High Line

Photos from improved Times Square

Breaking the Ice

Just a few new shots of Henry unhappily wearing a rugby shirt I bought for him in the City this past weekend. Normally, he bolts for the door when he sees me heading towards it. He loves the backyard and wants to go out there. With his shirt on he wanted no part of being seen outside. I had to entice him to come out onto the lawn a few feet from the concrete patio. A clear display of that genetic 'pug attitude;' he does have some pride. Bless his heart, I made him do it anyway. I am thinking he is over it now.



As I have often written before here, I often have fun with the customers I work with. I want people to be comfortable with me being in their homes so I want to relate with them on some conversational level. I feel good when I leave a job and know I made the people smile.

This morning a job appeared on my phone. It was not among the ones I had paperwork for; those originally assigned to me before I left the office. It was an internet out-of-service. It was a higher priority than the other morning work I had. I immediately headed in that direction.

The home was located along a heavily traveled local highway just outside a small town. The house was atop a small hill at the end of a long curving driveway. I noticed when I pulled into the drive that the morning paper was there by the highway entrance. I stopped my work van and got out and picked up the newspaper. I carried it with me to the front porch as I rang the bell.

A very nice woman answered the door. She knew I was there for the cable as she invited me in. I handed her the paper and she said, 'That was very kind of you.' I smiled and said,'ma'am, that's because I am NOT from around here.'

Not only did she smile, she laughed; almost to the point of tears. She finally said, 'Neither are we!' She obviously 'got it.' She said, 'Isn't it sad. It's almost like they are missing some 'social' gene.' Then I laughed. Needless to say, the ice was broken quickly and we had a nice talk as I went about my business. I shared many of my observations of the local people's culture. She knew I had a good 'read' of it. It was very nice to meet her. I had fun talking with her. I left with a smile on my face; I know I made her smile, too. One of those little rewards that fuel my love of my job.

Every day is a new adventure; and I like the cool people I sometimes have the good fortune to meet. wink

Hope all's well with everyone.

Introducing....

HENRY! Is he really cute, or what?

'Rebranding' Remmy

It's been 48 hours now since I brought the dog home. I worked again today but he's already walked another mile, at least I did, today. I walk the sidewalk, he zigs-and-zags through people's yards; does circles around me. Sometimes he does a small circle in front of me. It's almost like he just wants to be sure I'm still there with him as he bounds around and seems to have a lot of fun. I walk one mile; he probably runs five. He's been sleeping well. He's been good down here in the basement when I am at work, too. So far no destruction, knock-on-wood. wink

I just took a break before some more storms roll through to take him for another mile walk. So far everyone we meet thinks he's really cool and VERY cute. There's just something about the puppy-innocence of that flat and wrinkled face. It's supposed to be sunny here tomorrow. I plan on taking the first 'official' pictures of him in the sun; somewhere 'cool.'

Tomorrow I will take him over to meet my mom, too. I know she is going to love him. I know it will be good for her given the recent passing of her own fawn pug. She loved my little Op, too. She will take one look at his face and think of her. He looks just like her; one beautiful pug. I'm anxious to see her reaction.

Today I as I was driving around working I was thinking of his past life; which wasn't bad, but how I hope to make things better for him. I mentioned before that the couple I adopted him from had an older English Bulldog. I imagine there may have been some 'competition' for food. Here it's all for him! My neighborhood is more expansive; his walks I'm sure are longer. The front lawns are bigger; gives him a sense of 'running free,' a chance to just be a dog. These long walks I've been taking him on are designed to 'distract' him from the fact that he's not where 'home' used to be; teach him his new neighborhood; and let him know despite his long hours in the house without me, I guarantee time outside when he will be 'free.'

I think pug puppies have two things 'going on with them' as they mature. They are strong-willed, smart, and very curious. They have what I would call a 'curiosity quotient.' They want to see and know what's going on, ya know? They are also puppies like any other dog and have a lot of energy. They have a 'physical-activity' quotient, too. The long walks seem to satisfy both these needs. He really seems to love it; he's chomping on a rawhide treat now. I also thought about how he might be thinking he's gone to some 'pug resort.' There is always food in the bowl for him, fresh water...miles of 'open-space' to run, too. I'm glad he seems to be a pretty happy pup. He also might really be America's cutest dog. I am anxious to post some pictures of him.

As I have gotten to 'know' him these past two days I have mixed feelings about saying I am thinking of giving him a new name. Perhaps part of human psychology; renaming him might help me to feel like he's really 'mine.' One name is sticking in my mind. I 'floated' it past a couple of the neighbors who met him and asked. I'm still tossing the thought around. I might be 're-branding' Remmy.

He'll still be the same cool, adorable little dog.
He just might learn to be called something new.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.
Take care, have fun.

'night

'Remmy' comes home

Early this past Spring I was driving through a neighborhood and spotted a guy playing with his black pug in the front yard. I promised Op when I said good-bye to her that every time I saw a pug I would stop to say hello as I knew there would be a 'piece' of her in each-and-every-one. I wrote about it in a previous blog posting. I included a couple pictures of the dog back in late March/early April. I had a nice time talking to the people about their dogs.

This past weekend was my once-a-month three day weekend. The price I pay for it is this coming weekend as I have to work Saturday; I'm off Sunday and then go back in Monday. I was off this past Monday. When I went in to work Tuesday morning there was note attached to my time-card. I was to call these people about their black pug, 'Remmington.'

I sensed something was a-miss with them; sensed they might need a good home for him. I left the office; stopped for my morning green tea and passed by their house on my way to my first morning job. I placed a work 'doortag' on their front door with my cell phone listed on the appropriate line. It was nine o'clock in the morning; I knew someone in the home worked shift work so I didn't want to wake them. They called me back about 11 AM.

Dan explained to me that there had been 'conflicts' between their older English Bulldog and the young pug. He and his girlfriend had talked about it and decided would be best if he went to a good home. They thought of me. I was flattered. He asked if I was interested in adopting the little guy; I said, 'Sign me up.'

I asked him for a couple days to 'pug-proof' my house. He laughed and said, 'Sure.' He knew exactly what I meant. They are smart and 'crafty' dogs. Somehow, I relate to them well. I told Dan during our initial conversation that I would call them back late Thursday morning to get back with them.

I did. When he answered I asked if they were sure they wanted to 'do this.'
He said they were. I said, 'Then I'm ready when you are.' Unfortunately, he thought I meant 'right now.' I had to tell him I was calling him while working. I told him I would be off at 5 PM. He said they would be there.

I had a nice visit with them. I told them stories from having Oprah; they had stories from having both the dogs, too. I promised them he would have a happy life with me. They reassured me that they knew I would provide him not only good care but a nice life, too. Their yard was small. I have a large fenced-in portion of my property. LOTS of room for a pug puppy to run. Op loved it. As Op got older I could trust her to go all the way out to the woods with no physical boundaries. The only time Op was ever tethered on a leash was on walks in the neighborhood; in case any other dogs might be walking, too.

They reassured me they knew they were doing the right thing for the dog.
They said their good-byes and I brought Remmy home.

He has now been here 24 hours. In that time he has walked over a mile-and-a-half. I felt bad that he was here all day by himself as I worked. I took him for a long walk in between the current storms. He loved it.

He really is the cutest, smartest, sweetest nine-month-or-so old pug pup. He walks so good on the leash; he has 16 feet of line that's retractable. He knows the click-of-the-button when I lock it; he stops and follows me. His favorite place to be seems to be my lap. He looks up at me with that wrinkled face and those big brown eyes and it's very hard to say, 'no.'

After tonight's mile-long walk in between the storms he got a big drink of water, ate some of his food and then tried desperately to secure his throne-of-comfort, my lap. I am sorry to say the back of his coat was wet from the drizzle/light rain that fell on him during our almost twenty minute walk. I looked into those eyes and said, 'I'm sorry, you're wet.'

So started a ten minute 'battle-of-wills;' I prevailed. I practice 'gentle persuasion' and it seems to work. Whew! He is smart enough he really seems to understand.

Bless his heart, he is now sleeping next to my chair as I type this.
He is drying off slowly in this stormy HUMID air.
Cool fresh breezes can't get here soon enough for me.

It has been good for me to have him here. I look at that face and smile.
He has been so well-behaved; I am very impressed.

I can't wait to take him to the island beach where he can run freely.
Have thoughts of getting him to Central Park, too. wink

I feared I would have to 'mold' him into being a cool dog.
It seems like the people I adopted him from already did.
He's been great. It's good to have him here.

Hope all's well with everyone.

Special wishes to VERY special people that are heading to the 'Old World' tonight for an awesome vacation. Have a safe trip and HAVE FUN!

'night

For those of us stranded at home; have a good weekend.