Summer Fun

Oh my goodness! It has been a whole month since I have written! I have been very lazy and I am sorry. But it is so hot that all I can do is sleep. Mama and I have not taken all of our steps for a while-- it is just too hot and humid. We will walk outside and after about 10 minutes I don't like it at all. It makes me hot and sweaty. Then we come home and I love being inside and cooling my belly on the floor.

The weather has also made me very, very itchy. I take my medicine twice a day but I still get scratchy. Papa puts yucky stuff on me when I scratch too hard and I cut myself. The yucky stuff is yucky, but it helps me feel better. The humidity also makes me smelly! Yesterday Papa took me to the front yard and gave me a bath with the hose. I hated it! I don't like water! He started rinsing me off and I ran up on the porch behind the chair and tried to hide from the scary hose. Mama just laughed, then they gave me a yummy chewy bone and let me run in the backyard. That was ok. Mama says I smell better now.

We had a very lovely end of May and beginning of June. It was so nice out! Mama and Papa finally put up the hammock Grandpa got them for Christmas, and we spent a lot of time outside. I love the hammock. Most of the time I sit under Mama while she's in there, then I get up and run zoomies around the backyard until I get so tired, then I lie under Mama again. It is the best.

A few weekends ago, Mama and Papa packed up the car and then told me I should get in it! I was very excited. I like road trips. We went to Washington, DC for Mama's friend's wedding. Mama was very happy because it meant she could see some of her New York friends who she missed very much.

When we got to the hotel, we were all very sleepy, but Mama and Papa were hungry. When we got to the room, there was a plate and a bottle of wine and a birthday card for my mama! They gave her treats! It was very nice and made Mama feel good. It wasn't actually her birthday, though. Mama told me that the hotel gave her a good rate because her birthday was the week before and that's how they knew-- but she didn't expect the fun treats. That was very nice of them.

I also got special stuff at the hotel! They love doggies at Kimpton Hotels. While Mama and Papa were at dinner, they brought me bowls for my food and water and a special bed! Mama put it in my crate and it was so comfy. Here I am sleeping on my special bed.

Mama and Papa said the wedding was very fun and it was nice to see their friends. On Sunday, Mama had coffee with Miss Reema who is not a fan of doggies so I got to sleep in, then we all had brunch with Aunty April and her husband. It was nice to see them! I haven't seen them since we lived in Harlem! We ate outside at a restaurant where the nice lady brought me water. At first, when Mama went on the patio I stayed outside because that's what I used to do in New York, and Washington is a busy city like New York so I tried to be a good doggy. But Mama said it was ok and that I could come on the patio with her. I was very confused-- that is what we do in North Carolina, where there is more room! "It's ok, buddy, come on in," Mama said. So I sat next to Mama and laid my head on the fence and it was very nice. I got to watch all the people go by without worrying if they would step on my paws by accident.

Then we drove home. Mama was very tired, so Papa did a lot of the driving. I slept a lot in the backseat. We stopped once for a walk and I got to sniff the trees and pee in Southern Virginia and it was very nice. Then at one point I heard Mama say, "Avon, do you know where we are?" I looked up and recognized our neighborhood! I like to travel, but I like it even better when we get home.

Fun in the Spring!

We have been very busy in North Carolina, having lots and lots of fun. Sometimes I miss New York and my friends, but it is so nice here that I do not mind too much. Uncle Roland and Jackie should come visit ME. But anyway.

Mama and Papa finally got outdoor furniture! They are very happy. Here I am helping Papa put our new table together:

And here I am enjoying it!

I like to sit outside a lot, and so does Mama. Sometimes she and Papa eat dinner out there while I walk around the yard and sniff the grass.

The grass makes me itchy, though! So now I have to take medicine twice a day. It is not so bad, because it tastes like yummy goat cheese! [Note from Mama: the pills go in the goat cheese. Avon has quite the discerning palate.] I don't scratch or lick nearly as much now. Mama also rubs my head at night with smelly stuff. It is called lavender. I told you about that. But it is very nice and it helps me sleep.

The spring also means fun places to go! We went back to the baseball game for Bark in the Park and it was so fun! I got a bandana and a sock monkey. Papa put the sock monkey in my harness so it rode me, like a monkey on my back. I don't know why that was so funny, but it made people laugh.

I met all kinds of doggies, and I saw Mosey the puppy again. She is very nice and very big. Then Papa started talking to a man and his pointer, Pete. Pete was cool. We didn't watch the game, though. Mama was disappointed, but we all had fun.

Mama went away for the weekend, so we didn't get to do weekend things. I missed Mama. She went to stay with Great-Bubbe and Great-Zayde in Philadelphia and she had a nice time. She went over to cousin Shari's house, and cousin Shari's doggy really liked my mama. Of course he did. She gives very nice rubs.

Then Mama's flight got cancelled and she had to stay in Philadelphia! That is no fair! I missed my mama a lot, but she came home on Monday morning and everything was ok.

The spring means I get to join Mama and Papa for dinner because they can sit outside. We went for Mexican food on Monday night. My mama and papa love Mexican food. It is very spicy and has onions and is not good for doggies, though I do like the tortilla chips. Mama let me have one. While we at the Mexican restaurant, we met another tiger-striped doggy. His name is Baloo and he is cool. At one point, a doggy walked by and Baloo started barking at him. I got up because my new friend was mad, and there was a doggy with his dangly bits! They are mean and no good. We barked and barked-- "Stay away from our mamas with your dangly bits!" Once he walked away, Baloo and I decided to chill again.

Now that it is nice out and we have a table outside, we can have people over! One of Papa's friends is leaving for Europe, so Papa organized a going-away party yesterday. I got to join it! First, Mr. Mike and Mr. Jaime come over-- I like them very much. Mr. Mike runs and runs and runs with me in the backyard and Mr. Jaime rubs my butt. Then lots of other people came over and they all brought yummy things to eat. Mr. Mike took out a very long piece of meat and I thought it was all for me because we do not have meat in our house except for my kibble and treats, but... no. It was for the guests. But that was ok. He cooked it on the grill, which is separate from the house. I hung out with all of Papa's friends and had such a nice time! Mama got home kind of late, but I greeted her and took her outside. Then she got me a special bone and I carried it all around the backyard and it was so great until Mr. Matt tried to take it. He really wanted my bone! But no, he is not allowed to have it. Mr. Matt is mean.

Now I am sleepy because it has been so busy, but it has been so fun, and there will be more adventures!!!

Springtime!

It is definitely Spring here in North Carolina! The weather has been very nice, a little chilly in the mornings but sunny and nice and warm in the afternoons. I like this weather! There are so many fun things to smell and pee on, and I get to spend so much time outside. Mama and Papa come outside with me, too! Last week, Papa set up a table with a big umbrella, and now they have a place to sit and eat or drink their wine while I run around. On Wednesday night, Papa lit the grill and made dinner, and he and Mama and I enjoyed a very nice evening.

But the weather brought something new, too-- POLLEN. It is so bad! It makes everything GREEN and it flies everywhere. Then it washes away and comes right back. It gets in my paws and makes me very itchy. There is also a lot of cut grass and long grass and that makes me itchy too. But I like to stay outside, so Mama and Papa started giving me new medicine because I wake up at night and lick my paws a lot. That is no fun. It makes Mama very tired because she comes and sits with me when I lick. Sometimes I lick because I am nervous, so when Mama sits with me I stop. But mostly I lick because I am so itchy and it is uncomfortable. I'm sorry, Mama!

Last night, Mama rubbed some smelly stuff into my paws and on my neck. It was very nice smelly stuff and it made me sleepy. Mama said it is called lavender and it is good for keeping doggies calm. I liked it. We all slept for a while, but I woke up at 5:45 because the birdies were chirping and I had to pee. Sorry, Mama.

It is very cold and rainy today, so I am spending my day curled up on blankies with Mama while Papa works. I hope tomorrow is prettier so I can go back outside and be warm!

Besides all of that, we are doing ok. Mama has been traveling a lot and it makes her tired and I miss her when she is gone. Papa has been very busy because he has to study for his exams, but they are almost over. They told me that after his tests, we will go to a baseball game, all together as a family! I am very excited about that.

Chag sameach! (Or, as I like to say, "Dog sameach"!)

I am very, very tired today. I was at my daycare for four whole days! I ran and ran and ran and got rubs and hung out and now I am so tired. I boarded because Mama and Papa went to Florida for Passover to see Bubbe and Zayde.

Passover is Mama's favorite holiday. It is when we tell the story of Moses and the Israelites and how they got away from mean Pharaoh in Egypt. Pharaoh was a very mean man. He made the Israelites work and work and didn't give them any treats. So Moses came to save them-- he was a Hebrew but he grew up with Pharaoh because his mama adopted him when he was a little baby. My mama says that Moses's mama found him floating down a river and she decided to rescue him. That sounds like how I got adopted too! Except a river isn't like a shelter. But still. Moses was a Badass, just like me. Anyway, Pharaoh wouldn't let his people go, so Moses asked G-d for help and G-d sent the plagues, which were things like boils and hail and beasts, but for some reason G-d didn't send any cats. (I think Pharaoh would have let them go sooner if G-d had sent cats.) After all that, the Hebrew people wandered in the desert for forty days and forty nights, and they ate matzah and drank a lot of wine. That's what Mama does on Passover too, except for the wandering.

Mama says that for the eight days of Passover, we eat special food and we don't eat other food. I asked Mama what we're not allowed to eat, and she said we cannot have pasta or bread or rice or peas and a whole lot of other things. No rice and no peas! That's what's in my kibble! I am a Jewish doggy so I must keep Passover, I said, but Mama said no, the rules don't apply to doggies. OK, Mama.

Anyway, Mama and Papa had a very nice time. They went to two seders and met Bubbe's friend's dog, Yofi, who is very fluffy and very spoiled. They gave him belly rubs. They said Florida was nice but it is very weird being in Bubbe and Zayde's house without Aunt Krissie. That is sad.

On Saturday, Mama and Papa went to Big Cypress Preserve and they saw an alligator! Right there in front of them! Mama said it was cool but a little scary because she did not know what the gator would do when she walked behind it. I would have barked loud at it and told it to get outta my mama's way! Mama said that is why I am not allowed in the preserve.

On Sunday, Mama and Papa went to the Botanical Gardens, which are very pretty. Doggies are usually allowed there on Sunday mornings, but not for a while because the Gardens have dinosaurs! Mama said they move and even spit. I would have barked loud at them too-- dinosaurs are not supposed to be around flowers! Or around little humans or my mama! Mama said that is why I am not allowed in the Gardens.

While they were away, I got to stay at my daycare. Mama dropped me off on Wednesday morning and I saw Mr. Josh right away. He is so cool. I get lots of rubs from him. I played and played, then all of my buds left and I was very confused! But the nice people took me to a nice bed and put my blankie on it and I slept a lot, then I got up the next morning and got to play right away! It was so exciting! I played for four whole days. I got special time with Mr. Mike and Mr. Jeffy and Mr. Josh-- they are my favorites. I like some of the nice ladies too, but the nice men are the best. I was kind of sleepy on Monday and I told Mr. Mike I didn't feel like playing, so we just hung out. A few hours later, they put my leash on and took me outside and there were my mama and papa! I was so happy to see them! We got in the car and went home. I had some water and took all my toys over to my bed and I fell asleep. All that playing was exhausting. It is very nice to be home and in my own bed.

Mama woke me up this morning and we went for our walk, so I guess we are back in our routine now. That's ok. I like vacation, but I like it best when we are all home and relaxing together.

Lots of visitors!

We are having a very nice week! It is now getting warm in North Carolina and I get to spend so much time in my backyard! I run and run and roll and get muddy and I love it very much. Then Papa wipes off my belly with a towel and gives me treats. I like spring!

Last week, we had so many visitors! On Friday morning, three nice ladies showed up and gave me treats and started cleaning our house. It was so cool! One lady had a giant sponge-y thing that she ran across the ceiling. I followed her around while she did that. Another lady dusted off all of Mama's boxes on her dresser. I tried to follow her too, but Mama said I was annoying and put me in my crate. When the ladies left, Mama was so happy. She likes it when other people clean and she's very happy she hired those nice ladies.

Then later that evening, we had another visitor! Auntie Robin came in the door! Oh boy! I hadn't seen Auntie Robin since we lived in New York. She looks different. Mama says that's because she's going to have a puppy and I had to be gentle with her. I tried, but I wanted to give her a hug because I was happy to see her. She was nice about it, though. She came to visit because her family is here and she wanted to see them all before her puppy arrives. That is very smart. She and Mama and Papa went out for dinner and had a good time catching up.

On Saturday, Mama and Papa and I got in the car to see Grandpa. He had his nose fixed recently and was feeling better. It was nice, but I do not like being in the house with his cats. I have to go around and make sure the cats don't get us all, and it is very hard work! But I liked seeing my Grandpa.

Auntie Robin had to leave on Sunday morning, so I hugged her goodbye. Mama didn't have much to do, so she and Papa went shopping and they bought clothes-- they never buy clothes! This was very nice. Then we all walked to campus to drop Papa off so he could do some work. On the way back, I got very sleepy because it was hot, but Mama made me keep walking. Once we got home, I had some leftover chicken liver that Auntie Robin brought back from dinner with her grandma, and it was so yummy! Then I took a very long nap. It was a nice weekend.

On Monday night, Papa brought some of his friends over for a beer. Hoo boy, more visitors! I ran and ran and ran in the backyard so I could show them how fast I go. Mr. Mike thought it was very cool and he started running too, so I chased him until I got so tired. I like Mr. Mike.

Mama's job hasn't been as crazy, so she gets home while it's still light out and we have family walk a few nights a week. I love family walk. Then I run around in the backyard some more before my dinner and we have such a nice time.

Tomorrow, Mama says I can come to the office with her. I am so excited! I get to see Mr. Steve! I will try to post pictures.

A Busy Month!

I know I haven't written in a long time and I am sorry. We have just been so busy! It has been a very crazy month. First, after we got back from New York (and Virginia!), Mama got sick. She had a very very bad cold and I had to take care of her. It was hard work, taking care of my mama. I had to make sure she stayed in bed, but she wouldn't listen so I barked at her a lot. Mama didn't like that. Then she was feeling better but SHE kept barking-- my mama has a very loud bark. But she is mostly better now.

It was also a crazy week because it was very snowy! We did not expect all of this snow in North Carolina. First it was icy and hard to walk. Here's a picture of me in the park near our house. I did not enjoy all the crunching and the lack of dirt spots where I could poop.

Mama had to work from home for a lot of days and Papa's classes were cancelled. I liked having them around, but I know it was hard for Mama because she was still busy with work. I wanted to go outside a lot, but our back gate blew open and froze that way, so Mama and Papa kept me inside. They said I would run out if they let me into the backyard. I guess they are right-- I like to run around and smell new things.

But then we could close the gate and it snowed! It was such pretty snow. Big and fluffy. I got to run around in the backyard and it was so fun. I ran and ran in big circles and I got so tired. But then it got icy again, and I didn't like that.

Mama and I couldn't take our long walks for a while. With all the ice and Mama being sick, we lost out on our exercise. Last weekend we went to the doggy doctor so they could test my blood and my poop (I am OK-- Mama says this is routine) and they told me I gained 5 pounds! Mama said I am fat. That is not nice. But now that the weather is warmer and it is lighter at night and Mama is better, we can get back to our long walks. We walked over 6000 steps three mornings this week! It makes me very sleepy. But I am not fat. Look at my shadow! That is not a fat doggy.

In the middle of all of this, Mama went away for work. She had to stay away for the night, and I missed her. I got to go to daycare while she was gone and I saw Mr. Josh. I had a very good day. Then Mama came back and she brought me a present! She and Papa stopped at Phydeaux on the way back from the airport and brought me Froggy. He is squeaky and I love him! I didn't let Mama take him from me.

Last weekend it started to get warm. It is very nice when it is warm! Mama and Papa went to a brewery, which is where they make beer, for a big party. They decided to leave me at home because it would be so crowded, so I rested. They met lots and lots of doggies, though! Mama said I would have found some nice friends, but there was too much commotion there.

This week, it has been very busy. Papa has been on spring break, but he still has to study. Mama has concerts all weekend and lots of rehearsals, but she took me to the office with her yesterday! Oh boy! She didn't expect to be very busy but she was, so I sat with her while she worked and I visited with all of her co-workers. I especially love her boss, Mr. Steve. He is so nice to me. But it wasn't as fun as it usually is because there were no sunny spots-- it was very cloudy. But I did what I could and looked out for everyone in the office.

So now it is Saturday and it is rainy. Mama slept much later than usual today, and we didn't walk for very long because it was so wet. We are looking forward to resting and enjoying the day. I'm going back to sleep now.

I got to be a part of it again! New York, New York!

On Friday, Mama took me for our walk and then starting packing things up. That was weird! But then she put on my leash and grabbed a bag with my stuff in it and I got very excited! I jumped right in the car like a good boy. We picked up Papa at school and we were off! I asked where we were going, and Mama said we were on our way to New York!

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! I missed New York lots and lots, even though I like North Carolina very much. Along the way, Mama and Papa took me out of the car to pee and poop, and it got really cold. But I slept and watched the world go by. It was almost 10 o'clock when we arrived-- I recognized our old house! But we didn't go there. We went to Miss Sue's. Miss Sue is very nice and she is Benny's mama-- Benny didn't like me at first, but we sniffed and he remembered me and we were cool. Then Mama put my leash back on and I was so confused. We just got here, I said. I am tired! Where were we going?

We went to Uncle Roland's!!!!! I saw Jackie!!!! It was so great! I missed my friend so much. She told me to come in and we started playing and I had a wonderful night. I snuggled on the bed with Uncle Roland and he was so happy to have me there. I slept on his blankies and it was so great.

The next morning, Miss Sue left very early and Benny took care of Mama and Papa.

Then Uncle Roland came by and we all went for a walk. It was very nice, but New York is cold! It is much colder than North Carolina. I had to poop on the snow. I didn't like it-- it made my paws too cold.

After our walk, Uncle Roland took Benny home to take care of him for Miss Sue.

There were so many things to adjust to in New York! I don't ride elevators anymore, but I remembered to sit in them! I sat a lot in Harlem, because that's where I first learned to sit.

Mama and Papa had a very nice day with their friends, then Mama came home to walk me. They went out to their favorite bar and saw Mr. Marcio who made them drinks and was very happy to see them. Everyone was happy to see my mama and papa! But a lot of people were sick and couldn't make it out, but Mama said she understood and it was ok.

Mama and Papa went to all of their favorite spots in the neighborhood. It was Valentine's Day, so Papa got Mama flowers from Mr. Franz and they were so beautiful! Mama cried. They also went to the coffee shop where Papa used to work, and they went to their favorite restaurants. Every place they went, people were happy to see them and they got free drinks and lots of hugs.

Sunday was fun too! I slept in the sunny spot a lot. Miss Sue has nice sunny spots.

Mama went out singing with her friends while I stayed and kept Papa company while he worked. Here is a picture of my mama singing loud:

Then she came home, and Uncle Roland came by! I was so happy to see him again! I gave him lots of loves and rubs.

They went out to dinner and had a very nice time. I was so tired! There were so many New York smells and different things that I forgot about. It was exhausting. So I was happy to have a night in.

On Monday morning, we were off again! Mama took me for an extra walk with Uncle Roland and Jackie and Benny. I peed a lot-- there is much more stuff to pee on in NYC than in North Carolina! Then we were back in the car and off again!

The weather was very nice and Mama is a good driver and there was no traffic, so we got to Washington, DC very fast. Mama was so happy! But I was miserable. I had twisted around in my harness and was very uncomfortable and I had to pee! So did Mama. We stopped in a town called Lorton so we could all pee and eat and I could readjust my harness.

Then it started snowing! Oh boy! I missed snow, but I don't like it when it's falling, just when it's on the ground. Mama said we had to get moving. The roads got very bad, though. They expected the storm to come later, but it decided to surprise everyone. I do not like surprises unless they mean I can see Uncle Roland. But Mama took it very slow.

Right around Richmond, VA, the snow got very, very bad. I could tell Mama was upset! She was having a hard time driving. She saw a sign for a La Quinta Inn and pulled off the highway. My mama is smart, you see-- she knows La Quinta takes doggies. So we went in and they had a room and we settled in for the night. I had to poop bad, so Mama took me out in the snow. That was ok, but it made my paws cold and wet! Mama and Papa walked to the Subway and got sandwiches, and they made the best of it. Mama texted her boss to tell him she was stuck, and Mr. Steve was worried! He told her to be careful but that it was ok. He is a nice boss.

This morning, Mama woke up very, very early and took me out. I didn't like it! I peed but made her take me inside right away. Then Papa cleaned the snow off the car and Mama went to warm it up and we were off again! This time, the roads were ok, but it was still slow. We made it home at 11am, and we were all so tired! But Mama had to work and I had to poop, so we were very busy. The weather here is ok but it was very, very icy. Papa's classes were cancelled and so was Mama's rehearsal! It is very bad. So we are staying put and resting and recovering from our long trip.

It was very wonderful to see my friends and be in our old neighborhood. I miss them a lot, but I also missed my backyard and my bed and being in our house with my mama and papa. Next time, I'm gonna make everyone visit me!