The Truth Comes Out

Mom finally found out the truth. I wish I could speak, I would have told her sooner. Mom called to speak to Melissa my groomer and finally got through to her. Melissa told Mom that she DID NOT groom me. Of course I knew that, but Mom didn't, she only suspected that to be the case. Melissa explained that the salon manager, Josie, insisted that some novice groom me instead because he needed to earn his certification - I believe you have to groom certain breeds to earn this.

I have never seen Mom so angry. Mom detests LIARS above all else. That the salon manager lied to Mom - that she made excuses saying they were busy and that Melissa was leaving so maybe she didn't care as she usually did - is disgusting. She knew all along Melissa was innocent and she LIED, LIED, LIED.

Mom is now taking this to the top. She called the store manager, but he is on vacation until Monday, she spoke to the second in command. He assured Mom that all necessary action would be taken.

I'd say Josie is in big doo-doo!

AGC

Grief at the Groomers: A Tail of Woe

I have mustered up the strength to post pictures of my horrible haircut I had yesterday. Don't get me wrong, I am still very distressed. Mom told me there are levels of grief - I think I hit the pissed off level today.

Before I went to the groomer I looked like this. Scruffy, yes. But my coat was nice and wiry, and tri-color. You can see my black saddle and brown patches.



And last time I came home from the groomers, I looked like this and we were all happy! My face looks like a wire, my saddle is still black - I look handsome.



Now prepare yourselves, for you are about to see how I, Axel G Chocholoza, went from being a beautiful debonaire wire, to one with Schnauzer shaved head, clipped body with a horrible loss of tricolorism and wiry coat.


Just look what they did to my face!!! Would you not cower under the table too, wishing it was all some hideous nightmare?



Mom and Dad are beyond upset. They cannot understand how Melissa, the groomer, could ruin my coat like this? Mom left strict instructions that I was to be stripped. Melissa knew that - she'd done it twice before. And yet, she clippered me and didn't make me look anything like a wire should look. My neck was shaved so close, it's red and it itches.

Suffice to say we will NEVER set foot in that Groomers again. Mom has written to the store manager to complain and will call tomorrow to yell at Melissa. The salon manager told Mom she was sorry, that they were busy that day (great excuse don't ya think?) and that Melissa is leaving their employ at the end of the week. Mmmnn, not sure I buy that. Tomorrow Melissa comes back to work, and you can be sure Mom will be calling her to demand an explanation!

Yours in abject misery,
AGC

About my Family

I am very depressed because I went for my haircut today and the groomer did a horrible job on me. We are confused and upset as she did a good job last time. I told Mom and Dad they shaved me instead of stripping my ex-beautiful coat. I can't even bear to show you what I look like....Mom already wrote a letter to the groomer to complain...but I'm trying not to focus on it...luckily Ricky Pepper tagged me and says I have to tell you about my family. So here goes...


About my Mommy
My Mommy was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. That's her right - when she was a toddler. She is the youngest of three and the only daughter. She grew up in a small, warm Jewish community and went to Jewish day school and high school and LOVED it. (Guess school is different from obedience school!) Mommy grew up in SA at a time when there was a horrible government that oppressed the majority of South Africans who are black people - it was called Apartheid. White and black people were not allowed by law to integrate - black people could not live where they liked, own property, get a good education and never go to the same schools, universities, restaurants, movies etc as white people. Until Mom was in her teens, she didn't even realize people lived diffently in other countries. Then she realized something in her world was very very wrong.

Mom had three parents - her biological Mom and Dad and a black nanny named Tina (right). Most families had live-in servants. Mom loved Tina with all her heart - Tina was pure unconditional love and lived with her family for the first 25 years of Mom's life. She passed away 3 years ago.

When Mom was 10, her Dad suggested they get a wire fox terrier. Mom wanted a maltese poodle, but her Dad said wires had spunk. So she relented. Georgie was a wonderful wire and Mom was nuts about her. That's the two of them pictured left when Mom first got Georgie. Georgie lived for 15 years, and Mom vowed that one day she would have another wire. My middle initial is in honor of Georgie.

After high school, Mom went to Law school even though she wanted to be a journalist - at that time there was no university degree in Journalism in SA, so she followed her parent's advice and went to study law. She didn't enjoy it very much but graduated. In that same year, Apartheid ended and on the most memorable day of her life, Mom stood in line for hours with Tina and millions of other South Africans of all races, most of them voting for the first time in their lives.

She didn't know what to do then because she didn't want to be a lawyer, so she decided to travel - and went to Israel where her brother lived and some friends. Mom lived in the holy city of Jerusalem for 6.5 years. It was the best and worst of times - she met wonderful people, did well in her new chosen editing and managing websites career and enjoyed speaking Hebrew etc; but it was also the height of the Palestinian uprising (Intifada), and buses were exploding all the time, suicide bombers seemed to be everywhere - life was scary and precarious. At some point she met an American guy (not my Daddy!) and they dated for almost 2 years but then he announced he was going home to Florida. Mom decided to go visit him for 2 months to check out the relationship and the USA. After two months, Mom ditched the guy but was in love with the USA - the freedom, the peace, the huge array of choices in the supermarket! And of course the beaches in Florida. So she took a very big risk - put all her stuff in storage in Israel and decided to stay - she was able to still work for the Israeli company as it was a web job.

Mom had to find a job and visa sponsorship in the USA to stay...but then 9/11 happened. Mom couldn't believe it. She'd left Israel to avoid bombs and now they were there! And the terrorists had been living down the road in Mom's new neighborhood of Delray Beach! Yikes! After almost a year, noone wanted to hire Mom...her visa was running out...so she thought she would have to go back to Israel. Before she left, she thought she'd go see some family living in Philly. And yadda yadda yadda - sent her resume to 2 places there for the heck of it, got an interview and got the job and sponsorship and moved to Philadelphia! She still works there today as an E-Communications and Marketing Manager!

About My Daddy
Daddy grew up in Philadelphia. He is the oldest of three and has two sisters (opposite of Mom). That's him at around age 5 taking a bath, heh heh! He had a few dogs growing up, including Bunnie a very fat mixed breed terrier and Ted, a German short-haired pointer. Growing up in the USA wasn't as eventful (or interesting) as Mom's life in SA - so fast forward to post high school. Dad went to school in NYC to study audio engineering. When he was quite young he got married (first wife). They then went to live in California where Daddy worked in Hollywood as a studio engineer in the music biz and an audio engineer in film (he worked for that boring movie The English Patient!) At some point he came back to Philly, got divorced and worked for a TV station as a broadcast engineer. Now he is in the security biz installing CCTV and video surveillance cameras to catch baddies etc...all I know is, he always finds time to take me on awesome walks!

How they Met
When Mommy moved to Philly in 2002, she joined an online dating website and met many many creepy guys. Then her cousin (the one she'd flown to visit) in Philly told her a friend mentioned that her friend had a nice son to introduce Mom to. So she said ok and they went on their first date to a Cuban restaurant. They got on really well and dated for quite a while....Mom loved Dad's loud, raucous laugh and his ability to fix anything; Dad loved Mom's petiteness (she's 4'11) and funny accent. Soon they both knew it was the real deal. Mom took Dad to SA to meet her family - they loved Dad - and he proposed during a Friday night (Sabbath dinner) in between mouthfuls of awesome South African roast beef and warm challah bread.

They got married on June 4, 2006 in Philadelphia. Mom said, let the family endure the 25 hour flight for a change - and endure they did. Everyone came from South Africa, Australia, Israel, London, Canada and around the USA - Mom has family and friends everywhere. I spent the day at doggy day care - don't think I ever let them forget it. No dogs at a country club my ass!

Mom and Dad's Likes and Dislikes
Mom loves writing! She writes and writes compulsively...to all those people around the world mostly. She also reads like a maniac - one or two books a week. She loves the Free Library in Philadelphia! Mom loves Marmite - a black yeast spread she grew up on. Most Americans, including Dad can't stand the sight of it. Mom also likes steak, fried liver and onions, cola tonic and lemonade (a SA drink), Cadbury's chocolates, salt & vinegar potato chips. She won't eat swine in any form, but lately relented and allows Dad to eat bacon (I get some too on occasion. I am not a Kosher dog) She is positively wire mad! She watches quite a lot of TV - loves British comedy, Rescue Me, Seinfeld...

Dad loves to read manuels! No magazines or newspapers in our bathroom, just manuals! He is very handy and can fix anything and everyone in his family knows it ("Son/Brother can you come and fix x?"). He knows music - name a lyric and he'll tell you the band. He has thousands of CD's - Mom has about 10. Dad doesn't like throwing out stuff...it's Mom's pet peeve. The basement is his domain - Mom is too scared to go down there. Dad loves chocolate ice cream and he is addicted to Coca-cola. It is the only thing he drinks! No tea, no coffee - just Coke! Dad loves Diner food, especially breakfast. Dad enjoys video games and knows every episode of Seinfeld by heart. He watches all the reruns despite owning the box sets! He loves silly American movies, Mom loves foreign artsy fartsy movies. They order two Netflix movies a week; often one of each.

How I Came About
I came into their lives in July 2005 after Mom did a lot of research finding a good breeder. We are a very happy family. We live in a little house next to Lemon Hill/Fairmount Park where I walk every day and often find tasty snacks left by picnickers! Below is a photo of the street we live on - that's me and Daddy taking a stroll... Our family dream is to one day afford a home of our own with a fenced yard for me to run in, a garage for Daddy and no steps for Mommy!

Phew...so that is the parents and our family! What a long megillah! I need a nap after that!

Now can we please go back to Doggy stuff! And no discussion on haircuts please!
Just for fun, I am going to tag Koobuss and Bebe - I want to hear more about their families!

AGC

The Great Philly Wire Get Together

This morning after my walk and swim with Dad (yay, no guards were at the fountain), Mom and Dad told me we were going to the Great Philly Wire Get-Together! So off we went in the car. We came to this house, we knocked at the door, and out came Bebe, the one and half year old wiry gal I'd seen online. Boy, what a pistol she is! We immediately started running around the house. Bebe jumped from couch to couch and we were off to a great start. We then went outside and I found, to my delight, that Bebe has a lovely back yard with grass and trees and flowers.



A few minutes later, we were thrilled to see another wiry face at the gate - and it was Elliot, who is just 5 months old!
(We were hoping that Willie, Bebe's cuz would show up, but alas he didn't. Hope we can meet him soon too...)



The Great Philly Wire Get Together was well under way!
Elliot and Bebe played and wrestled while I was a bit more sedate as I was tired from my long walk and swim, and boy was it hot out, even in the shade. Elliot found a shady spot in the dirt, a refuge of sorts from Bebe...

Mom gave us each a Dingo chew to enjoy - and then us wires had fun stealing from eachother. I buried mine in the dirt and Elliot found it with his sniffer. Then Bebe stole Elliot's and carried both hers and his in her mouth and tried to eat them both! Boy it was fun! I also showed the pups - being the resident elder wire - how a drinking bowl could also be used as a pool and to demonstrate, stuck my face and feet in Bebe's water bowl.



To all those fuddy-duddies who say wires do not get along and should be kept separated, all three of us say, PHOOEEY!! (We would prefer to use a more explicit expletive, but being ambassadors for our aristocratic breed, we will restrain ourselves.) We are living proof that we are friendly guys and gals and we play brilliantly together! And we love humans (Bebe gave my Daddy kisses!)

And in case there are still folks out there shaking their heads...I have more proof for you! Today I got an email from my pal Colby in Canada. Would you believe, he was part of the Big Canadian Wire Get Together this weekend as well!! He found four fellow wires living nearby and they all got together to meet up and play. And guess what - they all had a fun time too! I, Axel G Chocholoza, submit more photographic evidence of wires getting along just swell!



I had a brilliant day with Bebe and Elliot and their humans, and I'm really hoping that today was the first of many Great Philly Wire Get Togethers!

Peace
AGC

Precious Pals

Last night was no picnic. All day I'd heard firecrackers going bang! bang! but those little bangs didn't scare me - I just barked at them to go away. Mom, having a blonde moment (apologies to blonde friends) - thought it would be a swell idea to take me to see the fireworks display behind the Art Museum. At worst, Mom thought I'd just bark my head off.

She was totally WRONG! I was TERRIFIED. Never been so scared in all my life. I just took off at a sprint, Dad in tow holding my leash, and raced home. Once home I dived onto Mom's lap (she was wracked with guilt of course), soaked from the rain, and shook and quivered for an hour. The BOOMS went on for what seemed like hours - I thought our house was coming down. It was beyond horrible. I was so spooked, I was still scared to leave the house this morning...I hope I never have to hear that god-awful noise again...

Anyway, on to more pleasant stuff. I am very excited at the prospect of possibly meeting THREE new wire friends this weekend, and I don't mean online like usual, I mean IN DOG (like in person...). Mom heard from Bebe's parents and Elliot's parents (that cutie at right is Elliot, he's 5 months old), and we're trying to get together at Bebe's house. I think Mom is way more excited than even I am. Hopefully Bebe's cousin Willie can make it too. Bebe will be much sought after I guess, as she is the only bitch amongst us princes.

Maybe one day we can have an East Coast Wire Get Together and my friends Mackie and Finn can come from Maryland, and Smitty and Pippin could come from New York State, and Koobuss and Rocky could come from western Pa...boy oh boy...wouldn't that be swell! I bet I am forgetting others...Maybe we can rent a fenced field somewhere and have it catered! I think this is the best idea, I, Axel G Chocholoza, has had in a long time. Speaking of Mackie and Finn and Smitty, I have some pics of them. Here is Mackie and Finn hanging out (left) - and there is Smitty (right) enjoying a toy he won in the FTN "Find the Fox" contest! Mackie, Smitty and I are big wiry guys compared to most wires...

Of course, smooth foxies would also have to be invited, we don't discriminate. I know Lennie and Lottie live far away, but maybe they could bring their sprinkler with and provide some of the entertainment. Just look at these guys having fun in the Summer heat...boy Lottie sure can jump high!

Now I'm thinking, what about our non-foxie friends? Maybe we can also make an exception for canine cousins and their family members? I'm thinking of Pepper of course - doesn't he look grand in this latest pic with his sister Lucy, he sent me for July 4th?

We foxies have hearts as big as our appetities, so I think we all agree, non-foxies are welcome too...especially if they come bearing snacks!

AGC

Happy July 4th!

Happy July 4th Bitches! In honor of the holiday I present my first love - Miss Amelia all decked out in her patriotic attire! Doesn't she look ravishing? Over to you baby!

I am not looking forward to the fireworks, they hurt my ears. But I overheard Mom and Dad debating whether to give the horrid neighbor a heads up that I am bound to bark for the duration of the fireworks. Dad argued for telling him, Mom was like - what's he going to do, call the cops to complain the dog is barking during fireworks? That should solicit a serious reaction in the Philly Police force, not.

Anyway, have a safe and happy holiday all.

AGC
Born American but with a South African and Israeli/Jewish soul

Two Wires Nearby - You Out There Guys?

I sure hope Miss Amelia doesn't read this. She is my girlfriend of yore even though we've never really met in person - she lives all the way over in Washington state! But I noticed on my last blog entry that I received two messages, one from a sweet wiry gal named Bebe (pictured right) and one from a wiry pup of 5 months named Elliot. AND THEY BOTH LIVE IN PHILADELHIA!

I don't know who is more excited at the prospect of meeting TWO wires in Philly (and Elliot lives really near to us - we are in Fairmount, he is in Manayunk)- me or Mom. Mom has been known to run after people with wires...or even other terriers. Just last Thursday she was driving to work and saw a man with a Irish terrier. She promptly pulled up alongside them, got out of her car and began to chat and pet Bismark who is a handsome 9 year old Irish terrier. His owner was a bit shocked to be harassed by Mom - but Bismark welcomed the attention.

Anyway, so Mom is hoping that both Bebe and Elliot will revisit this blog and hear our plea to contact us so we can meet up or just exchange some information. Elliot's mom wanted to know who I go to for grooming for example. So please contact my Mom so she stops bugging me to write this blog entry. Email mom at editordan2002 at yahoo. By the way, Bebe has a blog - visit it at http://thebebster.blogspot.com/ . In her latest entry she reports that her folks offered a 2 year old rescue wire a forever home with them and the America Fox Terrier Rescue turned them down saying 2 wires in one household is not a good idea. I disagree completely - I know of many households with multiple wires -- Mackie and Finn; Butchy and Snickers; Party and Mango and many others. Yes, sometimes bitches don't do well together, but a dog and bitch or two dogs seem to do just fine. I just pray the 2 year old Bebe talks about wasn't little Oscar the guy I told you about last week. I am sure he would have been very happy to live with Bebe - and I know I would have looked forward to welcoming him to Philadelphia!

Ok, I've done my duty, can I retire to the couch now Mom?

Oh, before I forget, wanted to tell you all to check out Pepper's new blog - it's cute! Boy Mom sure found that little guy a great home!

AGC

Mother on the Rampage

Uh oh. Mom got her tits in a tangle yesterday!

Around 6pm, we went for our walk and it was very very hot, around 90F. Naturally Mom thought I'd enjoy a swim, so we walked towards our favorite fountain which you've all seen in pictures on my blog before. When we finally got to the fountain - quite a long walk - I jumped right in and dunked my head under the water again and again. Then mom sat down and dangled her feets in the water. And then suddenly, this mean lady dressed in black and white, with a gold shield on her bosom, marched over to us and ordered us out the fountain! She did the same to some children who were about to jump in too.

Mom demanded to know who had ordered her to order us out the fountain. She said it was the mean old Commissioner of Fairmount Park. She was quite apologetic, professed her love of canines etc, especially swimming canines, but said she had to do her job, that she was being watched by security surveillance cameras. Mom understood but she was steamed! I disobeyed the guard when she wasn't looking and jumped in and out a few times - that made mom grin.

Anyway, when we got home, I heard mom run up to my computer and hit those keys, all the time cursing under her breath. When she left this morning for work, I got on my computer and retrieved the email she sent...uh oh, she wrote to our local newspaper. Here is her letter:

June 27, 2007

Dear Editor,

So it's come to this...Policing of the fountains! Yesterday in the 85F heat, my dog Axel and I went for a walk in the evening along Kelly drive, to the Azalea Gardens and onwards past the Waterworks restaurant. Just past the restaurant, we were both delighted to come upon a fountain. Axel, being very fond of swimming, jumped right in, put his head under the water and jumped about in glee. Feeling hot myself, I sat down and dangled my feet in the cool water. Suddenly, a guard appeared out of nowhere, resplendent in a black and white uniform, shaking her hand at me and demanding that we both get out of the water. I asked her politely why we were not allowed to cool off in a public fountain - we have done this many times at the fountain at the top of the Art Museum stairs and on Eakins Oval and never been stopped before.

I was informed that she was employed by the city on behalf of the Commissioner of Fairmount Park and her orders were to stop man and beast from setting foot or paw in the fountains. She was quite apologetic, repeating that she was only doing her job and that she was being observed by the surrounding security cameras. While my dog and I stood there, a group of kids tried to jump in the fountain for some respite from the heat, and were also prevented from doing so.

Does the City of Philadelphia have nothing else to worry about that they now have to pay security guards to police fountains? Perhaps the Commissioner lives in the burbs and has a fabulous swimming pool but there are many city dwellers who don't enjoy that luxury. So why deprive us of a dip in a fountain? This is yet another example of the screwed up priorities of the City of Philadelphia.

Daniella Slon and Axel
Brewerytown

Boy oh boy, she included me in her diatribe! And she sent them that photo of me and Austin in the fountain. Hope it doesn't lead to our arrest!!!

AGC

The Good Times Roll for Pepper

Is this not the picture of utter contentment?

Pepper plays tug with his sister and fellow Dashchund. Look at all those toys! Yikes, he is one lucky dog!

AGC

Update on Cuz Pepper

Good news! Today Pepper (featured in an earlier post) found his forever home. He now has two sisters - a beagle and another dashchund, AND 4 kitty siblings. How lucky can one get? He also has a big fenced in yard. In short, Pepper is happy and on his way to a wonderful new life.

His new mommy Christina sent me a photo to show my fans Pepper's new family. Looks like Pepper played all day and exhausted his new siblings.

Good luck Buddy - enjoy your new family.

AGC

Can you give Oscar a forever home?

There is a sweet-boy rescue dog currently on the American Fox Terrier Rescue site named Oscar. He is more or less my age - two. As with all of the dogs listed there, they have been without forever homes too long.

Oscar hails from an Amish puppy mill in Southern Indiana. He is a very solid dog considering his origins. His fosters have found him to be friendly, yet somewhat stoic since he had been in a less than ideal environment. Oscar is now being fostered in Michigan.

Mom says he looks a lot like I do - especially in the picture of him in the greenery.

You can find out more about Oscar by clicking here . You can also contact Rita at airewaldo@aol.com or 269-345-3023.

I think Oscar would be the perfect brother for me...but our landlords only allow ONE dog in our house.

AGC

My Short, Short-Lived Cousin Pepper

Last night, Mom and Dad took me in the car to see my grandparents. When I got there, I was surprised to see a dog crate in the living room that smelled of puppy! But I couldn't see any pup immediately! Then the back door opened and this tiny little rat-like creature came bounding towards me. Upon closer sniff, I discovered it was indeed a dog and not a rat! Mom explained his name was Pepper and he was of the Daschund family. I had to really bend down to sniff his behind and he couldn't reach mine of course!


I tried to play with him but my aunt and grandparents were neurotic that I'd step on him and break his back! I mean really - relax humans - we're just playing! Pepper had a good spirit, he jumped up at me and tried to nip at me - but of course I just laughed 'cos he couldn't even reach my knees! The play was shortlived due to the neurosis!

Anyway, Pepper was a gift from my aunt to her Mom, but it turns out they may not want to keep him. Some big misunderstanding? Poor little guy. He hailed from Missouri (renowned for puppy mills) and was shipped to a petstore in Philly. Not a good beginning - but hopefully he has a bright future as aunt and Mom think they've found him a lovely new home with a family who has another Doxie and a Beagle. I will keep my paws crossed for him. Please do the same.

AGC

My Kingdom for a Pool!

As you all know, I love to swim. I love to put my head under the water. I like to dance about and get wet all over! But all I ever swim in is a fountain. I have yet to experience the joys of a swimming pool. But boy I did come close yesterday...

We were at Dad's sister's place - I saw my cousin Jakie - a 9 year old lab mix - to celebrate Father's day (not that I did anything for my Dad - but then again, being a discerning Wirey guy, I don't appreciate these crass, commercial holidays...). They have a HUGE yard, about the size of Fairmount Park! First I was happy to sniff the grass and go up and down the jungle gym...

But then, oh my, I spotted a POOL, a great big body of water - right in front of me...

Oh how I longed to jump in that cool water. I stared and stared, hoping I could copy that mind freak guy I see on TV and will the fences to dissolve. I tried, really I did. But there was no way to get through the two barricades to the heavenly pool that lay just beyond my reach. Oh sadness...

Then you get lucky lucky wires like my pal Chewie who has his own backyard pool and sent me this photo this morning. Man I envy Chewie - that is precisely what I would have done had I been able to tear through those darn fences!!!

Anyway, I will choose to believe that there is a pool somewhere in my future! Keep your paws crossed for me!

AGC

Finnegan's Visit

Today was the big Commerce Bank Bike Race in Philly, right here, literally, in my back yard - in MY park. No-one checked with me whether it would be ok to take over MY park and fill it with people and thousands of bikes and blaring music! Anyway, I'm sorta glad it happened, 'cos if it wasn't for the race, I would never have met Finnegan Spielman - brother of the famous Mackie the Sock Eater who came all the way from Maryland with his Mom Melissa and Dad Steve! Finnegan is 9 months old, and he's quite a guy!

We met under a gazebo away from the noise - and we took an instant liking to each other after we both hopped up on the picnic table...



At one point, you could say we even exchanged kisses...


While the bike race was going on -


Mom and Dad chatted with Melissa...


And then Finn and I played about. Finn is not used to being off leash like I am - so we couldn't go totally bonkers running about - but we still got in some good play. Boy Finn plays rough - I enjoyed it thoroughly! My type of pal!



Soon the bike race ended, and we all walked back towards the Parkway. Guess what I spotted? A FOUNTAIN!! I had to go in of course and I was hoping Finn would join me. Once again, a guard blocked our way. But both Mom's did such a good job of begging to let us cool off, that she said OK!! I of course, ploughed right in - while Finn had to be gently pushed in. He didn't like it much...guess he's still young...stick around Finn, you'll end up loving it like I do.



On the way out the water, I noticed some scribbles on the bottom of the fountain. Luckily I think, I can't read!!


Then it was time to say goodbye to my new friend Finn...I love meeting other wiry pals - hope to meet Finn again soon - possibly at Montgomery!

AGC