Just in Case You Were Wondering...

Nike Half Marathon: A.K.A. Where's Cara?

After the wonderful but late evening out, you might think we'd sleep in on Sunday morning. Nope. We were up and out of the apartment at 6:30am! Did you know that is it not very light at 6:30 anymore? I wonder what is happening to the sun?

Anyway, we made our way to Central Park after mom and Glenn stumbled into M. Rhor's Cafe for their coffee. I am always awake and ready to go in the morning so I didn't need a pick-me-up myself.

Once we reached the park I saw an amazing sight! There were thousands and thousands of people running down the street! Where were they going? And why were they all running so fast? Mom said that we had to watch for her friend Ms. Cara because she was running in the race. It was the NYC Half-Marathon presented by Nike that goes from Central Park down the West Side Highway to Battery Park. This is the first year the city is having a half-marathon, so it was very exciting.

After all the runners went by, and we still didn't see Ms. Cara, we walked downtown to meet Ms. Heather at the 72nd street park entrance. The race was going to loop around the park so we knew if we just stayed put and waited for the runners to come around we'd see everyone, including the main attraction: Ms. Cara.

So we waited as the first, and fastest runners came sprinting by again... but no Ms. Cara.




then more and more runners passed us... but no Ms. Cara.






and more runners... but no Ms. Cara.







then some guy in a Statue of Liberty hat ran by... but no Ms. Cara.








and a guy dressed up as a lighthouse... but no Ms. Cara.







then the final walkers passed us... but no Ms. Cara.







Where could she be? We didn't see her at all durning the hour long wait by the road.



Did she forget to set her alarm?

She told us that she was going to be on our side of the street wearing a white had and black shorts. But we somehow missed her.

Did she fall down?




Even after we waited in the rain, we didn't get to see her. What could have possibly happened?




As it turns out, mom found out later, Ms. Cara was dressed in the official race t-shirt and blended in amongst a flock of sprinting racers. We just simply missed her. Like a zebra on the Serengeti Plains.




We were disappointed that we didn't see Ms. Cara in action, but happy she did a personal best. And I was especially happy because I got to hunt some pigeons!

Movie Al Fresco

Saturday evening, mom, Glenn and I piled into a cab and headed down to Glenn's movie night. As I mentioned before, he is the founder of a group called the Upper Green Side and so he was sitting on a discussion panel to try to shed some light on how traffic congestion in New York is effecting our quality of life.







I helped direct the tent set-up!








Personally, I would like it if the trucks and cars that drive along Riverside Drive would obey the traffic lights, stopping for red lights, allowing mom and me to cross the street. Sometimes they don't stop; and sometimes they think red lights mean its ok to make U-Turns.




Glenn and his buddies are talking about something bigger, though. An organization called Transportation Alternatives collaborated on a documentary about the traffic issues of the Big Apple. And so we watched the film to help spread the word.

I counted about 100 people (though please keep in mind I am only equipped with four toes on each front foot so the counting might be off)in attendance.

One of the other efforts that TA is responsible for is working towards a "Car-Free Central Park". Now that is something I can totally support!

















Here is a 360 degree view of the East River and "The Cove" where the movie played. Click on it to see it larger.





Once the panel discussion was over, the movie began. Mom threw me some of my most favorite snacks to keep me settled: popcorn! Yummy.

I wuff popcorn.

These kernels were popped fresh and had delicious butter and salt on them. I was in puppy heaven.

Weather like the British Isles

Mom and Glenn wuff the weather we are having today. Cool, overcast and a nice 68° temperature make it perfect for a day outside. We first went on our morning walk (as usual) and then mom and I took a taxi over to the East Side.

After relaxing in Glenn's apartment for a while we decided to walk around and see what we could see.

Glenn's neighborhood is known as "Little Hungary" not because there is a lack of food or fine dining establishments, but because there were a lot of Hungarian immigrants who settled there, not unlike myself. I am often stopped on the street to be admired and fawned over simply because of my ethnic heritage, and I wuff the attention! Bring it on!

Here I am with mom in front of the Hungarian Meat Market, quite possibly my most favorite part of New York City because I wuff meat.

Weekend Itinerary

This weekend mom and I are spending our time with Glenn on the Upper East Side of the Big Apple. We have so many things planned.

Mom said Glenn will be participating in a "panel discussion" for his Upper Green Side organization and that we were going to go watch him and a movie. How exciting.

The discussion and movie is happening all the way down on 23rd street, in an outdoor park near the east river, so that means I am going to ride in a taxi cab! Oooooh. I don't often get to ride in taxis because not all cabbies will stop for a pooch, but mom is hopeful that we won't have too much trouble.

Then on Sunday, Ms Cara is going to be running in the New York City Half Marathon, so mom said that we have plans to meet Ms. Heather and watch Ms. Cara race by.

It sounds like an action packed weekend for me!

Sultry Susquehanna

Since I have been so busy taking care of my mom, I almost forgot to tell you about my trip to the grand Susquehanna river! My Aunt Connie and Uncle Rick have a house on the river near York, PA so the Devenney Family (Mutti's side of the family) gathered together last weekend and had a bit of a reunion. I was invited along too, and boy did I have a good time!

Once I got mom tucked in on her lounge chair in the shade, I began to explore.

Doctor Jones to the Rescue

My mom is sick, and it is my job to nurse her back to health. She has had a fever for a long time now, and is coughing a lot, so the treatment is wuff, wuff and more wuff. I shall not leave her side for even a moment. Well, unless there is something good to eat or an interesting smell, but other than that I will be right by her side. Whether, in her feverish delirium, she wants me there or not.

The real doctor that mom visited today said she has Bronchitis. I don't know what that means but every time mom starts coughing, she can't stop. Sometimes mom says she thinks she's going to "hack up a lung".

Eeeewwww! I don't think I am ready to see that.

Let's all just hope for the best.

Avalon, NJ

Here are some shots from the beach! It looks like everyone had a great time!

Wonderful Weekend

I just got back from a wonderful weekend with Mr. Pat and Ms. Gail. They are terrific and really know how to spoil me. I was allowed to sleep under the cover the way I like it, hang out on the back deck and watch the sail boats, and play tug-of war with Jersey and Candy.

I wuff Jersey Girl (she's really my aunt, can you believe that???) and Candy. They know how to play rough -- just the way I like it. Mr. Pat told mom that I also got attacked by some "green heads". They are very mean flies that bite and sting. Jersey was so tormented by them that she was afraid of even the docile housefly that we saw later that evening. Jersey can run so fast when being chased!

Beach Vacation

I am going on a trip!

Mom is packing my bag and driving me to visit Mr. Pat and Ms. Gail this weekend. They are very nicely allowing me to stay at their home while mom has to travel. I know mom will be very sad to leave me, but I am going to have BLAST! Mom says that a puppy named Jersey will be there for me to play with, and maybe a couple other pooches too. I can't wait!

I wonder if Mr. Pat will take me to build a sand castle? I wuff the beach.

Over The Rainbow Bridge

My Grandmama Erin has crossed the Rainbow Bridge


















Ch. Copper Creek Imaginerin
October 13, 1998 - August 3, 2006

Sister to Beamer and Dion; Mother to Ben, Gable, Priority, Cookie Dough, Carly, Hannah, Winslow, Keb, Polo, Ozskar, Jersey, Gabby & Kona; Grandmother to Me, Colton, Izzy, Aliss, River, Piper, Toby, Owe'n, Rozie, Ivy, Lana & Fritz; Adored by Mr. Pat, Ms. Gail, Mr. Patrick, Mr. Michael, Ms. Jennifer, Ms. Deb and those who knew her well.

Grandmama Erin was hit by a car on Saturday, July 29. We lost her 5 days later.

Grandmama Erin was staying with some friends while the family enjoyed the nuptials of Mr. Pat & Ms. Gail's daughter on Friday night. Somehow she got out and was ultimately hit.

Mr. Pat and his son Michael got her and took her to the vet for emergency care. After the amputation of her left back leg and multiple surgeries, it looked like she was going to be ok. She was in ICU to be carefully monitored and turned as necessary.

They were hopeful that Grandmama Erin would be released on Wednesday, but that was changed to Thursday because another small surgery scheduled to remove some necrotic skin.

Mr. Pat received constant updates from the vets and surgeons, including a daily update each morning. Thursday morning was no different.

At 9:05 the vet called and share how well Grandmama Erin was doing and that she would likely go home that night. The vets had checked on her 10 minutes before they found her and she had been fine. When they came to take her for the final surgery, they found that she had already crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

She is greeted by her breeder, Carol Vola, who was a great friend of Mr. Pat & Ms. Gail, and her father Eric.

She is not alone but she is very much missed.

Feels like 115º

And I thought 98 degrees was bad... Now we can really cook our breakfast on the sidewalks!