Mom is watching NCIS on Slingbox right now on her iPad, Dad is studying, and I am lying around. Mom went and got an manicure and pedicure today at a place in the building where we are staying that we walk by all the time. She looked them up and they had good reviews so she decided to go. The were all very nice and did a good job.
On Friday late afternoon/early evening we took a walk over to a park near the Burj Khalifa (because parks are generally where grass can be found). It said to go on the weekdays to avoid crowds but we figured oh well it probably won't be too bad. Well first there is this big square you have to walk through to get to the bridge to bring you over the the park. Small human were everywhere! On skates and scooters and dumb segways without handles and they would scream at me and run around, I wasn't thrilled but was a good boy and we made it through there as fast as we could. As we continued to walk two small white dogs who were making a racket with pink and blue dye jobs were on the bridge and people were fawning over those yappers so we got over the bridge fast. Then we realized, uhhh there is a huge event and people are everywhere. We figured out it is Dubai Shopping Festival. It was a bunch of stores with little tents and food vendors and all sorts of things. First we avoided the big area and found a nice grass area on the other side of some bushes and we ran around there.
Then we decided to check out the activities. We found a pet store/groomer/boarder's tent and I got attention there and some goat heart treats from the lady working and also Mom bought me some toothbrush treats because she says my breath is awful. They are called Whimzees and are from Holland. I met a dog there and I was good but I wanted to play really bad. After we left there we walked around and as usual so many people were smiling at me and saying things about how cute I was. I was also a really good ambassador and let several little kids (who asked and were well-behaved) pet me. I saw a few other dogs. One little brittany spaniel puppy came over and much to Dad's chagrin the owner let him circle all around me and he had one of those awful retractable leashes and we got super tangled. Dad figured it out though and we were freed.
They have been out shopping a lot and report they have purchased a bed, 2 nightstands, a dresser and mirror for the bedroom, and a table and side-bar for the dining room. They tried to explain what they look but I'm colorblind so whatever. I do know it is a high dining table because that is what Mom likes.
Yesterday Mom and Dad went over to the new house to see the owner (soon to be landlords) to figure out what to do about the electricity, gas, phone, etc. They are nice and offered drinks and gave them treats from Iran (they are Iranian) and are very helpful. Then they all went to DEWA to set up electricity and water, but that is all boring. We might get the keys on Friday night and that would be nice so that we can maybe organize some things before Monday when the shipping container gets delivered and the furniture Mom and Dad bought the last few days gets delivered and I run around my new house totally confused and wondering who the heck all the people are and why there are 2307534 pieces of things on the floor that men are using drills to put together and why other people are unpacking boxes. Should be fun (?)
Dog out.
Hi,
On Thursday (which is the end of the work-week in this country) in the evening Mom, Dad and I all went over to this guy named Denny's house for a braai, which is what South Africans call a barbecue. He has two kids and the young one and I became fast friends when he was sharing his bull tongue with me (it was like jerky, Mom and Dad tried it too). I got to run around a small yard and a house and get more food from another little Turkish boy that came and got lots of attention and pets from everyone there. Mom and I got to meet the other people in Dad's class, Denny from South Africa, who used to work at Al Ain Center in Abu Dhabi, and his wife and two kids, a guy from Sweden who also used to work at Al Ain Center and his wife, a guy from Denmark, and then a lady that works with Denny's wife and her husband and son from Turkey were there as well. The humans got to eat some may good looking things...pork ribs, lamb chops, veal sausages, potato bake, and other sides. Everybody had fun and it was nice to get out of the hotel. I must have been good because they said they'll babysit anytime.
Friday Mom found a place where we could eat on the patio and I was allowed to join. I was good and laid down for the most part, but I did get up a few times sniffing wildly for what I thought were crumbs that dropped but alas were not.
I went to my first day at daycare here last Saturday! They have a fun outdoor area with agility stuff that they use when the weather is not too hot, so when I got there for my assessment (to be sure I'd fit in) we got to go outside. I was a good boy so Mom and Dad left me for a few hours while they went to go look at a car.
After 11 days in the hotel we have moved to an AirBnB on Sunday afternoon, I have no idea what is going on but when the suitcases start to be packed and moved around I freak out. Mom was still in the room while Dad took them downstairs when we left the hotel but I was still going crazy. Once we all got in the car with our things I was okay though. We have moved from a hotel right near the Mall of the Emirates to a studio condo in a building right near the Dubai Mall. This is me blogging from the new place.
Mom wanted a place where she has a fridge and oven and washing machine...but they tricked her and the oven doesn't work...luckily there is a one burner electric type thing and what is the equivalent of a George Foreman Grill. She is talking about moving again and I just don't know what to think about that, but she says I will have all my toys and my bed and that it will be the last move. She says it will be February 1st.
That car they looked at while I was at daycare Mom wants, she is getting hers first because when Dad gets his he wants a manual. So this will be Mom's car but will be driven a lot by Dad for a while until we get a second car. She hops to have all the paperwork done and have the car by January 30 (hopefully sooner).
Also, Mom found British single cream, which is the closest thing yet to half and half.
Until next time,
Woof
Everytime we go for a walk people smile at me! One day a car slowed down and started to roll down the window and Mom worried they were going to try to ask her for directions, but the lady in the passenger seat made noises indicating I was adorable and blew a kiss at me and said I was cute. The guy who was driving was smiling and also said I was cute. Then the next night (or maybe the one after that, Mom is starting to lose track) someone walking by asked to take a picture of me! It's obvious, the people love me!
I have also become good at stealing Mom's spot now that I am such a star.
Dog Out,
Woof
We arrived a little early. Mom was met by a marhaba who whisked her through passport control and had a porter get her 4(!) bags. I was brought off the plane and taken wait to be imported. Mom went to our hotel, but since it was only about 9 am, they had no rooms and she couldn't check in. Dad was at work, and Mom was going to cry. She was able to get a hold of Dad who called his hotel and put her name on the reservation. She took a cab over there and only brought one suitcase with her. Once I was ready to be cleared by customs, Dubai Kennels and Cattery (DKC) checked on me. They told mom that I was "very friendly and inquisitive" Once done with the clearance, they brought me to their facility. Mom was passed out at Dad's hotel and Dad was still at work, so even though I got there about noon, mom and Dad didn't get me until about 2:30. It was happy to see them but also tired so didn't get as excited as they thought I would. DKC said it is normal for pups to be tired and sleep a lot for a day or so. I did, but so did mom.
That night we took this picture.
We are happy to be together again.
The next day Mom and I slept a lot and Dad was at work. Then we went to look we went to go look at a house and I came cause I am not allowed to stay in the hotel alone, so mom and Dad left me in the car with the air blasting. We like the house and the yard, but cannot move in until Feb 1, so it looks like we will stay in the hotel until then. We might look into an AirBnB for the second half of this month so that Mom and Dad can actually go places at the same time and leave me. When we got back Mom went to the mall to buy herself new adapters for her laptop and her phone. She wanted to get out of the hotel room. She also got her Dunkin Donuts iced coffee. She has had it before, says it is pretty good, but not what she is used to. She misses her DD runs with her friends at work. Another thing not available here...half and half. She knew that too though when we decided to come.
Yesterday we slept more and mom got her SIM card for her phone so she has a local number now.
Today Dad told me that I'd feel soooo much better after a bath...yeah right. I don't like to go to the groomer because I think having my nails trimmed is the end of the world. Mom and Dad went to look at cars for her while I was "tortured." Well, I look good at least.
Until next time,
Woof.
