Torture Device #1

Don't let the smiling face of this handsome lad fool you.

I suspect he was PAID well for this advertisement.

How else do you explain a grin - while wearing a HARNESS?

That's right. A HARNESS.

Apparently MOM doesn't like it when I pull her around like a crazy pup

on our walks. She CLAIMS her back hurts and that I'm "too strong"

(Seriously People, like that's even a possibility).

Let's not forget - it seems my Big Sis - Abbey was a

PERFECT LITTLE PUPPY IN EVERY WAY.

Whatever! (I think Mom's just too old to remember the trials and tribulations of

Puppyhood with Saint Abbey. )

She went to the neighborhood pet store - a place I USUALLY like very much -

and they recommended this.

I DON'T LIKE IT.

I DON'T LIKE being yanked around when I want to run FREE.

Let's face it - there are birds, and squirrels and even those little Styrofoam

packing peanuts - just ASKING TO BE CHASED down the streets of Manhattan.

I think that it is my BIRTHRIGHT to chase things. All things.

OK - maybe chasing those nasty yellow cars I see everywhere is not a good idea -

but everything else should be fair game.

SO I SHOWED HER.

Now you may wonder HOW I managed to get my chin under the chest strap. I'M A PUPPY. I CAN DO ANYTHING AS LONG AS IT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION!!!!!

(Note from EM - take harness off immediately upon returning to the apartment)

I had it made. No more Harness. I was doing the "Happy Puppy Dance".

Unfortunately - that lasted for less than 24 hours as we were right back at the Pet Store - buying yet another one. Of course - since Mom needed it ASAP - she paid twice as much for it at the neighborhood store - than she would have if she had given me a few days of harness-freedom and simply ordered it online.

Well at least this time it's a LBH (Little Black Harness). Now what did I do with my pearls?

Note from EM (Ellie's Mom) - since the Ellester needed a 2nd harness - it came out of her allowance - which means no treats or new toys - for the next 2 weeks. HA!

UPDATE: As I was typing this - Elle was laying quietly next to me on the floor - CHEWING OFF HER NEW HARNESS!!!! We are going out to enjoy this BEAUTIFUL spring day - have dinner at a sidewalk cafe, etc. so I did not take the harness off after our "after work walk". I was just going to publish a quick post - that had already been written - and she did it AGAIN!

I know. She's a puppy. She chews. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT OFF IMMEDIATELY UPON ENTERING THE APARTMENT. UGH! At $30 a pop - this is starting to add up.

UPDATE #2: Mom and I go back to the Pet Store, but they don't have the right harness. I go back to the DUNGEON while Mom and Aunt D go to dinner. THEN - they pick me up and we all head back to the Pet Store. Somehow the forces of evil came together and not one - but TWO harness suddenly appear. I try on #1 - lovely and black - but too small. (My luck is holding out!)

Oh no - it's red - and it fits. What's a girl to do!

You would think that with all of these options - I'd be able to work my charm on SOMEONE - ANYONE and grab a couple of these to brighten up my Jail Cell. NO SUCH LUCK.

I will be pouting for the remainder of the evening.

Farm Girl

How you doin'?

I - am fabulous! Another weekend in the country.

We still had LOTS of snow to play in....

And after hours of rompin' around the grounds - it was time to rest.

I thought I would just stay here ALL NIGHT.

But the 2-Legged ones had other plans.

Yes. A travel crate. I thought I had escaped from confinement

and was free to roam as I please.

So on one hand I now have lots of open space to play in - no fences - no restrictions -

PURE FREEDOM...

And then this. Oh brother!

The only thing worse than a new crate - being told I need to get in the car - after I witness our bags being loaded in the trunk - this can only mean one thing - it's time to head back to the city.

I'm not ready - and I'm not going. Period.

Yes- that's a new harness. I'm sure Mom will take great pleasure in telling you how that happened - another time.

City Girl - Country Girl

Yep - I am one lucky dog.

Look where I spent my Saturday!

Our dear friend, The Irish Man, invited us to his beautiful old farm outside of The City - it's the perfect weekend escape for all of us.

Look at the tractor that came with the place.

How fun is this going to be come spring!

Until then, there's still lots of snow for me to play in - I could get use to this!

Mom and Irish are looking forward to fixing up the place. I don't know what needs fixing. This can be my room. I'll put the dog bed right here.

Apparently 2-legged ones need furniture, etc. to feel at home so after a few hours we headed back to The City. Before we left there was a lot of measuring, note taking and discussions of putting this here and that there. I don't know what all the fuss is about. I had a blanket on the floor and was ready to stay the entire weekend.

I looking forward to coming back! A weekend in the country is just what this city girl needs to relax. Of course I still love my Saturday Central Park routine - but there's something to be said for acres and acres of open field - and fresh air! Hey Mom - do you think Irish will let me plant my very own garden out there?

I'm GROWING!!!!!!!

Have no fear.

Today's visit to the vet was just routine puppy business.

I needed a couple more shots and some new heartworm meds....

and apparently a weigh-in!

I checked in at a healthy 35lbs. this afternoon.

That's 10 pounds more than I weighed on my first visit just a few weeks ago!

Ahhhh - I was such a cute little thing back then!

(And by back then - I mean LAST MONTH!)

OK - so this scale was for cats - how was I to know?

I can't even fit on it now!

Who knows - next visit I might not even fit on the table!

Note from Ellie's Mom - When I asked the vet how much she thought Ellie would weigh as a healthy adult dog - she guessed over 70lbs. When I asked why - her Mom was only 60 lbs - Dr. Parr pointed out Ellie's ENORMOUS paws!

Let's just say we think she will take after her father -

who is around 80 lbs.

Oh My!

Catch Me If You Can!

Yes - it was that kind of day.

Ears flappin'. Feet flyin'.

Joy to be a D O G and run free kind of day.

Due and I made the most of it in Central Park.

Even with most of the snow gone.

I found a special patch behind this little fence.

Mom said I'm not suppose to be in here - but I'M A PUPPY!

(Which means I ignore MOST of what she says)

I keep running. Due keeps chasing!

And then we rest!

The perfect way to spend a Saturday!

We hope you enjoyed your adventures as much as we did!

1 Day - 2 Parks!

Apparently Mom had plans for Saturday night - so the plan for Saturday day -

was to wear me out! HA!

First stop - Central Park

Due and I wrestle by the Balto statue.

Then it's off to field #2...

Now this is fun!

There's another golden who's teaching me to "retrieve"...

But I heard Mom needs coffee...

BACON? Did somebody say we get bacon here?

Do you have the bacon?

Cooper and Max show me the proper "bacon begging" approach.

As we headed home - we came across some of the horse-drawn carriages that

operate in Central Park.

I'm not sure about the horses....that's a little frightening....

Have no fear - Due will protect me!

We head home for a nap - then it's on to Park #2 - Our neighborhood dog run!

We run this way.....

And that way.....

You would think with all this activity - I would have been one tired pup - but nope.

Mom went to a dinner party upstairs - only to come home to discover a note left from

an unhappy neighbor.

I didn't like being left alone - so I barked solid from 8pm until she got home at 10pm! Unfortunately no one called the doorman - as Mom always tells him where she can be found (she was on the 10th floor - didn't even leave the building).

I know Mom's upset with my behavior - any suggestions? I overheard her talking about next time lowering the crate cover and turning off all the lights so I think it's bedtime. There's been talk of a collar that will spray me when I bark - UGH!

So THIS is Central Park!

Today was my first trip to CENTRAL PARK.

I had no idea what to expect - Due (the older man in my life who apparently had a thing for big sis, Abbey) said to just follow his lead!

First - Mom took my leash OFF. I got to run free!

Then I played a little Hide ' n Seek with the Dueman.

I don't really understand why he tried to eat my head?

Then came the Kangaroo Hop!

I was too pooped when we got home to make it all the way upstairs.

I just wanted to hang out greeting my neighbors at the door with Joseph.

What a day.

I understand this was an abbreviated journey to the Park. The sidewalks were icy - and Mom fell down on the black ice. (No - I was NOT pulling).

It was just too tough to get around so we opted for a coffee break on Lexington Avenue.

I never thought I would say this - but I'm looking forward to the snow melting so we can spend more time in the Park.

Until our next adventure!

PS. Mom is fine. Her knee is just a little scraped up. Nothing that would slow her down!