I was cooking when Speedy arrived home with a crate for Astro. Sick and all, and he still went out to meet with a client. I know that some of the top brass in his company read my blog so, read this — my husband deserves a medal and a 1000% raise hehehehe
I don’t know whether it was him or Alex who moved Astro’s toys from his sleeping basket to the crate. Alex came into the kitchen describing how Astro took to the crate. Speedy placed a few pieces of dog treats inside to lure Astro in. But the smart dog placed his front feet inside the crate and stretched his body to reach the treats without actually going all the way inside. Well, the door’s been left open. He’ll realize soon enough that it’s his new sleeping quarters.
After a few hours, Astro had gone inside the crate, and out again, a couple of times. Not bad. I told Speedy Astro might like it better if we placed a cushion or an old pillow inside the crate — he loves sleeping on the pillows under my desk, after all, leaving little space for my feet. Speedy suggested a clean floor mat and all that talk about making the crate more comfortable and inviting for Astro gave me a thought.
I said aloud while composing an entry for Pinoy Cook, “Astro, should we have your crate interior decorated?”
Alex, whom I thought had drowsed off, replied, “Yes, and I want it with flowers.”
Flowers? I don’t think so. Besides, it was just a joke. 
Anyway, after roaming around and around, Astro finally got tired. He went straight under my desk and soon his eyes were closed. I asked Speedy to move him so he can get used to sleeping in the crate. Speedy moved him, and one pillow, into the crate.
There must be something about the pillow. Astro didn’t object. I just hope that that “something” is the soft comfort that the pillow offers rather than any residual smell of my feet.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Gay 03.01.08 at 4:08 pm
He looks so adorable here, far from your stories in previous posts
Connie Veneracion 03.01.08 at 5:24 pm
LOL He is, except when he’s hyper.
Sam 03.01.08 at 6:22 pm
MABAHO ANG PAA MO. Lalo na kapag yung green or orange ang tsinelas mo.
Alex = Stups
Flowers = DIE
Connie Veneracion 03.01.08 at 6:56 pm
Hoy, ano ka! Kaya gusto ni Astro sa unan ko kasi amoy Chanel No. 5 yung paa ko. Wag mo inisin si Alex; baka lagyan ng ribbon si Astro pag wala ka.
Kongkong622 03.01.08 at 8:12 pm
Hanep..Chanel No. 5!! Ang sosi naman ng footsies mo
Astro looks absolutely relaxed on your pillow
Connie Veneracion 03.01.08 at 8:45 pm
LOL Joke lang. Wala ako pambili ng Chanel No. 5. Kaamoy lang ng paa ko. hehehehe
feng 03.01.08 at 9:33 pm
finally, a cozy crate for Astro
san nyo nabili? at how much?
Connie Veneracion 03.01.08 at 10:22 pm
Feng, in a pet shop along E. Rodriguez, according to Speedy. P4,000.00.
nikita 03.02.08 at 3:48 am
Yup, it’s the pillow! Good thing you put it in there! Now, when he goes in there for his usual afternoon nap, just close the door. If he generally pees when he wakes up after a nap, then let him out and take him outside. At night, when he heads to the crate to sleep for the night, that’s the time to close it. He’ll get the idea that’s where to go when he’s sleepy or wanting to be left alone. The crate will be his sanctuary. Seems like he was also looking at that spot under your desk as a sanctuary too since it was hidden and had pillows.
I taught my dog that crate is “bed” and would pat the dog bed inside the crate and say the word “bed” when he’s sleepy and heading towards it (back when he was a puppy). When Samson is sleeping on one of the couches at night, I’ll just say “Sam, go to your bed!” and he will get up and go to his bed.
rolly 03.02.08 at 3:27 pm
this is something I wanted to buy. buti na lang me nagtanong ng presyo. Tuturuan ko na lang na naka leash. Umuubra naman sa mongrel ko. hahahaha
Kaamoy ng paa mo Chanel No. 5? Aba, ipunin natin ang pawis at baka ikayaman natin yan. 10% commission lang naman ako.
Connie Veneracion 03.02.08 at 5:48 pm
Nikita, re Samson. The name of Astro’s father is Samson.
Tito Rolly, mabilis mag-evaporate eh hhehehe
rhodora 03.03.08 at 10:20 pm
Won’t Astro grow any bigger? What if he outgrows his crate?
He looks so peaceful in there.
Chris 03.03.08 at 10:33 pm
Astro will outgrow that crate in less than 6 months.
By that time he’ll hpefully be traiined and housebroken enough to not need the crate, hehe. Right connie? Er, sam!
Connie Veneracion 03.07.08 at 1:13 am
Astro now knows that the crate is “bed”. We try to keep the door open. Had to close it only a few times when he was having a tantrum. When he outgrows it, we have another dog that can use it. We actually have a mini pinscher although he had been an “outdoor” dog for years.