VOD: Within Reach

Matthew tries to help me get the object I desire -- a yellow volleyball.

What's Good For the Goose...

Is Good for ME!

This morning I almost had a little paté for breakfast.

Mom and I were on our walk, rounding around the Lake, when I paused to relax in the grass. Mom was facing me, looking towards the road and got a really funny look on her face.

Behind me, a double pair of geese were cresting the hill as they waddled down to the water.

Little did they know they were in direct line to pass by me and a friendly little cocker spaniel. I heard the qwavak, qwavak sounds behind me, I started drooling and thought I should extend a friendly welcome.

I sprung up, immediately going into my very welcoming pointing stance, and stood very very still. Meanwhile, the cocker rushed in (how dare she be the first to greet these cute and shy creatures!) and began chasing them of all things.

At this point, mom thought for sure they would fly away, but it appears their wings had been clipped as they could barely get off the ground. I stalked one to the edge of the lake, but the poor goose's plan almost got him cooked. He was so frantic that he didn't see the wire fenced in front of him and actually tried to go through the fence. Silly goose!

Mom called me back and the poor little guy stumbled around the end of the fence and into the safe haven of the water. I was simply trying to say good morning and give him a kiss...

One down... three to go.

Lazy Daze

Yes, I've been lazy these past few days. Mom, Glenn and I went to Mutti and Pappa-Dinos house in PA and we did a lot of back yard relaxin'.



I personally took over as "Local Wildlife Patrol" and made sure Mutti's flowers were protected well. She has a ton of Irises now in the back yard which seem to have fared wayyyyy better than those tulips did. The bunnies really wuff to eat them for some reason.


I also got to spend a bunch of time with little Matthew.




He turned 1 year old last month and is growing up quite fast.

Contemplation

Run #2

Ok, so the first run on Tuesday evening was a breeze. I didn't even start panting!

But the 2nd run this morning was much harder -- well for mom anyway. I am sleek and streamlined so I didn't feel the wind resistance at all, as Mom, Cara and I ran along the West Side Highway and the Hudson River.

Mom's problem wasn't running out, but rather running back when the wind was in our faces. I kept telling mom she needs to keep a low profile like I do, but she muttered something about not being able to run on all fours.

As mom was puffing away, I took in the sights.

The drift wood.
The rocks that juts out into the river.
The far-off sailboat that I wanted to investigate.



Mom wouldn't let me enter the water though... something about a swift current and getting washed out to sea. Perhaps if I take swimming lessons like charlie morph, I'd be allowed to go in!

Riverside Running

This morning Mom, Glenn and I walked over to Riverside to share the good news with all of my buddies.

They were all there: Laika, Dougan, Tascha, Rosie, Noah, Ellie, and Saatchi. And they were so excited to see me and hear the news. We ran and ran, just like old times.

I'd been a little home sick for them, but since the walk only took about 12 minutes (mom and I walk very fast) that she said we could walk over there on Tuesday and Thursdays, if I wanted to. That's terrific!



And tonight, Mom and Ms. Cara are going to start training for Ms. Cara's NYC Marathon in November, so we'll be doing a lot of running all over the west side. Mom said that we could run in Riverside in the mornings and Central Park in the evenings.

A Bi-park pup, that's me!

Post: Engaged

I didn't quite realize what happened yesterday. Mom wasn't paying attention to me at the Lake, but I thought she and Glenn were just talking.

Well it turns out that -- nope -- they were making big plans for our future!

We're officially going to be a happy family!

These are the Geese in my Neighborhood...

After the big move yesterday, Mom Glenn and I unpacked all morning. We sorted and placed, and moved things round. So once the evening walk came around I was ready to get out in to the park.

The weather was a bit overcast and misty so we pretty much were secluded from everyone. I wanted to check out the lake again -- it's my favorite spot--- and see what ducks were there. I wuff ducks. They make great chew toys and have that delightful quack, quack.

As we came down to the bank of the pond, I noticed that there weren't any ducks but rather a number huge Canadian Geese. I was on point right away straining on my leash to get to them. Mom and Glenn were too busy getting engaged to give me the slack I needed, but I managed to creep froward, into the water and get about 2 feet away.

Those geese had no fears and didn't even bother to swim away! That's a bit insulting!

Since, Mom wasn't paying attention to me at all, it would have been the perfect time to work on my in-water retrieving skills!

Better luck next time!

Vizslas Make Moving Easy

The move to our new apartment went without a hitch -- because I was in charge of course!

I had to make sure that the movers packed the van correctly, but also that no one stole the stuff out of the van as the movers went in and out of the building.

Mom and I stood guard and made sure that all went well.

It's the Final Count Down

For those of you who are fans of the 80s rock band Europe, here we go:

We're leaving together,
But still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back,
To riverside, pray tell!
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground
Will things ever be the same again?

It's the final countdown...

We're heading for 370 and still we stand tall
Cause maybe they've seen us and welcome us all
With so many blocks to go and things to be found
I'm sure that they'll all miss me so.

It's the final countdown...

Wish us luck tomorrow.

My Microchip -- Already Put to Use!

I'm very glad mom gave me a microchip so that I can find her when she gets lost!

Why?

Because with the way this apartment move is shaping up -- we are in serious jeopardy of losing each other!

I finally found the camera so that mom could take photos of the apartment (the camera has been lost for the past few days...) and here is just a sampling of the state of affairs.

AVID Tracking

One of the things they did to me yesterday was give me a special tracking device called a microchip so that if I ever loose mom, I can go, get scanned and they will find her for me. Those PETtrac people are so nice to do that for me. After all, it's hard to dial the phone -- I never carry spare change to make the call!

OFA Testing

Now that I'm two, mom took me into the vet for some special testing. She said it was important to make sure that I am A-OK for my hips and my thyroid. I didn't even know I had hips or a thyroid! wonder what I need those for... And she also said that my brother Owe'n was going to be at the vet at the same time, too! I wonder if I'll see him?

Anyway, mom and Glenn walked me to the vet's office in the morning and I thought we'd drop off some papers and be on our way. But no, a nice vet tech came down and took me from mom.

This is my least favorite part of going to the vet -- when they take me from her. I wuff my mom and why I have to be alone there is beyond me - we don't keep any secrets from each other!

Anyway they brought me upstairs to visit with all of the other pups and cats and birds that were staying there for the day, and I tried to relax for a bit but it as so hard! Eventually they came to get me out of my crate and brought me over to an examining table where they made me lie on my back and gave me something to make me feel funny. ahhhhhh... much better...

After that things are a bit blurry.

But I do remember seeing Ms. Jane, and Dr. Kim, and a funny machine, and a big needle, and lots of people moving around, and a purple dragon jumping through a flaming hoop...

After I woke up, I felt a bit like mom does after she comes back from yoga, all loosy goosy and rubbery in my legs. And boy was I sleepy. But before I could really settle in for a snooze, I was being taken downstairs to....

MOM!!!!!!

Oh my word! There she is! She's right there and I am such an overly excitedpupthatican'tevenconcetrateiamgoingtojumpinherarmsandneverever leaveherside!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of you moms out there!

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Today is the most wonderful time of the year: My Birthday!

I've just turned two and have celebrated with a coffee klatch in Riverside Park.







Mom was going to go all out again with goodie bags, and treats for the other dogs, but that is soooo-oo last year.











I told her that if she could just entertain the parents while we dogs had our romp, that would be enough. So she and Glenn brought 2 boxes of "joe" and some munchkins.





I don't know what "joe" is but all the parents really seemed to clamour around it. I wouldn't have minded a munchkin or two myself, and Rupert, the gi-normous chocolate lab, helped himself to the box, but mostly we pups just ran around.







I could tell everyone was having the best time because the wagging was at Mach 10.



I hope no one got a tail injury like my cousin Rudy did!

A month ago, Rudy suffered from "tail whip" (a sprained tail from overuse) and Ms. Deb said he needed a trip to the vet! Rut-Row!











Ms. Susan and Mr. George made a special guest appearance and thought that I have such lovely park friends.







I even got a couple presents and an "e-card"!

Laika and Ms. Jane gave me an AKC pheasant and a very yummy all-natural chicken-favored bone cookie.

I shared it with Laika because not only is she my best friend, she's also a faster eater than I and she stole some of mine!











































I received and e-card from Ripley and Ms. Meryl this morning too!

That was totally awesome!

I wonder what Rozie, Owe'n and Ivy are doing for their birthdays today?? Happy birthday to my brother and sisters!









I'm really grateful that I have met so many wonderful friends and that they all wuff me enough to think about doing nice things for me.

Thank you so much!


It's so great being TWO!

Boxes Upon Boxes

This move has us all in a tizzy. There are more and more boxes coming into the apartment every day, but none seem to be leaving. Pretty soon there won't be enough for me to lie down on the couch!

Ms. Susan and Mr. George are in town this weekend and I am nervous that they won't be able to find me in the mess. Maybe I will suggest to mom that they not even come over to the old apartment, but rather meet us at the new??

Birthday Shout-out: Mamma Siren!!

Today is my mamma Siren's birthday, and she wanted to point out that she is not getting older, just better.

Happy birthday!

And the other thing that Mamma Siren's birthday means... is that two days from now is MY birthday!

Mom is planning another great party in Riverside -- but this time she said that she was also bringing snacks for the grown-ups!

Sunday with Sammy

I had another puppy play date this weekend, though this time with was with Sammy. He's a 6 month old Shepard mix and his proud parents, Ms. Reshma and Mr. Kavin, were nice enough to entertain mom and Glenn in the new apartment while Sammy and I romped.

We even had a picnic in the apartment -- it was so much fun.

After lunch we all went on a long walk in Central Park and I showed everyone how nicely I walk next to mom. Ms. Reshma was trying to teach sammy to walk on leash like I was. Good luck! I am simply a pro-fessional!

Blooms Abound All Around

This weekend is the prime Cherry Blossom weekend. They are simply bursting from the limbs. And Glenn's allergy sensitivity proves it.

Apartment Analysis

So mom, glenn and I explored the new digs together and here is my pictorial analysis.

Let's start with the floor plan:


Seems pretty decent. If you click on it, it will take you to a larger image... notice all the windows! I wuff windows!

And now for the photos! Again, to see them larger just click on the image, then when you are done click your "back" button on the browser window.