Yesterday I took Mango out to the backyard to pee. Since I got some time to kill, I went check on the tomatoes. Behind layers of green leaves, I spotted a red tomato. Needless to say, I was very excited. I wasn’t sure if the tomato was ready to be picked, so carefully I reached in to get a close look. The moment I touched the tomato, it detached from the vine and fall into my hand.

I started looking for other red tomatoes but didn’t see any. Then I saw one already dropped and was lying on the pot soil. I had no idea how long that tomato had being there. It felt firm on the touch. So I rescued it out of the pot. Then I saw several holes on the tomato. And a slug caught in action, still munching away my tomato.

So really I only harvested one good tomato. There were tons of green ones but very few of them were turning red. Quite a few green one also growing out of my other type of tomato. I hope there’s still time for a second harvest this year.

Sean handed me a small plastic ball, wished me happy birthday, then told me he got it for 2 euros at the airport vending machine while he was in Europe. I had a hard time getting it open. The mystery ball of thing seated on my desk for couple days until Narisa helped me cracked it open. Out came a cute bear.

When you squeeze it, the bear’s eye balls popped out of its eye sockets just like that. Now how cute is that? This squeeze me bear is easily one of the best birthday presents I’ve received.

Mango attended his first Shiba Inu Meetup this past Saturday at Robinswood Park in Bellevue. Before going to the Meetup, we consulted our trainer Diane of Spokes Dog. Diane scheduled our training session at Robinswood Park so we can be at the Meetup right after the puppy training.

The nice thing about being at the park early is Mango get to be there before everybody else. Upon arrival, there was one black puddle playing alone in the corral. Mango and the puddle became fast friends and started chasing and playing in no time.

Slowly and steady, more shibas showed up. At one point there were probably more than 20 shibas at the Meetup. I was quite nervous as Mango being a young pup and this is his first time meeting so many strange dogs. To my relief he wasn’t getting picked or bullied by other dogs.

We left about 30 minutes into the Meetup. Mango had a great time being off leash and surrounded by its own kind. One of the meetup attendees took this great shot of Mango. Little Mango is starting to look like a grown up shiba.

This was our first outing with the addition of Mango. We didn’t have an agenda or a plan before going. We figured we’d just catch the ferry to Bainbridge Island and figure out the rest when we get there. I found a local map in the ferry. With that map, we stumbled our way to Fort Ward State Park.

With Mango’s previous history on leash walking, I worried we might not make much progress exploring the park. To my surprise, Mango led us into the forest trail like an eager beaver.

Both ktula and Mango found something interesting in the woods. Mangos occasionally stop to sniff at leaves or dirt; while kutla taking pictures of big slugs we saw alone the way.

The trail is 1.2 miles one way. I think we finished the hike in record time because Mango was pulling us full speed ahead most of the time.

We had little time to walk around Bainbridge downtown before taking the evening ferry back to Seattle. Mango slept so deep he was snoring the entire ferry ride.

After last year’s success in growing basils, chives, cilantro, peppers, and several potted herbs, this year I wanted to try something different and a bit more challenging, like tomatoes. My green thumb friend Tab gave me three varieties of tomato plants to play around.

The pots I planted the plants were kind of small, I was concerned they might not provide enough nutrition for the plants to produce fruits. Also during springtime, the plants were nearly drowned by the heavy rain due to my ignorance to the plants’ water takes. All and all, I didn’t expect to get any tomato.

That’s why when I first discovered tiny green lumps hidden behind leaves, I didn’t immediately associate those were baby tomatoes. But look at them grow! This one is as big as the tomatoes they sell in the grocery store.

I wonder when it’s going to turn red. I can’t wait to eat my home grown tomatoes.

Mango and I were returning home from his noon walk as we approached the elevator. The elevator door opened and 2 unleashed dogs ran out, charging straight at Mango. We were advised until Mango receives all his vaccines, to keep Mango away from public grassy area and other dogs. I tried to put myself between Mango and the other dogs to prevent them from having any contact.

The owner called her dogs in her half-ass attempt to get them back to her. One retrieved but the other dog continued to circle around us, completely ignoring her calls. The dogs’ owner didn’t seem to realize how obnoxious her dog was acting. Out of frustration and also because she was so far away from the scene, I yelled at her “my dog doesn’t have all the shots yet!”

It felt like eternity until the unleashed dog left us alone. The entire incident happened so fast, I hardly had time to think. Afterward, I emailed Diane Rich of Spokes Dog for advice. She replied: “…if situation allows, try to get in front of the other dog and tell it to go home and try to back away without alarming my dog.”

I was right to get between the other dog and Mango. But in the midst of chaos, I think I was tugging Mangos’ leash pretty hard to get him away from the harasser. That might have alarmed Mango that something was wrong.

All these could have being avoided if the 2 dogs were on leash.

Have your dogs on leash you irresponsible pet owners out there! It’s the law so obey it. I was not surprised to find others that share the same bitterness toward irresponsible dog owners.

Unleashed dogs are disasters waiting to happen, not only to other people and animal, but also to the safety of the unleashed dogs themselves. After reading an online article “Path of leash resistance”, I’m considering getting a pepper spray or something equivalent to protect Mango and myself from unwelcome off-leash dogs and their owners if it comes down to that.

Sunday lunch was a wakening call that our lives have changed with the addition of Mr. Mango. It was Mango’s second day with us. We didn’t feel comfortable leaving him alone. When Sunday lunchtime was upon us, instead of “what are we craving for”, we were brainstorming pet friendly restaurants.

I suggested Baguette Box in Fremont as I remembered seeing dog photos wanted sign and several oversize dog paintings on the wall. Baguette Box must love dogs there right? Not exactly. It was entirely my own assumption. Still I felt rather deceived when I was told by the staff dogs are not welcomed there.

I mentioned this incident to my coworker Jonathan. Also a Shiba Inu owner, Jonathan told me Norm’s Eatery & Ale House in Fremont is dog friendly, so are many restaurants’ outdoor seating.

Encouraged by his suggestion, I searched online and found both Pet Friendly Travel and Google pet friendly restaurant search have very comprehensive lists of dog friendly restaurants.

Not having to give up dining in restaurants for Mango is no doubt a huge relief for us food lovers.

Our breeder Leslie of San Jo Shibas didn’t like the name Mango very much, nor did she approve the name Firefox (that’s my pick). She believes only dignify, respectful names are worthy of her dogs. That’s how much pride and passion Leslie put into raising Shiba Inu. We respect her very much as she’s a well of knowledge on everything about this breed.

It just felt right to get the puppy from Leslie when we first met her back in March. She promised us a puppy in 3 months. In the process she educated us everything from the breed’s characteristics and setbacks to how to raise a healthy Shiba pup.

This Saturday was the day to pick up Mango. We’ve been visiting the litter prior to the pickup. So we were not total strangers to them. Leslie provided a list of puppy things to get. We had everything ready for Mango and even scheduled a private trainer upon his arrival. Even though everything was well prepared ahead, the trip home was still rough for the little guy. He threw up in the crate when we were half way there.

Private coaching started as soon as Mango got home. Our trainer Diane and us met in the backyard while Mango hid in rosemary bushes or oddly squeezed behind the lion statue. Poor Mango was exhausted and scared of the unfamiliar surrounding.

Eventually he came out of his hiding place and just quietly crashed next to us. He’s been very attach to us but still unsure of the surrounding.

It’s a shame I’ve not been to Bite of Seattle all these years I reside in Seattle. This past Friday, I was told a lunch plan that involved drinking, eating, and iMax movie afterward. It was the ultimate Friday lunch plan that I had to tag alone.

First stop was the Whisky Bar. I had water as I was still recovering from yesterday’s quarterly meeting. We left after a pool game and couple shots of whisky.

On the way, Matt was telling us about alligator on a stick. We found New Orleans Cookery booth was selling alligator on a stick. For $7, we were handed a stick of chicken nugget-looking fried-to-perfection alligator. The portion was good for the money we paid. And boy, it was tasty!!!

I’ve never had alligator before. I was pleasantly surprised how much it tasted like Taiwanese style chicken nuggets (鹹酥雞）. It’s juicy, spicy, and simply delicious. I couldn’t shut up about how good it was.

Too bad New Orleans Cookery is not in my neighborhood. Or I’d be showing up to have that tasty alligator anytime I want. I had a bite of Crab Cake Narisa got also from the Cookery. It was pretty tasty too.

My coworker Ian hosts Crab Day every year. It’s an entire day of catching crabs and eating them. Four others and us gathered at the Shilshoe South Pier for the crabbing portion. Later, 23 people will show up at the nearby Golden Garden Park to feast on our morning catch.

For bait, we brought cans of cat food leftover from previous shrimping trip and razor clam leftover from our last clam digging trip. The smell of cat food brought back memories of that miserable journey in pursue of spot shrimps. The flashback made me really appreciate the sunny day we had to be out about on the pier.

Mike caught the first 2 crabs. Both crabs cling tightly to a piece of seaweed. They were too small to keep. Took Mike a while to loosen their tight grip in order to throw them back to the sea.

Ian pulled up another pot. In there was a much bigger bright red rock crab. We were able to keep that one. Unlike the Dungeness crabs, we are allowed to keep both male and female rock crabs if they are larger than the legal size.

Later on we caught several more rock crabs but none of them were big enough to keep. Other people on the pier had some luck catching Dungeness crabs. We however were strictly rock crabs.

We left around 1:45pm to go to our weekly puppy visit. I wonder if the others had better luck catching more crabs. 23 people sharing 1 crab is hardly a feast.