Saturday, June 5, 2010

No Dogs Allowed

    MO left the radio on for me today and I heard one of my favorite songs, "No Dogs Allowed". This song explains why dogs can't ride the subway. Basically, it states that people have priority and need to use the subway to get in and out of town for work and other important activities. Dogs on a subway would be crowded and noisy and some people might even be scared to ride on a subway with a dog.

- me on the Brooklyn Bridge!



 When I was a pup MO took me to New York City. I remember one of my favorite walks of all time. We walked from SoHo to and across the Brooklyn Bridge and were heading back when I got tired and MO decided we should take the subway. It was cold out so I was happy when MO tucked me into his jacket as we descended into this new underground world. I was still in his jacket when the beast arrived with a monstrous scream. This caught my attention and I had to sneak a peak at this large silver train with hundreds of people rustling about. MO tucked me back into his jacket as we climbed aboard. The train let out a another scream as we started moving and made me anxious. MO sensed this and sat me down next to him on the seat. I immediately became the center of attention. So many people came up to pet me and ask how I was doing, while MO was busy explaining where we were from and that he wasn't aware I wasn't supposed to there. When the subway screamed and came to a stop at Prince Street. I had to say good-bye to my new friends and got a few more pets before MO tucked me back into his jacket as we walked up to the street.
     MO knew the entire time that dogs aren't allowed on the subway, apparently he was just playing dumb. He told me that a trip to New York was not complete until experiencing the subway. He also told me how the attitude of the other passengers changed the moment I popped out of his jacket. People were just sitting around with blank expressions on their faces, keeping to themselves. When I appeared, smiles began to appear and the quiet turned to chatter. A little boy pointed at me before he said something to his mother and ran up to meet me. I just wagged my tail and licked his nose, this was met by laughter and started a trend of visitors of all ages. By the time we got off the subway about half the car we were in were gathered together to enjoy the ride.
    I am now way too big for MO to carry me, let alone hide in his jacket, so my subway riding days are over. I'm glad I did it and am happy that I was so welcomed. Soon after we got home MO played the song for me and winked. No Dogs Allowed, no dogs allowed, no dogs allowed on the subway today.......it's a shame because my experience was a positive one for all.    
I hope to return to New York this summer!

                   
             

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Ask Otis

Hey Otis, Does your owner let you play video games, if so what's you favorite?
 -Col. Forbin,  Idaho
       Colonel, thanks for the great question. When I was a pup, I would sneak into MO's family room and try my luck with XBox 360. My favorite was Rock Band, I once found a drum stick on the floor and went to town. Rather than bang it on the drum pad, I just ran around with it in my mouth and my inner Keith Moon came out. MO saw this and put me in timeout, since then I'm only allowed to play Madden 2004. It has Michael Vick on the cover and I'm encouraged to chew it up.

Otis, Are you excited about the World Cup?
-Suzy Greenberg,  Georgia
       Am I ever, Suzy! This will be the first World Cup I've been alive for. I'm a huge Holland fan, and hope Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt lead the Oranje. With all the talk surrounding Spain and Brazil, watch as the Dutch fly under the radar and hoist the cup. Also, go U.S.A!


 Do you have a favorite Summer activity?
-Millie Grace,  Arkansas
       Millie, I would have to say swimming.




Friday, May 21, 2010

Fun Under The Deck







Summer is here and MO has begun cooking a lot more people food outside. I like this because I get to be outside and hang out with him and his friends, sometimes other dogs even come over which is the best. We like to run and play in the yard while Mo and friends usually gather on the deck. I don’t fully understand the deck yet. I like to run and jump off of it, but my favorite by far, is exploring under the deck.
MO’s deck is only about two feet off the ground, with just a few places where I can dig to get under. I know a family of bunnies that live under the deck and I really don’t like them. I just want to get them. I can smell them and see them go under the deck all the time. At the right time, when MO’s not paying attention, I can dig and muscle my way under pretty quickly. I haven’t caught one of the bunnies yet, but that split second I see them running for their lives is awesome. When they realize they’re free is about the time I realize that I’m stuck, and shortly before MO realizes that I’m stuck under a deck he can’t fit under.
MO’s never happy when he assess’ the situation, and I know it’s because of me. I will squeeze and crawl to the middle of the deck until he calms down a bit. After he yells at me for about fifteen minutes he gets his big silver paw from the garage. One scoop with that big paw is like a minute of my furious two paw digging. Soon enough I see his face pop up and his arms stretching out to help me.
Some dogs might get excited to see their owner come to the rescue in this situation, not me. I feel sad knowing that my time under is deck is about over. I usually let MO struggle a bit I make him dig more and watch him uncomfortably squeeze himself further under the deck. I really wish he could see the beauty that I see on this side, but he could care less. After a while I crawl a bit and let him pull me up. I know that I’ll be ignored for the next few hours, but it’s definitely worth it. It gets even better after a fresh rain fall, the element of mud adds so much.
Last year MO stapled chicken wire to block me, but I was strong and persistent enough to paw it down. This summer, he built up a stone wall in hopes of stopping me. I have the will and just need to figure out the way.