Howdy Partners!

I'm so happy to be back at the reins of the blog again.  After my mom posted an update on my condition yesterday, I barked in my sleep, face-timed with Gammy and Gampy, and then when dad got home I grabbed a toy and chomped on the squeaker!  My energy level isn't quite back to normal and I have to catch my breath more often than before, but I am continuing to get stronger and feeling better.  I am so blessed to have such great friends, and I know it helps mom a lot to know so many are praying for me.  We will continue to keep you posted on my progress, and I will make sure that mom follows through on promises of extra treats.  Did she think that I wouldn't read my own blog?!?

Without further delay, let's talk adventure!  Some of you guessed right...Texas!

Just to warn you now, this post is going to be as big as Texas.  There is so much to talk about and my mom took a lot of pictures.  My adventure started Wednesday night when I had visitors.  I couldn't believe my eyes when Miss Tiffy Tippy Toes showed up at my door!  Tiffy took a tour of the house, but then we ended up in our usual hang out spot...the kitchen!

After a long drive south to see me, Tiffy was getting pretty tired and rested her pretty face on the table.

Don't you just love this picture of Tiffy with her momma?!?  We all had to get up early to set off for Texas (yes, Tiffy was going too!), so we headed outside for one last potty break.  Tiffy helped me patrol the perimeter, and then we synchronized our poops.  I only mention this because our peeps were excited about our mad skills.  Hehee!

Thursday morning, right after breakfast, we piled into our cars and took off.  Mom thought I'd go right to sleep since I usually do after breakfast, but all the excitement got to me and I wanted in front with dad.   

But I soon calmed down and was actually pretty good in the car.  Must have been because Tiffy brought walkie-talkies so we could stay in touch while driving.  It was a blast!  10-4 good buddy, roger that, over and out!  We are silly girls sometimes and had fun in the car.  I'll tell you what wasn't fun about our drive...cold and rainy!  Yep, it was utterly miserable.  Neither of us would cooperate during rest stops.  I held it in for almost the entire drive.  It's a good thing Tiffy got me 2 cool fleeces because I needed them on this trip for sure!  I will have to model them later, although you will see the pink one in upcoming pictures.

When we were almost at our destination (Dallas/Fort Worth), we broke up the caravan and parted ways with Tiffy and her peeps, but don't worry, I'll see her later in the weekend.

Our destination was none other than Gracie the Agility Pug's house!  And guess who else was there?  My good friend Suki!!  Everyone was waiting at the door to greet me, including Gracie's brother (and Suki's sweetheart), Arnie.  Dad passed out treats right away to make sure everyone would like me.

clockwise from top: me, Arnie, Suki, and Gracie

Lucky for us treat dispensing seemed to be a reoccuring theme at Gracie's house, or maybe it's just that we kept anticipating it which made group photos easy to get.

I also got to meet Levi, one of Gracie's other brothers.  You may see him in the photo above (naked pug to the right).  He is so talented and sneezes on command!  I didn't get to run around with sister Snap (a beautiful boxer), but I was completely mesmerized by her and kept watching her through the gate.

Suki handed out presents.  Look how beautifully wrapped it is, with a homemade picture tag!

I was too preoccupied being at a new place, meeting friends in the fur for the first time, that I didn't open it, but as soon as I feel much better, mom said she will take some pictures because she knows I will love it.  Mom and I, and especially our chauffeur, dad, were beat after a long drive so we called it a night and headed to the hotel.  Better get our sleep with all the activities planned for us.

I was so ready for fun and adventure Friday morning, but the weather was not cooperating.  It has been in the seventies almost all winter in Texas, but the two days we were there it was only in the fifties and was damp and rainy.  Yuck!  But we didn't come all this way to stay inside, so we all ventured out to the Stockyards (where there just happened to be a 1000 Pugs photo shoot) to meet up with a very famous pug.  But first we explored the area and there were plenty of spots for photo ops.

Gracie was so upset she had on a coat that she walked around with her head down.  She made us all laugh.  I don't like clothes either but it was too cold to not wear any.  My dad works for Wells Fargo, and since their logo is a stage coach, we are going to have the last picture framed for his desk.  If the weather had been better, we would have taken pictures with the cows and other cowboy things.  Oh, well.

Soon it was time for the pug party at the Love Shack restaurant!  All the 1000 Pugs crew was meeting there, but since the weather was so bad, the only other pug that joined us was THE PUG!  Mr. Puglet himself, in the fur!

After Pug demonstrated his super modeling poses, he joined us for lunch at the table.  In the photo below, from left to right, Gracie is completely focused on a cup of dressing that she will later spill all over, Arnie is watching dad's hand as he eats nachos, Suki is getting cold, and Pug is utterly depressed that his human is cheating on him.

But soon Miss Amanda comes to join us and tries to make it up to Pug by giving him a hamburger.  Half of one anyway, donated by Suki's mom.

Our jaws dropped to the floor in amazement.  Pug should totally enter an eating contest.  The rest of us finished our lunch at a slower pace and we enjoyed being able to talk and get to know each other.

Gracie and Arnie waiting for a few nibbles of Love Shack chicken fingers.

Soon it was time to head back to Gracie's place.  But mom got a picture with Pug before we said goodbye.

Yeah, I know.  What's up with that?  Shouldn't I have a picture with Pug?  We better remedy that in Milwaukee after my 1000 Pugs shoot!  Sheesh!

At Gracie's house, there was a break in the rain so we all headed outside to take care of business.  And then Gracie and Arnie gave us an agility demonstration.  Suki joined in too.  I guess I was inspired because even I leaped over the 8 inch jump!  I also went through the tunnel, scrunched up though.  None of the peeps had cameras to capture my athletic moments.  My mom always thought that if I hadn't got sick, I would have enjoyed agility and I think she's right.  We were all pretty tired from a long but fun day at the Stockyards so we all found a lap to take a nap.  Unfortunately for Suki, Gracie snagged her mom's lap before she could.

I just love the expression on Suki's face as she looks at Gracie sound asleep!  The 'rents had fun talking the rest of the evening, making plans for the next day, and enjoying a wonderful spread of foodables, while we dreamt about stealing said foodables.

On Saturday, we headed to another 1000 Pugs location, downtown McKinney.  It reminded me, mom and dad of Naperville, IL.  We had a lot of fun shopping.

And posing for a ton of pics that the peeps thought would be so cute and funny.  I should say that I look pretty rough and tough with my pink fleese in these pictures because at this point, dad had my harness under it.  Anyway, before we left, we were so lucky to run into Pug again!

It was time to leave McKinney, but we had another stop to make.  We were invited to hang out with Tiffy and the pugs from The Pugpant Chronicles!  It was a fabulous pug party and so great to meet even more friends in the fur!

Left to right: Tiffy, Annie, Hannah (hiding), Java, Howie, Suki, Arnie, me, and that's Gracie on top of the couch!

When we got back to Gracie's house, my coughing became more frequent.  I won't go into the stuff that my mom already talked about, but I just want to give a public shout out to Suki.  She kept checking on me to see if I was ok and told her mom that she thought something was wrong.  I love my friend Suki for caring so much about me.

Thanks to Gracie, Arnie, and Suki for showing me their great state!  I had a blast hanging with them and also seeing my girl Tiffy, The Pugpant gang, and last but not least, Puglet!  What a weekend this was!

Love,
Payton

Holiday Rewind...New Year's Eve Pugjama Party

After four wonderful nights in the city (including the embarrassing photo shoot and fun carriage ride), mom and dad packed our bags on New Year's Eve morning and checked out of the hotel.  We made a quick pit stop for a picture in the lobby where they were getting ready for the big party that night.

When we got in the car, I was in prime form trying to make my way to the front seat.  I was just so anxious to get to our destination.

Sorry there was so much road noise that you may not be able to hear my "screaming" very well, but here's a video of me begging dad to let me up front and free me from the mean prison guard (mom).

It never works, but that never stops me from trying!  Finally we arrived.  I'll give you a hint before telling you where we were.  Anyone recognize the pink tree I'm posing in front of?

Did I hear someone shout, Tiffy?  That's right!  I got to spend New Year's with cutie Miss Tippy Toes herself!

I was lucky enough to have been a guest at Tiffy's house before for a football party, so I just made myself at home.  Tiffy's peeps are so nice, it was easy.  As you will see from the pictures to come, us pug girls spent most of our time scheming in the kitchen hoping to guilt our 'rents into food and monitoring the floor for crumbs.

How could we not, when Auntie Michele was making some yummy smelling soup?!?  (Don't worry, we conned Uncle Gerry out of some ham!)  After lunch, we relaxed a bit in the living room with our peeps, and Tiffy enjoyed a pretzel bully stick I got her from my earlier trip to Dog-a-holics.

But before we knew it, the sun set and it was getting late.  Time for the party!  The PUGJAMA Party!  Mom and Aunt Michele totally chickened out but Tiffy and I rocked our Pugjamas! 

Tiffy's pair has sea turtles on it!  The pink butterfly set that I'm wearing was one of my cool Xmas gifts from the Southern Fried Pugs!  I kept getting compliments all night about how great my caboose looked in them!  Hehee!

We were having a blast begging for food from everyone.  Tiffy's Guncles were there.  I was so excited to see them.  Mom and dad were shocked that I remembered them, but I would never forget opportunities for food!  I also got to meet the Poodles' peeps.  Tiffy stays there when her 'rents go on vacation.  Uncle Gerry made everyone pizza.  I heard it was delicious but sadly Tiffy and I didn't get any.  I guess I can't complain since we did get a few nibbles of healthier fair.  Hey, food is food, right?!?

Anyway, before we knew it, we were out like a light.  Tiffy was perched on a pillow in the family room and I was on dad's lap.

But dad did wake me up for the strike of midnight and I was none to happy (as you can see by my irritated expression)!

Thankfully we were off to bed.  And in the morning, Tiffy and I got the most awesome snack...BACON!!  Just a tiny bite, but it was heaven!  So after our peeps finished breakfast, we all got ready to watch some football.

Even though the Bears were out of the playoff hunt, Tiffy let me wear her cheer-leading dress so I could root on my team in proper style.

It was so much fun hanging with my girl, Tiffy, that I didn't want to leave!

But mom and dad said it was time to go home, so we hit the road again and made the boring trek home.  I was so tired from all of my adventures that I slept the entire way home...except to have dinner of course!  Thanks to Tiffy and her super nice peeps for all of their hospitality.  Can't wait to see you all again soon!  Oh, and just look what they got me!  A Chicago pillow!  We just love it.  Thanks so much!

Well, I thought I'd be done with the Holiday Rewind after a full 10 days worth of posts, but I have one more for Monday to catch you up on a few miscellaneous things.  Until then, have a great weekend!

Love,
Payton

Trick or Treat?

Well, I'm not sure about all of you, but I feel like I was tricked this Halloween.  My mom kept saying no costume, and then a package arrives in the mail.  I got all excited because it was from my friend Tiffy and her momma, but then we opened it...  And here I am.  A witch.  A candy corn witch, that doesn't even have real candy corn pieces!

I must admit that when I tried it on and got a treat, I started to change my mind a bit about the costume thing.  Well, except for the hat.  I'm not fond of it.  Of course, it did get me even more treatage...actually you won't believe how many nibbles it took for my mom to get these pictures of me!  Anyway, it is a pretty cute getup, huh?  My mom says she changed her mind about dressing me up because of the colder weather and as it turned out, Tiffy's momma bought a costume that was too big for her.  I guess my mom figured since I've been sporting my t-shirts lately that a costume would be the festive way to keep me just as warm.  I am hoping that it gets me lots of extra treats tonight!  Thanks Tiffy, for the costume and the pep talk...I'll wear it proudly and soak up the attention from the trick-or-treaters tonight!

Anyway, as promised on Friday, let me waste no more time in getting to this year's carved pumpkin....TA-DA!

It's a pug!  Didn't my dad do such a great job (especially since we don't have those special carving kits/knives)?!?  So let me show you how I helped him do it...

Yummy!  Look at the size of this orange delight!

It smells so good!

Oh, and tastes even better!  Sid, you totally have to try it!

Dad, shouldn't we just give this thing to mom for cooking?

I am so much cuter!

Before I go, I have to tell you all about a special card I got in the mail.  My first Halloween card!  It is from Mack, of Minnie and Mack's Daily Digest!  *blush*  Isn't he sweet to think of me?!?  I just love getting mail, and I always try to open it myself.

I'm never all that successful, but mom helps.  I made sure she put this right on the fireplace hearth where I can see it anytime I want!

Thanks Mack, xoxo!  

Wishing you all a fun and safe Halloween filled with lots of treats, NOT tricks!  Happy Halloween!!

Love,
Payton