A Return to a More Serious Note

As I am nearing my four year anniversary since moving to Portugal I can’t help thinking about how much I have changed and grown as a dog. If you recall the post I wrote three years ago entitled “A more serious note” (15^th March 2013), about coping with the aftermath of domestic violence and how Mummy was seeking help for my behaviour while dealing with her own trauma. You would read how difficult times had become.

My life in England was very different. In my early years I was witness to a lot of unpleasant things. Lots of shouting and hiding in small places, violence and aggression. Things no puppy should ever see. When Mummy wasn’t around the unpleasant attention was geared towards me. I learnt early on that I needed to be there for Mummy and we formed a very close bond protecting each other. At two years old the dynamics in our home changed with the removal of our abuser, but being so used to playing the role of Mummy’s protector, traumatised and constantly being on a high state of alert I became aggressive and with this came isolation because I was not trusted to behave in public.

Fast forward four years and with love, kindness, understanding, persistence and a whole lot of therapy; Mummy truly believes I am a different dog. No need to be muzzled and kept on the leash. No need to be kept away from others. Instead of the dog that picks the fight, I am the dog who shows others how to behave. Of course I’m not perfect and I will always be there to protect my home and my family and if a puppy decides to steal my ball at the beach I WILL tell them off, but life is certainly a lot easier.

Daily Doggy Beach Party With My Buddies

Perhaps it’s because I am older and wiser, calmer, more experienced? I now have many doggy friends, who I learn from as well as teach. Time is a great healer as they say. Look at me now! I am the inspiration for the latest kids character and I even have my own children's digital series coming out soon. I am a star!

We are the lucky ones. Unlike so many, we are survivor's of Domestic Violence and it's now our reasonability to speak out against it and stop these terrible acts.

Thank you Mummy for not giving up on me.

Much Love

Zuma XX

Back to School

So, this week is Back to School week. I don’t know about you, but it has certainly been a very long summer break. Master C certainly needs to be back amongst his friends and Mummy really needs to get back into work mode and get her focus back to ME and all things that surround ME! Ten weeks is really far too long for the schools to be closed in my opinion.

I spent a good chunk of my time hang out with my favourite trainer, playing at his farm and being generally quite spoilt, while Mummy and Master C gallivanted across the globe in search of inspiration for new styles and Mummy tells me she even wrote a new Zuma the Dog book. Can’t wait to start seeing that come to life.

Mummy said she was sorry that I couldn’t come with her and was sad I couldn’t experience all the fun they had in Brazil and England. She took stuffed Zuma with her to make up for it and it does look like he had a great time. To be honest though, I know I had the best time where I was and as much as they enjoyed seeing lots of new things and making friends with strange new creatures, rolling around in a dusty old farm, digging up rotten old balls and long walks on the sunset beach is a much better holiday for me.

 

Apparently Stuffed Zuma got really good at photo bombing and here are some of Mummy's snap shots to prove it. 

Relaxing and enjoying the river in the Rainforest of Brazil

 

"Look Mummy, this is where they grow Bananas"

 

"Don't you think this would make a great location for a photo shoot for Zuma the Dog?"

 

The locals are so friendly

 

Super fun ride on the cable car. Mummy and Daddy zipped lined down this.

 

Awesome view of Balneario Camboriu from Unipraias Adventure park

 

We loved all the animals and birds at the Botanical Gardens in Joinville

 

A romantic trip through the Rain Forest by train

 

So many palm trees at Rua da Palmeira

 

I am relaxed and ready to face my public and enjoy what is ahead for Zuma the Dog. New school term equal new adventures for us all. Bring them on!

 

Much Love

 

Zuma XX

 

 

Born Flea!

I’ve now been living in paradise for two years and it occurred to me just the other day that since I’ve been here I have not once had a single flea. In the UK it felt at times that I was the only dog in the world that hosted these annoying little pests. That they all came to live on me and no matter how many times mummy washed and Frontlined me and sprayed the house I would always remain the most desirable host for fleas. The summer months were particularly the worst and she would often worry about the chemicals she was putting on my skin and how they would affect both me and Master C, if he was to get any on him. How harmful are these pest control cures to the environment and the home?  It wasn’t something I thought about much until I was sat scratching my ear with my back foot, just yesterday and then remembered that this was something I used to do more often than I care to admit. This got my little mind thinking. What has changed? Why am I now completely critter free? What has changes about me? Am I truly Super Zuma?

After a little research online I soon discovered the little known fact that FLEAS DON’T LIKE SALT! Pawsome! This means, now my lifestyle has changed, becoming a beach bum, all the surfing and paddle boarding I’m doing is not only giving me a great doggy cardio workout, but it’s also repelling the fleas. More online research says that even pool water that contains chlorine will also repel the little parasites as chlorine is also salt. This is possibly the best news I heard all week!

I understand that I am a lucky pup living by the sea and having a pool in my garden which gives me access to as much salt as my little fluffy body can take, but we have thought that perhaps there is a way you can tell your humans about this natural way to get rid of those pesky fleas.  I suggested to Mummy that a mixture of salty water put into a spray container and sprayed all over your fur could help prevent infestation. Give it a try. I’m sure you will be amazed with the results.

I’m heading out to beach for another dip in the sea and to try out my new wetsuit! Let me know how you get on with our natural flea repellent remedy.

There's no fleas on me!

 

Much Love

 

Zuma XX