny and still waiting for to get all his shots so he won’t be seeing the light of day or playing on the lawn any time soon–maybe next summer, Thor!

Good idea, bad execution--no bags to be had in nice container — Good idea, bad execution–no bags to be had in nice container

Now, the complex does provide a container to provide Pets Poo Poo bags, but, of course, it was empty. Thus, the pooches do their business whenever and wherever they want and the owners don’t really police it. Watch where you step! Take off those shoes at the door!

The Property “RULES” state: “Do not walk your pets on the lawn.”. I guess if no one uses a leash and lets their dogs run wild, it’s technically NOT walking your pets. Oh, and I have no idea what this rule means but am dying to find out: “Behaviors such as bare-backed are not welcome on the lawn.”. Hmmm…. could mean so many things if you think about it, all interesting. I guess I’ll have to walk around more looking for bare-back activities..more to come.

I’d REALLY like to NOT die today!

On August 18, 2014August 19, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, Dog, Shanghai, TravelLeave a comment

So I don’t know if talking to yourself, silently usually, is a sign (and not a good one probably) but I find myself repeating a few mantras daily to myself. I think that mantras are usually supposed to be calming and inspirational. Perhaps soothing and meaningful spoken during yoga or meditation. But, I live in China and have a new puppy so my mantras are more down to earth, usually screamed and sometimes with accompanying rude hand gestures:

Mantra #1-usually spoken to China drivers: I’d REALLY like to NOT die today!

Mantra #2-always spoken to Thor: PLEASE do NOT pee on me. SERIOUSLY. You have vampire teeth. STOP biting me.

Yes, this is my life and I like it. It’s complicated, messy (literally with Thor) and challenging, just the way I want it to be.

First, as to the “not dying today” mantra, when you live in China and walk to work, by the time I hit the first crosswalk and the bus is gunning for me and the scooter I didn’t see going the WRONG WAY on the street touches me and the car is driving down the damn sidewalk instead of the street, I am usually making my pleas to God. I’m REALLY not ready to go yet–places to see, family to take care of, blogs to be written, etc. Give me more time please.

Yes, that's a car entering the crosswalk after driving down the sidewalk. — Yes, that’s a car entering the crosswalk after driving down the sidewalk.

Now, if I get hit in a crosswalk in China, I’m going down and I know it. No bystanders will assist (not that people are mean here but they just don’t get involved) and no ambulance will come. If I can’t limp or crawl to a taxi, which will never pick me up if I’m bleeding so why even try, then I’m toast. Dead toast. So, I’m nimble, look both ways and behind me to avoid getting hit and I pray ALOT.

Now on to Thor. He really does have vampire teeth. WHAT. THE. HELL. When do those sharp little suckers drop out and he gets normal teeth? Can’t come soon enough for me.

And he has a bad habit of peeing everywhere but the pee pads. Yes, it’s a big apartment and he has little legs so maybe (and I’m giving him a HUGE benefit of the doubt here) he gets tired halfway to his room and he just has to let it go. Okay but when he’s sitting on my lap all warm and cuddly and then I’m feeling a cold, wet sensation, that’s just not cool. We had to take up all the rugs after he decided that they seemed like pee pads too and James stepped in poo on the kitchen rug. While he was gagging, Thom scrapped the shit off his foot and washed it. A dad’s job is never done! Tough love Mom that I am, I would have told him to hop right on into the shower and wash it off himself. He’s 21 for God’s sake. Guess that’s why Thom stayed home and raised the kids while I worked. They are all the better humans for it. Good job, Thom!

So, I’ll keep on dodging traffic and watching where I step, all the while repeating my mantras and enjoying this crazy life I lead. Hallelujah!

Thor The Adorable

On July 29, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn Dog, Shanghai, UncategorizedLeave a comment

James christened the newest member of our family, Thoraxis, after an alien character from a show called Community that I have never seen. I just watched the movie, Thor, on the flight back from the U.S., so I have decided to nickname him after the hunky superhero in the movie. Though, Thor should have been named Chewbacca because he is a tiny black fur ball who can’t stop chewing on everything in his path. We have tried to channel his teething on chew sticks and toys but he prefers paper and my Surface keyboard instead. THOR!

I was in the U.S. when Thom saw a post on a local blog seeking foster parents for a rescue dog. His sharp tiny teeth may not hurt now but Thom insists that we try and discipline him now or he will start having our Cole Haan’s for dinner soon and that’s a deal breaker.

Right about now as I’m taking cute puppy pictures, I feel a warm wet feeling in my crotch where Thor has been playing with his chew toy. This can’t be good. HOLY. HELL. THOR! The little bugger has let loose all over my beautiful red chaise and me. How can such a little creature make such a big pee stain! As Thom joked, “Puppies give you a warm feeling all over and sometimes it’s not a good thing” or something to that effect. Ha. Ha. Sure, easy for him to joke since the pupster didn’t pee on him, though he did clean it all up. Of course, Thor’s favorite place is next to Thom’s computer under the desk lamp. Let’s see if Thom is as jovial when he has a wet stinky PC to try and dry out.

Adorable Thoraxis right before he pissed all over me.

Thor only weighs over a pound now and is still on antibiotics for various ailments resulting from being the runt of the litter. When we return from our trip to Hong Kong, he will hopefully be well enough to get his vaccines so he can venture outside. Who knows what breed he is but he won’t grow big. Of course, my daughter thought that too about her pound puppy Oliver, the Great Dane. Oops!

Our Chinese tutor, Fiona, has kindly agreed to puppy sit for us while we are gone. I’ll have to warn her to watch out for the little ankle biter’s couch wetting problem but I know he’ll melt her heart with his little puppy eyes.

Even with the large wet spot still drying out on my chaise, we love you Thor and welcome you to the family. Now, go get on your puppy pad for a time out–tough love, Thor!

It’s Human Eat Dog Festival Time

On June 22, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn China, Dog, Shanghai, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The headline in the Shanghai Daily reads, “Early dinner for lovers of dog meat”. NOT. KIDDING. It seems that there is an annual summer solstice festival in Yulin City in southern China where residents gather to eat dog meat and lychee in celebration of the longest day of the year. This is so wrong on so many levels that I can’t stand it! We didn’t bring our beloved Izaak to China with us because it was very difficult and a long hard journey for him to endure. Now, while I miss him so much, I am feeling much better about our decision.

Many Chinese Dog Owners love and take care of their best friends

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is huge here and beliefs around what each type of food you eat can do for your body. Apparently local residents believe that dog meat strengthens the body, especially in summer and ensures good health throughout the winter. Man’s best friend elsewhere is just another way to prepare for the long winter ahead here. I get that life in China is rough and that people will try anything to stay healthy but let’s just get these folks some Walgreens with OTC meds readily available and they can go back to enjoying their puppies as pets not meals.

Now, I see dogs everywhere I go in China and while they sometimes have pink hair or are wearing jogging outfits and booties, you don’t see dog meat on the local menus. A co-worker did admit to having dog “hot pot” with a friend and told me it was considered a delicacy in some places. He also said it was delicious. I don’t think I’ve looked at him the same ever since. Yes, I am judging you.

Animal rights activists have caught wind of the dog meat festival and are protesting. The paper said that strays are grabbed off the streets and could have diseases. Oh, so the animal rights activists are concerned with the effect on the people eating the dog and not really advocating for the dog??? Activists are also quoted as saying “the public backlash was damaging the image of Yulin and China.”. You think? The local government only asked restaurants to take “dog” off the menus and signboards but did not ban the sale and consumption of dog. So, if you are travelling in Yulin in the near future, as always in China, watch where you eat. That could be Fido in your Hot Pot.

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