First things first: the Black HoundsInHeaven are now officially listed individually with the DogsWithBlogs community! That includes me and my father Sumo. We used to be included in the DWB community through my younger brother Sweepy. But now that we have our own site, we can now post our own stories . . . as We see It. . . and not as the other brown dog sees it. Ho-hum.

Second, since my father Sumo's blog is getting some foreign readers, my English translations of his Pilipino barkings are now POSTED together with the original post. Saves time for anyone moving from one blog to the other. Third, I can now bark about my world!

Since I have no particular gripes to bark about, plus I am quite lazy, I will instead share my Green world. You see, I may be black but I love anything and everything Green!

Also, I can now post my own skywatch, wordless, and clueless dogservation about my doggone life . . . Some exciting changes will soon be here!

Have a green day!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-16T12:04:00.000+08:00

Translating Sumo's Post: October 15
"Wordless Wednesday . . . daw"

That's the name of a group here in the Net.
They include my OA (over-acting) pup Sweepy
and possibly also my other pup Bogart.
The group meets every Wednesday
(this was yesterday in the Philippines
since we are ahead by a day)
and they post only pictures for today
since this is supposedly a wordless day.

But if you take a peep at the group's postings
there are so many WORDS
and everybody is saying too many things!
QueBarbaridad!

But if you're gonna ask me . . .
this is the real wordless for you . . .

(please check site for photograph)

. . . may you get hit by lightning
er, by a shocking realization
of a truly wordless . . . day.
Ahem.

Anak Ka Ng Linta!

2008-10-14T12:31:00.007+08:00

Sumo's October 13, 2008 Post
The title is an expression:
Anak (child) ka ng (of) Linta (leech)

Geez, I think I can sense Mr. Leach, the leech who often visits us. He moves so slow it takes forever for him to reach his destination. I don't know why Mr. Leach often goes to our house when he knows that Lui gets irritated every time he visits. Lui was on the point of getting on her knees to beg him not to visit us.

Why?

First, it is dangerous for him to get close to us lest he sucks our blood. MercifulHeaven! And to think, he loves to buzz everyone with a kiss! MercifulSaints!

Second, it is dangerous for him in case we step on him since he is too small and wanders slowly all around. We often step on his type. And Lui would cry everytime she gets to sweep dead, flattened victims of our heavy, running paws. If we can kill Lui's toenails when we accidentally step on her feet, what more leeches like Mr. Leach?

Third, he moves soooo late and slow that he often forgets the reason for his visits. Like now. Look at him. Trying to hide when I already spotted him. Besides, Lui already told us he will visit us. But that was last August yet! It's already October! See? I am sure Mr. Leach forgot that he was to congratulate us for winning in the Pawlimpics. Oh, merciful Moon! Spare thy forgetful leech!

Look! Mr. Leach went hiding in our lizard Troy's hole. I hope he will not have the bad luck of meeting those pack of snappy red ants who will in turn suck his blood!

Oh, Mr. Leach! The moon is waxing to full. People are grouchy. But me, I understand you totally even if you always misunderstood me. I thank you for visiting me even if we were not able to meet. After all, I am the real reason you went all the way here since I was the Winner of the Pawlimpics here!

Hope to see you again . . .

Reading Images of the Present

2008-10-10T02:19:00.000+08:00

This is my younger brother Sweepy.

He is the
community
volunteer
to help people
learn and understand
how to care for animals
and the laws
that protect us
from abuses
and cruelty.

If you see
this poster

around you
please take
the time
to read
and understand
what it is saying.

It is
not easy
for animals
like us
to live in a world
run by people.

At the end of the day
animals like Sweepy
and the houndsinheaven
can get tired
get lost,
get sick,
or even die . . .
if people will not care

Stop Animal Abuse
and be a Responsible Animal Owner.

Learn to Care
for your pet animals
and your environment.

I rarely bark
but this time
I join my family
in this urgent time.

Woofy, Cruel People!
Your Time Is Up!

The Month of Art, Books, and Memories. . .

2008-10-10T01:58:00.000+08:00

. . . that's the month of October.
When was the last time
you went to a museum?
Or to the silid aklatan
which you better know as a library?
Memories of the past.
Stories wrapped in memories.
Shaped from mud.
Written in pencil.
Painted.

My friend Claire
loves to paint toys
that tells the story
of her memories.

Her last exhibit (August) at Tin-aw Gallery
"louder symphony, homage to crashing"
are happy images of superheroes
playing in the human world.

I sometimes wonder
who is really playing and happy?
Was it the toy or the child?
The one playing or the object of play?
'Cause everytime I play
my play ball seems to be the one
enjoying and bouncing in joy.
While I am tired catching my breath
from running after it!

You can read many stories
in some works of art
which you will find
in a museum or art gallery.
Or in the pages of a book.
Or in the memories left by loved ones
who has freely left your life.

Maybe
it is just right
to visit them again.

from Sumo's October 9 post:
Ang Buwan ng Sining, Aklat at Alaala . . .

The Fiesta in our Town

2008-09-30T04:28:00.000+08:00

Sumo's September 29 Post:
Ang Pista Sa Aming Nayon!

Here is Manong*
(*note: a Pilipino term for an older male person)

He is a member of the akyat-bahay* gang
(note: akyat-bahay which literally means to climb houses
actually refers to robbers who "climb houses")

Nope, that is not the robbers group.
Manong's group are those
that were hired to climb houses
to install buntings for the town fiesta.

Last week was the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz.
Lui may be a Catholic but she does know the feast!
She goes to the other church that's why.
The Sto. Rosario church whose feast
will be celebrated in October.

I don't know why there are so many churches
in the subdivision where we are staying.
They are building another one nearer to our house.
There are so many schools too (22!)
and that is in our village alone!

There.
Manong finished installing the buntings.
It took his group the whole day just to hang it.
And the following day,
a huge bus passed to transport children
from the nearby school for their field trip
and pulled some of the buntings off the house!

By Sunday
the buntings were incomplete
like broken teeth!

And here comes the band . . .
sent by the Town Mayor
to bring joy to the occasion.
But it is too noisy!
The hounds in heaven went into hiding!
The children are the ones who enjoy these things.

Look at these children
who came from the nearby town
and followed the marching band.
They were really happy.

The children are really the ones
who enjoy the buntings, the band
and the meals prepared for the fiesta.

But Lui and I
we just watch.
We enjoy watching the children.
But not the buntings and the band
for these are not important for us.

And these are not the real essence
of the feast day for us.

Text Your Story!

2008-09-26T03:16:00.000+08:00

Sumo's I-Text Mo Kuwento Mo!

I was once asked to sit
in the middle of a room full of people.
And that's where the phrase
Center of Attraction started.

I was so nervous I fainted.
And that's when they invented the term
Drop-Dead-Gorgeous.

Then I was arrested by a police.
On what charges, I asked.
And the police officer said:
Possession of a Killer Smile.

So I went to a mirror
to see if the charges were true.
And I saw my reflection with my own eyes.
And that's how the phrase
"Beauty Is In The Eyes of the Beholder"
started.

from e-mail sent to Sumo
by artist Clairelynn

Dear Akikoy

2008-09-26T03:12:00.000+08:00

Sorry for the delay.
My hot spot is now dry and healing.
Keeper said the bald spot will grow new furs.
I hope the new furs will be in a different color.
Thanks for dropping by.

. . . yes, I only have one ball.

and proud of it.

Your friend,
Bogart

I'm Not On Leave!

2008-09-17T03:29:00.002+08:00

My Popsy Sumo thinks that I am not going to work because I have "hot spots" which Lui is trying to heal. But I am not disabled and quite capable to do my work. So I am translating Popsy Sumo's September 15 post now:

Nadiskaril ang Translator ko!
My Translator went hay wired!

Oh, I knew it!
That thud is going to get it.
He is too rowdy and eats a lot.
So I lost my translator for now.

No wonder my pup Bogart often watches over me.
He is not feeling well that's why.
Imagine having a "hot spot" near his butt
which makes him itch and quite edgy.

But what can I do about that?
I am not a doctor.
He probably got bitten by a bug.
Or the leech stuck and sucked his blood
and he tried to pull it off!
That's why he looked like it's Good Friday.
And the other rowdy pup chose to stay beside him.

Look at them.
Those two are always together.
Like two peas in a pod
that you can not figure out.
And there I was behind them
watching them from my house.

Those two pups from my litter
may not resemble each other
but they are very close.
Theirs is a real friendship.
In joy and in pain they will always
stand by each other.

Which is the reason I sleep well
knowing that if one of them does not feel well
the other will watch out for the other.
Unlike me, I am always on my own.
Hmmm, I think I better go to sleep now.

To those who can not read in Pilipino
you better wait for Bogart to get well
who, even with his hot spots,
has not lost his huge appetite
and is as rowdy as ever!

They Say I Am A Bully!

2008-09-04T02:56:00.000+08:00

That's what some say about me.
That I am a bully.

I always get irritated with my pups
and I always call their attention.
And because of that, I was called a bully.

So there,
we can not always stay together outside.
We have to go on shift when we go out.
'Cause they say I might bully my pups.

But look.
Even if my pups are out
they chose to stay beside me!@
Is that a bully?

And the same goes for me.
Every time I am out
I chose to stay beside them.
Is that a bully?

If you ask Lui, however,
she will tell you
that I am really good.

This sounds like those mothers on TV
every time their kids are caught by the police
stealing or doing some wrong deeds
the mothers would tearfully say:
"But he is really a good kid!"

Geez, and the mothers say this
even if their kids have been sent to prison over and over
that even in their adulthood
they remain troublesome
and King of Mischief
in the eyes of their mother
"that kid is really good".

Hey, Mommy, that notorious kid of yours
is the real bully!

As for me,
I am really good.
A bit grumpy at times
but in the eyes of Lui
I am really good!

And that's the truth . . .

Translating Sumo's Sept. 3 Post
"Bully Daw Ako"

Sobra-Sobra! (Too Much!)

2008-08-26T04:24:00.000+08:00

Sobra-Sobra! 
Sumo’s August 25 Post

I often hear people say that around me
especially from the younger kids.
Maybe because they often hear it from celebrities on TV
who always say “sobra-sobra” a lot. . .

Here are some examples:
“I am sobra happy about my project!”
“I am sobra happy about my movie!”
“My joy is sobra!" 

Whew, it is really sobra with superlatives.
Sobra.

Sometimes, I get irritated every time I hear it
never knowing that someday 
I, myself, will also go sobra-sobra too. . .


And here’s my sobra story:
I received another award from Pawlimpics!
The Bronze Award for my Begging Face.
Here, look at it:

Wow, I really looked begging, didn’t I?
Actually, I just had my bath that day
and my body feels sobra-sobra light
and I smell sobra-sobra nice
which made Lui sobra crazy in kissing me.
That made me sobra happy.
Sobra-sobra, isn’t it?

And that’s not all.
When Luchie arrived home from work last Friday
she brought home a gift for us.
No wonder my pups where sobra hyper
waiting for Luchie all day
and in exhaustion, they fell asleep
so I got to have the first taste of the gift!
Ssssh, don’t tell the two pups . . .

And this is the gift: some toys, shampoo and treats!
We were sobra happy that I played with the toy!

Thank you, Lilli!
Lilli is the new girlfriend of Sweepy.
Sweepy has a lot of human girlfriends.
All pretty and nice too!
Sobra!

And my favorite gift from Lilli:
The Black Shampoo which I used right away!
I smelled of carpet.
A newly washed carpet!
Sobra.

And most of all
I went sobra crazy for the Begging Strips
which is the sobra delicious bacon-cheese treat
which is the perfect snacks to have after a bath
and it fits sobra a Begging King like me.
Sobra really.

Sobra.

Sumo Won Again!

2008-08-20T05:08:00.000+08:00

From Sumo's Post
"Nanalo Ulit AKo"
(I Won Again!)

Gold Medal: At Work

Talk of being lucky!
I'm sure my pups will get envious again.
They were really hoping to win
but I guess they are not so lucky.
Thank you, Pawlimpics!

So maybe you were asking
what kind of work I did to win.
There.
See that photograph?
That's what I did that made me win.
That's what I do together with my hounds family.
We volunteer as community watchdogs.
We help in our barangay (village)
teach and educate residents
most especially children in schools
of the importance of laws like Republic Act8485,
the Anti-Littering Act and the ban
on using Pellet Guns.

Sweepy is the hardworker.
He is the one who loves being with people.
I chose to stay on the background with Bogart.
We do not want to make a fuss.

But Sweepy, geez, he's so OA (over-acting).
He likes the fuss.
He gets happy when people fuss over him.
He's not wanting for attention though.
He is the happy, sociable type
while Bogart and I are the quiet types.

Anyway, the Pawlimpics are still ongoing.
Do go and check the site
and remember, your doggies can also vote
for the Doggy's Choice award.

Again, thank you to the Pawlimpics committee.
I share this award to my pups Sweepy and Bogart
most especially to my late mate Pica.
It feels like I'm giving a speech
so I have to end here
unless I end up crying.

Thank you to Hammer and his family.
You are always in our thoughts . . .

This is Saver

2008-08-15T04:27:00.000+08:00

He is a cross-breed dog
who lives at the end of Rainbow Avenue.
He has been passing by for days
together with his human companion
waiting for the free anti-rabies shots
announced to the residents in our place.

My family and I
especially my pup Sweepy
who acts as SuperDog or Community WatchDog
who helps educate and inform people
of the right way of taking care of pets
and of the environment too.

The free anti-rabies shots is just one
of the projects in our barangay (village)
The barangay was able to administer
3,000 shots in our barangay this year!

We just had our free shots this weekend.
And Saver was there.
Together with his human companion.
Saver had his shots without a fuss.
And after taking his shots he left quietly
and walked nicely home with the other dogs.

While the houndsinheaven had a hard time.
That's how they refer to us
since our house's name is Heaven
and we are referred to as 'Hounds'
even if we are actually Mongrels.

We are not used to being with other dogs and people.
That's why when we are taken out of Heaven
it gets too noisy and we get too frisky.
That is the reason the veterinarian
are often called to do house calls in Heaven
for our shots, check-ups and all.
For we can be such a nuisance when taken out.

I hope in time we can be like Saver.
Cool and less frantic.

Sumo's Post "Eto si Saver"
August 14, 2008

I Won!

2008-08-13T03:56:00.000+08:00

Sumo's Post: Nanalo Ako! (I Won!)
August 12, 2008

Sumo: Gold Medal, Pee-Mail Category
Pawlimpics 2008

I knew it!
I knew the Pinoys will win!
But for barking out loud
for peeing!

There, look at that picture!
That's the winning shot.
Of all my great skills and move
I have to win in that category.
Geez, santabarbara!
It's pretty embarassing
but that's exactly where
my whole family are good at.
My pups Sweepy and Bogart
are quite good in marking their surroundings.
Hey, what do you think are we peeing for anyway?
We don't always pee to relieve ourself.
Most of the time, we pee to mark our territory.
That is why when I wake up
and check my surroundings
and I do not smell my mark anywhere
probably because my two pups marked them over
I feel lost even in my own house!
That is why our peeing is both important and profound.

Now because of that,
Luchie will finally discover
that it is I who pees in her plants!
Geez, I think I'm done this time!

Thanks to the Pawlimpics
and my good friend Lenny Latshaw
who is hosting this year's Pawlimpics.
Long Live the Pawlimpics!
Long Live the Pinoys!

Note: Pinoy is street lingo for Filipinos.

To Those Who Wrote To Me:

2008-08-11T14:05:00.000+08:00

Sa Mga Sumulat Sa Akin
Sumo's August 10 Post

A lot of people wrote and emailed me
calling attention to the use of the word
kagila-gilaslas.

They said this is wrong.
It should be "kagila-gilalas."
So I asked my friend Lui
who instead asked her friend Tony.
Tony confirmed the right word
which is 'kagila-gilalas!'

So there, I have to correct
all the kagila-gilalas word here.

Thanks to all those who called my attention.
I did not know that there are people
who read my stories
even if I am a dog
black and nasty-looking
but truly loving.

So thanks to all those who wrote me
for Nonoy, Ige, Marge and Tukmol
and most especially for Mr. Tony Perez
who advised Lui on the proper word.

My world is really kagila-gilalas.
And I am always in awe.

Hey, I'm in the Pawlimpics!

2008-08-06T05:01:00.000+08:00

There! That's me!
I am with my two pups, Sweepy and Bogart
and we represent the Philippines!
Proudly Pinoy Dogs, right?
Check out the YouTube link
I posted on the right
so you can really enjoy it too.
Go to the link and site.
We are part of the competition.
And I hope we win.
So we can all be proud!

Wait, I better bark it out to my "dear neighbor"
in case she might want to join too
and why not?

Geez, she's noisy again!
She seems to be barking at me.
What?
Oh, Luchi is coming.
Luchi lives with us.
And she's right!
Luchi is here!

You are really smart, neighbor!
I'll go and tell Luchi the good news!

Sumo's August 5 Post
"Aba, nasa Pawlimpics din ako!"

Sweepy's July 22 Post

2008-07-23T11:53:00.000+08:00

I do not want to translate this post
but Keeper asked me
so here it is in a capsule:

Sweepy is busy running for Palimpics.
Abala si Sweepy tumakbo para sa Pawlimpics.

I decided not to translate it word for word
because I find the little brown thing
pathetic.

End of argument.

My Dear Neighbor . . .

2008-07-19T16:35:00.000+08:00

Every time I take a peek at our gate
she is there.

Every time I go around, practically tired
from running after whoever is passing by
around our place, she is there . . .
peeking around as well.

After a long day, as I bark at everybody I see,
she is there. And hey, she goes barking as well!

She is our neighbor. She has sharp hearing.
Brave. Cunning. Fast.
And evey time she sees me and my pups, geez, she goes ballistic.
She gets mad as hell. And barks at us!
But every time, she sees Lui, she just looks while Lui waves at her.
Their eyes seem to communicate at each other.
As if they understand each other.
But with us, a seeming dark cloud hovers . . .

I wonder who you really are?

Sumo's July 19 Post:
Ang "dear neighbor" Ko.

To All My Readers: I Am Busy!

2008-07-19T15:49:00.000+08:00

Woof!
I am not translating this blog
posted by Sweepy, July 18,
because it is stupid.
End of Argument.

Typhoon Helen at Isang Patay

2008-07-16T04:37:00.000+08:00

Eto ang tumambad sa amin sa garahe
habang hinihintay namin ang bagyong si Helen.

Woof!
Kaawa-awang kwan.
Ano ba iyan, bigB?

Biglang nagsasalita si bigB
ng kung anu-anong bagay na lumilipad.
Ha? Ano bang nakakalokang bagay ba iyang pinagsasabi mo?

Basta ako, lahat ng lumilipad ay . . . langaw.
Nagbabago lang ng laki at kulay
at minsan pati ng pangalan
pero, ano ba ang paki ko . . .

Sabi ni Bogart
huwag na lang daw namin galawin ito
para mapakita namin kay Keeper.
Eh, paano kung isipin ni Keeper
na pinatay natin ito?

Tumahol si Bogart.
Aha, huli kita diyan!
O, ano ang gagawin natin dito?

Naku, tulo laway lang si Bogart.
Hindi alam ko ano ang gagawin.
Kaawa-awang bobo.

O sya, eto ang puede nating gawin:

1. Ilibing iyan sa paso ng bulaklak ni Keeper.
Huwag, at baka mabuhay pa iyan!

2. Itago natin sa lalagyan ng paintbrush ni Keeper.
Naku, huwag! Eh kung dumikit iyan sa brush
at magmukhang katawatawa ang larawan natin!

3. Kainin natin.
Yikes, kainin mong mag-isa!
Naku di mo ko mapapakain ng kung anu-ano!

4. O sya, hintayin na lang natin ang bagyong si Helen
na liparin ang bagay na iyan palabas ng Heaven
at ng hindi makita ni Keeper.

Ayan.
Na-ayos rin natin ang patay na kwan na iyan.
Nakakarinding katapusan
na binalot ng misteryong kamatayan
ng hindi matukoy na bagay.

Nasaan na ba si Keeper?
At nasaan na ba ang bagyo?
Hmmm, sana hindi dumaan sa atin
at sa kung ano mang lugar ito . . .

Sweepy's Post: July 15, 2008
Typhoon Helen and a Dead Thing

Kagila-gilalas (Shocking)

2008-07-13T14:43:00.000+08:00

A lot of people were asking Bogart for the meaning of this word. Bogart is patiently transcribing my stories for my friends in other countries.

Wow, I never knew they want to read my stories. Geez, I even made the font smaller so that some oldies there will get lazy reading. Arf! Now don't tell on me. That was just a joke.

Anyway, this is what is 'kagila-gilalas':

There, look at that face?
You don't need words to describe it.
It is clearly etched in my looks.
Truly shocking, right?

So when does my world get kagila-gilalas?
Okay, listen well and I will share it with you:

1. When I read Sweepy's blog.
It is not only shocking. It is crazy and at times, embarrassing.
That one is pretty spoiled. He was full of antics ever since
he was a puppy. . . Quite shocking really. . .

2. Everytime Bogart barks.
Now here's another one. So pesky.
You don't know what is ailing him.
When he was a puppy, he was sooo quiet.
At first, Pica and I thought Bogart was slow.
But as the years passed, he started showing
he is smart. Look, he is transcribing my stories.
Unlike Sweepy, who claims to be a Pinoy Hound,
when he can't speak Pilipino. He speaks in English always.
But Bogart, even if you do not say a word, he knows
what you are thinking. That is why when Bogart barks,
you get surprised. That is rare and for sure he has
a real reason for it.

3. The other shocking thing in my world is my good friend Lui.
She is human, unlike us. But her world is harsh. Rowdy and
dangerous too. Sometimes, she would say that the world of
humans are surrounded by beast. Hey, Lui, I am not a beast.
I am a dog and even if I look like a beast, I am really gentle
and tame . . .

And here's my gentle face. Rough but gentle.

Lui was able to tap into our powerful sense of hearing
and smelling. She can strongly hear the coming of rain,
storms and earthquakes. She taunts us a lot whenever
she gets ahead of us. "It's going to rain! . . .Looks like a
storm is coming! . . . Sumo, earthquake!"

She is ahead of us by 5 seconds and we are ahead
of people by 10 seconds or even by 1 minute.
Lui is probably half human, half animal.

But inspite of her power to hear and smell, the opposite
goes to her movements. She falls easily. When she plays
running with us, she always bumps and slips into a fall.
She is extremely clumsy. Forgetful too!

Anyway, I better take a nap for now. It is pretty tiring
to be in my kagila-gilalas world . . .

Sumo's Post July 12, 2008
Kagila-gilalas