Playing Catchup!

Hello to all my people friends, and dog friends in Blogland! I hope you enjoyed the Christmas holiday - in our house it was a BLAST! Mom said a big fat elf named Santa Claus (or Sandy Paws, something like that) came in the night and actually LEFT stuff for us! My first package was this new Reindeer Baby. I think it's legs look a little big. I'm going to chew them off ASAP.

My *sister*, Isabelle had one wish. To sit with Conor for hours and snuggle and help him get over his sniffles. She's cuddly. Not that I'd really know. She SCREAMS when I come near her. But she's kind of round and I think if you laid ON her, it would feel very nice.

My *brother* Harry is weird. No, seriously. He got in all the boxes... why? This year Mom said it was strange, but everybody got things from Crate & Barrel... lots of boxes...

And then there was the 'incident'. Dad was away, and Isabelle, Harry & I decided to get a little crazy. Fun crazy, you know? I chased both of them and they jumped on counters that were FULL of Christmas baking stuff, and Isabelle jumped on a stack of paper (Mom said they were important - bills or something...) that slid off the counter into the trash.. and I was barking and twirling, and the cats were screeching - SO much fun - but.... Mom flipped out! I mean it, I have never seen her yell so much! I went and hid under the clean shirts she was shaking out to hang up for Dad... and then when I ran around they just kind of ... stayed on me.... Why was she mad about THAT?

My best present was two-fold. Conor got me the movie 'Bolt', which, guys, if you haven't seen it, get your Moms to rent it. It's a cartoon, which (I KNOW!) I still can see and understand. About this cool super-dog... like I imagine myself to be... I just SHOUT at him cause I can see behind him, and I have ideas of what he should/shouldn't do... And I loved it so much because I sat on Dad's lap to watch it once. Mom says we're starting to look alike. I hope he looks more like me because I don't think I'd look good in glasses.....

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!

My Wish For You...

I wish you could all have a "Pink Baby" who smelled so wonderful... and that you could snuggle with it all night long. For everyone who celebrates Christmas, my Mom and I wish you a very very Merry Christmas, full of family and love. As it is my first Christmas, I have NO idea what to expect. Hopefully lots of food. Pies. Chips. Really, anything, as long as it drops from a plate. And if Santa's listening, I chewed the leg off of Pink Baby, and while I'm having fun eating the stuffing, it would be nice to get a new one... or cookies ...

Whaaaaat?

This morning Mom didn't take me out to the garden right away. She made herself hot chocolate (it smelled sooooo good!) and sat in front of the window for a little while. I didn't mind that, because I usually make her beg for me to *go* anyway, but it was odd. And strangely quiet outside. But when she DID get all bundled up and opened the door - there was - HUH? - a wall of snow against the doorframe. Wild!

She shoveled out about 10 feet of a 'path' and said "There you go, Paco..."... like... what? What was I supposed to do? There was not a bush, a branch, a pole - NOTHING for me to 'go' on. Forget it. I'll wait. Mom says it may take a long time for the snow to melt.... I SAID I'll wait.

THIS is how to ride out a storm! Under a blanket with Mom! Anyway, I don't need to go out anymore... there's a *tree* right in the living room... remember?

B-woof-less Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

A Few Things

Well, lots of stuff's been going on here, and I'll try to get you up to speed, my friends. Saturday - no pictures of this - my Mom dragged my Dad and I through freezing rain sleet and howling winds to buy DONUTS in North Kingstown so she could paint them. I slept on her lap all the way, and back to her studio where she painted and I slept some more. But Sunday we went to Newport and I got to go in 3 galleries, 2 of which had Mom's paintings that I helped her with, so that was fun.

I fancy myself a City Dog, you know? So in Newport when I see sidewalks made of brick and doorways close to the street I always try to go up and sit at the door. Hey! Maybe they'll want to be friends, you just never know till you try. My motto.

And, MAN, it got cold. Mom made me wear this stupid COAT.... Well, she can make me wear it, but she CAN't make me pee in it..... we'll see who wins this one.

Then yesterday I threw up in the car while Mom was in a store. I aimed for between the seats so our seats wouldn't be messy, but a little bit got on my blankie. Mom said "Don't worry, I can wash the blankie!" And wiped my face and gave me lots of hugs. Still when we got home I laid down and didn't MOVE for 2 hours. She called the vet! They said if I didn't eat my dinner she should rush me in, it could be a blockage.

Funny thing... the lady at the vet's asked if I ever eat things I shouldn't. (we got a good laugh over that question ... later) Mom got her 'are you crazy' voice and said "1) he's a puppy, AND 2) he's a PUG. Yes. He eats every little thing you never even see.. inside and outside. " Well, of COURSE I ate my dinner, and then when Dad came home it was 'crazy time' of running in circles and seeing how high I could jump on him.... so Mom was happy again.

I think about stuff like how lucky I am, and what dogs know that people don't, and why it's cold on one side of the house outside and not on the other.... I'm a philosopher dog, I think.

Paco - UNLEASHED!

My mom was too *busy* to blog for me (and she KNOWS I have no thumbs, so can't open the computer!) during Thanksgiving. She was cooking, cleaning and getting ready for the Little Picture Shows that happen this time of year. But I wasn't neglected. I got to hang out with Molly (and I love her...)...

And Mom made pies - lots of pies. I've decided I'm a pie/potato chip kind of guy.

Then yesterday Mom said "Paco, I have a treat for you!" And I was so excited, because I thought maybe pies or chips were involved... but no....

We went to Fogland Beach in Tiverton, and we were the only people on the whole peninsula, so she took my leash off.... !!YEOW!!

I ran and ran and ran! In circles, up dunes, ker-PLUNK into a salt marsh pond (Mom said she was NOT coming in to get me, so I jumped right out of there!).

And here I am... master of my domain. Or at least the picnic table. I love jumping up on these. You should try it - you feel like SuperPup!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday , Just Checking my P-mail

Tough Week

Hi everyone, I've been under the weather for a week, as I visited those nice folks at the Veterinary Hospital, and somehow I got 'fixed'. Now, I had not noticed one thing 'wrong' with me, but my Mom assured me I'd feel better soon, and kissed me and kissed me... so I believed her. Conor gave me lots of TLC, too, cause I was not supposed to jump on furniture of stairs (which I did within 5 minutes of being home...). I DID like the attention...

At first I was not quite as frisky when Mom took me to South Park. She told me she lit candles in that big church while I was at the vet's for a safe surgery and a quick recovery. I guess they did the trick, BUT

It also helped that Dad gave me a BIG juicy prime rib bone (he likes me best of the pets), that I had to DEFEND from Harry, who thought he should get it... I even 'grrrrr'd' at Mom when I first sank my teeth into it. It sure made me forget anything was wrong!

AND, I'm back in the saddle again! Hopping, skipping, jumping (don't you LOVE leaf piles?) and running, running, running again!

I'm not really 'all-action'. I'm a contemplative type. I like to sit on the benches at the park and watch those guys with kerchiefs tied tight around their heads and tons of heavy jewelry walk those pit-bulls and wonder what life is like for those dogs. Do their moms kiss them all the time? Do they get to go for rides and go to big cities and country fields? Do they get cuddled and given treats? I sure hope so... those collars they wear sure look uncomfortable!

What's With This Thing Called "Fall"?

Yesterday it was so nice and warm out - I took my Mom to South Park and yanked her around for an hour - see here, the water fountain is too TALL for most people! Well, most dogs, anyway. Fortunately my Mom keeps Poland Springs water in the car for me...

Today... cold, wet, damp... I didn't FEEL like 'going' outside. My Mom's studio has these great Piddle Posts - oh... OK, Mom says they are most definitely NOT to piddle on... OK. Well. Who says I DID?

I was being so good and quiet while Mom painted today.

She eventually got curious as to why....

Hey! I FOUND this tube of Perylene Oil Paint - I DIDN'T steal it!

This is what a dog fanny looks like after he sits in Perylene Red. Even after repeated efforts to get it off. Hey, I can't see it, but I think it must look good!

GEEZ, Thanks Mom!

My mom FINALLY got her act together and put together a post for me - she's been veery busy. The weather has been lousy, too - I've never lived through 'Fall' before - and so far, it's cold, rainy, windy... just kind of yucky! I spent a lot of time shivering in the car after my walks, like the photo above... don't I look pathetic?

And at the studio my mom expects me to wear THIS to stay warm after I dry off. I say - BUY ME A FLEECE JACKET! I'm NOT wearing this ridiculous beach towel!

But I do love to run and run around the studio. Right now we're getting ready for the Warren Walkabout (whatever THAT is), but it involves a lot of clearing out and cleaning up! I HELP!

And yesterday one of my favorite people in the world, Conor, came to do some heavy lifting and hanging of big paintings for my mom, but really, I think he came to be with me!

As you can see, I helped by trying to tell him if he got the nail in the right place. Sometimes I had to climb up the ladder to make sure!

Sorry I've Been AWOL, Will Explain Tomorrow, Cause Today is Wordless Wednesday

Flo's Clamcakes

Friday was a picture-perfect day. Blue sky, no wind, and warm, but not hot. Mom and I were a leeetle late going to the studio, but we had a lot to do at the house first. Then she pulled into a parking lot (I jumped up from my seat and stuck my nose out the window - it just smelled sooooo good!) in Island Park, Portsmouth, RI. We drive by here all the time, but on the highway, so I was surprised when we pulled off. I tilted my head and looked at Mom and she said "I have a surprise for you!"

We got out, and as it is quite late in the season, walked right up to the window, where a cheerful girl asked what we would like. "Clamcakes" my Mom said ("What ARE THEY?" I wondered.). At this place in 1938 a hurricane tidal surge sent the waters to the tops of the windows. They had a marker for years showing how high, Mom said, but recently took it down.

When we got the sack of 'clamcakes' (and I will admit that sounds like a pretty ridiculous thing, I mean.. do they have clam frosting?) we walked across the street, where Mom lifted me up on the sea wall, and pointed out OUR house, across the water - HEY! Cool! Then the 'cakes' were cooled off enough for me, and we split 3 of them. Mom took one to the studio to paint (which she never did, ahem, and it's now stinking up the car...) and we broke the other 3 up and lined the pieces up on the seawall for the sea gulls. Mom says they've got to eat, and it's nice to get a treat every once in a while.... Me? I was ready for a nap.

Wordless Wednesday

It's A Pug's Life

Sometimes people think dogs are lazy, because they seem to sleep so much. I actually, in the photo below, am NOT sleeping, I am working on my relationship with my brother(?!) Harry the Cat. He only 'lets' me sleep near him if I kind of sneak up and don't make eye contact with him. Later in the evening I rolled over (as if I were asleep and didn't know what I was doing!) and we snuggled back to back. I think he liked it, too. He has a very nice purr....

And, you know, it's hard work guarding the Memorial of Honor at our little park near the water - somebody might take the flowers! Not on my watch.

And below, I'm helping the guys set up for the music jamboree at the coffee shop, Coastal Roasters, across the street. Mom thought I was getting in the way, as the guys kept wanting to be where I was ... truth is, I was telling them where to be NEXT, and.. *whew*... I' am soooo tired! Again... they seemed to like having me around, though actually they never said so.

So when we get to the studio I'm BEAT! And I sleep and sleep - unless the music is too loud, or if the birds fly by the window or something. (Or if there's something to chew). See? NOT lazy. Industrious! And if perchance I DO sleep, I'd rather sleep on a pile of cardboard than in one of my 2 beds, or the stuffed chair or couch... very macho.

My Route

We cross the street in front of my house, and walk a bit to the gas station - I get a LOT of sniffing and 'marking' done on the way.

This gentleman works at the gas station and he's always there with a cookie for me (and then I get a lot of pats - he's a highlight of my morning walk!).

Then across the little park, where I can stand up and see over the sea wall...

And after our trip to Coastal Roasters, I sometimes (low tide) get to check out what's down the stairs - maybe some stuff floats onto the shore and I can get it before my Mom takes it away from me!

I don't know this dude's name but he goes ballistic when I walk by. I am determined to become friends.

Then home, maybe getting to see Big Black Dog with Bad Hips, or maybe Luigi the beagle - it's a fun trip!