Milo's Dog

I've gone by a few names in my life.

First I was Bart, son of Punch and proud resident of the Cour Ailée — one of the first Barbet breeders in Canada. I'm a Barbet — otherwise known as a French Water Dog. We're like Portuguese Water Dogs, only ruder and less useful in battle.

My first family lived in Montreal and called me Pirate — en français as pee-RAT. Of course, I didn't know how funny that sounded at the time. But when Patrick and Jezebel (yup, Jezebel) got divorced, and Patrick got custody of me and both the boys, he knew he couldn't handle it all. He called the Cour Ailée and asked them to find me a new home.

They found Dan and Tiia. And that's when I got my next name:  Maui "The Hawaiian Pirate" Yurkenbaum. It's perfect. I think I look like a Maui. I also think I look like a muppet version of Rick James. Pirate, is, of course a nice homage. And the Yurkenbaum's an interesting story. Dan's a Yurman. Tiia's a Birkenbaum. Together, they're Yurkenbaums. They have a family crest. It has my paw print on it.

I was the first Yurkenbaum. I went by by Maui, Maui Muffin, Mauzer and The Maui Monster. I tried out Chairman Mau for a time, but it didn't feel right. 

Kai was the second Yurkenbaum. He's the fish. He's been reincarnated a few times — first as Kaitoo then as Kaitrey and now as Kaitro.

Milo was the third. The Kai's and I have worked hard to make sure Dan and Tiia remember that, but didn't take long for us to lose our top banana status.  Milo called me Munya for a while — which I've  since adopted as my Yiddish name.

The other day outside of Hippo, I was introduced as "Milo's Dog Maui". That's my new favourite. MDM. I can see that monogramed on my new leash. Ahem. 

Dreams

This is my friend Jen's house. Look at all that space. If my house was that big, I'd have a cheese room. Naturally, it'd have marble floors.

Ya Ya Ya

This is George and Ringo (Ringo's the lighter one). We met them in Hillcrest Park the other day. I wish I had a running buddy with a name that completed mine. Maybe a Wowie? Or a Jim? I wonder which is more common name for dogs? I knew a Kevin way back when from Trinity. He looked like a Kevin. And also a Bosley.

The peeps once told me they considered naming me Marley. I'm glad they didn't. But Dan likes to describe me as "Bob Marley, if Bob Marley was a muppet." I see more of a Rick James thing when I look in the mirror.

Yup...definitely need to find myself a Wowie.

Two dogs. One frisbee.

Ben the Golden Retriever and I had a little misunderstanding in the park the other day.  I wound up taking the worst of it. Actually, that's not true. Dan and Tiia wound up taking the worst of it because it was New Year's Day and they had to take me to the emergency vet which, from what I understand, is the opposite of affordable.

It's a good thing we went because, as it turns out, Ben bites deeper than he barks. Doc said I needed antibiotics to prevent infection. I said I needed antibiotics so Dan would have to hide it in Brie twice a day and toss in in my bowl. I'll never forget the first time Dr. B told them to put my meds in cheese. "He'll take your arm off for it," he said. That's not entirely true. I'd only take a finger, but never for Blue Cheese. Gross.

Shit Disturber

I like to save my three-poop walks for when Dan is carrying coffees. It's fun to watch him get the plastic bag(s) open while balancing the tray. And extra fun with gloves on.

Back to bed.

Double Digits

I'm in my 10th year but you'd never know it.

Dan attributes my sprightliness to all the park time we got over the years. I'd have to agree. I like that we still go. I like that he still breaks out the frisbee. I like that he still gets that look of concern when I jump to make a catch.

Today, I shared the frisbee with Juno...a two year-old golden his peeps are coiffing to look like a lion. That's him over there.  —>

People used to say I looked like a black lion cub. Again, I'd have to agree, especially when I have my full do going on.

More tomorrow.