Madge's New Jersey Adventure

There are tales of a land across the river called New Jersey that’s so foul and smelly that my friends in New York City groan and moan with displeasure. One day, Faith disappeared to a place in the mountains, and I was naturally upset that I could not join her. I am a Rocky Mountain pup and I love to chase the clouds, but Faith packed my bags and assured me that George would take me to the country for a weekend adventure.

George and Olga picked me up in the morning and we drove away in the box-on-wheels. We took a bridge & tunnel, and there were industrial facilities and swamps as far as the eye could see, crisscrossed by highways and railroads. There were ominous clouds spewing from tall chimneys but these were different than the ones I chased in Colorado. The boxes-on-wheels were growing boxier and boxier and there was a sense in my nostrils that these stinky wetlands were made of garbage.

All of sudden it occurred to me: this was the “shithole” they call New Jersey.

George explained to me that the Hackensack Meadowlands were once-upon-a-time a gigantic wetland and one of the richest ecosystems in the world, but in the last few hundred years, humans have literally created new land on piles of garbage to build giant stadiums and runways for jets, leaving toxic sewage and sludge where life once thrived. Paradoxically, New Jersey also has a tremendous amount of beautiful open space that its citizens have managed to protect. We passed a Great Swamp with hundreds of species of birds and amphibians that were saved, and dogs like me could enjoy nature.

We arrived in Mendham, NJ.

There was a huge field and a big old tree. We had a great time running around, wearing leaf hats. 

…and wallowing in the grass.

We went to a farm with pumpkins fields and all kinds of gourds of different shapes and colors.

We picked pumpkins...

 ...and I picked a baby one for Faith.

Then we went for a long walk in a giant corn maze. 

George and Olga were hopelessly lost, but with my nose we sniffed the path to freedom.

We went back to town where we had cappuccinos, pumpkin pie, apples, and bison hearts!

Dr. Pingeon, George’s 94-year old grandfather from Switzerland, was very friendly: “Hello Little Monkey!” he said, but he wasn’t sure if I was a cat or dog. After dinner, we fell asleep.

It was all very cozy! What an adventure!

And I learned that New Jersey isn’t such a terrible place after all…

-Madge's New Jersey Adventure as dictated to George Pingeon.

Uncle Glenn is home!

Uncle Glenn is home!  Uncle Glenn is home!  He went to visit our homeland in Denver, Colorado.  Right now, I'm just relaxing, glad I can cuddle up with him on this cool, rainy day in NYC.  When Faith gets back from work, I bet they'll share lots of stories.  Do you know what I'll be doing while they gab?  You guessed it:  cuddling up and taking another nice long snooze.

Country Fun!

Faith doesn't even know the fun I had in the country with George, Olga, and George's Grandfather.  It was my own time of walking in a corn maze with my dog-walking friends, sitting on grandfather's lap, and getting some great outdoor smells to savor before the icy New York City winter locks me and Faith indoors.

George dropped me off last night and told Faith he's sending some photos over.  She'll get a little flavor of my weekend away, and maybe she'll arrange for another one someday!!

A Weekend in The Country?

Faith keeps talking to me about something I don't really understand right now.  She says, "George" and "Olga" and "The Country" and "Weekend."  What's really making me perk up is that she's packing up one of those bags that can sometimes mean I'm coming with her and sometimes mean she's leaving me home.  I sure hope "The Country" is something wonderful I get to visit and that if Faith leave me home that "George" and "Olga" will be picking me up.  I like them a lot!  They let me sniff other dogs a lot easier than Faith, who is a bit nervous about my capacity to growl...George uses a gentle voice to tell me he doesn't want to hear it, and I obey. Oh my! Oh my!  What if George and Olga are taking me to The Country?!  What if it smells like this?

  

Danny Kang Zipped In

Faith and I shared a room with this boy, Danny, when she first moved us here to NYC.  Now, Danny comes over to our place sometimes to play.  Faith kept trying to get me to go into this new boxy thing she brought into our home, but I wasn't having it.  The first time Danny saw it?  Jumped right in and asked to be zipped up.  Fine by me, as long as I don't get zipped up in that thing!  Faith assures me that I'll enjoy it once I realize it's my own little safe den.  It will take some more convincing before I'm ready to try it out...

Saturday morning: Inn at the Ridge

Do you see it??  I see it.  Is it a man?  Where's his head?  Faith calls it a scarecrow.  Doesn't look like any kind of bird to me.  Also, Faith refused to let me pee on the tomatoes by the headless man.  Geesh!

Coming soon: Weekend Upstate & Newborn Poodles

Faith tells me I'm going with her this weekend somewhere upstate, but I don't really know what upstate means.  I also hear it's at a bed and breakfast but I don't know what that means either. She showed me this picture of newborn poodles who she says arrived at the b&b about a month ago...

And I DO KNOW what that means!!  Dogs to sniff!  Faith wonders if I will be growly or playful with these little ones (and any other dogs up there this weekend), but I'm not telling.  I don't plan these things out.  I just let my doggy senses guide me -- that's how I roll. Faith will try to be all calm-energy and relaxed, thinking she has some sort of control over me.  While I do try to please her and do what she asks, sometimes she just doesn't know the dog-world things that are going on inside of me and the dogs around me.  We have our own set of social ethics.  I'm good with that.  Faith is learning to be...

Hurricane Irene Tree in Sunnyside

I did what I needed to do with this hurricane Irene tree: peed on the end of it.  It was clearly my territory.  Then Faith has to go and ask someone to take a picture of us.  Can you tell I'm a bit uncomfortable?  I mean really, being held by my person while we SIT on the tree.  That is just not how it's done in dog-world.  I'm a good sport though, and Faith does love her photos, so I dealt with myself.  We went later for an hour long walk around the neighborhood and I got to do my dog-thing -- undisturbed.  

P.S.  I heard the tall, pointy building in the far background is called The Empire State Building.  I've not been there myself, but it gets lit up every night, and we see it on our last walk each evening.

Roberta & Madge

I do enjoy giving out the adoring, loving looks these days...

Hurricane's on its way...

Have you heard?  I knew without even watching the weather channel (although Faith & Glenn have had it on much of the day) that a storm is coming.  I can feel it in my bones...and ears.  Faith took me out for a long, damp walk this morning and again this afternoon.  I can guarantee I'm not going to put with this wet-walking much longer.  I usually just sit down and look at Faith to let her know...No Way Is This Walk Happening.  This time, she really pushed me to get out there and pee.  I have a feeling even she won't be trying to take me out in the hurricane they're calling Irene.  Well, here's a pic from a few weeks ago, when it was nice & dry.

Good weather!

The weather has improved for my dog tastes!  Faith and Glenn are taking me on very long walks again.  I spent a good number of days panting, panting, panting this summer.  Faith would still try and go far, but I would slow down to a dog-crawl to let her know I was getting overheated.  She kept me well with plenty of water and even put ice cubes in it since our kitchen is so hot that the water would warm up through the day.

Now, I am getting to comfortably smell all the smells I want to every afternoon.  It's glorious!!!  

Better news!

I almost forgot to share the even better news.

My uncle Glenn has come to live with us, and I get to cuddle up to him whenever I want.  I play it sly and mostly just lay on his comfortable bed, pretending I couldn't care less if he was around, but the truth is I dig the company.  (I couldn't contain my excitement when he first walked in the door a few months ago -- I sniffed and then squeaked and squeaked because I recognized him and my grandmama, but don't tell him -- I'm really trying to play it cool.)

Bad News & Good News

So, I've been quite depressed of late. 

Recently my best-walking-friends have not been around.  Faith says they just aren't walking dogs in our area anymore but they'll come visit someday soon.  I'm not so sure.  You see, I'm a living-in-the-moment kind of girl, so it's hard to imagine much into the future.  I just want them to walk me!

That's the bad news.

The good news is that Faith promises, promises, promises me I get to see George in October.  She's going to somewhere called the Poconos, and I'll get to have a sleepover with George!  (I was going to see Lesley in September, but some schedule change stopped that from happening.) 

I'm going to keep taking it as it comes, but Faith assures me that I'll be sniffing George soon enough and jumping around in excitement when he comes to pick me up.

New Friends!

Remember last post, when I told you how I am becoming more sociable the more my dog walkers visit?  WELL!  Exciting news.  Faith came home the other day and got to meet my new friend, Pun.  He has brindle hair like mine but is a little more squat and wide. Also...we both have extraordinary faces...

See?   The best thing is, we get to sniff around the neighborhood together with George!  We are both super lucky dogs.  

My Walkers

Throughout this last year, after moving from Denver to New York City, Faith has looked at me and said, "I'm so sorry, Madge," many times.  The first time she said this was when she realized how much less green there was in this new place.  I was having a hard time finding places to potty and looking at her for direction.  The next flow of apologies came during this past harsh winter when I shivered through the icy Sunnyside streets, followed by more I'm sorry moments as the rain fell and I pleaded with her not to make me go out in it.

Faith tells me she wants me to have a good dog life. The thing is, I do.  I still refuse to go out in the rain (although yesterday when it began to rain while we were already out there, I managed), and I can't help but shiver through the northeastern winter winds; however, I have made garbage bags my new "trees" -- I love it when rows of them are lined up, and I just pee, pee, pee all the way down the street  (It's okay, garbage handlers wear really thick gloves...).

Also, there has been a new development here on the homefront.  Faith's brother, Glenn, has moved in.  I'm beginning to understand that I can be thrilled when he comes home from the gym or running errands, and that I get to cuddle up to him during the days when Faith is at work.

Also, I have a good dog life because I have great dog walkers.  For the past five months or so, they've come to visit me regularly, and we have had some wonderful times together.  They have helped me meet other dogs in my neighborhood, who I now recognize when Faith takes me out for our long evening walks.  I used to growl about 50% of the time I met new dogs; now I might give a growl if there's an impolite puppy who greets me rudely or if the other dog's energy is just too high for me, and I feel threatened, but mostly I know the right way to greet and sniff and socialize -- as best I can being tethered to the leash!

The other day, it was very hot here, and George let me cool down in the rainbow fountain in the park --
I couldn't figure out how Faith knew about it, since it's my own private time with my walker, and then I remembered that the walkers write little notes for Faith every day before they leave me...

From George:  Wow.  So hot!  Still had a great walk.  Rinsed off in the rainbow fountain.  Madge was happy.  Sat on a bench together under a tree. Sniffed in the dirt.  And watched TV in the cool house.

I hear that later today, I get a dog walker visit.  I will be so happy to walk with them and get their loving pats on my head after...maybe even a tummy rub!

Sunnyside Saturday

I don't know if you heard, but we just had a heat wave here in New York City.  Actually, I hear it was all over the Eastern Seaboard.  I wouldn't know.  I just know that whether I was in our apartment or outside, I was pant, pant, panting.  Faith says she's trying to get some of those boxes people put in their windows to cool things down, but they won't arrive for a couple more weeks. Thankfully, the heat ended on Thursday, and now we go out walking and there's a nice cool breeze!

This morning, we're just waiting for Danny Kang to wake up (he's four years old and spent the night last night, so his Mama could get a little rest -- she's got a bad spring cold -- and his Apa could go dancing) and then we're heading out to the opening day of Sunnyside Greenmarket.  Last year we did this every Saturday morning.  I really enjoyed it, because there are lots of other dogs to sniff, some to growl at, and Faith seems to just love picking out giant bouquets of leafy greens.

Happy Saturday to you!  I hope you can spend it like I do -- living in the moment.

I have no response to this...

She promised she'd NEVER make me wear clothes.  We were walking down the street just yesterday and saw another dog, much smaller than me, dressed in a frilly skirt -- Faith called it a tutu -- and she promised once again, "Madge I won't ever dress you up."  Aside from forcing me into coats for the bitter cold weather these past two winters (I just look so embarrassed when she walks me that eventually she takes it off of me), she has never made me wear clothes.  And today, she puts one of her crochet creations on me?!

I have no response to this situation.

Mother's Day at the Park

It has been way too long since I put down some thoughts on my recent experiences.  I'm sure you understand I'm reliant upon Faith for my computer use, and this past month she seems distracted with other things...but more from Faith another time.  As for ME, yesterday was a spectacular day!  We went to Socrates Sculpture Park where I got to sniff around the East river, meet other dogs, and relax in the grass.

Here's something new!  Are you aware that people keep these

as PETS?!  I am shocked.  When Faith and I walked around the park for the second time, I got a whiff of...something...it was musky...I wanted at it, and fast.    I'm pretty good with smells, and I could tell this was some animal I needed to warn others about.

Then, I got a good look at it when it came out of its little cage and ran across the grass.   There was a man and woman who seemed be caring for this animal - they kept picking it up and bringing it back to their spot when it would wander too far. Faith led me back to our picnic blanket, but it didn't stop me.  I just had to get everyone's attention and warn them that this menace was only yards away.  So, I barked.  I'm not much of a barker at the park, but I had to do something.  When the barking didn't seem to make enough of an impact, I decided to try a little howl.

I at least got Faith's attention.  She has never heard me howl.  That is how big of a deal this was to me.  Although Faith tried repeatedly to quiet me, I had to keep doing my job -- warning the crowd of the danger of...the FERRET!  No one really seemed to care.  Eventually, I settled back down in the grass, only occasionally putting my nose in the air and giving a tiny bark.  All in all, it was a good day. 

These are a few of my favorite things!

I like long walks (not in the rain).

I like when George and Lesley visit me.

I like to smell and pee on trash bags as they line up on the sidewalk.

I like Bison Heart jerky from my denver pet shop.

I like running, jumping, and being happy as much as possible (this usually makes people happy, too!).

I like laying on laundry when Faith brings it in from the dryer, all warm and comfortable.

Those are just a few of my favorite things.  I try to enjoy them as much as I can...every day!

Dog Tricks

Faith has been trying hard to find ways to keep me using all my dog capabilities in this continued cold weather.  She says the calendar says SPRING, but since I can't read, I have to use my powerful dog-senses, and I pronounce it is definitely still WINTER.  Well, I catch Faith watching this other dog on the computer, and I start jumping all around!  I want to learn that stuff, I do I do! Faith lacks the confidence that she can teach me these cool tricks, but I'm out to convince her that she can doooooo it!  I mean she already taught me how to sit, wait, shake, high five, and army crawl my way over the carpet.  Let's keep going!!

Rainy Days

Do you have any idea how boring it is when it rains outside?  This rain is after months of cold and cold and more cold.  I am one bummed dog.  Where is Spring??  Where is the SUN??  I want OUTSIDE again!!

Okay, okay.  It's true.  I get outside every day.  I think I might be channeling Faith's misery.  Why am I so loyal and empathetic?  It's hard being a good dog.

The Sun Returns!

Woof, Woof, Woof!!  Jump, Jump, Jump!!  Yesterday's rain has cleared out -- the weather is better with 45 degrees outside and the sun beaming down -- Faith is home early, and she promised me an extra long walk today.  

Ready?

Set...

Go!!

Windy Walk in the Cemetery

It was photo time again today, when Faith took me walking in the biggest cemetery either of us has ever seen.   Faith used to visit the little cemeteries she found in mountain towns in Colorado, finding she could piece together little historical stories by looking at the grave markers, like if an illness swept through a town during a certain period of time, taking the lives of its children or elderly.

I also remember that when we drove from here to North Carolina last year, Faith stopped at a few cemeteries and we walked around.  These cemeteries were small and most often situated in the back yard of Baptist churches right on the main road in town.  Calvary Cemetery is huge.  When you look down at it from the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, it seems to go on for miles.

I had an amazing time getting to explore.  It was weird though, Faith walked me so much before we got to the cemetery I was all out of pee and poop.  When I tried to pee on some lovely grass in front of a big stone with an angel carved into the top of it, I looked pleadingly at Faith thinking, "Nothing's happening, here.  What's going on?"  She told me she had timed it that way, because it could be seen as rude to sprinkle near someone's resting place. I don't know, it seemed pretty natural to me, but with nothing left in my bladder, it was just sniffing and wandering around for me while Faith snapped these:

Dog Book!

Faith talks to me.  She does.  This is probably not surprising to any of you that have ever worked or lived with her.  She used to just talk to herself, as you may recall.  Now, she gets to direct her words toward me.  To be truthful, I love it.  It's great to try and figure out what she means exactly.

Some things I have down pat.  My ears perk up and I start to twirl or patter around her feet when she says, "Walk," "Hungry?," "Treat," and "Let's brush your teeth!"  In fact, she has to be a little careful, because sometimes when she's on the phone and says these words to someone else as a part of her normal conversation, like, "I think I'm going to enjoy a treat later," I come running in, panting, "Treat? Treat!  Did you say treat?  Is it time for me to do my tricks and get some bison jerky?!"  I'm pretty disappointed when I realize she wasn't talking to me at all.

Other things she says I am not quite sure about, so I look at her, tilting my head and raising my eyebrows.  If she repeats the word or phrase while looking at me, I know it's something she wants me to understand.  This is the fun part, adding to my vocabulary.

Recently, Faith came through the door at the end of her day and told me she'd been listening to a story about a dog.  What could this be?  She showed me a little silver rectangle with some of those things she puts in her ears attached.  Later, I saw her looking at this website: Merle: Lessons from a Free Thinking Dog.  She says she is crying a little on the train and smiling a whole lot.  She has begun to speak with me differently after starting this book.  I hope she keeps it up.  I feel like we're getting to a new place as dog and person, together!

Also, I like the sound of that title!  Free.  Thinking.  Dog.

Too Cold for Me -- Way tooooo Cold

The cold is running straight through me, every time I get to go outside.  I'm a tough one and I still try to go, go, go.  But the cold is once again telling my doggie senses, "Danger! You must not stay out in this storm of falling temperature.  Seek shelter!"  Thankfully, Faith took a camera with us on our walk last week, when we had one beautiful day with 50 degree weather.  We walked and walked and walked.  Maybe seeing her random pics (I'm often unsure when she takes time to look at things other than the dirt, trees, hydrants, and trash bags that call to me with their wild smells) will remind me of our wonderfully warm time together and that heat will arrive once again . . . I hope . . . I hope . . . I hope . . .  

Faith stood at this one for a long time.  She seemed to be contemplating something about her world and bumps.

I don't care about soap but it seems Tuesday and Wednesdays are THE days to get them free all around Sunnyside.

I tried to go in this neighboring building - someone was cooking meat!

I did love this crazy bush that was lit from the inside and didn't have a cage around it, so I could explore to my satisfaction.

I'm Disgusted!

Well, I was going to post this myself, after what George told me on our walk today, but I see he wrote about it in his note* to Faith, so here's the story:

"The weather was actually very nice for a long walk.  Hiked down Greenpoint Avenue to the shores of Brooklyn.  I told Madge about the history of pollution of the Newtown Creek, and pointed out the waste treatment facilities and oil refinement that leaked into the ground for several decades.  Madge was disgusted!  It was cold and windy, but the sun was hot and Madge was very happy and energetic.  --George"

And let me tell you, George read my expression perfectly!  Pollution is a real bummer.  Also, I did have lots of fun -- long walks are the best!

*George and Lesley leave Faith notes on how things went on our walks.  While I'm just happy writing keeps them in the apartment a little longer, the notes seem to make Faith smile a lot at the end of what seems to recently be pretty tiring and hard days.

Big Week: Ice, Teeth, and My Butt

Faith likes to tell long stories (I see some of you nodding vehemently out there!), but I prefer quick & dirty versions.  For instance, here's the short & not-so-sweet of my week so far:

1 - Sunday, I started licking my butt, and I don't ever do this, so Faith took me to the vet on Monday.  Fast forward to me staying overnight, and the next morning taking a drug-induced nap while Dr. Weltz (a kind man) lanced an abscess under my tail. I feel much better now; Faith keeps putting hot compresses on my butt and giving me some super tasty pills.

2 - Today, when we went for our morning walk, we got a big surprise as we stepped onto the sidewalk at the park.  It looked perfectly normal but suddenly we began a slow slide downhill.  The concrete was covered with 2 inches of completely transparent ICE!  We both stayed on our feet, but it took us a while to figure out how to scoot over to the street again.

3 - Finally, tonight after a super-slushy and short evening walk (I'm still sleepy from my recent anesthesia hit), I attended to my nightly dental hygiene.  Seafood flavored paste!  Yum!

Faith's Little Note - NYC 1/31/2011

I tried writing you a letter yesterday. I’ve been putting it together in my head for a few weeks now. When I reread it this morning, it seemed void of heart – trying to say too much, I ended up saying nothing at all. I put the letter away and turned to a movie I’ve known about for a couple of years, thanks to Catherine and Kevin Cray.

This being my sabbath – a day of rest, contemplation, and delight – I turned off my phone, put on a blanket against this winter chill (snow still lies in feet-high mounds all around the city), and experienced Into Great Silence. I read that the film was “one of the most mesmerizing and poetic chronicles of spirituality ever created, [dissolving] the border between screen and audience with a total immersion into the hush of monastic life.” It has quieted me today – stilled something in my heart for the moment, which makes me more able to think clearly.

Some Sun in Sunnyside

Today has been one surprise after another.  First: I socialized with a pretty cool dog at the park this morning.  He was a big collie mix named Ozzie.  We sniffed each other, and although I let out a couple of growls setting my boundaries, we enjoyed each other's company while our people, Faith (mine) and Bernadette (his) chatted a bit.  Second: It was actually sunny here in Sunnyside!  So, Faith took me on an hour long walk around parts of the neighborhood I hadn't even seen yet.  It was wonderful.  I had to jump over a few lakes of slush, and I waited until Faith lifted me over a few others that I was unsure of, but all in all, it was super fun.  I came home, and immediately curled up to sleep after our time in the out of doors.

Now, Faith is getting ready to send another of her NYC letters, which made me think it might be nice if I let her post them here.  I'm happy to share the space. It will let you in on what my person is like and why it is I try so much to be a comfort to her.  

Snow Day Plans

Hey buddy, can you help a sister out?  My paws are freezing!

I already explored the world outside our door today. Snow, snow, and more snow. I enjoyed forging my way through the piles.  If I didn't shiver so much, I'd want to stay out there all day.

Faith's office must be closed, because she hasn't headed out the door yet, and she's set herself up with her computer and a cup of tea.

My plans:  lay around, take a few short walks outside, lay around, eat a snack, occasionally bark at the neighbors making noise, and lay around some more.

Faith's plans: enjoy the gift of this snow day by catching up on two work projects, drinking tea, taking me on a few short walks outside, and making a long-awaited Peter Berley recipe this evening.

Pigeons are Yummy

Did I mention how much I love to chase pigeons?  Or did I mention the fact that I have snagged TWO pigeons since Faith moved me here?  Colorado sunshine was wonderful, and boy oh boy do I miss the amount of winter walking we could do in the city -- lots of sun and not so much shivering as here.  Around here, all I do is shiver and either jump or wait for Faith to lift me over the slushy puddles of mushy rain/snow.  I think it bothers her more than me, but still...it sucks.

Thankfully, there are loads of things to hunt here.  Namely: Pigeons.  Lots of them.  All over.  So far, I've caught two of them in my mouth, but then Faith so quickly shrieks at me, that I drop them in an attempt to calm her down.  What I would do if she just wouldn't freak out.

Of course last night, Faith walked me right up to this window, and while these aren't pigeons, I could quickly think of some games I would like to play with these young pups...I'd school them well in the ways of being a dog and help them see how they need to mind their manners.  I mean I've got five years on them -- I've got a lot to teach, and it's clear they've got a lot to learn.

A dog is a dog is a . . .

"That's what I love about dogs:  they never pretend to be what they're not.  

I mean look at 'em.  

You get what you pay for with a dog.  No artifice.  -Dr. Tom on Being Erica

Kissy Faith

Sending her love . . .

I don't get it.  While I find myself a warm, comfy spot on the couch or in our super cozy bed, curling up into whatever blanket is handy, Faith is usually moving around the house.  She seems to love to clean -- always wiping down surfaces after spraying her organic-thyme-oil-cleaner all over.  Lately, she's also been unpacking box after box.  I mean, who cares?  I'm pretty happy just shaking off the dirt of the city streets, settling down and letting the boxes balance in their towers around the room.

Another thing Faith seems to like is taking pictures.  She's always asking me to pose -- which I completely avoid.  She has to catch me unaware to really get a good shot; if I see her turn the camera toward me, I pretend I'm a cat and that I just don't care what is going on around me, turning my pretty head away.  It seems she takes more self-portraits now that we're out here in New York.  She often uses her phone for that, and I see her typing in a message and sending it out to our people.  She deeply misses these people, and I think it's one of her ways of staying connected.

Since Faith insists on taking my photo and posting it Lord-knows-where on this computer, I decided turn-about is fair play.  Of course, this also works in her favor, since she loves sending love, and this kiss might just do that.  Now I'm off for more sleeping and lying around until George gets here to walk me!   

January Slush

Madge in Sleet - drawn by George

Have you seen reports on the weather out here?  I am NOT a fan.  Sleet.  Rain.  Where are my amazing piles of snow that I can jump into on my walks?  I'll tell you where they are -- buried beneath sheaths of ice.

This morning, I jumped up on a mountain of snow only to quickly hear a crackling sound beneath my paws -- I stood waiting to see what would happen before the ice broke beneath me and I was plunged into a mixture of heavy snow and slush.

Later, when George came to walk me, I decided I would not have it.   Sure, I peed a little to make it seem like I would cooperate, but then I just stood there, putting on my best, "I am miserable," look while inching my way toward our building's front door.  Thankfully, George ushered me inside and we played, instead of him dragging me all around slushy, mushy, cold Sunnyside.

If I had any sense of the future, I'd be looking forward to the sunny days of Spring; instead, I'm cozy-ing up in our little apartment, happy enough to eat, sleep, and play indoor games.

I Have New Friends!

I have always enjoyed looking out of the window of our home.  When Faith first brought me back from Lafayette, Colorado to her home in Denver, she spent the first couple of days at home with me.  The third night she went to something she called Book Club and put me in a roomy tent-like container, zipped up the top, and walked out the door.

Little did she know that I was smart enough to unzip anything you throw my way.  I had no interest in destroying anything in the apartment; I just couldn't see out the window from that little tent.  When Faith rounded the corner of the apartment building, she looked shocked to see me calmly lying on the window ledge.  From that day forward, I would take my spot on the ledge and watch the world go by.  Back then I had a great view of the pool; now I get to look out on to the active area where three streets intersect at an odd angle.  Watching all the movement keeps my mind active, which helps me deal with being alone while Faith is at work in the city.

Recently, I got something even better to break up my day: Dog Walkers!  Last week George and Lesley started taking turns visiting me in the middle of the day and walking me around the 'hood for a while.  It's great to be able to get outside and explore while it's still sunny out.  The great thing is that Faith doesn't seem to realize what's going on, because she still walks me when she gets home! It's pretty cool to have friends that come over just to see me, so I'm keeping this new development to myself . . . for now.

Why the coat? WHY?

Why does she do it?  Someone tell me, why, oh why does my person insist on putting me inside clothes?  I mean she's made it clear that she does not like to dress me up.  I hear her telling our other people that she doesn't see me as a person -- she sees me as a dog. She wants me to be a dog and not considered her "baby." I'm not really sure what this is supposed to mean.  I know I'm a dog.  I'm proud to be a dog -- bark at guests when they ring the buzzer (I mean, what if they aren't welcomed guests after all?  It's my job!!), chase pigeons on the street, sniff other dogs' butts.  That's how I roll.

Regardless of her surety that I'm no baby, she still dresses me...and I hate it! It seems to bother her that I shiver so much this time of year. I admit the New York wind is much more biting than our predictable Colorado cold followed by some warming sun around noon.  Still, there's no call for wrapping me in faux fur. So, I just make sure I walk as slowly as possible and look pitiful until she takes it off of me.  Then, I shake and shake with happiness and start diving into the snow piles all around!  I shiver, yes, and I have a great time once I'm freed of the princess-looking-capey-thing.  Wooooohoooo!

One Giant Tree

I KNEW it!!  Faith tells me how she's going to be home from work for the whole week between Christmas and the New Year.  Then, out of nowhere, she just leaves one day, taking my Uncle Glenn and Grandmama Toni with her.  I mean really.  They come out from Denver to visit me, and she takes them away for several hours?  Rude.

Then, I see this photo on Facebook.  They went to visit a GIANT TREE without me?  It's hard enough to find trees in this city.  It's so hard, I've taken to being happy to have garbage bags to pee on these days -- there seem to be plenty of those in this concrete town.  Do you know what fun I could have had with such a wonderful tree? Believe me, I do. It's a good thing I see how happy they look here.  And maybe it was better not to brave the remnants of the recent blizzard.  They look a little cold to me!

Rest in Peace, Pecola Vye

Pecola Vye 1.31.01 - 12.25.10

When we arrived in this new city, Faith moved us in with her friends, the Lenger Kangs.  Now, in this new home, there was also a dog named Pecola Vye.  I could see that Faith had a previous relationship with this dog, and sometimes I felt threatened with this whole new set up.

I felt compelled to growl and snap at this beagle from time to time.  In fact, I must have worried Faith a little, because I heard her talking with our trainer on the phone about how to stop this behavior.  Eventually, I settled in, and I even tried to get Pecole to play with me.

P-Dog was older than me, and she moved a little slower than I was used to.  I was confused when we went over to the Lenger Kang place after Christmas, and I couldn't find Pecola.  I smelled something strange in the bathroom as I hunted for her -- like she had been here recently but then the scent faded away.  When I looked up at my person, she said that Pecola was gone.  Faith has been pretty sad since this happened and has reminded me that she knew Pecola when she was just a puppy.  I try to go see the Lenger Kangs when I can; I know they really loved Pecola and miss her so.

Faith would like me to be at least a little sorry for my growliness, but what can I say?  I'm a dog.  I act like a dog.  I know Pecola understood that.

Denver Gardening

Here I am at our beautiful West Washington Park Garden plot in Denver, Colorado (2009).  While I do miss our daily walks to water the garden, it's my person who really misses this daily dose of gardening sanity.

As for me, I'm just as happy to smell around any patch of dirt I can find, and frankly I've found a lot of stinky stuff here in New York City!

Also I notice Faith has found a new way to destress in this wintry climate:  crocheting.  (I'm just praying she never crochets me a sweater -- it's just so embarrassing to be dressed.)

Why I blog by Little Miss Madge

What am I doing here?  Why am I keeping this blog?  Well, my person (Faith) took me in as a stray over four years ago, in Colorado.  Then, last year, I hop into the biggest car I've ever seen that says UHAUL on the side, and BAM four days later, we're in the Big Apple.  So many things are happening, I just have to BLOG.