I'm a Chicago pug!

I love Chicago.  I know I've said it before, but after my recent vacation, I feel the need to say it again.  We traveled north for one of my quarterly check-ups with Dr. Podell and decided to stay longer for some fun family time.  Not only were mom and dad there, but Gammy and Gampy joined us too!

The doc's new office is close to downtown, so we stayed there for the first few days...at the Hotel Monaco.  It's a very nice dog-friendly place that has these ultra cool window benches.

We had a great view of the Trump Tower and the Chicago River.  Dad decided that the bench was a great place for a photo shoot.

 

Our first meal out and about in the city was at an Italian restaurant, 312 Chicago.  I got to eat some eggs and potatoes and bananas...and a small nibble of mom's bacon!  Yep, BACON!!  Needless to say, I'd recommend this place in a heart beat!

On the way back to the hotel, we had to stop by Garrett's Popcorn.  While Gammy was inside, dad snapped this photo of me and Gampy.

A trip to Chicago is not complete without a walk down Michigan Avenue, so since it was so nice out (maybe a tad chilly), we did just that.  Mom took this picture near the Water Tower...we even have an impressionistic Thomas Kinkade painting of this tower in our living room because it's a favorite spot of ours.

Anyway, I should get back to the exciting food stories...  So after a bit of shopping at Nike, Columbia, and Eddie Bauer (Gampy needed some new shoes), we went to a small French market called Pastoral.  I wasn't allowed inside (of course), so I had to wait with dad at one of their patio tables.

Anything can be a bolster, huh Sid?

With wine, cheese, and sausage in tow, we headed to Millennium Park for a nice picnic.  Check out these pictures...

 

Before leaving, we had to get some shots in front of the Bean!  And you won't believe what happened...pay attention to the last photo...

As it turns out, dogs are NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE in Millennium Park.  Isn't that just crazy?!?  Dogs not allowed in a park?!?  I tried to tell him that I was not a dog, but a pug which means that I'm practically human, but he didn't buy it and kicked us out!  I guess we should feel lucky that they didn't see me during the picnic.  So if you are ever in town and want a picture in front of the Bean, you better be pretty stealthy!  Gammy took this picture of me, mom, and dad just as we were leaving the park.

So, back to the food.  For dinner, we all went to another Italian restaurant called Coco Pazzo Cafe.  Finally a picture with Gammy in it!  See, she was with us!

Remember how I bark at home for food?  Well, I don't usually do it when we go out, but at this place I came pretty close.  But instead of a full bark, I just got huffy.  It's a bit hard to hear me with the city noise, but here's the video anyway.

So the next morning, in between my bloodwork and the actual appointment with Dr. Podell, we went to a Chicago staple for brunch...Ann Sather's! 

Instead of their famous cinnamon rolls, I only got fruit, which normally I'm happy with, but the smell of that cinnamon was just too much for a pug to tolerate.

Gampy, hand's off until I get some food!  Sheesh!

And it seems as though the day just went down hill from there.  Sure, we went to a dog-friendly custard shop called Scooter's (check out the dog bowl in the pic), but did I get any?  NO!

I was just so depressed from the lack of foodage that I got so sleepy.  Mom and Gammy had to run into Target, so I stayed in the car with dad and Gampy.

Yep, pugs can sleep almost anywhere, in any position.  I'm sure I was dreaming about all the food I missed out on, but I had hopes that things would turn around.  There is more vacation to tell you about, so my next post will be all about our time in the suburbs.  Stay tuned!

Love,

Payton

PS.  My ear is not quite as icky and stinky since changing drops, so I have my paws crossed that I'll have this thing beat soon.  Mom and dad sure hope so because since the infection flared up again, they don't think I can hear at all since I'm not responding to my pill alarms any more.  But don't you worry, I'm just pretending so I can get extra treats and have the ultimate excuse not to pay any attention to them if I choose.  Heehee!

PPS.  I almost forgot...my appointment with Dr. Podell went well.  I think even the good doc is amazed with how great I look and feel!  And we just heard back from him on Friday - my bloodwork is fine (well, ok for me anyway) so we don't need to make any medication changes for now.  YEAH!

PPPS.  Thanks to everyone for their care and concern and prayers!

Won't you share, Gammy?

That frozen custard looks so yummy...with strawberries...can't I have just a little lick?

Oh, Gammy, you are the best in the whole wide world!  I'll give you a lick of my food anytime you want it!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Love,
Payton

Were you ready for some football?

Tiffy and I were!  Yep, that's right!  Miss Tiffy Tippy Toes of It's Tiffy Time invited me (and mom and dad) to her football party on Sunday.

I was in Chicago all last week for one of my routine check-ups and some vacation time with my family (don't worry a couple posts are coming next week as soon as mom can get the pictures organized).  I was super excited to meet my friend in the fur!  As you can see we are in our jerseys ready for football season to start.  Tiffy is a Dallas Cowboy fan, and I am a Chicago Bears fan (of course).  Luckily our teams were not going head-to-head otherwise our relationship might have gotten off to a rocky start.

Tiffy, I hope our teams win!

I can't tell you enough how nice and welcoming Tiffy's family was.  They let me beg for food all day!  Of course because of my dedication to food watch duty, they gave me the nickname of "shark".  Yes, I was circling for unsuspecting prey...and almost snagged pumpkin pie and a sausage.  I will have to improve my skills before my next visit.

Tiffy showed me her beautiful garden, and it was clear how hard she has worked!  I even got to try a couple of her strawberries, and they were just delicious!

After the backyard tour, we went inside because it was getting a bit hot for me.  So we decided to streak naked at halftime!

My mom wants me to say that it was incredibly difficult to get these pictures because we weren't cooperating.  It appeared as if only one of us could sit still or look into the camera at once.  Hey, Tiffy and I were only bonding by giving our parents a hard time.  Heehee! 

Tons of great stuff happened inside too.  Tiffy's daddy gave us some carrots!  And I got to see all the precious keepsakes of Stubby.  He was such a special guy.

AdorableTiffy

And Tiffy is a special gal.  She was so much fun to hang out with.  We have a lot in common.  We both can't see well, but get around fine and use our nose to smell where the food is.  And Tiffy is just so cute and so sweet.  She has a beautiful personality and is so happy to be loved.  She is tiny like my friend Suki, who I was so lucky to meet already.  Tiffy said that she is bigger than Tuni and Tweedles though.  I can't even imagine a pug that small, so I hope one day to meet them in the fur too!

Anyway, I had the best time at the party.  In fact, we all did, so we couldn't leave town without seeing each other one more time.  Tiffy took me out to dinner!  (Our peeps came too.)  How awesome is that!?!

Tiffy is definitely a momma's girl.  I can see why because she is super...and so is Tiffy's daddy!  And I'm not just saying that because they brought a giant bag of carrots to give us at dinner!  They make such a great family, and I was so honored to spend time with them!  Next time we'll have to get more group photos.  After dinner we walked along the store fronts and both of us tried to go in the stores!  Tiffy is a shopper like me.  I think we'll have to do that next time we get to spend some time together, and hopefully it's soon!

Love,
Payton

This one's for the boys...

Hi everyone!  After such a serious day yesterday, I thought I should help to lighten the mood.  A couple of weeks ago, we were on our way to an adventure that I'll have to tell you about later when dad and I decided it was time for a photo shoot.  I think you'll agree that I do my best posing when my dad is behind the camera.  Move over Next Top Model, cause there is a new pug in town!  Eat your heart out boys!

The "girl next door" smile.

Crazy ears.

Double flap-flip with teeth exposure.

Wink, wink.

As you can see, I didn't hold back one bit.  Till next time, boys...

Love,
Payton

PS.  Thanks for all the positive thoughts and prayers for my ear, but please keep them coming.  My infection seemed to be getting much better, but the icky-ness is starting to come back.  I still take my drops for just under another week, but mom thinks a trip back to the vet is warranted.  Sid, you were right, ear infections really STINK.

Learning to swim...part 3

I'm still at it!  If you haven't seen part 1 and part 2, check them out.  I guess I've gotten use to swimming every couple of days or so.  Ok, I'm not in love yet, but the constant treat reinforcement is helping to sway me significantly.

Come on, let's go!
The sooner we get wet, the sooner I get some yum yum in my tum tum!

So now that I've been at this thing for a month or so now, here's an important lesson learned.  Even in 100 degree weather, I tend to get cold in the water after about 15 minutes, so the sun is key.  We took down the gazebo/tent and bought a solar pool cover that really helps to warm up the water.

A kiss from mom before we get going.

Look at those waves in the water!  I'm a fast swimmer!

Am I almost done, mom?

For your viewing pleasure, here's another video of me doing laps.

Tiffy, you are right.  When I have my life vest on, I don't move my back right leg hardly at all.  Which I guess is good so that I give the gimpy left one a full workout.  Mom thinks it is because I tend to roll like a log to my left side, so maybe I need to compensate so I don't tilt too far into the water.  Which brings me to the next chapter in my aquatic adventures.

Well, just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water, mom and dad upped the ante.  Prepare yourselves for some nakedness!!  They decided I should try swimming without the vest on!

Mom, are you sure about this?!?

So now, I present to you, Skinny Dipping:

At first it was totally scary!  But mom never let go.  My backside sinks, so she has to keep me a float.  Our new routine in the water is to start off with the vest on, then get naked for some more intense workouts.  I paddle (with ALL legs) much more vigorously without the vest on so it's really good exercise for my whole body.  But mom and dad do give me lots of breaks in between laps...like this...

I don't mind floating around with dad.  It's pretty relaxing.  But I can smell that cookie in Gammy's pocket.  Gimme!  If you don't, I'm going to splash the camera...

See, Gammy, I told you!

Love,
Payton

PS.  Suki had a great idea for a pug synchronized swimming team!  So, any pug with the pink and white vest like ours needs to send me a picture (my email is on my profile page) with their vest on and my mom will put together our team picture!  Gracie and Minnie Moo, I know that you do!  Anyone else?  And we should use Salinger's idea for a swim cap..."swanky pink with a big honkin' plastic flower on the side of it"!

An evening walk

A few Sundays ago the weather was so beautiful that mom and dad decided to take me for a walk around the block.  I was just getting going after rounding the first turn.

I thought the camera was a treat again.

There was something extra smelly on this tree.  I couldn't get enough of it.  But mom and dad eventually tugged my away.  After rounding the third corner (below), you can tell that the sun is setting even further and it's getting darker.  It's hard to tell in the picture, but I am balancing on the curb with 3 of my four legs.  Sometimes it's better to do a stretch smell than to get too close!

Steady now...steady!

Now after the forth and last corner, it's quite dark...almost too dark for pictures.  But the sky just looks so pretty that I decided to post these anyway.

home sweet home

Come on dad, time to go inside so I can get a treat!

It was so much fun having them both with me.  So many neat smells and yards to explore.  I can't wait for our next walk!  I think mom and dad need the exercise anyway.  Heehee!

I hope everyone is enjoyed the long holiday weekend and had a great Labor Day with family and friends!

Love,
Payton

PS.  My mom wanted me to ask for prayers.  I have a nasty ear infection and am feeling a bit under the weather.  The medication is starting to work a bit, but I could use a little extra healing power.  Thanks for the support!

Chicken drummies...

I have relaxed in the frog legs position (with legs fully stretched out) many a times, but lately mom says I've been modeling the more compact chicken drummies.

You know, all this food talk has me hungry.  Mom, can I have a treat?  I hope everyone has a great, long Labor Day weekend!

Love,
Payton