Hey peeps. I’m back from my weekend away. I’ve been so busy catching up that I haven’t had time to write to tell you about my latest adventure.

To prepare for my trip, I had a spa day with my bestie Genna.

Don’t ask me what I was trying to reach. I don’t think there was food on the ceiling.

Here I am right after Genna brushed my teeth. I never noticed how freakishly long my tongue is. My cousin Craig noticed. And now I know why my pop-pop used to say he was going to sell my tongue in the deli.

OMG! Now my head looks freakishly big! I look just like those kids from Twisted Whiskers.  I gotta stop taking selfies.

Here I am with Genna after my massage and cuddle. Aren’t we cute?

I was all finished and waiting for mom to come get me. The ladies were  fighting over me. It got scary for a hot minute. The little ones were gnawing on each others’ ankles and climbing over each other to get to me. SECURITY!!!!!! I just can’t help being so darn handsome.

Mom and I left for our trip last Friday morning. First we went to Harrisburg to the League of Women Voters of PA Board meeting. Una Martone, the President of Leadership Harrisburg Area,  conducted a training for us so that we could be good board members and know what qualities are ideal to have when we recruit new board members. I learned so much and now I’m ready to be nominated for board appointments everyone. If you need my bio, email or text me.

Mom and Aunt Marita bunked together and Aunt Rae hung out with them after dinner. Aunt Rae brought me more breakfast bar treats from Doggie Delights in the West Shore Farmer’s Market.  She’s so nice to me. Next time I hope to meet her kids Pooky and Trixie. The big craft show took place at the Farm Show complex and I met so many nice people who went there and stayed at our hotel. Three women had a pajama party in the hotel lobby by the TV and fireplace. They stopped drinking their wine to play with me. I made a move toward a wine glass and they carded me. I hate when that happens!

The next morning while the ladies were at breakfast I pried open our refrigerator door and pulled out Friday’s leftovers. I opened the containers and ate the remaining half of mom’s turkey sandwich and the slice of cheesecake she took home from dinner. She won a free dessert in a contest. She’s so lucky….well, not really because I enjoyed her dessert after I finished my sandwich. Mom came back to the room to pick me up for the meeting before I could scarf down the container of breakfast bars. I was so full that I couldn’t assume my pawliamentarian duties and slept under the table most of the day. I really should stop being a glutton. I pooped green for two days and I didn’t even eat any green food!

Saturday afternoon we went to the Pheasant Field B&B to visit with Aunt Kitty, Uncle Robin and Rehab. I couldn’t wait to arrive. I had a bet with my friend Giovanni that this was going to be no ordinary family. I was sure that Aunt Kitty was a cat, Uncle Robin was well, obviously, a bird, a Colonel AND a bird, and I knew that Rehab was a dog. I wondered about this living arrangement. Giggle snort…..I was wrong. Aunt Kitty and Uncle Robin are two-legged people. Here we are sitting by the fire.I shared my treats with Rehab because my mom taught me that you should share your blessings. They told us that their B&B was a “station” on the Underground Railroad and showed us which floorboards covered the room where the slaves hid. You can see on this map that one route goes right through that area of Pennsylvania. We all hung out for a while and then Aunt Kit, Uncle Robin and mom went to dinner at Redd’s Smokehouse BBQ in downtown Carlisle. Mom said the ribs were stupid good. I don’t know Aunt Kelly – mom said Redd’s gives Rib Rack a run for its money. The rub was awesome and the sauce had a nice kick. I got my sloppy eating habits from my mom so I wasn’t surprised when she came home with barbeque sauce all over her shirt. I was happy to pre-wash. Yup…it was super yummy!

Uncle Robin, would you ask Redd’s the next time you go if they deliver to Philadelphia?

I watched Aunt Kit prep for breakfast even though mom said I was getting kibble. So much for my waffles and bacon. The whole house smelled like cinnamon. I climbed on Rehab’s back to get high enough to look through to the kitchen. She’s a good sport. Don’t tell anyone…..we kissed once when our parents weren’t looking.  Snort….she’s so pretty.

Uncle Robin and mom worked on some Vets Journey Home stuff and then it was time for bed. We stayed in the Country Comfort cottage. Mom and I both loved it and slept so well. In the morning, mom put me in the bathroom and closed the pocket door so that I wouldn’t tinkle on the bed or the carpet.

Mom had breakfast with Rehab. It was so sweet of her to keep mom company. Aunt Kit made a baked apple, cheese strata and sausage and apple hash that mom said was AMAZING! Recipes please Aunt Kit?!

When mom came back to the room – HA! – I showed her. I had opened the pocket door and was looking out the door to our room. It takes a lot more than a closed door to keep me in place. Tio Jonathan calls me Houdini. Maybe I’ll have my DNA tested. It could be possible.

Mom took me to watch the horses have breakfast……….

………and then we went to walk the Labyrinth. In medieval times, the labyrinth symbolized a hard path to God with a clearly defined center (God) and one entrance (birth). Labyrinths can symbolize a pilgrimage where people can walk the path, ascending toward salvation or enlightenment. Mom and I meditated and made wishes during our walk.

We came upon something curious. Uncle Robin, I think you have a bear on your land. This is waaaay to large to be Rehab’s footprint and I know it’s not mine. It’s ginormous. You can see the long pointy claw prints too.

Pheasant Field is so beautiful. We want to go back when it’s not snowing and sit by the lake.

After our walk, mom and I went back to our room and fell asleep. Country Comfort is an understatement. The chambermaid thought something happened to mom because she said she knocked on the door and mom didn’t answer. I keep telling everyone that’s why when mom’s alarm goes off in the morning I have to walk over her a few times and lick her face until she’s awake. She such a sound sleeper. Everyone knows it. You have to throw her out of bed. Uncle Robin, can you hook me up with a bugle? Maybe if I play Revilie in her ear……

The snow postponed our field trip to the Carlisle Barracks, home of the U.S. Army War College. Uncle Robin was going to take me on a 15 mile run after breakfast. Hahahahaha….I hope he planned to carry me 14 1/2 of those miles.

Before we left, Uncle Robin said that I could take home the Pheasant Field doggie dish that he gave me. Now I’ll be able to remember my trip every time I eat. It makes me smile.

So mom and I started our 4 1/2 hour trek home in the snowstorm, 2 1/2 hours longer than it should have been. Fortunately, mom always has snacks for both of us. We heard on the radio about all of the accidents back home (any time you’re ready with the salt trucks PennDOT) and also listened to the Eagles game and an audio book. The Eagles and Lions were playing in a whiteout. The Eagles came from behind to win. Yippee! Fly Eagles Fly! Aunt Teresa called from Fort Worth to tell us about the storm at home. Of course, she was on Day 4 of her captivity because of the same storm that hit them with ice. I haven’t heard from her; I hope she’s out of the house by now. When you run out of chocolate, put on the ice skates and make a break for the closest 7-11.

That’s all the news from here. Happy trails!

Love, Pugsley

*Nana Jay used to say this every time she came home from a trip. I write this in her memory.