No Middle of the Day Walks For a While

Yesterday was a lovely morning. There was a lot of sun and warmth BUT there was a cooling breeze as well. So Mommy decided she NEEDED a walk and we should JOIN her. So she gathered all 3 of us and put our harnesses and leashes on. Then she ventured out the door for a walk with 3 pups.

It was going pretty well - although MOMMY got a little short tempered with me because I was stopping every 3 feet to smell the - NOT ROSES. She said she could hardly get a stride going as I was stopping so often. So I stopped catching up on neighborhood peemail and walked.

It was going pretty well with Molly and Moose leading the way and me hanging back in Mommy's shadow. It was getting warmer and warmer as we walked and although Mommy had a BREEZE, it was NOT making its way to me.

We turned the corner and before I knew it, there was a SHADED spot. I BEE-LINED for it and plopped down. I was just too warm to continue. I had to COOL MA BELLY, in a word. So we stayed there until I was breathing a little more casually and less urgently. We were only two cul-de-sacs from home so I tried to make it the rest of the way. It was too hot and finally Mommy gave me a lift. I think I am destined for early morning or late evenings until the weather cools off in October.

I'm Walking On Sunshine - and I Don't Mean My Sisteroid, Sunshine The Cat

Saturday was such a beautiful day. It was bright and sunny from the get-go and I loved loved loved being outside. As a special BONUS, Mommy and I went over the hill to Pleasanton and visited Auntie B. Auntie B was PUP-sitting a little yorkie named Fancy. I actually met Fancy a year ago when Auntie B was watching her. We took a long want then. Well, we did the same on Saturday. Not a long walk, per se. . . but a PERFECT one, for sure.

As you can see, we were high strutting it (wink, wink). And I can tell you this 100% true fact, the AIR SMELLED SO SWEET! I thought I'd get a cavity, for sure. There were grass smells, dirt smells, and lotsa flower smells. I kept stopping to SMELL THE ROSES (actually, it was peemail, heehee). Mommy kept tugging me along saying "Noodles, we are never gonna get anywhere if we stop at every blade of grass to sniff!"

We walked toward a park where a lot of children were playing soccer. We said "Hi" to this particularly cute toddler and then went to a KNOLL to sit. Auntie B's and Mommy's intentions were to get some lovely snapshots of Fancy and Me looking all adorable. Well, we were not having it.

Notice we are not actually sitting next to each other

This is the closest to a posed shot Auntie B got

I don't feel too bad about not cooperating. After all, it was not on my list of to-dos for that day. I wanted to SNIFF and EXPLORE. I am pretty sure Fancy felt the same way.

Action shot - Fancy was actually popping UP from a sit

Action shot - Note my back legs ready to SPRING into a run

We sat a little longer to catch our (my) breath and then we started walking again. But before we left the park, Auntie B scored this golden shot

Neither of us are looking at the camera, heehee

After some more strolling down the streets in the neighborhood, we returned back to the house to sniff the backyard while Mommy and Auntie B picked lemons (with the owners' permission). This is their haul

 

Those are Meyer lemons, the sweetest kind.

Before we knew it, it was time to head back over the hill to home. But it was a FUN MORNING and I am always glad when I spend time with Auntie B.

Fruit Man - el Vendedor de Frutas

There's a man who stands at the corner almost every day selling fruit. This is a common sight this time of year when fruits are coming into season. Especially strawberries and cherries which have a relatively short season. I know - there are no strawberries in this picture. The lighting was not too good where they were. The mangos you are seeing in this photo come from Mexico. . . but the strawberries are from Watsonville - practically our own backyard.

This man speaks little English - just what he picks up trying to communicate with people buying his fruit. He stands outside all day, almost every day, hot or cold weather. It is a very hard job. I am pretty sure it is the only job he can get. But he is kinda his own boss and his success largely depends on him.

And look at this lovely fruit! He has melons sometimes. . . usually oranges. . . and while in season, cherries and strawberries. Yum.

Sometimes there is a woman who is there selling fruit. The Vendadores do not change a whole lot - and in years past it was the same man year after year. He used to give me samples and he always gave me a hug and a chin skritch. He called me "perrita bonita" and "dulce" which I am pretty sure are good things.

We sometimes buy fruit from them because the prices are good and the fruit fresh. Can't say the same for the big box groceries or even Costco. And fresh enough is never as good as just-picked fresh! So when we don't have ripe fruit from our own backyard, it is nice to know the Vendedor de Fruta is right around the corner.

I Walk

Walking is one of my favorite activities. I don't get to go walking often enough (that ol' WORK thing gets in the way) but when I do, I savor every step. Normally we just walk around our neighborhood which has some pretty interesting smells. There are also some very aggressive BIG dogs who jump at the fence when we walk by. It is pretty terrifying - I mean, what would happen if they got out?

Sometimes it is just me walking - and sometimes both Molly and Me. Mommy does not like dealing with the two of us too much because we bicker. Well, Molly STARTS it. She really does. She makes a snide comment and I'll react and then we are both in trouble. Molly used to pull a lot, too (not me, I have always been a good walker) which made Mommy turn around and go home. But since she, Molly, got a Buddy Belt she is more relaxed and does not pull. Funny how a simple thing like a harness can make all the difference.

I also love love love it when we go to the park and take the big walk. It is just a suburban park and we walk on the asphalt walkway most of the time - but nonetheless it is pretty and there are a lot of different plant and animal smells than in my 'hood. This time of year there is a lot of color with leaves changing and falling. It's pretty cool. I especially love it when we walk on those crisp days where there is a little breeze to ruffle your fur. Those are the best.

So as soon as Mommy talks to her boss, we are going for a walk around the neighborhood. It is a bright and cool morning which promises to be walk. In other words, it will be perfect.

IT WAS AN active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic, frisky, gay, jaunty, jazzy, kinetic, mettlesome, peppy, perky, pert, pizzazzy (or pizazzy), racy, snappy, spanking, lively, spirited, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy TIME AT THE PARK

Because the weather cooled off so wonderfully, we went for a walk in the PARK near our house. It is a wonderful suburban park with lots of native trees and grasses AND a wildlife sanctuary. I love all of the smells, too, especially where this picture was taken - right near the CREEK.

My Cousin E was doing her SEVEN miles of running there (her favorite place to run was closed) so we planned to meet her at the end of her run. I think the whole city had the SAME IDEA, though. It was so crowded at the park. I know it doesn't look it in this picture but then again, it was taken looking OUT OF the park.

The whole walk is about a mile and is just the right amount of exercise for me. Molly was a little too yappy and kept getting in trouble for yelling at other doggies. But she wasn't being aggressive, just mouthy, so we kept walking.

About THREE QUARTERS around the park Mommy said "Noodles, Noodles! Look over there!" I don't usually do that when she yells "look" but this one time I DID. And guess what???? I saw ANOTHER PUG!

I know you may not think this is so shocking but believe me . . . it is in my neighborhood. I can could on one paw the number of times I have seen a pug while on a walk. Well, until THIS time, I had never encountered another PUG on my neighborhood walks - not even at the PARK! So I was pretty excited.

This is SPARKY and he is an EIGHT almost NINE year old pug gentleman. You cannot tell in this photo but he was VERY tall. Almost twice my height. Granted, I am a short petite girl. We said HI to each other and chatted briefly. I was actually more excited to meet his HUMAN FAMILY. They were a mommy and a daddy and a daughter about Cousin E's age!!!! They were so nice and petted me and said I was very pretty. All of the humans laughed a lot because Sparky and me DID NOT cooperate for the photo taking. See how far apart we are? And when they asked us to sit. . .  well, the proof is in the photo.

For the record, Sparky was NOTHING like his name. He was very mellow and low key. He even walked with a slow gait - not at all like my prancing (especially when I am happy). You can tell by his face that he is just a very easy going DUDE.

I hope I meet Sparky again when I walk in the PARK.

About all of those words in the title - they are
all synonyms for SPARKY

How To Have a Great Walk - by Noodles

A stroll in the park on a sunny Spring day

You would think walking is the easiest thing in the world. After all, we start walking at a very early age and generally have it perfected by the age of ONE MONTH. But to GO on a WALK is a whole 'nother matter because NOW you are adding in social behavior, good DOG behavior, and good HUMAN behavior as well as the actual walking. In my SIX PLUS years I have developed what I think is a pretty good list of GOOD WALKING RULES that I live by. It means when I go on a walk I return happy and so does my human. AND, more importantly, the people and pups I encounter have a good feeling about me as well.

Yes, it is metrosexual black so
I am often mistaken for a boy.
But it IS leather and so sharp looking

First up is the proper equipment. Tastes are different and so are sizes so take this for what it is - the suggestions of a PUG PRINCESS and what works for her petite stature and delicate temperament. I have always worn a harness. Long ago my Mommy #2 read that short pug necks put their already too skinny trachea in danger when pressure is applied to the region. For this reason, she was cautioned, a pug should be walked with a harness that does not encircle the throat. That doesn't mean I can never wear collars. After all, I have a lot of cute ones. No - it means the collar is for "dressing up" my look but not for attaching a leash. Big dogs and dogs without such breathing issues can certainly attach a leash to a collar and walk. No problems there.

Leash and harness

Next up is my leash. It has a handle and is made of some kind of cord. We got it at our favorite BOUTIQUE  Biscuits. It even has a hook for keys. I had a different one before but I wore it out. The important thing is TO HAVE ONE. There is a lot of controversy over what kind of leash is better and what length is proper. In the end, all I have to say is make sure you are always, always, always attached to one when out on a walk. The exception is is you are in areas that are fenced in and off-leash is permitted. Being on a leash serves many purposes - and limiting freedom is NOT ONE OF THEM. Every human wants their beloved dog to feel free and happy. Being safe trumps that, though. Having a pug or dog on a leash serves many purposes:

1. Keeps us PUPS close to our humans
2. Keeps us PUPS safe and away from on-coming cars, trains, buses, bikes, strollers, skateboards, and wild animals. One time we were walking in Lake Tahoe and a COYOTE approached. Actually, there were 3 of them. They had their eyes on ME, the tidbit of a dog. SO Mommy first shortened the leash to keep me close. Then when they appeared to step closer, she lifted me up using my harness. We were with a couple of other peeps and pups so we made a LOT of noise which eventually chased the coyotes away.
3. Keeps us from running to LITTLE HUMANS or scared big humans. Not everyone appreciates a dog. Not even a cute smush-face.
4. Keeps the pace of the walk reasonable and enjoyable for both human and dog. Who likes to be dragged a long when all you want to do is enjoy MOTHER NATURE? No one. Being leashed is just another way to moderate the tempo of the walk to everyone's enjoyment.

So you see, being on a leash is really the happiest way to walk and benefits everyone involved.

Do you know what my Mommy used to do when I tried to dash ahead and pull her along? She'd stop in her tracks and make me also stop. Then she would make me sit. It seemed like an eternity to me so I imagine it was like TWO MINUTES or something. Quietly she would say walk and don't pull. If I again tried to run ahead and pull the leash, she would stop. In the early days we never went more than a block on our walks because two or three times of stopping and Mommy was DONE.

Slowly I learned that if I wanted to enjoy my walk, I needed to walk at a reasonable pace. Even today if I start to get too ahead, Mommy puts me on a short leash (she holds it close to her) until I slow down and walk at a more relaxed pace.

The poop bags are necessary
but the poop bag holder and the
raincoat are just fun

Finally, one of the most important things to remember before heading out for a walk are - POOP BAGS. I cannot emphasize this enough. ALWAYS carry poop bags. It happens - all that free movement makes pooping an inevitability. Seriously - it happens all the time. So do it now - get some poop bags and MAYBE a cute holder and put them with your leash. Don't leave home without them.

UNLESS you carry a pooper scooper. That is more ecologically friendly albeit clumsy to cart around.

Which brings me to the most important point about POOP: Pick it up. Not you, dear thumbless puppy. No, I am talking to the humans among you. Pick up after your dog. No one, not even animals, enjoy stepping in dung. The only way to prevent this unpleasantness is to PICK IT UP. This is your new mantra - PICK IT UP. 

Aside from being unpleasant, poop piles are unhealthy. I copied and pasted this from Petfinder.com as I thought it the best list of reasons I have ever read. Why re-write them when they say it all?

1. Stormwater carries pet waste and other pollutants directly into waterways.
2. Animal waste adds nitrogen to the water. Excess nitrogen depletes the oxygen in water necessary for beneficial underwater grasses, wildlife and fish.
3. Animal waste may contain harmful organisms such as Giardia, Salmonella and E. coli that can be transmitted to humans and other animals by ingesting contaminated water.
4. Roundworms and hookworms deposited by infected animals can live in the soil for long periods of time and be transmitted to other animals and humans.
5. It’s the law! Many urban and suburban areas require you to pick up after your pet. Even if there is no restriction, cleaning up after your pet is always the right thing to do.
6. Joining the growing number of responsible pet owners may encourage hotel managers to accept pets when you are traveling and help keep fees to a minimum.
7. No one likes to step in pet waste and spread it into homes, cars and businesses.
8. Scooping on a daily basis and applying lime will help prevent odors.
9. It’s easy to clean up by carrying plastic baggies and paper towels in your pocket. The baggies can be secured and thrown away in the garbage.
10. Your neighbors will appreciate your good manners.

While I am on the subject of picking up poop, remember to be a good citizen of the world by not peeing and pooping just anywhere. Some homeowners may not like pups using their lovely lawn as a toilet. And if it is a lawn where children play, all the more reason to be mindful of not leaving doggie bonbons or piddle puddles in the yard. I like to utilize the medians strips between sidewalk and curb for my bidness or sometimes the curb to wee on. Those are usually not considered private property and not usually played in. Just remember your mantra - PICK IT UP.

And THAT, my friends, is how to go on walkies and MAXIMIZE the experience. All of us are capable of putting on our best GOOD DOG BEHAVIOR. So keep these tips in mind next time you venture out into the great UNKNOWN - your neighborhood.

* My thanks to the following websites for sharing their wealth of knowledge:

www.cesarmilan.com; www.quickanddirtytips.com; www.reddit.com; www.hssv.com; www.dogster.com; www.petfinder.com

** Thank you also to Rover.com as it was an invaluable resource for this post. If you haven't heard if them, check out their dog-walking services in a city near you.

Fry Day Cuz It's Gonna Be ANOTHER HOT One

This weather is CAH-RAY=ZEE lately! Well, it kinda has for years now. I expect HOT in September, half of which is the last part of Summer. But this cool one week and scorching the next - well it has me in a DITHER, I tell you! A DITHER

*Note Number TWO of Noun. . . that is so totally how I feel!

AnyWHO

Today is no exception - it's gonna be HOT again. Too hot for a puggy like me to wander around the yard, sit in the sun, take the in sights, sounds, and smells. And I am SO OVER IT! Give me the temperate temps the SOUTH BAY is famous for - the sunny but mild days with a fog-kissed breeze. Those are perfect days for a flat faced BEAUTY like MOI.

Changing Subjects, ARE you all gonna watch the BLOOD MOON ECLIPSE this weekend? I sure am!!! The next one isn't until 2033 and I am pretty sure MY PRESENT INCARNATION will not be around to see it. In spirit, maybe. But I am so excited about this one I cannot miss it. Blood moon. . . been there, done that. But with an eclipse??? Hot Diggety DOG.

And that's about it. I have my BIG Walkathon next weekend so I am decreasing my workouts a little to preserve my strength. I am also CARB LOADING so I will be at my peak. I mean, 5K is a pretty far distance for somepuggy my size. If you have a chance, check it out. Looks like a lot of fun and my FURiends from Woodrow Wear (therapeutic sox for dogs of all sizes - I wear them on my front paws when I go on walkies because I tend to drag them) will be there so I can give them lots of cuddles and kisses.

I will probably talk about this A LOT next week leading up to the MAIN EVENT.

Have a SUPER weekend and Keep Cool.

Sorta Wordless Walkies Wednesday

I'm Harnessed

I'm Leashed

I'm Outside

I'm READY

So

When Are We WALKING, already?

While we're at it - why don't we BLOG HOP?

Walk This Way . . . Talk This Way

I am not much for walking on two legs. But ever since MOLLY joined this family, the trick bar has been raised VERY very high. Cousin E has been working with Molly and walking on two legs. The little show-off had NO TROUBLE learning that one. Now she is working on dancing and jumping into Cousin E's arms.

I say NO FAIR!

She is so much lighter than I am and has this sleeker more agile physique. I am quite fit, mind you, for a PUG. But that is what I am - and proud of what I am - a P.U.G.

Auntie T spent some time working with me the other evening. That is where yesterday's photo came from. I am simply standing in that photo but I held it for a LONG TIME. I think it was hours but Cousin E said it was many seconds. After a couple of rough starts, though, I think I almost got the walk thing going. Cousin E captured the moment on video. It wasn't perfect but it was a good start. As a contrast I have included a video of that SHOW-OFF Molly's walk-on-two-legs.

First ME

Now MOLLY

HAPPY THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Doing a good job is as much for yourself as it is for someone else.