Beauty

Beauty is really only skin deep.  Fur deep, actually.  I know I have a face that is a little skewed, but my Mom tells me that I am beautiful.  She says I look intelligent. (And she brags that I can not only underSTAND a lot of words, but I can spell quite a few, too~) 

Mom is away on a painting trip.  She said she would have taken me this year but her room is on the 3rd floor, and it would be tricky for me, as the stairs are slippery.  I am going to cross my tail and hope that next year she is on the 2nd floor.  I know I would be a great asset on a painting trip.  People are tired after painting all day outdoors.  I'm good at snuggling and getting people to doze off....

Come home soon, MOM!

I'm intuitive.  I know when to lay low and when to be a star.  When my Conor is cleaning up his house, I know to stay low.  Stay a loaf.  Can you see why they call this "Pug Loaf"?  Still as can be... I avoid any actual cleaning myself.  I love weekends at Conor's.  He takes such good care of me - and did I  mention he always buys me treats?  Yeah.  He knows how to keep a pug happy!

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yesterday was my 2nd birthday!

My Mom says that now I'm a 'big dog'.

A lot of people have been emailing her (I guess my email address is hard to find) and saying they are not really 'little dog' people but that they like me.  Good! I already KNOW I like them!

So you lovely Southern ladies, and wonderful West Coast ladies - here's some 'big dog' licks coming your way!

I DID get a cake yesterday, but Mom said since it was chocolate I couldn't have any. 

Ever hear of anything like that?  My OWN cake?

She says she will make up for it today.  

The jury is still out on that one....

In the meantime - have a fab-u-lous day!

xoxoxo

My Friend Harry

I guess I'm not like other dogs, in that my very best friend (OK, BESIDES my Mom) is a cat.  Yup, Harry is an orange cat, which he says is a special, magic kind of cat.  Not sure about that, but he is pretty great to me.  While both he and Isabelle push treats off the countertop for me, Harry actually kills little mice and gives them to me.  I like to crunch them, and then hear that high-pitched "EEeeeeeEEEEeeeeeEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! sound my Mom makes when she sees what's in my mouth.  EVERY time she thinks I have a grape stem in my mouth and she panics because pugs are not supposed to eat grapes.    Yeah.  I KNOW that.  Then she sees its a mouse leg sticking out of my mouth and that funny sound starts!  It's good cause I get to keep chewing till Dad or Rory come pry my mouth open and take my treat.

Harry also helps me *yell* at the 2 Golden Retrievers next door.  "Oooof Ooooof Oooooofffff!"  I yell.  I'm offering help, I'm telling them I'm a big dog, I am also telling them to be quiet.  Harry jumps up on a chair and glares at them.  Really, he thinks they're afraid of HIM. ;)

*sigh*

I wish Mom would come home from Atlanta.  I'm having a great vacation in Boston and all, but.... do you think she misses ME?

New Duds

She means well, she really does.  This is the 3rd or 4th 'jacket' my Mom has bought for me.  This time, she waited till the Bay Colony AKC Dog Show to go and take every little measurement of me to a vendor called "Noah's Suitcase", where you pick the outer, inner, belt, lining and trim for a dog jacket.

Here's the thing.  I HATE 'dog jackets'.  It took a LOT of bribery for me to try to take a step or two in this *ahem* lovely coat.  Yeah, so OK, it fits me.  Even has a little part where my curly tail can pop up and curl.  And, OK, it's warm.  And it does NOT itch.  But ...

(hey, I KNOW I look good in it ..) BUT... I'm an outdoorsy kind of dog - no, REALLY!  In order for me to 'go' I make Mom take the jacket OOOFFFFFF.  Then we walk home like that.  Happy.

See?  I'm happier now.  Tail up and curled, ears perky..  Let's GO!

Wordless Wednesday

The Meaning Of Life

Here I am, housebound, because just after this photo was taken we got snow that just won't leave.  Ice canyons for streets... no fun at all to take walks.  And I'm sad, too, because I know that people I love are sad.  My uncle's mother passed away, and I can feel his sadness one whole town away.  They were very close, and I got to thinkin' .... mothers can LEAVE?  What happens to you then?  Who cares for you like your mother?  Nobody, that's who.  

I'm getting very nervous because my Mom keeps talking about a workshop she's going to in Atlanta.  Do people come BACK from there?  I don't know.  I'm just a pup.  My *brother* Harry simply gets in the suitcases, and he figures one of these days they'll close it up without seeing him, and *BINGO* he'll get taken along on their trip.  I don't know if that's such a great idea, though....

I ask you... would YOU leave me?

I'm Gonna Ma-a-ke Her Love Me.. Yes I Will... Yes I Will..

When I first came to live with Mom and the gang - Isabelle was 6 years old, and not very welcoming.  She had it in her head that SHE was going to be the Only Pet.  Well, then Harry came to live here and Izzy sulked for TWO years, so they say.  Sure, he attacked her, would only use HER litterbox, ate her food, but he's a sharer.  Like me.

To say she didn't like me at first would be an understatement.  She literally screamed when I came near her.  But she didn't know anything about Pugs.  How they like cats.  How they like to cuddle.  How they will *keep your litterbox clean* as by snacking.

And now... lookie here.. she has let me climb up on her mountain of fluffiness and cuddle.  Sure, she looks a little wary here, but believe me, I'm making headway....

I Am Not A Yappy Little Dog

Like you, I've been making my list of goals for the New Year.  I like to sit in this chair and watch the water and the sky, and the people walking by.  I love to watch the sea gulls too.  I was having a hard time because of what happened on our walk today... I just couldn't focus.

My mom was putting on her hat and gloves and I was doing my sniffing.  I looked up and saw a dog coming down the bike path - YAY!  I love to meet new friends!  The older woman holding the dog (he was about 3x my size) stopped and stared at us.  I was sitting in my "Welcome, let's be friends..." mode. Mom looked up and smiled at the lady - who scowled and dragged the big dog over a snow bank and off the path, muttering under her breath.

My mom said "Isn't he friendly?" to the lady, and looked at her dog (which she told me later was a pit bull mix, and maybe it was all for the best).  And the lady said to my Mom: "No, he's friendly all right, but he hates YAPPY LITTLE DOGS, like that one, there."  At this I looked behind me to see what 'yappy little dog' she could possibly be talking about.... there was only ME!

I could feel waves of something coming off my Mom, but she coolly said "Oh, well, actually Paco's NOT a "yappy little dog", but that was pretty mean of you to say that."  And when she turned away to take me in the other direction she said some stuff that I'm not going to repeat cause ... well... it's not such polite talk.  And she told me that that lady obviously was unhappy and did not have love in her life, and we should probably feel bad for her dog, too, because it's no fun to live with somebody so CRANKY.

Phoooo.... I can't concentrate.  I'll do my goals tomorrow.  When I'm done YAPPING..

Merry Christmas From Sandy Paws!

In our house the Christmas holiday is a little chaotic.

You're surprised that a little dog like me even knows what that word means?  I'm a reader.  I do it at night when the people are upstairs in bed.  We have a lot of books, and I have Isabelle and Harry help me.

ANYway... There's boxes and wrapping paper (that Harry and Isabelle find endlessly fascinating) and then stuff in side them, and all my best friends stop by to visit ... My Molly and my Conor and my Rory all under one roof for the night - I'm in Pug Heaven!

And, yeah, on Christmas morning they forgot all about me and my breakfast when they were making a brunch for my Auntie Nan and her girls:

Me lovin' my Auntie Nan

My cousins, Kaley and Darcy

I had a happy day, and I hope you all did, too.  

My dad fed me smoked salmon and a tiny bit of aged cheese.  Mom does not know this, so PLEASE do not tell.  She'll just go on about keeping to my doggie diet.  

I love you all...

MAN! Am I Busy This Time Of Year!

You'd think it would be Christmas stuff, but no! 

Mom had to deliver a lot of paintings yesterday (really, Mom?  You couldn't have finished them BEFORE the day before Christmas eve?) to the South Shore of Boston, and of course she needed me to help.  Between stops we pulled over at the water in the Crow Point section of Hingham.

The tide was HIGH!  

"Stand in front of the Boston Skyline" she said.

I am, I guess, supposed to just 'know' where and what that is.  Get real.

Before we got in the car to head to Scituate, I saw the waves and scampered (yeah, I'm a scamper-er!) over to get my feet wet - BRRRRR!

Then we did the last 2 drop-offs and I was just BEAT.  Mom untied my back leg from my leash (You know when you do that twirly thing before you lay down... I'm always getting tied up doing that!) and put on Christmas music on the radio, gave me a cookie, and rubbed my head till I fell asleep.  The next thing I know we're back in RI, taking pictures of the big fishing boats all strung up with lights.  I'll show you that tomorrow - a little Christmas present from me to all my wonderful Blogging friends!

OH! Christmas Tree!

I went and picked out our Christmas tree today.

My Mom made us stop at FOUR places, before we went to the place we usually go anyway:

And while the other four places had very few trees - including one Christmas Tree FARM, this farm had millions of trees.  Trust me.  I counted.

It's a cute farm that seems to label everything.  "Rabbit Habitat", "Wreaths", and this one below, that I could not believe...

See the 'DUH' look on my face???

Anyway, I was a little confused about the etiquette at a 'tree' farm:

But THAT one was already dead, OK?

So anyway I picked out a really good tree...

And as you saw in the top picture, it even fit IN the Prius, with the tailgate shut and everything!

We had a really happy day today, even though Mom dragged us to the studio and made Dad and me nap for a couple of hours while she worked... and LOOK how the day ended up!!!

(That's Isabelle on the top of the chair - she didn't really help like I did, she stayed out of the way)

And.... hey, people... the star is crooked!  I didn't do it and I can't reach it!

This is me, when my Mom picked me up at my Molly's new house.  This is me saying "Why didn't YOU come with me the first time I visited here.  I didn't know where I was.  I was scared.  Too scared to poop.  And I couldn't get  close enough to my Molly.  How close did I want to be?  Well... under her skin, actually."  See, I love my Molly.  And Mike, too.  But I didn't KNOW this place, and well, I'm a dog and I didn't understand why it didn't smell like Molly's other apartment.  

Don't get me wrong.  It is FUN FUN FUN to visit my Molly.  And I'll be a little more relaxed next time, because I 'know' it now.  And I know Mom knows how to come get me.  That's IF I get invited again.  

Here's me and Dad discussing whether or not I could 'handle' any of the snacks my Molly put out for us. Dad thought 'no', but... really, I could.  I know I could have.

Her Cheating Heart...

Yeah... I know it's supposed to be 'Wordless Wednesday', but I am just about to POP and I have to tell you this.  My Mom went away all day on Saturday.  And LOOK where she went.  To the Bay Colony Dog Show in Providence.  WithOUT me.  Yeah, no 'pets' allowed, blah, blah, blah...  And LOOK where she hung out!  At the Pug ring!  THAT picture is NOT me!

Neither is this... (but she IS cute...)

And what's with THIS chick?

Not sure, but I think he's a Rock Star...

I think this gentleman was trying to look like his dog.  He 'got' the mouth, but the eyes need to be more cheerful and sweet I think.  He needs to work on that.

Tis The Season....

I've only lived through ONE other Holiday Season, so I am not an expert, but I think this is exhausting!  There's so much 'cheer'.  And look, I got a new Baby - a reindeer!  Mom let me pick it out at Petsmart.  Well, I picked it out while she was reading some labels, and when she turned around to see why I was so quiet she said "PACO!  You took that off the shelf?  You got slobber all over it - now I HAVE to buy it!"  

So, OK.  Try to imagine this.  You're a little dog.  You go into a great - I mean really great - store filled with dog chews and pigs' ears and great smelling cookies  - out in the open in a cookie bar, no less.  There are all sorts of babies sitting on puppy-height shelves - there for the takin', I say! 

You want one of those babies - REALLY want one.  But... can you talk?  No.  Whining does not get the point across.  Sitting down and staring - same deal.  Nothing.  What would you do?  I say GRAB the baby you want and lick it all over - then she'll have to buy it for you.  I'm not smart, I'm just a puppy, but I'm THAT smart ;)

They Say I'm The BEST DOG EVER

Hey, it's not me.. I hear them saying it these days.  See, when my Mom is teaching in the studio - THIS is what I look like.  I stay right here in my little bed.  Every once in a while I snuffle, moan or turn around but ... and this is hard... I'm in the BACKGROUND.  

Oh, I say 'hi' to everyone.  but it's so nice.  They play fun music (which makes me sleepy), and they talk and laugh and paint.

So. That being said, is it the WORST thing in the world if, when I get home from being GOOOD for 4 hours... if I eat a few dirty tissues that I find in the trash basket?  Or a little bit of cat poop?  

NO!  I'm not hungry, just bored!  

I just remember Mom saying.. "Best Dog Ever"..... :)

Paco On The MTA

OK, I know what you're thinking... is that dog on the SUBWAY? (tilt your head to the side...) 

Yeah... that's kinda what I was thinking, too!

My Mom had a busy couple of days, and my Molly was very lonely, so I thought "I'll go hang with Molly, help her write and stuff.  I like that."

But what I DIDn't know was that I'd have to get on a TRAIN.  Heck, I didn't even know what a train WAS.  So here's me, being brave.

Otherwise, having a blast as usual.... ;)

Drama King

I can make my whole family laugh.  I sigh and huff and moan, and I can even roll my eyes!  This guy, my Conor, carries me around.  He believes me when I say I have to go for a walk and it's midnight.  He lectures me on healthy eating ("No Pizza for YOU, Paco, it's not good for you!").  Then he laughs at all my tricks.

He and Molly like it when I 'attack' the dogs on the Dog Show on TV.

I could totally 'take' that silly Golden Retriever!  And NO, that's not a 'piddle pad' I'm standing on.  I mean, well, yes it is but it must be for Harry or Isabelle.  Not me.  I'm not a baby anymore!

Gratitude

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.

I guess it's a day all about Gratitude, which I am full of.  

For instance, I am very grateful that my Molly and my Conor come to visit me.  (Molly's legs are UNDER me in the above photo)  When they come they sometimes bring special cookies or toys, but they ALWAYS hug and love me, take me for fun walks and rides, and let me sleep right on top of them!  My Mom and Dad never do that, although, yeah, I'm grateful for them, too.  I guess you could say I have

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.

Now my kitty sister, Isabelle, has what I call CATITUDE.

Harry had a bad rap, but he actually is very grateful for ME (and Mom)! 

So I hope you all got good turkey, although not as much as me, because I had a tummy ache after. :(

I'm grateful for all of YOU friends, too! xoxox

Innocent Until PROVEN Guilty

I did NOT do it.  I swear!

And I'm TOO MUCH of a gentleman to say who DID steal the little luscious Maple Candies Mom bought.  Too, too much.  

Pssst.... Don't worry, Isabelle... I promise I won't tell...

****pssst... just tell me.... were they good?****