In Honor of Memorial Day...

We honor the memory of all the men and women who have

given their lives in service to our country.

May God Bless You and Your Families on this

Memorial Day - Abbey

Oh Happy Day(s)!

Let the celebrations begin!

So far this has turned out to be a steller weekend. Not one - but TWO days of Central Park.

We had our traditional romp in the grass - and then brunch with a nice group of canine buddies. I don't know their names - but everyone one seemed to be enjoying the beautiful May weather.

Sometimes we have to wait for our peeps to get their stuff together...

Sometimes it takes longer than others....

Sometimes they just don't know that they are suppose to SHARE THE BACON....

And then sometimes you just have to give up and stare....

And sometimes just hanging out with your best friend - chillin' in the shade is the way to go!

One of the things I love about my city is that there is ALWAYS something new to discover. You just have to pay attention.

On the way home from the Park on Saturday - we came across this beautiful building on 67th Street (near Lexington). Look at the amazing detail on this building.

Look closer....DOGS. That's right.....

Isn't this amazing!

Of course the bunnies are cute too.

As are the baby birds!

Even squirrels got in the act.

Mom is trying to counteract all the the great food (& drink) that she has been enjoying this weekend - and since Sunday was another beautiful day in the city so we headed back to the Park. Hey - if she thinks this is exercise - I'll buy into it. All I care is I got 2 days in The Park!

We left the camera at home as we both just wanted to simply relax. I really don't mind having my picture taken - and even without Mom's camera - complete strangers (with small children) asked if they could take my picture! How could I say no?

We met up with Miss D and headed to the Ballfield Cafe. I understand the guacamole was excellent - and being Memorial Day - Mom felt like paying tribute to a patriot - Samuel Adams. I hear his beverage goes well with Guac! I liked the shaded patio, and the water bowl the waiter brought me - it was as big as my head!

We hope all of you are enjoying this Memorial Day weekend.

Please take a moment to remember that it's more than just the first weekend of summer...it's a time to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice - for all of us.

Next year I've asked Mom to do a post on Fleet Week - talk about a holiday!

Thanks to JACK DADDY...here is a link with more information about that amazing building on E. 67th. Check it out.

While you're at it - check out Jack's blog - "DAILY DOSE OF JACK" - Jack has something to say..EVERY DAY...and he will make you LAUGH!

Hey Little Birdie

We were thrilled to get mentioned in this great style blog. Check out their site and add them to your blog roll. You never know what great treasures they will discover!

This weekend promises to be a lot of fun. It's Mom B-day (Seriously people - she just keeps getting older). More importantly....it's the 7 day countdown to MY BIRTHDAY.

You heard me. Next Friday I will be 9 years old. And I have the white snout to show for it. Like Mom - I wouldn't go back for all the bacon in the western hemisphere. Would YOU really want to go through junior high...again???? I didn't think so.

Check in throughout the week. I have been keeping a very close eye on the way Mom's been handling her day. I think I'll do exactly what she's doing.

She got a new dress... I GET A NEW COLLAR

She's going out to dinner with friends....Due and I get to dine al fresco

She's going to see SATC2....I get one of those Golden Retriever movies from Netflix!

She's having b-day breakfast in Central Park with ME!....I get b-day breakfast in CP with her!

Don't forget to check out HEY LITTLE BIRDIE!

I'm Baaaack!

You may remember that last December - I kidnapped Abbey's Mom! (HA!)

Well guess what sister - this time I'm kidnapping Abbey's blog!

This blog is presented to you by the one and only, MAGGIE!

YES - I can type!

Now before your get all up in my pretty little face - let me explain.

I've done a little investigative reporting of my own. What?

You think there's just one journalist in this family???

Abbey thinks her Mom was out of town all last week - hard at work.

And she very well may have been.

And although Abbs got to "spend time" with her boyfriend ....this is where her Mom really was...

Right...she was working....but do you know where she went to relax for the weekend when "work" has done!

That's right...MY HOUSE... GOT CHA!

(OK ...FINE...she may have come here to visit with her folks....but I did get to dig through her purse and eat her almonds...and raid her suitcase. I bet you never get to do THAT! )

SLACKER (a/k/a My Mother)

You heard me. S L A C K E R .

First NO PARK LAST WEEKEND. Why? I have no idea. Seems someone was afraid of getting a little wet. (Hint - NOT ME). That was the excuse for Saturday - oh and Sunday was Mother's Day - and she thought I "let her" sleep in as some grand gesture of love and thanks. DO YOU KNOW ME....AT ALL.

I slept in because SHE didn't wake me up.

Well this weekend we did make it to Central Park.

But SOMEONE (again - NOT ME) forgot to charge up the camera.

TO TOP IT OFF I GOT IN TROUBLE AT THE PARK.

Apparently - the nice big lawn that we love to romp on is a "family lawn." This means dogs must be on leash at all times. HUH! A Park Employee was stationed on the lawn to make sure all of us 4-legged ones were tethered. Leashed. Tortured.

Some ridiculous notion that people bring their kids and spread their blankets on the lawn later in the day so they don't want "dog messes" on said lawn.

EXCEPT HERE'S THE STUPID PART (yes - I used the word STUPID)...

I can still be on the lawn - I just have to be on leash.

Now if the poor man understood "D O G" I would have told him

(in no uncertain terms if you get my drift) :

#1 - I am Mom's FAMILY. So I BELONG ON THE FAMILY LAWN.

#2 - It was well before 9am - and I do believe I make the rules before 9am!

#3 - We (Mom) ALWAYS picks up after me - and what is the difference in I'm on leash or off.

If a girl's got to go...A GIRL'S GOT TO GO!

Due's Mom did a good job trying to translate for me and defend our case - but the Park Employee really didn't care.

This is a shot from a few weeks ago of us enjoying ourselves on the

"FAMILY LAWN"

I know. I know. I don't own the Park. I'm not saying I have to have it all to myself. I'm willing to share.

And I'm all for following the rules and being a responsible canine citizen. It just makes me crazy when the "rules" are silly.

OK. Stepping off my soap box now.

CENTRAL BARK DESIGNS NEWS: We've been invited to participate in a new artisans market in NYC.

June 5-6 at 3rd and Avenue A. The MARTE (Manhattan Artists Retail Trade Emporium).

More info later!

Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to get Mom a little something for Mother's Day - and with the help of my friend (& George - the Bassett Hound's Mom - Lila) - I got her this great new book, "First Pet" by the AP, Associated Press.

It's the perfect present for Mom, since it combines dogs and Presidential history! And of course we thought we'd share our favorite chapter, President Ford's very own golden girl, Liberty.

Mom was in high school during the Ford years - and she remembers when Liberty was big news! Liberty even had puppies in the White House!

...and was included in the First Family's 1975 portrait!

Of course a book - even with presidential golden retreivers only goes so far. I know the real way to make mom smile , let her sleep in (I did) and bring her pretty flowers!

I hope you all enjoyed your Mother's Day.

Routines

Like a lot of people - we have our weekend routines. Saturday is for Central Park and running errands, painting floor cloths and a little non-canine social time for Mom (whatever).

I thought we should start to create a few Sunday routines as well. A neighborhood walk with Mom in the AM. Mom can pick up here iced coffee from the corner deli. This should be followed by breakfast and naptime for me. Coffee and New York Times for Mom. She puts on John Coltrane and it's a very relaxing way to wind up the weekend.

Due had an even better idea....after the quiet morning....a simple little sidewalk dining in the

Upper East Side of Manhattan.

We headed uptown to Petaluma. A lovely little neighborhood Italian cafe on First Avenue and 73rd Street.

The kind waiters brought me my own chilled "cocktails"

It seems this is a popular spot for the 4 legged residents of the area. Although this bulldog arrived in his very own stroller. Mom - can you get on that please. I need a carriage!

After lingering over lunch, we headed back. One slight problem. It's 90 degrees and I'm still wearing my winter coat! This looks like a good place to take a break.

(Yes - that is indeed the 59th Street Bridge..feelin' groovey!)

Due agrees to join me for a little downtime. The Moms can just wait until we catch our collected breath.

OK. Good to go!

I think a leisurely sidewalk cafe brunch should become a standard part of our Sundays. We got home in plenty of time for me to take a nap before dinner. Mom had enough time to get the laundry done and straighten up the apartment so we could start another week rested, relaxed and collected!

So what are your Sunday routines?

Say Hello To GIDGET!

Isn't she the sweetest!

Gidget is a 10 yr. old Jack Russell who lives in our neighborhood. We ran into her (and her Mom) at Central Park this morning and they joined us for our Saturday ritual.

Gidg's Mom really knows how to get on my good side!

We had perfect weather this morning in the Park, and we were all enjoying it

Gidget even taught me that regular kibble (I believe this was the Science Diet varietal) can be a special treat. We just pretend it's a cookie!

LOOK AT THAT FACE!

She's killin' me. I want to sit on Mom's lap and make cute faces at all the people!

Now just so you all remember this IS New York City - at the table next to us this morning was a woman - in a beret - SMOKING A HAND ROLLED CIGAR....before 9AM. The Mom's (And Aunt D) were not too happy - as Cindy Adams would say "only in New York kiddos - only in New York!"