My Westie Vash

Sadly I have not been keeping up with updates… the days really do fly by with two babies in the house – one human baby and one furbaby It’s amazing how the breastfeeding schedule breaks up the day so much – it’s like deja vu all the time – didn’t I just do this?! LOL.

I really can’t complain though and Vash has been the best Westie brother ever. He’s very attentive and hangs around to make sure we are tending to the baby when he cries. Sometimes I think Vash is looking at me thinking, “Hey, do something, the baby is crying!” Often it does seem like Vash is guarding our little one…

I’m sure Vash doesn’t mind going out for extra walkies… even though it’s a bit of a challenge to get him to walk next to the stroller properly!

There are moments when it seems that Vash is jealous of the baby, but in a cute way. He just wants more cuddles and some attention as well. I think we do a pretty good job in balancing it all and luckily we have a lot of people that visit us regularly, so Vash gets lots of love.

He’ll always be our first little baby. Funny how recently we met another couple with a Westie and they said that as they get older they want more lovey doveyness… haha!

It can be challenging at times to go out with two little ones to care for… but it’s worth it to see them all so happy and playing… that’s what life is all about, right? Going out and enjoying times together.

Now that the weather is warmer here in Italy we are starting to have more BBQs… so Vash is super happy about that. He just can’t have enough grilled chicken… sitting there waiting patiently for his BBQ meals Lucky dog!

Finally, we were able to take Vash for stripping and general grooming… and now he’s all handsome… what a difference in the before and after, huh?

With the pregnancy and baby, it’s true that Vash has been neglected a bit… but now we have to get back into the routine of things. It’s so nice to finally be able to see his eyes properly! He’s so cute and looks younger actually. Our little furbaby…

If only he’ll stay still for photos though. It’s hard to capture these Westies in action!

Yup, finally the new arrival is home and it’s definitely been a challenging time – although totally worth it! Vash has been so good… who could ask for more from a furbaby? When the baby cries, Vash comes around to check and see what’s up. Sometimes he will sit next to me while I breastfeed. The only pics I have are these dark ones of when Vash wants to snuggle up near us on the couch.

Sadly, Vash has not been groomed in forever with all the events… poor guy looks like a sheep dog. Yes, even more than before! Will have to get him spiffed up soon!

Our household has been in the waiting stage this month, I’m 40 weeks and totally excited and anxious for the baby to arrive. I’m not sure if Vash notices anything really… he doesn’t seem to care much that my tummy is ginormous now. I suppose there will be some jealousy, but he’s our first fur-baby… so it’s not like he’s going to be out of the picture!

I realize also that he is not so groomed these days… oops! We haven’t been able to get an appointment at a new place that could strip him, so time has just been flying by. Although the breeder always says that it’s something that bothers us humans more than the dogs. Vash never seems happy to be groomed, combed, bathed or cleaned in any way – hehe!

Vash and his Dad are super buddies and they like to take naps together. Doesn’t Vash look like a little baby himself?

Perhaps he does know something is going on with the changes in the house and new baby items. Maybe he is waiting as well.

Our days are pretty routine with walks, playtime and such…

He still loves his green ball more than anything else, although with the cold weather I’ve been trying to convince him to play inside more often. Not much luck really…

I’m just realizing that I have a lot of sleeping photos of Vash… and although he’s a pretty home-ish dog, it’s just that taking photos are easier when he’s stationary!  Otherwise it’s just a white blur…

Plus, I always think it’s so cute when he’s sleeping. On top of my stuff, wherever that looks like a nice spot to plop down… silly dog.

A new year, but same ‘ole Westie attitude. We’ve come to the conclusion that Vash is a pretty lazy dog. He has no problems taking a slow day with us, lazy-ing about the house and napping all over. I suppose it fits our lifestyle. We say in Italian that he’s a living room dog!

He’s 2 years and 3 months old now and in a month or so he’ll be welcoming home a non-furbaby brother. We are totally excited, but all the organizing and rearranging of furniture is really throwing him off. Vash keeps going to our old room and wondering what happened! I do hope he gets used to it soon and of course, we still think of him as our first son… no matter what!

Here are just a few snaps from a lazy day at home.

Here’s a mega photo review of what we’ve been up to – or not up to! Lots of chillin’ at home really… our furbaby still loves sleeping (in our bed.)

He’s still in love with his mini green basketball. It’s the only kind of ball he likes to play with.

All plastic bottles seem to be automatically claimed as his property. If Ale is drinking from the bottle, Vash suddenly runs up and sits there waiting for the transfer of ownership… hehe.

Although Vash is reaping the benefits of having a covered terrace, the construction is really annoying as well. He hasn’t been able to roam around as he usually does because of the work in progress. I’m afraid of the all the chemicals and junk that are being used as well… it’ll all be done in the New Year (I hope!)

We are all homebodies and love to chill on the couch. I suppose that makes us pretty lazy… but Vash seems to not have a problem with it!

I still think it’s funny to semi-dress up Vash. He seems to humor me every once in a while… like this Jamaican style hat… wazzup!?

On Sunday, we went to a Westy.it meetup in Florence and it was nice to see everyone and all the cute Westies parading around. Vash couldn’t help but growl at every male and sniff out every female… oh dear…

Even though Vash had gotten some kind of bug or upset stomach, he seemed partially recovered and still enjoyed the day. Interaction is good, no?

We were a pretty sizeable group and Vash looked a bit hip hop gangster compared to others who were more Xmas themed. LOL.

That is Vash’s mom, Luna… all proper there observing the scene. Meanwhile, Vash was trying the whole time to sniff her out and she kept snapping at him. It’s weird that they don’t recognize each other like mom and son… sort of sad I suppose.

Here I am at 7 months pregnant with Vash. It’s definitely a challenge to even pick him up these days and I wonder if he knows that his little brother will be coming soon? A less hairy little brother anyway… I think. Hehe… Vash hasn’t really been acting any differently with me throughout the whole pregnancy.

The Xmas market at Santa Croce was so filled up that we just opted to sit down and have a snack. I just didn’t feel so comfortable brushing past people all the time with the baby bump. We let Vash sit next to us as well, even though he took up another seat in a crowded area. Oh well. Seriously, he’s more well behaved than most human kids…

In the evening we all met up at a roller skate rink for the Westy meetup festivities.

Vash ditched his sweater and there was the normal acceptance of momentos and such. Funny how both Ale and Vash look like they have the same expression… picture?! haha…

It was a long day, so I think we were all glad to be home. Here’s Vash blending into the rug with his hamburger squeaker toy gift. He went a bit crazy over it, but then just got worn out!

As we prepare for the arrival of the newborn, we are trying to keep things simple and calm. Even though the holidays are coming up and there’s sure to be lots of commotion as always. Sometimes I feel like Vash has grown up so much, but other times, I look at him and see how little and helpless in so many ways he is. Sometimes he gives me a look and I keep wondering what he would say to me if he could talk. It’s weird, this connection you have with your furbabies. Beautiful and weird I suppose.