A rip-roaring good time!

The sun finally came out yesterday in NYC, so mom decided to take me on a nice long walk. It was so cold the Hudson River was frozen over, but she felt guilty about keeping me cooped up all day Saturday.

I pulled as hard as I could to get to the Leroy Street Dog Run- one of my favorite city spots. Mom gave in, but it was so windy and cold that we didn't stick around for long.

We ducked into Zoomies on our way home to warm up for a bit. This is one of my favorite West Village dog boutiques, due in part to their cute little Yorkie, Chou Chou, who resides on the countertop.

Mom decided that I needed new toy, because I tore all of the stuffing out of my Valentine's day bear. I love ripping the arms and legs off a $10 stuffed animal that mom gives me two weeks before a designated holiday.

When we spotted the "Let 'Em Rip" Pig, mom was sold. The head and limbs are velcro-ed on, so they can be re-attached after I tear them off. This is what it looked like last night:

....and 24 hours later:

No stuffing to clean-up and I get to rip it apart again tomorrow! Awesome.

I want to be a hipster

Check out my new shades!

Ok, so maybe that's not me, but it could be. Hipsters are taking over New York, and I'm next in line. Maybe I could convince mom to move to Brooklyn and buy me some skinny jeans (well, not too skinny), so I could fit in with the other dogs at http://hipsterpuppies.tumblr.com/.

Happy Monday! 
Love, Henry

Snow Day?

Last year, in anticipation of my first New York winter, mom walked me over to Trixie and Peanut with the goal of finding me a winter coat and boots. She'd heard that the salt and ice on city sidewalks would be bad for my little paws, and wanted to make sure I was warm and comfortable on our winter walks.

We spent an agonizing hour trying on jackets, vests, and sweaters that only came in pink and wouldn't close around my tummy (I'm a BIG cavalier, but more about that later). Finally, mom spotted the perfect red parka that had Polartec lining and came in x-large. After picking up some Pawz dog boots, we were all set. 

Mom couldn't wait to get me home to try on my new outfit. As soon as she put on my booties, however, I was stuck to the floor! Even when she tempted me with my favorite treats, I couldn't move an inch. After realizing the rubber shoes had not in fact paralyzed me, I learned to walk again.

As winter dragged on, I began to love the cold, crunchy stuff mom calls snow. Snow is so much fun to jump in, eat, bury bones in, and great for hunting frozen squirrels.  On our weekend trips to the nearby Catskills Mountains, mom had a hard time keeping me inside. 

Needless to say I was pretty excited when I heard we were expecting snow this weekend! Mom tried on my boots to make sure they still fit, and I had dreams of chasing snowballs every night. When I woke up this morning, however, the snow was barely covering the flower beds where I take my morning poop.

While the "snowstorm" was a little disappointing, it was still cold enough to keep mom home most of the day. And cuddling on the sofa while she watches "Say Yes to the Dress" is better than a snow day anyway.

My friend Andrew

During the week, my mom has to leave me at home while she goes to work. Every morning, she tells me goodbye, kisses me on the top of the head, and off she goes. I finally have the place to myself, so I crawl back in bed for a little while....

...and then spend the next couple of hours watching Animal Planet.

Around lunchtime I start to get a little antsy. Since mom works uptown, she can't come all the way home to visit me during the day. This is where Andrew comes in! Andrew is very tall, has a furry face like mine, and calls me "Hank" (we're not really sure why).  

Rain or shine, Andrew comes to my apartment and takes me on a walk around the neighborhood. He lets me mark all the lamp posts and sniff the other dogs' butts. If you want someone like Andrew to walk you too, just call the nice people at Downtown Pets and they will hook you up.

Mom says that if we win the lottery, I'll get a membership at Biscuits and Bath- a fancy New York "Doggy Gym" where I could spend everyday socializing with other city pups and stimulating my canine senses.

Andrew, thanks for always holding on tight to my leash.
Love,
Hank

Dirty Dog

It's a well known fact that New York City is a pretty dirty place. While the sidewalk grime gives me lots to sniff on my daily walks, my mom hates the way it turns my white paws gray. Therefore, about once a week I have to endure the torture also known as "bath time." First she suds me up using Lavender and Mint scented Buddy Wash. I'd prefer something that smelled like dead animal or cat litter, but no one ever asks me.

After the suds are rinsed, I get wrapped up in a towel and brace myself for the hair dryer.

Next, she insists on using girly products like Plush Puppy's "Blow Dry Cream" and "Puffy Dog" styling mousse to make my coat soft and shiny. I've noticed she doesn't use as many products on her own hair, so I guess I'm special (or just high maintenance).

Finally, when I'm all dry and my paws are back to white, it's time to sleep. Bath time is hard work, but somebody's gotta do it.

Everybody poops

In order to survive as city dog, your mom or dad HAS to carry poop bags. You never know when you'll find the perfect cobblestone or sidewalk patch on which to squat, and they always need to be prepared. Besides the public embarrassment that accompanies leaving your poop on the ground, it can also cost you an expensive ticket (which means less money in the Greenie fund). The best way to carry these little plastic baggies is in a little dispenser that clips onto your leash, so you'll never leave home without them.

My mom currently uses the Harry Barker No. 2 Pet Waste Bag Dispenser because it's 100% eco-friendly, and the brown matches my leash very nicely...but more about that later.

Dog Parks 101

The first thing you need to figure out about living in New York is that your social life will revolve around the dog park. Before she found a dry cleaners, my 20-something mom located the nearest dog park in our West Village neighborhood. This is where I go to play, relax, meet friends, and get really tired so that I sleep the rest of the day.

While it's not the closest dog run to where I live, my personal favorite is Tompkins Square Park. There's a separate section just for small dogs, but I prefer to run with the big guys. When spring comes, I hope to spend most of my weekends here.

Hi, I'm Henry.

My name's Henry. I'm a 2 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel currently living in New York City. Born in Texas, I have called the Big Apple home since July 2008. It's great being a dog in the city, but it takes some work (and insider knowledge). Follow me, and I'll teach you everything you need to know about being a city dog...or just look like one :)