Holiday Rewind...hotel fun in Chicago

After two detours (first Suki, then Sid) on the most fun drive to Chicago ever, we finally made it to our downtown hotel after dark.  The lights are just so sparkling and beautiful around the holidays, and our views were spectacular!

We especially like looking at the Water Tower right on Michigan Ave.  Here's a picture of it at night,

and one of it during the day.

We were lucky to get a corner suite with 3 large windows which meant that the sun's rays were all over the living room most of the day.  I can't help but try to soak 'em up!

Not only did we take full advantage of the large picture windows, but we also decided to test out the room service for breakfast!  YUM!

Every morning we'd get a fruit plate and I'd get to have some too!  I love the blueberries.

Although I am more than happy to admit we did our fair share of eating in the hotel room, I also made sure to spend time with my toys, like the skinneez ostrich that thoughtful Suki got me.

Oh, and you don't think I would forget in a minute that my friend Sid got me a little something, did you?

A brand new pack of potatoes, egg babies, squeaky balls...whatever you call them, they are awesome!

I like to kill the squeaker (that goes without saying) and then walk around with one in my mouth chomping on it.  Until I find another one, then I switch, and repeat.

Thanks for the great gift, Sid!  Oh, and last week I promised to tell you about the present that sweet Hank sent me, so here it is.  Besides a pink t-shirt, a super soft blanket with pups and candy was in the package!

As you can tell, I just love to lay on it, but enough pictures already mom!  You can never have enough cozy, snuggle blankies.  Thanks so much Hank!

There is so much more to share about my time in the city, leading up to New Years, but this post is long enough already.  Tomorrow I'll update you on the main reason for our Chicago trip, my PDE check-up.

Love,
Payton

Indiana Pugs and the Party of Fun...part 2

Hi everyone, here's the second half of the story (or sequel, if you will) about the crazy fun Saturday in Indianapolis!  So I finished part 1 just as we (Salinger, Tiffy, and I) left Three Dog Bakery and headed to a party...a birthday party to be exact.  It was Ellie's 1st birthday!  You probably know her from The Pugs Strike Back.

Ellie, the birthday girl!

Oh, my pug!  Is she not the cutest thing ever?  Anyway, as soon as we arrived at The Pug Posse's house, I could not believe my eyes.  There were about 20 pugs (+/- 3) in the house!  I'm not exactly a social butterfly so my parents were glad they brought treats to distract me while all of the pugs introduced themselves and said hello.  And of course, I was totally into the freeze dried blueberries, but after a while I actually wanted to explore and see what other kind of food I could find for myself, so I was off!

Get out of my way there are food stuffs to be had, I smell it!

So many new people to try my begging skills on!  And so many great pugs to meet!  I really can't say enough about how nice everyone was!  There was Ellie's brothers, Brutus and Yoda, and Apollo...

left to right:  Tiffy (in the pretty dress), Brutus, Yoda, Apollo, and Ellie

And there was Princess Mia, so cute standing in between two of the men (I think that's Gampy on the left and Ellie's dad on the right)!



Mia

Poor Salinger, he is like me and not very social, but unlike me, food isn't a high motivator (weird I know), so he wasn't thrilled at all the chaos.  He stuck close to those that would protect him.


"Thanks Gampy, please let me know if any pugs come close."

I, on the other hand, was all over the place taking every opportunity to check on the food situation.  My mom and dad were so surprised and impressed on how I seemed not to be the least bit nervous with all of these pugs.

Please, please give me some of what you are having, Ellie's mom!

But soon, another friend showed up...one I had met before...a boy pug.  So I quickly asked Tiffy to help me out and distract my protective Gampy.  Which wasn't all that hard, he quickly got a reputation for giving the best scratches and every pug seemed to stop by for some lovin' at one point or another.

"Hey, I'm with Gampy now...wait your turn."

So who was this boy that came to party and spend some one-on-one time with me?  Yep, it's Hank!  You may recall that I met Hank over at Vito and Vinny's place for a small St. Louis Party just this summer.



me and Hank

We spent some time on the couch getting to know each other better (with my dad supervising) and then we went outside trying to get some alone time, but mom was there with the camera again!

Where is that good smell at, Hank?

We decided to head back inside, and Hank sang to me and told my parents that they were getting in the way of a proper date!  (I think he might have also mentioned something about wanting a few nibbles from their plate too!) 

Aww, mom..isn't he so sweet!

Not only were my 'rents following us around, but my mom turned down a wonderful Flossie gift from Hank! I know, the nerve! So my teeth would break, big deal!  It's Hank's favorite and he was so nice to think of me. Parents just don't understand!

Well, soon it was getting late and we still had more adventuring to do, so before we said goodbye to every pug and their peeps, I took a potty break outside.  Salinger took the opportunity to "get away" and followed us outside.  At this point everyone was inside so it was just me, Salinger, and my parents.  It was totally dark out, and to my parents' amazement (and probably even Sal's too), my friend shot out ahead of me to guide my path and came back to check on me two or three times.  Can you all believe it?  And I don't even remember telling him about how my eyesight is so bad!  What a great friend!  Thanks, dude!  When my mom was saying thank you, Sal's mom snagged this great shot of the two of them!

Salinger and mom

So after saying goodbye, we hit the road and headed to Springville (just south of Bloomington) to visit my Gampy's relatives (cousins, sister, and brother and their families).  Mom was just too tired to remember to take any pictures, so we don't have any to share from Sunday.  Guess I'm going to have to learn how to do that now...

Well, it was a great weekend!  We can't thank Salinger's peeps enough for entertaining us in the afternoon, Ellie for the invitation, and last, but definitely not least, The Pug Posse and peeps for hosting a great party with lots of good food!

Love,
Payton

PS.  I hope you all got to see the slideshow of Salinger from my last post...I'm not sure why it's not available...must be a Google problem.  I'm looking into it...

St. Louis Party

Remember on Friday when I mentioned that my mom and I had received an invitation?  Well, it was to visit Vito and Vinny...and Hank!  Hank and his mom Sarah were passing through town and wanted to meet some bloggers, so Vito and Vinny and their mom, Gina, invited us over to their house so we could have a small pug party!  My Gammy came with me too and took this great picture of us pugs and our moms.

left to right:  Sarah with Hank, Gina with Vinny and Vito, mom with me

I've never been around that many dogs before.  Hank greeted me at the door, and I started exploring Gina's beautiful historic home right away.  Then Vito and Vinny came in from outside and let me tell you, these brothers would not leave me alone.  Hank would come over to see what all the fuss was about, say hi, then leave.  Maybe I give off a cougar vibe, cause the youngsters were all over me!

Me (and mom) in a Vinny and Vito sandwich.  Do you see their eyes bulging at me!

Now it's a Vito and Vinny sandwich.  Mom, I think it's time we have that talk about boys.
I don't know what to do with all this attention!

I know I'm cute, but seriously boys, I don't like my personal space invaded.  Mom had to pick me up though cause I was starting to get snippy...after all, isn't it a woman's job to keep the men in line?  I was out-numbered, but I did my best to let them know that I was the boss and in charge!  Heehee!  We decided to distract the boys attention with some gifts, so here they are in the kitchen hoping to get some treats.

starting on the left going clockwise: Hank, Vinny, and Vito

Vito, Hank, and Vinny

from top to bottom: Hank, Vinny, and Vito

After a while the young stallions, Vito and Vinny, calmed down so mom put me on the floor.  I have to admit that it is rather flattering to be fawned all over by such cute pugs!  I proceeded to explore the house in search of food.  I could smell treats (human and dog varieties) and I was bound and determined to find them.  I really do have a one track mind.  As a result, I pretty much ignored everyone - sorry Gina and Sarah!  I kept going even when the boys got lazy and were getting scratches and taking naps.

Here's Vito!  He's getting a belly/chest rub.

Vito (life is tough for us pugs, huh?)

I think this picture sums him up!  He's a momma's boy that loves to snuggle and play.  And he's got the cutest snort I've ever heard!

Now here's Vinny!

Vinny (with Hank in the background)

He is such a sweetie who loves to give kisses!  Isn't his dark muzzle so handsome?  My Gammy wanted to take him home!

And lastly, but not least, here is Hank!  He is balancing on the arm rest of a couch.

Hank

Hank is an Indiana Hoosier, just like my Gampy.  Can you believe that this guy is 12?  I've decided that older guys are where it's at.  I liked his laid back style, and I think Hank appreciated that I left him alone too.  He gave me a heart magnet from his local pug rescue!

Now mom can hang another picture of me on the fridge!

Vito and Vinny live so close, I'll definitely have to see them again soon!  And Hank invited me to come visit him and the other Indy bloggers.  I hope we can hang out again!  It was so great to meet everyone - mom and I (and Gammy) had a fun time!

Love,
Payton