Saturday Sales

Mom and I decided it would be nice to have a low-key day today so we went to the 100th St. Street Fair.

Everyone was hawking their wares, trying to get us to spend our money. It was basically a flea market or garage sale type thing, but there were tons of people, great food, and we even got to see Ms. Jane! Laika was at home, which made me sad, but it was still nice to see a friendly face.

You'd be surprised how often you run into people you know in this city. It's a small world, after all...

A Weekend Full of Promise

So this weekend it'll just be me and my mom. We're not sure what we want to do yet but one idea was to go hiking in a park. Mom has been researching on where we can go and this is what she found in the area: Palasades Park (just on the other side of the river!), Bear Mountain State Park, and Fahnestock State Park. All great but none seem to let me be off the leash, and of course that is critical! So I think we'll keep looking. Perhaps we'll find a wildlife management area like where Ms. Deb takes me and my brothers and sisters. It's called McKee-Besher.... that would be perfect.

Response

Mom was so fired up about the park being under attack that she emailed a few people in the parks department and on the local community board...

AND she actually got a response! She was surprised anyone even wrote her back and appreciated that they worked to address some of mom's (and my) concerns. Here is what Ms. Crista Carmody wrote:

Date: Monday, September 25, 2006 10:34 AM
From: Carmody, Crista

Karen,

Thank you for your concerns. The construction fence at 100th Street inside Riverside Park went up really fast and without much warning. The work was supposed to have been completed months ago.

Since last week, I have instructed all Riverside Park staff and other Parks Department divisions not to drive over the lawn area and to enter the park at 116th Street. I have asked the Hudson Beach Cafe staff to enter the park at 116th Street as well. The concession cart at 101st Street cannot make the turn or handle the slope at 116th Street and continues to drive over the grass. There are also several walks that were scheduled for this month that have trucks that also cannot enter at 116th Street.

The contractors should complete the paving this week, and move to the next section of path south of the existing construction fence. Vehicles will still have to pass the playground entrance but they will not have to drive on the grass. Riverside Park staff will do lawn restoration when they are finished.

Unfortunately, the construction staff do bring their personal vehicles to the job site. We are working with them to find a more appropriate site to park.

I will get some "Slow Down Shared Path" signs up as soon as possible.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or more concerns.

Crista Carmody
Park Manager
Riverside Park
Parks & Recreation
New York, NY 10023

Woo hoo! Glenn is always telling mom that local government actually does accomplish things. And he's right!

Now, Laika, Molly, Duncan, Ruby Rose, Boone, Emma, and all the other pups can play in safety. Whew!

Not the Weirdest Out There

Just in case you were thinking it -- I Wuff Soccer isn't the, um, most "artistic" dog-starring video out there.

Check out Poney Part 1 on Vitalic's Ok Cowboy site. I think it takes the cake; it's brilliant. The only thing missing is me.

Twinkle Toes.

Don't Glenn's toes look happy? Well, there is one that is sad, but maybe the others can cheer it up.


Did you know I wuff licking toes? They are so tasty, plus when they are constantly exposed like these are, it's twice the treat!

Glenn's All Busted Up

He's finally here!

This weekend Glenn came back to the City with mom and I, but he's all broken up. His leg is bandaged and wrapped, and it looks like it's twice the size of the left one.

We had fun on Staten Island again with the rest of his family. I wuff Mr. George becuase he plays a tough tug-o-war! And Ms. Susan! I think her cooking is terrific -- oops! I hope mom didn't read that! I'm not supposed to have people food, especially when fed to me while they are still sitting at the table (glenn did that. I wuff Glenn.).

Mom says Glenn might be with us for a few weeks, which I think is just wonderful. Now I'll have an all-day play mate! I could really get used to that.

Pup Politics

There is an organization out in Queens, called the Juniper Park Civic Association (JPCA), that is trying ruin my (and the rest of New York City’s) off-leash time. Don’t they understand that I need to have some freedom on clean grass so that I can socialize with all kinds of people and dogs? It's one of the reasons that I am such a happy pup!

The suit that is being heard in the State Supreme Court Of NY is going to be decided in the next couple months, so I thought I would try to send out word:

KEEP OFF-LEASH HOURS, NEW YORK!


We not only wuff off leash time when we get to run and play, but it makes for a safer park. Because mom and I are out there in the dark, early in the morning and late at night, we act as a neighborhood and park watch. And can I just say there aren't too many people out at 9pm anyway (except for dog owners) so what is the big deal??? I just don't get it. The prime time for families and group gatherings is durning the day (when we're only allowed to be there if on a leash), so it's the perfect compromise.

Facts:
• Annual Reported NYC Dog Bites Before Park Offleash Hours (1960s): Over 40,000. (source: NYC Dept of Health)
• Annual Reported NYC Dog Bites in 2005: 3,956, with 86 (2.2%) occurring in the 1,700+ NYC parks. (source: NYC Dept of Health)

The NYC Off Leash website that talks about the issues:

The Juniper Park Civic Association (JPCA) originally brought suit against the Parks Department in March 2006, but the judge refused to take the case. The JPCA then refilled the case against Parks in May 2006, and that time the court granted an Order to Show Cause.

The JPCA postures that they are "being held hostage" by a Parks commissioner who is tyrannizing the community by forcing dogs off-leash in Juniper Park. The JPCA doesn't want either Off-leash Hours or a dog park in Juniper Valley Park. The JPCA president was quoted in the New York Times in April 2006 when asked about a dog park in Juniper Park saying, "Tell me why our park has to be turned into a dog toilet."

It seems to me that dogs have to go to the bathroom irregardless of our leashed status (on or off, we still gotta go!), and that it's our mom's and dad's responsibility to pick up after us. So why do these people think that off-leash hours are going to mean clean parks?

They are simply not thinking it through, especially considering that mom and I see PEOPLE without dogs using the parks as a bathroom and not cleaning up after themselves. Perhas non-dog owners should be banned from the parks, as well??

Won't you please sign the petition? Click Here.

My First Film

Mom and I worked very hard on this film -- featuring me, of course!

P.S. Turn up the volume!

Best Buddies

I haven't seen my bet buddy in a month, but this morning we found each other in the park. Ms. Jane was out with Laika and we spent 45 minutes sprinting around the park. Zoom! Laika was breathing so hard, but I merely panted once. So fit! Just look at me!

In other news, Laika earned her first two points at the Westchester Dog Show. Woo hoo! I am so happy for you, Laika!

I CAN

freestack, Ms. Deb...

Come play with me!

Glenn, I don't know where you are! Every time I hear the elevator door open in the hall I think it's you... but it's not.

Where are you? Mom is so-o boring. All it is, is walking, walking, walking. Ball, ball, ball. Treats, treats, treats.

Won't you come play with me soon?

Video!

Gerry the Greyhound

This morning when mom and I headed to the park, I had some extra energy stored up. I was ready to really bust a move on someone...














I picked my target -- Gerry the Greyhound.
















I just knew I could beat him mono-e-mono. It was my destiny!

First, I did some stretching.







Then we faced off....


Zooom!

Out of the starting gate I was ahead, leaping left and right, swirling and zig-zagging my way around the track. I ran circles around Gerry.

Everying was great... until Gerry's brother sprang into action. I was a bit intimidated at the thought of racing two Greyhounds, and didn't want to pull a hammy, so I decided to grcefully decline another race.

Instead, I went Lab Chasing!

Construction!

My beloved Riverside Park is under attack!

Last week (I think it was Friday), tons of construction vehicles, workers, and supplies rumbled into the park right where we're allowed to run around off leash. They fenced off the paved road, and began digging.

Now everyone, including bike riders, runners, and park vehicles all drive over the grass and through the trees to get to the other side of the construction site. What a mess!

Everything is churned up and super muddy. The grass, trying desperately to come back from the tough warm winter (it was totally bare once the ground thawed because everyone had used this area for their snowball fights and outdoor fun), is already toast, and that's just from the weekend.

I am totally bummed. Where are we going to run and play? Pups need time to frolic!

Mom and I went down there this morning but the construction workers had already started, spewing dust and noise. A random jeep decided to drive through -- who knows why??? -- almost hitting one dog, and the driver clearly didn't "see" or care that we were all there.

How are they going to pick up the trash on the other side of the construction zone? It is pretty much cut off for the garbage trucks (the trees are too close together, I think, to allow them to pass. I just hope they do their road work quickly.

Volleyball Dreams

Mom and Glenn have signed up for volleyball together. They went to the open scrimmage try-outs on Wednesday night, found a team, and then had their first team scrimmage to "place" them in the NYUPAL league last night.


Unfortunately, Glenn ran into some trouble.


R.I.P. Glenn's Olympic Volleyball Dreams

As Glenn came down from blocking the ball, he landed wrong and dislocated his ankle.

OUCH!

Yes, it was gross. There is no other explanation. Mom told me that is was by far the grossest thing she's seen in a long time. But she put on a brave face and worked to keep Glenn's spirits up while the rest of the team waited for the EMS folks to arrive. About five NYPD cops arrived to take down his statement, and assist once the ambulance men showed up. They immobilized his leg, and hopped him onto the gurney.

Glenn was whisked away to Roosevelt Hospital for X-rays. It turns out that he fractured his ankle and will actually need to have surgery! For the next eight weeks he'll be recovering, hobbling around on crutches and going to physical therapy.

It looks like he'll finally get out of all of those late night walks after all!

I Smell Fashion Week

Fall brings out the Fashionistas in New York City as everyone crowds the streets, shows and parties to celebrate Olympus Fashion Week. American and Comtemporary designers like Anna Sui, Badgley Mischka and Oscar de la Renta reveal their runway concepts and dazzle audiences.

Some designers have branched out into the world of Beauty. This encompases make-up, fragrance and skin care.


One new fragrance on the market, which was passed out on the street in front of the Bryant Park Tents, is something that is actually for me and my canine kin: Sexy Beast.



At $65 for a 3.4 oz. bottle, it better make me sexy.



Of course I don't really think that I need any help in this department, but apparently the fashion world thinks differently.

I wonder: Do bodyguards charge by the hour?

Emily Post

A proper lady always crosses her ankles.

By the way...

I guess its only fair to let everyone know the the magical, mystical Hanna Banana has pulled it off again. Ms Deb writes:

Introducing BISS Ch. Tivoliz CPR CRK One and Only!

Congratulations to owner/handler Melissa Green (that's Ms. Melissa who totally wuffs me!), who won Best of Breed under Breeder/Judge Barbara Hannum (Ankerdale Vizslas) at the Vizsla Club of Greater New York, which boasted an entry of over 100 Vizslas!

Blah, blah, blah. So what if she is the greatest?!?! I have a BLOG! Just teasing Hannah. You're da BOMB.

Expecting?!?!?!?!?

One interesting thing I learned yesterday is that I am expecting! Well, at least my body thinks so.

Ms. Peggy said that it looks like I'm experiencing a "false pregnancy", something that happens sometimes with intact bitches.

After I went through my first heat, I guess my body wanted to do a trial run for the real thing. I am puffed up in all the right places for me to have recently "whelped". Ms. Peggy said that I'll carry around a special toy or object that I consider to be my puppy, too. But, don't worry, I'll be back to my old self soon!

Here are some shots of me this morning. Do you think I'm taking care of this fuzzy, squeaker bone like its a puppy? Mom does.






Practice makes perfect!

Sunday Success!

After my win yesterday I went into the Westchester Dog Show with my head and tail held high!

And the judge obviously saw my potential -- awarding me Sweepstakes Best of Opposite Sex to the Sweepstakes winner. How exciting! Mom even saw this win -- from behind a stand of oaks about 100 feet away.

I thought you might like to see me in action. So I asked mom to film me this time (it is low res so bear with me people!):



Pretty neat, huh?

But here are some better, clearer photos for all you sticklers out there!

Sweepin'

Today, I competed in the Somerset Hills Kennel Club Dog Show.
Mom and I got up very early, husted into the car and sped out to North Branch, New Jersey. Ms. Deb wanted us there by 8am, so we rolled in right on time, ready to take this show by storm.

Mom put me in my warm-up crate and went to hide herself amongst the thousands of spectators. You see, when I am in the ring, I am supposed to be focused on lookin' goo-ood.
Oh, and I am also supposed to pay attention to Ms. Deb!
But when I know my mom is out there watching me, I just want to see what she is up to. She does so many really fun things that I want to be apart of the action, so I struggle to get to her. I have heard whispers that my behavior indicates that I am a Momma's Girl, but wouldn't you always want to be with the center of your universe???? I don't see how anyone can blame me.

Anyway, I digress.

The first portion of the day are the Sweepstakes. Ms. Deb says this isn't for points, only bragging rights. What are these "bragging rights"? Are they apart of the US Constitution? Does everyone have these rights, like the right to bare arms (mom is forever walking around in tank tops and short sleeved shirts!!)? Or only certain people? I will need to ask her about them next time I see her; Ms. Deb is so smart!


I tried my best to earn these "bragging rights," and when it was all said and done I was awards Best in Sweepstakes. Yippie! That was a great feeling. They even wanted to take my photo.


Too bad mom was off shopping to see the big win. She was so busy hiding that she didn't even know what had happened! Now don't you see why I have to keep constant tabs on her? Silly mom...

Boat Basin Cafe

Glenn made a surprise visit this afternoon, picking me up for a day of walking along the West Side.

We walked all over!

In Riverside Park, along Broadway, and we finally ended up at the 79th Street Boat Basin. This is a series of docks where people tie up their sail boats, motor boats, and kayaks. The clanging of rigging against masts, the call of gulls, the lapping of waves -- all make for a relaxing river-side experience. There also just happens to be a delicious restaurant there, as well.

Since it was right around quitin' time for mom, Glenn and I decided to invite her to eat with us in the Boat Basin Cafe. Eventually she arrived (something about train trouble and a water main break???) and the feasting began. We shared some nachos, first! Then a BLTA and Chicken Quesadilla. Yummy! Mom and Glenn washed it all down with cold beer, and I, of course, had some fine, crisp water.

After dinner we hiked back home, and made preparations for the next day's event: the Somerset Hills Kennel Club Dog Show!

Labor Day

Yesterday, Mom, Glenn, several of our friends, and I all went to Riverside Park for a Labor Day Picnic. I don't really know what Labor Day is, but since mom got off from work and we spent the day together, I wuff Labor Day.

Everyone was in charge of bringing something to eat. Mom made and apple pie, guacamole and chips. Glenn cut up some watermelon. Ms. Lisa brought veggie pasta salad. Ms. Alex brought some tuna fish pasta salad. Ms. Cara brought sunchips and lemonade. Mr. Mike brought cheese (I wuff cheese) and Mr. David brought Dunkin' Donuts.

My contribution was my dried beef tendon and pig's ear, but no one seemed interested in my treats. I wonder why?

Regardless, it was quite a spread.

While we were eating, we enjoyed the park and all it's scenery. I noticed some people near by. It looked they were attacking each other. The grown-ups all seemed to think these two people were funny, but I don't understand why.



All in all it was a great day!

Babysitter

This weekend mom and I went home to Pennsylvania, and I got a chance to babysit Matthew! He is about 4 months old now, unable to sit up but can roll over. Rolling over is a trick I haven't learned yet, but I can sit-up, so I guess that means I am ready to watch a baby.

I think it went pretty well.


First, we talked for a while.











Then, I made sure he didn't run away and get lost.











Finally, we took a nap!













Easy as pie. I can't wait until I get to sit for him again!

Obsession