Family Visit

I had a very busy weekend, let me tell you! On Thursday and Friday, I could tell Mama was very tense. She kept cleaning and straightening things! Papa too. On Friday, Mama barely got dressed, and she vacuumed and mopped the whole house before she started work in the morning. It was very confusing. But then on Friday afternoon I found out why-- we had visitors! My Bubbe and Zayde came to visit! That's Mama's mama and Mama's stepfather. They live in Florida. Mama has been there a lot, but I haven't because I am too big to fly. Mama told me all about them and where they live and the beach and how hot it is, and about her sister, my Aunt Krissie. Bubbe and Zayde brought Aunt Krissie too! 

This is Aunt Krissie. She came right inside like she owned the place and snuggled up next to my mama. She likes Mama very much. I was only a little jealous, because Mama explained that I get to see her every day and Aunt Krissie only sees her a few times a year. OK. Aunt Krissie and I got along, I guess. When she came in, I went to say hi, and she asked me who I was. I said, "I'm Avon and I live here and that's my mama and papa. Do you want to play?" Aunt Krissie said, "No thank you. I am very old and lazy and I have been in a car all day with MY Mama and Papa, and they make me tired." "OK, Aunt Krissie," I replied. "We'll just hang out." And so we did.

Zayde and Papa went to campus for a lecture where they learned about some Austrian man who knew about money, so Bubbe and Mama and Aunt Krissie and I just hung around for a while. Mama and I showed Bubbe our house. She said it was very cute. Then Papa and Zayde came back, and they got ready for dinner. Bubbe brought a bed inside the house, and I got so excited! A new bed for me!!! I like beds and soft things. It was very small, but I curled up in it anyway.

Everybody laughed, but I didn't know what was funny. I was just comfortable. Then everyone left for dinner. Aunt Krissie and I just hung out and slept, and that was cool. She's OK, but she's not very fun. She pees a lot, but I made sure she didn't pee in the house.

Mama and Papa went with Zayde and Bubbe to a place called Mandolin, which is very close to our house. They said it was delicious! Mandolin gets all of its food from local farms, and it is very unusual and fresh and creative. Papa liked the drinks, too. They have an outside seating area, so if they allow doggies, I might get to go too and have brunch.

When all of our humans came home, Aunt Krissie had to leave. We said goodnight. Bubbe left the little bed and I curled up some more and I loved it!

The next day, Aunt Krissie came back. We hung out again while our humans went shopping and out for coffee. They went to Lafayette Village, which is the place that looks like France that Mama likes a lot. She says the France part is hokey, but the coffee is excellent and the shops are nice. Then they all went to the Farmer's Market. Bubbe bought flowers for Mama and Papa. It was very nice and they smelled good.

Later that afternoon, we all had a nap. I was exhausted! Having guests makes me so tired.

For dinner that evening, Mama and Papa and Bubbe and Zayde went to Poole's, which is very famous and the first restaurant Mama and Papa went to in Raleigh back in May. Poole's isn't fancy but it's very good. Mama told me she had a delicious soft shell crab. Papa sometimes has trouble at nice restaurants because he is a vegetarian and doesn't eat meat, but at Poole's he asked about that and they had a special dinner for him! My papa is very important. He said it was all so yummy and he was happy they gave him lots of extra vegetarian food. He and Mama then showed Bubbe and Zayde all around downtown Raleigh, which is very busy on Saturday nights. Everyone came home and was so tired.

Bubbe came to get Aunt Krissie, then she tried to take my new bed! She was talking to me and leaning over it and saying stuff, and I put my paw right on that bed and told her, "No, Bubbe, this is MINE now!" She laughed and told me I could keep it for the night, but it's way too small for me. I didn't care.

The next morning, everyone came by again, but only for a short visit. Aunt Krissie decided she wanted to sleep in my bed, because I had taken hers! What???? No I didn't! But Mama said, "Yes, buddy, that little bed belongs to your Aunt Krissie." Oh no! I felt so bad. So I let Aunt Krissie sit in my big bed for a while.

Papa helped Zayde put some boxes in the car. You see, Bubbe had some things in Papa's storage unit, and since Bubbe and Zayde came to us, they could take those boxes home and Mama could have a clean house again. Mama was very happy about that. When they went out to load the car, though, I saw a cat and got really really mad! Mama put my leash on just in case, but I decided to ignore the cat and focus on my family. Aunt Krissie and I helped with the loading up. Here we are telling Papa what to do:

Then it was time for our family to go. They had a long drive ahead of them! But it was nice to see them and get snuggles from Bubbe and Zayde and to meet Aunt Krissie. I like meeting new doggies. In fact, here's a bonus photo of me and my new buddy Poke at the little park near our house:

Mama and Papa said I was a very good boy all weekend, so I got extra belly rubs:

And here I am, watching the car leave. Until next time, family!

A Trip to DC

Yesterday was a holiday, and we had a long weekend! Long weekends are nice. We started it by going to Papa's department picnic-- that's when I got to meet some of his friends and his professors. They were very nice. But we thought we would be outside, which is why I got to go, then it turned out we were inside. It wasn't so bad-- I had a big sunny spot-- but I had to stay tied to a table. Mama and Papa and lots of nice people came up to say hi to me.

After the picnic was over, Papa took me outside for romp on the grass, which was very fun!

But the real excitement started the next morning. We took a trip! You see, Papa grew up in Washington, DC, and he had a storage unit there. That's what people get when they live in small places and have nowhere to put their stuff. He also had his mama's stuff in there. But now that we live in North Carolina and we have a house, we have room to put things. So Papa, Mama, and I got in the car to go to DC for the weekend. Here's me in the backseat:

It was a long drive, but we got to our hotel and it was very nice. They allow doggies! I had a very cool room. Mama and Papa went to the lobby to get some wine (Kimpton Hotels have free wine!), then they came upstairs to hang out with me. There was another doggy in my room too, and I growled at him! Mama and Papa laughed. They said it was something called a mirror. I don't know what that means. But the other doggy seemed ok-- and he was very handsome!-- so I relaxed and just let him hang out.

Mama and Papa went out to dinner, then they came home and we all went to sleep. I slept very well. Then in the morning, Mama and I went for a walk. It was very humid! Mama got sweaty and I got so tired. We got back to the room and I slept right away.

Then we went to the U-Haul place. A U-Haul is a big truck where you can put all your stuff. Papa went inside to get his truck, and I missed him very much!

After that, we went to the storage place. Mama and Papa took a lot of trips but managed to get everything out and into the truck. I waited in the car like a good boy, but I didn't like that very much. Finally, Mama came and got me and took me out to pee, and then she had a surprise for me! I got to sit in the front seat! WOW. It was very exciting.

I kept Mama company the whole way. Sometimes I fell asleep, and Mama would scratch my neck. We listened to something called an audiobook and I learned all about George Washington. I missed my papa, though.

After many hours in the car, we were home! Papa unloaded everything. He worked very hard and got very sweaty, but Mama and I were very proud of him. They started putting some things away, like something called Chubby Monkey, which is a giant stuffed toy. I wanted to lie down on him, but he said no.

Then Mama took me out in the backyard, and I ran and ran and chased my toy. It was very fun! Mama was surprised I was still awake after such a long day, but she is silly-- I slept in the car! 

So that was our trip. It was a quick one and not as much fun as some of our other vacations, like when we went to the country and stayed in Papa's boss's house. And we have a lot of boxes around, but Mama has been taking things out to the shed. My crate is still in the car, and I miss it, but I've been sleeping on my bed at night instead. Soon, Mama says, our house will be finished, and in the meantime, I get a box or two to chew on. Yay!

A Busy Week So Far!

Mama, Papa, and I are starting to feel settled down, like this is actually our home. It is a strange feeling sometimes-- I have dreams where I'm chasing Jackie down the hallway or I'm at Central Park with my friends, but I am starting to enjoy Raleigh very much. So are Mama and Papa!

The weather has been very nice and cool, so Mama and I are taking loooong walks in the morning. Mama got a new phone that tells her how many steps she takes (I don't know why it matters), so our walks are going to get even longer. The other day we went out and saw all kinds of kids across the street-- Mama said it was the first day of school and they were waiting for the bus. I was jealous! I wanted to go too! But we just said hi and good luck and walked by so I could pee. We walked all the way to the Rose Garden, which is about 1/2 a mile from our house. It is very pretty, but I am not allowed to pee on the flowers. That's ok-- there are plants nearby.

Over the weekend, Papa's papa and his wife came to visit! They live in a city called Greenville, which is about an hour and a half away. Mama said one day we will go there and I can stay overnight, but I will have to have my crate because they have cats. "Oh no, Mama!" I said, but she told me they are very skittish cats and will stay away from me and it's ok. I don't know how I feel about that.

Mama and Papa took Grandpa and Laura to the restaurant where the nice ladies bring water and scratch my ears, then they went shopping. They had a nice time. Then they came home and Grandpa played with me! He is very nice. I am very lucky-- I have a Grandpa, a Zayde, and a Great-Zayde. Mama said that's very special and they all love me very much. They are all fun and give me treats, especially Great-Zayde.

Also over the weekend, Mama went to something called hot yoga. She said it's when people go into a very hot room and hold their arms up sometimes and stretch a lot and lie down on mats. That doesn't sound like fun. I would not like hot yoga. But Mama thought it was ok. She came home and her face was so red! She almost didn't look like my mama! But I was happy to see her and I gave her lots of kisses, and oh boy, it's so nice when Mama comes back from hot yoga! She is very salty.

On Monday I met my new doctor. The people at the office were very nice. I miss my old doctor, but I don't miss her mean cats. Papa gave me treats so I would get on the scale, and Mama was very happy because I lost weight-- she said I needed to drop about 4 pounds, and I did! She said it was all that running around at the farm and all the chasing stuff in our new backyard. I sniffed a nice dog named Izzy in the waiting room (she was a crazy puppy!), then Miss Dana took us in the exam room. I liked Miss Dana at first, then she tried to put a stick in my butt and I said no way! I growled and sat down hard. But then Papa gave me treats and Mama sang to me (she sang her special Avon song, which is so nice) and I decided to let Miss Dana put the stick in my butt again. It wasn't so bad, but I didn't like it, so when she was done I sat close to Mama and put my butt on her foot. Then the doctor came in-- she was very pretty and nice. She gave me a shot and felt my ribs and legs, and she talked to Mama and Papa for a while. Then Miss Dana took me in the back (so many people and stuff!) and shaved a little spot on my face where I scratched too much. Then that was it! I got more treats and we went home. I was very tired.

Yesterday I met some new doggies! Mama took me out for a quick pee in the afternoon, and we went to the little park near our house, and there were nice people and doggies there. Mama wasn't going to take off my leash but then she DID and I was FREE just like in Central Park! I ran and ran and ran. I played with a big lab doggy named O'Malley, and there was a little puppy named Frankie. O'Malley has a big sister named Ollie who is a labradoodle and not very nice. She didn't want to play. She growled a little, so I went over to her and jumped and told her she should play with us, but she said no. That was ok. O'Malley and I ran and ran until we got so tired and Mama had to go home for a meeting. I was exhausted! I slept the rest of the day.

Then Mama left for chorus rehearsal. She said it was very nice, but she misses her old chorus and all her friends. She said this group is different but it is not bad, and many nice ladies said hello to her. She came home late and brought a chicken sandwich and I was very happy to see her.

Papa has been busy too. He goes to classes all the time and then he works. Sometimes he comes home and eats lunch and does some work, then he goes back to his office at school. But every time he comes home he gives me belly rubs and snuggles. He says he likes his co-workers and his classes very much, but it is very hard work. That's what getting a PhD is all about, he says. I am very proud of my papa.

We are also fixing up the house! Mama and Papa bought nice chairs for the living room, but they are too small for me to sit in, so I stick to the sofa, which is just fine by me. We are waiting for some furniture and bedding to arrive, and then everything will be done! In the meantime, we have a complete kitchen, including the very nice gift that Miss Megan and Mr. Ben and their blond puppy Harry gave us, and here it is:

Mama said it is a nice reminder of home... in our new home. I like that.

My Birthday! Oh boy!

On Tuesday morning, Mama told me it was my birthday! She said that means I'm a year older and that it was my very own special day. I thought every day was a special day, but I guess a birthday is MORE special. I'm ok with that. I'm four years old now.

But it was still Tuesday, so Mama had to work and Papa had to go to classes. They gave me lots of extra belly rubs, but I wanted to play! Here's me in the morning. I was not happy.

Then Papa came home and he took me to the backyard! Oh boy! We threw my football around and it was so fun! I sat like a good boy and waited for Papa to throw me my ball, then I ran and chased and got so tired. I flew, too! No, really, I jumped and I flew!

It was the best time. I like birthdays. I wanted Mama to spend all day with me, but she had to leave for a few minutes because she auditioned for the North Carolina Master Chorale. Mama likes to sing, and she's supposed to be very good at it. When we lived in New York, she was in the New York Choral Society for a very long time (before she had me!), and she misses it a lot. Mama has sung all over the world, and Papa too-- that's how they met! Singing is very important to Mama. She was sad when she got home, though, because she said she was very nervous, and when humans are nervous, it means they have trouble singing. But Mama did ok, because she got in! She found out yesterday.

We had a lot to celebrate yesterday, and Mama and Papa said that as part of my birthday celebration, we were going to a baseball game. I had never been to a baseball game. I didn't know what it was! But Papa told me that the Durham Bulls, who aren't bulls but men who play baseball, are a very special team and we were going to see them and have fun. The Bulls had an event called Bark in the Park -- I didn't understand because I don't like to bark in parks, it's not nice to people, but we went anyway. Oh boy, it was so fun! There was a big baseball stadium and lights and seats and so many doggies!!! It had been so long since I had seen so many doggies. I was so excited! Bark in the Park is sponsored by Second Chance Pet Adoptions, which is like Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue but in North Carolina. There were so many nice people there too, with their doggies and without. I had a very good time saying hello to all of them! There were treats and water bowls and a nice lady took lots of pictures of me! At one point, Mama left and came back with something that smelled so delicious, and she said it was a hot dog with barbecue and cole slaw, but she wouldn't let me have any of it. That made me sad, because I think barbecue smells so yummy, but Mama and Papa said it's not good for doggies and I should eat the peanut butter treats instead. I did.

After an hour or so, I was so tired-- it was so exciting! I walked over to a blankie and sat down, but Mama and Papa were embarrassed! I didn't know why. They said the blankie didn't belong to us, that it belonged to another lady and her big Mastiff puppy. The other lady laughed and said I was welcome to stay, so I did. The big puppy's name is Mosey and she is very big but very nice. Here we are saying hi.

We hung out for a while, and I sat near the seats with Mama and Papa while they watched the game. We had tickets for other seats, but it was so nice to stay in the big courtyard with the other people and doggies, so we didn't sit in our seats. That's ok. All of the doggies were so nice and well-behaved! And all of the people in orange shirts who work at the park came and said hi to me and rubbed my ears and my butt and told me I was handsome. It was the best time.

Late at night, the people cheered a lot-- Papa said the Bulls won-- and we got in the car to go home. I fell fast asleep! I was so sleepy, I didn't even want to get out of the car when we got home. But I did, because there are blankies inside. It was a wonderful birthday, and I can't wait until my next one!

My Sofa is Here!

Since we got to Raleigh and moved into our house, we've been sitting on the floor and we haven't had any stuff. The floor is ok, but the carpet is kind of itchy. I had my crate and my bed, and Mama and Papa had a mattress, but it was very weird. I was getting used to it, though, and finding places to get comfortable. Here's me in a couple of sunny spots, first in the office with Mama while she worked, and then in the living room by the fireplace. No furniture means you have SO MANY sunny spots.

But then yesterday, the moving men showed up with a big truck and they started bringing in our stuff! I was so surprised! I wanted to help them by lying in the big sunny spot by the front door and wagging my tail a lot, but Mama said no and sent me to the backyard. That was no fun. I wanted to be inside. But I listened, and then Papa came outside with me.

After the movers left, we had boxes everywhere! But we also had our sofa. Sigh... I missed my sofa so much. Mama even got out a brand-new blankie and I curled up and took a nap. I was so tired! So much excitement.

After my nap, we went to lunch. We went to a nice place called the Flying Biscuit Cafe where I could sit outside with Mama and Papa. I might a nice dog named Bo who was there with his mama and his two human sisters. I didn't want to talk too much, but we sniffed and said hi and he was cool. But I wanted to lie down near Mama and Bo just wanted to steal food, so we didn't hang out much. The waitresses at the Flying Biscuit were all so nice-- they brought me a bowl of water with bones on it, just for doggies! And they pet me and told me I was handsome. I like restaurants in North Carolina.

When we got back home, Mama spent a lot of the day going back and forth between putting things away and working on her computer. Something was wrong with her work phone, so she couldn't use it while the nice IT man in California was trying to fix it, so she straightened things up in between working. It was very hard. The boxes are heavy! But Mama and Papa managed to unpack a lot, and Mama made sure to set up the TV. At the end of the day, Mama was so happy, so I was happy too! I went out in the front yard and rolled around.

The weather here has been very nice, so Papa took me to the backyard and threw the ball around a lot yesterday. I love the ball! And my toys came so I chased those too! I ran and ran until I got so tired, and I went to bed and just didn't want to get up for anything. I slept all night on my blankies on the sofa.

Early this morning I got up to check on Mama and Papa, but they were sleeping so I went back to the sofa, then Mama got up and asked me if I wanted a walk and I said no. She didn't like that, but she did other things until I was ready. We walked around the neighborhood and I saw a cat! I don't like cats. I wanted to chase after the cat but Mama wouldn't let me. I spent the rest of the walk looking for other doggies to tell them about the cat, but I only saw one or two and they were too far away. I miss other doggies. Mama said she'll sign me up for daycare soon and I can meet new friends to play with.

After our walk, I went back to sleep until Papa came home from his meeting. Then we went in the backyard again and we played and played until I got so tired. I took a nap with all my toys and it was so nice.

It has been an exhausting day, but we are all happy. Mama's back doesn't hurt as much, and Mama and Papa both have different clothes. We will be done very soon, and that will be nice so we can all relax on our sofa together again.

Bumpy Things in the Night

Before I lived in the big city, I lived in a place called West Virginia. It was quiet and there were lots of animals, but I don't remember it! I am used to being a city doggy. Raleigh is a lot like West Virginia, and it's very different from Harlem. Our house is in a neighborhood with lots of other houses and backyards, but it is verrrry quiet. There's a doggy across the street and she seems ok, but I haven't really met her yet. The other doggies on the block stay in their own yards and don't walk as much as I do. It's different because in Harlem, there were lots of doggies around to take care of all the people, but in Raleigh, it's just me! I have responsibilities!

But responsibilities can be really hard. There are new noises, and when I hear them, sometimes I growl. At night I can hear the buzzies and the crickets and sometimes the cars drive by and sound weird, and I have to keep running up to the window to check. Mama and Papa don't like that. We also have weird big bugs that frighten me-- the other night, I barked at a HUGE thing Papa called a palmetto bug. I didn't want it in my house! It had to get out! So I gave my hunting bark and Papa came and got it. Papa is not afraid of bugs, which is good, because there are so many of them. Then last night my ears were hurty and I kept shaking my head, so Papa took me out to the living room so I could lie on my bed, but then I heard something scary and I made my hunting noise and Mama had to get up in the middle of the night and close the blinds. Then she sat with me until I went to sleep. She says I will get used to the sounds here, but right now I am always on alert. Stay away from my house, scary things!

There are other scary things about North Carolina. In Harlem we had very big sidewalks, but here, the sidewalks only let one human and one doggy walk together and they are close to the street, so the cars and trucks go by so fast and make whoosh-ing sounds and it freaks me out! I don't like that. Mama said that's ok, we can stick to quiet streets now. I like that.

The rest of the time, everything is ok. I have a big backyard now! Papa takes me out there and throws toys and I run and get them and it is so fun! Sometimes I ask over and over again to go outside so I can lie in the giant sunny spots. Sometimes Mama says ok and we go outside, but when she wants to go back in I tell her not to worry about me but she won't let me stay outside alone. I think it's because I growl at the animals and the buzzies. So Mama gets frustrated and eventually I say ok and go in.

Today it was raining lots and lots-- I held it for a loooong time. Then Mama and Papa got up and took my new toy (it looks like Bunny but it's blue so Mama calls it Blue Bunny) and we went to the little park near our house and I peed and pooped, but I hated it because it was WET. I still don't like the rain, but it smells nicer here than it did in Harlem. The little park behind our house is nice because it has trees to pee on, but when it rains it also has mud, and I hate mud. It gets in my paws and feels icky. But I also know that if we go over there, I just have to do my business quickly before I can get back to my toys and my house. It's nice to have a park so close.

We still don't have furniture-- Mama says it comes on Wednesday and I can't wait to see our sofa!-- so we have been sitting on the floor a lot. The floor has a carpet and it is very nice, but it's a bit itchy. I like being right next to Mama and Papa all the time. Mama says it's kind of fun but her back hurts, so Papa bought her a chair for her new desk and it's a little better.

Tonight, Mama and Papa are going to the North Carolina Museum of Art to see a concert! I wanted to go too, but Mama said there are no doggies allowed. That's ok, I guess. I'll hang out here with Bunny and Woobie and Blue Bunny and sleep. Mama and Papa like Raleigh so far, and I do too, even with the scary stuff!

Getting Adjusted

We are settling in to our new home! We still don't have furniture, but that's ok. Mama said this happens when you move long distance, that your movers take a while. I have my bed and my crate, and Mama and Papa have a new mattress, so we are managing! Mama also got a washer and a dryer so the clothes they brought can be clean. Mama is very excited about the washer and dryer, but I don't know why. Mama is silly. I like the new washer and dryer, though-- they play a song when they're finished washing and drying, and I can run and get Mama and tell her to empty them. I like helping Mama.

We have had a nice few days here so far. Mama and Papa have gone shopping and bought a lot of things! Mama says that's what happens when you move. I also got a bath because I was stinky from the farm and all the traveling. I got my bath at a rescue fundraiser! Here's me being washed by the nice lady. I hated it at first because I knew she was gonna get me wet and I don't like water very much, but she was very nice and gave me kisses and rubbed my butt a lot. I am clean now, but I like to roll on the grass in my new backyard, so Mama says I won't be clean for very long.

Mama is now working from home. She says that means I get to spend all day with her! I love that! Because we don't have chairs, Mama did some work on the porch (our new landlords left rocking chairs and a porch swing, and Mama likes those) and I sat and guarded her.

I also helped her organize her notes, and I'm making sure Papa doesn't steal her pens.

Working from home can be very tiring, so I take naps in between projects.

This afternoon, Mama had a phone call with her boss and then decided to go outside. I went too! This is me in my new front yard. I like to lie in the huuuuuuge sunny spot and watch the world go by. It is very nice.

The world here is different from Harlem. Mama takes me out in the mornings, but we don't see other doggies or humans. Sometimes we do, but not as many as we used to in Morningside Park. Today we walked into the park near our house and I got sniffed by three off-leash doggies who were very nice. There are also rules about where I can pee and poop-- I wanted to pee on a nice mowed lawn and Mama said I couldn't. That's weird, but I listen to Mama.

In the afternoons, Mama and Papa take me walking together! I love family walk. It was very hot today, so we didn't go very far, but we walk around the neighborhood and look at all the nice houses and say hi to the nice people who walk by. Everybody here is very nice. I have met Mr. Tom the cable guy and Mr. Rodney from Sears and I helped the mattress men deliver Mama and Papa's new bed. They all liked me and give me butt rubs. Everybody in North Carolina has a doggy, but mostly their doggies stay in their backyards. But I'll start daycare soon and meet some doggies to hang out with! In the meantime, I enjoy my new yards-- I have a front yard AND a backyard, and I like to just roll and roll and roll. It is so fun. Now I'm going back out to the yard again so I can lie in the sun some more.