Hi, I'm Chiquita

Hi, I'm Chiquita. I came from McAlester, OK and I was born in February of 2011. I'm a Havanese.... But I'm really just like all of you... I often begin my day by stretching. The little kennel I sleep in is comfortable to say the least. I like it, but every once and a while I do like bunking up with mommy and daddy in the people bed. That's a special treat though- I've been told I can only do it once a week. Usually it's amazing though, I feel so free to do whatever I want. Even though I like my kennel, there are plenty of advantages to sleeping in the people bed. I can snuggle up in between mom and dad or take my party to the foot of the bed and have all the space I need. Sometimes dad rolls over and crushes me just a big cause I'm so small he doesn't realize I'm there. Remember, I'm only about nine pounds. I have to yelp for him to realize that he's rolling over on me. Typically I get to go outside first thing in the morning. If mom works early, which she usually does a few days a week, that means I get up at like 6am.
There's nothing like going potty in the yard at 6am during a crisp Minnesota winter. It wasn't nearly as chilly in the mornings where I came from down in southern Oklahoma. Mom and Dad let me go outside without them now, and I don't even have to use a leash or a chain. Our little front yard is about a twelve foot square yard with half cement patio and half grass. My spot is the grass. There's a little walkway that goes to the sidewalk. The sidewalk is shared, I see other dogs on it once and a while with people too, so I know that I am supposed to stay in our yard until Mom and Dad come outside with me. Every once and a while if they forget about me I take a risk and sneak through the bushes to the neighbor's yard. I can justify this in my mind because I don't technically go onto the sidewalk, I just slip through the bushes. I mean, the yard next to us looks so similar I even get confused sometimes. We do live in a townhome, so the place next door is very similar. When I come back inside I've learned that if I sit on the rug until Mom or Dad use this really high pitch voice and say "Ok" that i'll get a treat. Sometimes I pretend I need to go outside just so I can come back in and sit on the rug for the treat. I mean, come on, all I have to do is sit there.
My favorite spot in the house is my day bed- that's downstairs near the front door. This allows me to hop up and stroll over to the door whenever I want to check out what's happening outside. Often times I see my own reflection in the glass and confuse myself. Looking outside though it one of my favorite things to do. I also love rolling over for people and making them think I'm the cutest dog in the world. Most of the time when I meet someone new I roll onto my back, asking for a belly rub. Yes, I'm selfish, but it works because I'm so cute. I could go on, but I'm getting sleepy and I've had a long day playing with Bootsy- my BFF from Maple Grove. Woof Woof.