Coming Home

A Tale of Two Pugs

Today is a very important day, Tex and Maggie’s 13th birthday. Tom said it best when he informed both pugs that at this point in their lives, they can have any damn thing they want.

If you're a dog person you’ll understand that they’re the heart and soul of our family. Here are a few things about the pugs you should know:

• Tex was the runt of the litter - when told he was a throw-away dog we immediately knew he was meant to be our boy.
• A famous pet psychic once said that Tex was a lion in a previous life.
• If I had a daughter I would want her to be just like Maggie - a free spirit, strong, independent, determined, generous, in touch with her feminine side.
• Tex has always been a wise old soul, aka the Dali Pug.
• Maggie’s faced turned white at a very early age, we like to think of her as the Spirit Pug of False Creek.
• Maggie is a kisser and has been know to jump up and French kiss unsuspecting strangers who stop to pet her.
• When the pugs were babies they meet a West Highland Terrier that nipped Maggie - from that day forward Tex and Maggie hate all Westies and insist they're the “real” axis of evil.
• Tex went through a few dark years when we referred to him as the incredible humping machine and friends called our house the Love Shack.
• Both pugs refuse to do tricks and have perfected the “you talking to me” look when encourage to roll over, shake hands or play dead. Safe to say they will never be circus dogs.
• Tex is fixated on things that fly and has given us a new appreciation for birds.
• Both pugs once slept through an earthquake - so much for the idea that animals predict natural disasters.
• Tyler’s buddies used to come over to walk the dogs, who they refer to as the Babe Magnets.
• Both pugs get very upset when seeing animals on TV and bluff charge the screen.
• They howl like coyotes.
• Have always slept with us - when we have family and friends staying with us it isn’t unusual for them to wake up next to a snoring pug.
• We woke up one Christmas to find that Tex had opened all of the presents during the night.
• They love pancakes, frozen yogurt and always get a few McDonald's fries after visiting the vets office.
• Maggie loves snow and thinks she is Nanook of the North - Tex hates it.
• Maggie is the easiest pug to give medicine to / Tex is by far the most difficult.

Letter to Tiger

Dear Tiger,

Writing this letter is surreal, something I never thought I would do. I woke up this morning looking for news of the Copenhagen Climate Summit and was dismayed to find all of the major networks doing a non-stop Tiger marathon. I had an epiphany - the real story is less about you and more about our need for dirty laundry.

Perhaps it’s easier to focus on fallen celebrities as it allows us to avoid thinking about the real issues of our day - war, climate change, and the fact that we are living in an era that Scientist now refer to as the “sixth mass extinction”.

Tiger, I have no idea what your life is like and truth is I’m not even a golf fan - but considering everything we’ve put you through, I feel it is only right to offer a few words of advice.

You’ve spent your life learning how to be a great golfer, this is your chance to look inside and become a great man. None of us are without sin, the real test of character is how we choose to deal with these defining moments.

One doesn’t have to be a psychiatrist to see that you’re looking for something. Truth is your beautiful wife, kids and numerous girlfriends will never be enough to fill that void - it can only come from within. Learn to be alone and at peace with yourself and you will be a better husband and father.

all the best,

Mika

The Con Artist

I pride myself on being street smart, way too savvy to fall for the latest con or be anybody's bitch - which makes the story I’m about to share with you all the more embarrassing.

It happened several years ago as I was walking home from work, one of those beautiful summer days that seemed to attract all of the out of town tourists. A young man stopped me on the sidewalk, asking for directions. He was from the UK, and as part of his graduation gift his grandparents had given him a trip to beautiful British Columbia. He said it had been a wonderful journey, except for the fact that he had somehow confused his departure date, missing his flight home. Like most young travelers he had spent almost all of his money and was trying to figure out how he was going to find the means to get to the airport - and pay the required penalty for having to reschedule his flight.

I admit, there was a part of me that wondered if he was scamming me – but like most things in life timing is everything. My son Tyler had just returned home from his grand adventure – 6 months exploring South East Asia with a group of friends. While in Cambodia he was swarmed by a group of children, who somehow managed to take his ATM card, credit cards and money. Even though the majority of people living in Cambodia are very poor, they gave new meaning to that old adage “if not for the kindness of strangers”. The good people of a small Cambodian village came to my baby boy's rescue, providing him with food, shelter and even loaning him money to hold him over until Tom and I could help sort things out. Considering everything we had been through, is it any surprise that I had sucker written across my forehead?

The young man and I went to my bank, where I took out $100. When I gave him the money he started to cry real tears. He seemed to be genuinely touched and even asked me why I was being so generous with a total stranger. I explained that he was the same age as my Tyler, and rambled on about the importance of karma and returning good deeds.

Of course when I got home and told Tyler and Tom my story, their immediate reaction was utter disbelief. Months passed and I never heard anything from the young man, who had insisted on taking my business card and promised to pay back every penny.

Fast forward to last week - a middle age man stops me on the street to ask directions – different details but the same routine. Reality check, I finally had to admit that the young man probably conned me.

I've had a few days to think about it and strange as it may seem, I’m okay with it. In hindsight I'm not sure I would do anything different. I still believe in helping strangers.......sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and trust people.

Pug Diaries

I'm not sure what we would do without Jade, a larger than life character who enriches our lives in so many ways. In her younger days she was a stripper who dated rock stars, and still has something of a fan base (one of the reasons she refuses to let me post her photo and prefers to remain incognito).

Fortunately for us she was looking for a career change and now helps us keep our lives in order. Not only does she clean and organize, but she's also one of the few people we trust with the pugs. When Tom and I are working she walks the dogs, spending quality with them while watching her programs. As a result Maggie is totally addicted to Coronation Street and Tex often quotes Dr. Phil.

One of the highlights of my day is coming home and reading the little notes Jade leaves, snapshots of the day-to-day life of urban pugs. For example, today's note:

Wow! The howling started as soon as I picked up the can opener. Hilarious.

6:00 - 6:02: Supper

6:02 - 6:30 Walk, poo and pee

6:30 - 7:00 Tex's grooming of Maggie

7:00 - 8:00 - Indulgent napping and cuddles

Thanks Jade, you make our lives so much better.

Sacred Bears

Tom recently captured these amazing images of a mother grizzly and her white cub. Not only is a white grizzly incredibly rare, but also considered to be a spiritual symbol by aboriginal tribes. Looking at this little guy you can see why his presence is considered a blessing.

Peace Out

I've recently stumbled upon an interesting new trend. Over the past few years, while staying at hotels in Miami, Guadalajara, London, DC, NY and LA, everyone from bellboys to housekeeping staff have proudly told me that "Obama stayed here". Barrack must be racking up some serious air-miles.

Even though I'm a big Obama fan, I personally think his recent Nobel Peace Prize says more about the Bush years than Barrack's universal appeal. Truth is the world felt bullied by the Bush administration, weary of it's "my way or the highway" attitude. Obama's diplomacy, willingness to listen, eloquence, and understanding that partnership and cooperation are essential to the survival of this planet, is such a departure from the Dubya years - allowing Obama to pick up some serious bling.