YAY It’s Christmas! December is Way Too Busy!

Posted on December 24, 2014 by pugsleysworld

Hi everybody. I haven’t had a second to blog all month. December is stressful. All the pushing and shoving, shopping, crowds and parties. It’s zausting!

I started my month in Harrisburg at the League of Women Voters board meeting. My mom and Aunt Marita went a day early to go to the big Christmas Craft Show and I got to go to Canine Clubhouse for the day. That was so much fun. I played with a little girl named Zoe. Really, she followed me everywhere. All the boys who are regulars there didn’t like that. I think they’ve all been fighting over her and here I came for the day and stole her heart. Get over it boys. I’m Pugsley!

Then something amazing happened. Miss Sadie called everyone to the table for lunch.

Lunch? What’s that?

Zoe told me it’s the afternoon meal.

Whaaaaaaat? Why hadn’t I ever heard about this meal called lunch? I get breakfast and dinner at home. You mean there’s a third meal in the day? I made a note to ask my mom about this in the most stern voice I could muster.

I had seen my mom eat in the middle of the day and I thought it was a snack. Everyone sat at the table and when Miss Sadie came to me I ordered a turkey hoagie and tater tots. The other kids fell over laughing.

I got kibble. It was chicken flavored. Close enough.

When mom and Aunt Marita picked me up later in the day I yelled at my mom something awful. How dare she deny me lunch all these years!

That night a whole bunch of firefighters and EMTs checked into the hotel. They were there for training with FEMA. We watched football and drank beer in the hotel lobby. I wanted to go with them on drills the next day and remembered that I was already booked. I HATE when that happens.

The next day was the board meeting and I had to work. Miss Carol likes to sit next to me. I like that because she’s so smart. In fact, she’s freakishly smart. Like 1,000 IQ smart. Mom and I always hope some of her smarts rub off on us. Miss Sharon was at a conference in Florida. She’s crazy smart too. I just know that if she was there, she and Miss Carol would have had a lady fight over who would sit next to me.

Here I am with Miss Carol. She lets me walk her sometimes. She loves me!

Miss Betty is getting snacks. Hi Miss Betty. Is there anything for me on the table?

Now Miss Susan is jealous. I have to visit with her. These board meetings are such hard work.

That night we saw ladies whom we remembered from last year. They were having a pajama party by the lobby fireplace. They let me hang out with them and drink wine and eat cheese and crackers even though I forgot to pack my pajamas.

Here I am with my friends Karen, Bonnie and Sue from Bellefonte. Oh I hoped my mom didn’t come looking for me. I was a little tipsy by the time the photo was taken.

I told Miss Carol that I wanted to sleep in her room that night so I waited for her to pick me up. It seemed like forever and I was happy to stay with my friends and eat more snacks. I don’t know what happened. Miss Carol never came for me. I’m sure she must have just forgotten. Yeah, that’s it. She couldn’t possibly have not wanted to bunk with me. I went back to my room and hoped that mom wasn’t sleeping yet because I didn’t have a key to let myself in the room.

The next morning mom and I saw the firefighters in the lobby packing up their gear for more training. They all remembered me and everyone was yelling my name and saying good morning. I thanked them for their service and wished them a happy day.

The next day mom took me to Family Pet Resort for their Christmas Party. Mom took my seatbelt off and forgot my leash was attached to it. I ran around the place checking out the other kids and evading capture. I snuck into Santa’s treat basket three times before I was wrangled. Boy was that fun!

I had my picture taken with Santa. I knew he wasn’t the real Santa because he didn’t kiss me. What Santa doesn’t know you’re supposed to kiss the person under the mistletoe?

Family Pet Resort was launching its new Aqua Therapy machine. That’s physical therapy talk for underwater treadmill. It looks awesome.

I got to play with the other equipment. The tunnel is my all-time favorite.

Coming through!

And back out!

And here I am with Jon, who was working with me. He’s a trained physical therapy professional and was very impressed by my agility on the equipment.

While I was there I had a dental exam. I’ll do anything for treats.

And a photo with the Christmas Dog.

Mom took me to Pet Smart for a pawdicure with Anna. There were two girls, a Pekinese and a Chihuahua, getting primped for the holidays. I got a spritz of Eskimo Mist (or was it Eskimo Pie?) cologne. Talk about a lady fight! All that yapping and hair pulling over me. Who can blame them? Here I am looking so dapper in my bandana.

The best day of all was when mom took me to Mr. Todd’s photo studio for professional photos. That was such a fun day. Mr. Todd played with me and let me help with the equipment. We just got the photos back so now we can write our holiday cards. Who cares if they arrive for Groundhog Day? You can’t rush cuteness.

Mom went to Sacred Journeys for a Gazpacho ceremony to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

What mom?

Mom said it’s Despacho, not Gazpacho.

A Despacho is an ancient Peruvian ceremony lead by a shaman (my Aunt Shari). Participants construct an offering of gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (Mountain Spirits). Everyone places prayers into the Despacho. They are prayers to release things that no longer serve them and things that they want to manifest. These prayers are then “dispatched” to the Guides and Spirits when the offering is burned by the shaman. Mom said it was incredibly moving and spiritual.

Here are my Aunt Shari and Uncle Jonathan. They’re wonderful!

Last weekend mom went to Uncles Jerry and Dale’s annual tree trimming/Hanukkah party. Uncle Jerry laughed and said, “Notice that the Goyim (non-Jewish people) have five Menorahs.” The candles didn’t fit into the Menorah from Jerusalem. I guess Uncle Jerry will have to go to Israel and buy candles for next year. That’s an expensive Menorah!

The kids decorated the biggest Christmas tree I ever saw. Look how beautiful it is. With mom’s addition, there are now five Phillies ornaments on the tree. Maybe Santa will get the hint. Mom had a great time catching up with her friend with Miss Ethel, who writes an email every night about Philadelphia sports news of the day. How she’s not depressed and in therapy is another Hanukkah miracle.

Mom hung my stocking last night. I think she’s trying to tell me something. It’s pretty size-accurate. It looks like I’m getting coal again this year. Maybe I shouldn’t have stuck my head into Santa’s treat basket so close to Christmas. I was good all year and I do one naughty thing right before Christmas and I get coal. Humbug!

So mom and I wish everyone a belated Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with blessings, joy and love.

Pugs and Kisses, Pugsley and Mom

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot???

Posted on November 26, 2014 by pugsleysworld

Eeks………gasp……cough……ACK…….snifffffffffffffffffff………………..whoooooooooo………..

Sniffffffffffffff…………….whoooooooooo………..

Inhale through my nose, exhale through my mouth. Deep breaths Pugsley………in and out………in and out………

Pardon me while I ground myself. I was on vacashun for a long weekend at my favorite place – Family Pet Resort while my mom staffed another Vets Journey Home retreat. More on that later.

I don’t mind it when my mom goes away for a good cause like helping our veterans. I DO mind it when I find out that she’s been CHEATING ON ME.

My mom picked me up Monday and I could see that she was really emotionally exhausted so when we got home I tucked her into bed. She proceeded to sleep for the next two days. Of course, she got up every so often to feed me and let me walk her, which I thought was very considerate. I smudged the house a few times to clear out all the residual energy that she brought home. While she was asleep I decided to help her by downloading the photos from her camera. That’s when I found THESE:

Who is this kid and why was she allowed to go on the retreat? AND WHY WAS MY MOM SNUGGLING WITH HER?

MOM! YOU’VE GOT SOME SPLAINING TO DO!

I jumped into mom’s bed and smacked her upside her head.

Mom told me the girl’s name is Tinkerbell and she’s a service dog. I have a lot of clothes and I don’t understand why I don’t have one of those red vests. I want one of those vests so that I can go all kinds of places where mere mortal dogs aren’t permitted to go.

My mom said that I would have to go away for a few weeks of intensive training. I’ve had lots of training and I already take care of so many services around here. I do all the scheduling and filing. I check mom’s emails and take care of her correspondence. How much more training do I need?

Mom said we could talk about me becoming a service dog when I learn “stay” and “come.” I know what stay and come mean. I just ignore them. I’m a free spirit; a freethinker, a nonconformist and a big furry ball of adventure. I like to do my own thing on my time.

Wait…….Will Uncle Colonel Ranger Robin train me? Oh yippee! I’ll get breakfast in bed at the Pheasant Field Bed & Breakfast and I’ll get to hang out with Aunt Kit and my pal Rehab. How soon can I go mom? Mom? Why are you ignoring me again? Mom?

I just checked; mom’s napping again. And I thought I napped a lot!

I’ll look at the rest of her photos.

OMG! I don’t even want to know what this is. My mom is such an embarrassment.

You know that my mom is not allowed out without adult supervision. Who’s weekend was it to watch her? Auntie T? Uncle Mike? Uncle Jonathan? Can’t a kid go on vacashun without his mom acting all cray cray? (Note to self: No Tibetan singing bowl for mom for Hanukkah.)

Mom just woke up again and said she had a wonderful discussion with one of the Army veterans about military canines. He said that dogs don’t feel emotions like humans do.

Really? He never talked to me. My mom told him to come to our house and tell me about my inability to feel emotions. I feel lots of emotions: deep love, gratitude, compassion and happiness. I’m also capable of feeling boredom, anxiety and spitefulness. I’ve been known to jump onto the table and throw all of my mom’s papers and files on the floor. (That’s called filing.) Sometimes I grab for my treats on the kitchen counter, although recently I end up empty-pawed when I do that. Gee, I ate one whole chicken ONCE and needed emergency surgery and all of a sudden the treats are locked up in Fort Knox. Harumph! And I do lift my leg and tinkle on stuff in the house when mom goes fun places without me.

So who says that I don’t feel emotions? It’s my acting on them that seems to be problematic.

My mom told me she met so many wonderful people at her retreat. There are too many people to mention and mom said you know who you are.

HI EVERYONE! I’M PUGSLEY.

Mom sends a special shout out to a lovely lady named Sarah who came all the way from England to staff the weekend. Wow! That’s really far, isn’t it mom?

Mom, can we drive to Miss Sarah’s house in England one day so that I can meet her? Maybe she’ll take me to see the Queen.

What?

WHY DO YOU ALWAYS MAKE NEW FRIENDS WHO LIVE PLACES WHERE WE CAN’T DRIVE TO VISIT?

First there was Aunt Lisa who lives in Australia, then Miss Anna who lives in both England and Ireland and now Miss Sarah in England. It’s just not fair. Why don’t all of these places connect with roads?

What mom?

I DON’T KNOW ANY GEOPHYSICISTS!

Hey mom, who’s this? Mom said this is Breezy and he’s from Wisconsin. He made sure mom knew that his Packers were trouncing the Eagles. Boo Breezy Boo!

Mom wanted to hear all about my vacashun.

I love my resort. I get to play with all the other kids, sunbathe, and I get so much attention from the resort concierges. I’m glad I’m a pug. All the ladies who work there crush on me and whenever it’s my nap time, they sneak into my suite for snuggles. Miss Linda came to my suite to play.

Here I am hanging out in my bed.

Here I am investigating Miss Linda’s phone.

And here I am with Miss Linda.

Hey, where did you go Miss Linda? You cut yourself out of the picture. I can come back and teach you how to take selfies so that you’re in the picture with me.

Mom asked why I’m allowed to snuggle with other ladies and she can’t snuggle with other kids.

BECAUSE I’M PUGLSEY, THAT’S WHY!

MY WORLD – MY RULES!!!

And so you know, I don’t let just anybody into my world. You have to be pretty darn special.

So on this Thanksgiving Eve, mom and I are thankful for all the special, loving, magnificent people in our lives. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day with your friends, family and football. May all your teams win (except you Cowboy fans. Sorry Aunt Teresa that means you!) GO EAGLES!

Cheerio, Pugsley

Mom, I’m learning proper English. Now can we go to visit Miss Sarah and Queen Elizabeth? May I ride on the London Eye? I want to see Big Ben too.

Mom?

Hey mom?

Where did you go?

Is there someplace near us where I can take polo lessons?

I’ll need a pony!

Mom? Moooooooooom………………….

I’m Baaaaaack!!!!

Posted on June 23, 2014 by pugsleysworld

Hellooooooo everybody. It’s me, Pugsley, and I’m back from my vacation. This post is going to cover so many things. I hope you can follow along with me.

First things first. I had sooooo much fun at camp. I played so much and went shvimming and made a new friend named Flash. Some of the kids told me that I was hogging the shvimming pool. No I wasn’t………I love to shvim, especially the pug stroke. I left enough room for the little kids to shvim with me. Every time the big kids jumped in all the water splashed out and they had to refill the pool. Here’s my report card from Family Pet Resort.

My counselor was so great and I love my new friends. I just don’t know why I’m always IT when we play Hide N Seek.

Where did everybody go?

Wait until you see this……..I spent two nights in the Deluxe Villa. One night my peeps and I planned to have Poker Night…..guys only. I told the concierge to let me know when my large extra kibble pizzas arrived. Gus wanted a Pup-peroni pizza so we added a small one to our order. I was finding a ballgame on my big TV for us to watch when my counselor came in to give me my nightly belly rub. I got so many belly rubs! I’m so spoiled when I go there.

The other kids all wanted belly rubs too so that was the end of Poker Night.

My mom picked me up when she returned from her vacation. She was in British Columbia. She went to Vancouver, BC and Victoria, BC. I think they’re near Washington, DC. Someplace, CC must be in between.

Mom said she went through Customs in Toronto. She said she was grilled by two officers and was expecting someone to search her cavities. What did they think she could hide in her teeth?

Mom went to Whistler one day, which seems to have been a waste of time because she still can’t whistle. She also went whale watching. I’m glad she didn’t bring one home. I’m not Goldilocks and I’m not sharing my bed!

Then she went to Seattle for Cousins Sammy and Jarred’s wedding.

Mom said the wedding was so beautiful. Look at Cousin Sammy all grown up. I’m verklempt!!!

Mom said she has lots more wedding and vacation photos. We’ll be going through pictures for weeks.The girls went belly dancing one night. I can’t wait to see that giggle snort. I would do well as a belly dancer because I have a big belly. I hope that I get to choose who rubs it afterward. Just don’t put one of those coin belts on me. I like to dance au naturel!

Hey mom……..why do these cotton balls have faces?

My mom said they’re not cotton balls. They’re my Cousins Pink and Floyd. I know Pink Floyd.

We don’t need no edumacashun
We don’t need no thought control……….

Sigh……..mom just said they’re not the same Pink and Floyd. Oh well. Mom stayed with Cousins Cindi and Scott one night and got to snuggle with the cotton balls and then Cindi and Scott hosted a wedding brunch so mom got to see Pink and Floyd again.

Anyway, I no sooner got home from camp and unpacked when mom and I packed again to go to Harrisburg for our League of Women Voters board meeting. I was out of sorts all weekend because my allergies gave me an ear infection and the Benny Drill made me hyper. It usually makes me loopy and groggy. Not this time….I was what mom called, oh what was that word again? Oh yeah – a LUNATIC. She promised the ladies that my behavior was no reflection on my home training.

I couldn’t help it. I didn’t feel well and the hotel had placed canisters of Hershey’s Kisses on the table. Of course I climbed up and walked all over the table and threw the canisters around to open them. Chocolate makes everything better. Except apparently doggie ailments. I should know. I’ve had my share of induced stomach heaving in my day. Needless to say I didn’t pawliament very well.

WELL WHAT DOES A PAWLIAMENTARIAN DO IF NOT PAWLIAMENT?

Jeez…..my mom doesn’t know English very well.

Auntie Rae brought me a toy to keep me occupied. All the ladies watched to see if I could find the treats. Of course I figured out where my little treats were hiding. I may be a lunatic, but I’m an intelligent lunatic.

After a while I played Hide N Seek like I learned at Family Pet Resort. I don’t know why no one came to find me. I don’t have to be IT all the time, do I?

On the way home, mom and I stopped in Reading to see our Vets Journey Home friends on their retreat. I was all set to circle up with them and they told me it was only for veterans.

HELLOOOOOO people……….what about the 600 canine active duty military and all the doggies who are now veterans?

This is the idea I had last winter and I had to see the retreat in action for myself. Who decided that canine vets don’t have PTSD or emotional issues from their service?

I’m starting Vets’ Pets Journey Home!

I’ll start my own circle. I’ll bet I could get a lot of my friends to join me. I’ll ask at Family Pet Resort the next time I go. I’ll bet Flash, Gus, Max, Boomer and Harley will staff with me. We owe it to our four-legged heroes too to make sure they get welcomed home properly. Who’s with me???????

Back to looking at vacation pictures. More to come………and hopefully I can persuade my mom to let me go to day camp. It’s the best time. If you want to go and need a reference, call or text me.

Love, Pugsley

A BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE

Posted on February 5, 2014 by pugsleysworld

OMG I’ve been so busy the past month. In addition to all of my other duties, I had to nurse my mom who got a virus while she was on vacation. She came home and was feeling icky. I could tell when she picked me up from camp that she wanted to get home and crawl back into bed. Of course, I didn’t want to leave my new friends so I ran in circles in the direction of my suite every time mom tried to put my collar and leash on me. It took her four tries and finally on the fifth one I let her win. I love my mom to pieces and yet I REALLY didn’t want to go home….all that unpacking and laundry I would have to do. Who needed it?

The first thing I did after we arrived home was get the thermometer to see if she had a fever. When I went to take her temperature the way my doctor takes mine, I was immediately relieved of my temperature taking duties. I’m not sure why; I have a gentle touch. It was okay though – one less thing for me to do. I couldn’t take mom’s blood pressure because I DON’T HAVE A STETHOSCOPE OR A WATCH WITH A SECOND HAND! I don’t know how I’m supposed to do my job without the proper equipment.

Mom’s stomach was so twisted – literally. She had intestinal spasms. OUCH! There was one night where she kept running from the bed to the bathroom. I swear I thought she brought up her spleen. I was so nervous that I got the hiccups and pooped on the floor. I put a cold compress on my head and tunneled under the covers. All I could do to help was keep her warm. I sat on her head and then her feet and I wrapped myself around her neck. That’s when she said I was suffocating her. I don’t remember taking the Hippocratic Oath mom!

This virus lasted about three weeks, which is why you haven’t heard from me. I’M BACK NOW!!!! Yippeeeee!!!!

For my first interview of the new year, my special guest today is my mom, who thankfully is feeling much better.

HI MOM!

Hi Pugs!

I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE FEELING BETTER. THAT’S WHY I DON’T RIDE IN AIRPLANES. YOU PICK UP ALL KINDS OF GERMS COOPED UP IN THAT RECIRCULATED AIR. YUCK!

Oh, that’s the only reason you don’t fly?

WHAT OTHER REASON COULD THERE BE? I LIKE TO TRAVEL AND I’M A VERY GOOD TRAVELER, AREN’T I?

You’re an excellent traveler, especially when you jump up from the backseat and smack me in the head while I’m driving. That’s why you have a new shorter seatbelt.

I DON’T WANT YOU TO FORGET I’M THERE. AND I WANT SNACKS. EVERY ROAD TRIP NEEDS SNACKS. IT’S IN THE MOTOR VEHICLE CODE.

Where do you get this stuff?

I READ A LOT.

FIRST LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR BIG BIRTHDAY, WHICH SEEMED TO LAST ABOUT A MONTH. YOU HAVE SUCH GREAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

MOM’S FRIENDS STARTED TAKING HER OUT TO CELEBRATE WAY BEFORE HER BIRTHDAY. ALL MY GIRLFRIENDS – I MEAN MOM’S GIRLFRIENDS – DENISE, JOANNE, FRAN AND CHERYLE HAD LUNCH WITH HER ONE SATURDAY AND THEN COUSINS SHERRY AND FRED TOOK HER TO DINNER THAT SAME NIGHT. MOM ROLLED IN THE HOUSE THAT NIGHT giggle. HER VETS JOURNEY HOME TEAM (UNCLES JONATHAN COHEN, ED THORNTON, ROBB DANN, MIKE HANSON AND DAN CURRAN) HAD A CAKE FOR HER AT THEIR RETREAT AFTER CHRISTMAS. AUNT KATHY RICE COULDN’T BE THERE :(. AUNT RACHEL TOOK MOM TO DINNER ONE NIGHT AND GAVE HER HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, WHICH SHE DID NOT SHARE WITH ME. SHE ALSO GAVE HER COLOGNE, WHICH IS TOO GIRLY FOR ME TO USE. THEN COUSINS MIRIAM AND CRAIG AND OUR FRIEND ROZ TOOK MOM TO DINNER AT LA CASA DI LUCIAS TO HEAR MY UNCLE TONY SING. UNCLE TONY AND AUNT KATHY RADWANSKI GAVE MOM A BIRTHDAY PIN AND A NECKLACE AND UNCLE TONY HAD THE WHOLE RESTAURANT SING TO HER. UNCLE TONY WAS SAD THAT I COULDN’T COME TO THE PARTY. I HAVE LOTS OF SHIRTS, YET APPARENTLY YOU CAN’T BE SEATED WITHOUT PANTS AND SHOES. I’LL HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT FOR NEXT TIME. THE NEXT MORNING, ON MOM’S BIRTHDAY, UNCLE ED THORNTON AND AUNT SUSAN LEONARD TOOK MOM TO BRUNCH AT THE RADNOR HOTEL. OOOHHHH HOW VERY FANCY. MOM SAID THAT WHOLE WEEK WAS A FEEDING FRENZY AND SO YUMMY. SHE FELT SO SPECIAL.

SO MOM, RIGHT AFTER YOU RECOVERED FROM YOUR BIRTHDAY WEEKS, YOU WENT TO LAS VEGAS TO MEET OUR COUSINS AND YOUR FRIENDS. AND I WENT TO CAMP. YAY!

I KNOW WHY YOU PLANNED THIS BIG BIRTHDAY TRIP. MAY I TELL MY FRIENDS EVEN THOUGH IT’S SO PERSONAL AND MAY MAKE THEM SAD?

Of course.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN MY POP-POP’S HEALTH STARTED DECLINING, HE APOLOGIZED TO MOM BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WOULDN’T BE HERE TO CELEBRATE HER BIG BIRTHDAY. HE MADE HER PROMISE HIM THAT SHE WOULDN’T BE ALONE. SHE CHOSE LAS VEGAS BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN THERE TOGETHER TWICE; IT WAS MY POP-POP’S FAVORITE PLACE AND MOM KNEW HIS SPIRIT WOULD BE THERE WITH HER. (PLUS COUSIN SAMMY LOVED THAT IDEA.) MOM WAS AFRAID THAT BEING THERE WOULD MAKE HER SAD AND SHE SAID SHE HAD SOME SAD MOMENTS. THEN THEY WERE REPLACED BY HAPPY MEMORIES AND THE FUN TIME SHE WAS HAVING WITH EVERYONE.

DID I TELL IT RIGHT?

That’s the story.

OKAY SO FILL US IN ON YOUR TRIP.

I met cousins Cindi and Scott and Sammy and Jarred and my friends Fran and Warren Knight for more celebrating. I rang in the new year with Fran and Warren. New Year’s Eve on The Strip was awesome and something that I had always wanted to do. We were out all night and remember, I was on Eastern Time so I was awake for about 24 hours.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

YOU WERE UP PARTYING FOR 24 HOURS? THAT’S NOT THE KIND OF THING A KID NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT HIS MOM.

Oh please. I had only been in Las Vegas for 10 hours. Most of the time was spent walking and we had to wait until the streets opened again to get our car. They sure know how to clean up quickly. You could have eaten off the streets by 3 AM.

HEY MOM, MY BLOG WON’T LET ME UPLOAD YOUR VIDEOS. THAT’S JUST WRONG.

I’m sorry Pugs. You’re the technology expert so you’ll have to figure out how to do it.

MY WORK IS NEVER DONE AROUND HERE! SO THEN WHAT DID YOU DO?

Our cousins arrived New Year’s Day and there was so much eating, walking and laughing going on. We ate at the Rx Boiler room and then saw Michael Jackson One (Thank you Cousins Miriam and Craig!). After the show all the cousins went to Minus 5 Ice Bar.

YOU LOOK SO SILLY IN YOUR PARKAS giggle snort.

Everything is made of ice, even the glasses. -5 wasn’t as cold as I thought it would be.

YOU KNOW MOM, IF YOU WANTED TO BE IN THE ICE, YOU COULD HAVE STAYED HOME IN THE SNOW AND ICE WE HAD WHILE YOU WERE AWAY. ALL OF MY OUTDOOR CAMP ACTIVITIES WERE MOVED INDOORS, WHICH WAS A REAL BUMMER.

BTW, WHO’S THAT GUY IN BACK OF COUSINS SAMMY AND JARRED AND WHY IS HE IN YOUR PHOTO? IS THAT SOMEONE YOU MET WHEN YOU WERE OUT ALL NIGHT DOING GOD KNOWS WHAT? YOU KNOW WHAT, I DON’T WANT TO KNOW. LA LA LA LA LA I CAN’T HEAR YOU!

SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL…DO A LITTLE EVIL ha ha ha snort.

You’re such a sweet and special soul even when you do some questionable things.

LIKE WHAT?

Well, I’ll share with all of your friends how you somehow took a flying leap onto the dining room table this morning, took out the two boxes of microwave popcorn from the grocery bag, tore open both boxes and the plastic wrappers and then gorged a bag of each kind plus a bag of ramen noodles. I found a third bag of popcorn in your bed.

OH YEAH, THAT. DID I MENTION THAT I LIKE THE MOVIE THEATER BUTTER FLAVOR MUCH BETTER THAN THE KETTLE CORN? I JUST CAN’T GET INTO THAT MIX OF SWEET AND SALTY. SOMEONE HAS TO TASTE TEST THESE THINGS, YOU KNOW. AND I WAS SAVING THAT OTHER BAG FOR MY MIDNIGHT SNACK! I LOVE THAT ORVILLE REDENBACHER HAS THOSE COOL POP-UP BOWLS NOW.

OH WAIT. I’M NOT HELPING MYSELF. ENOUGH ABOUT ME…….WHAT ELSE DID YOU DO?

The next day we walked along The Strip and ended up at The Wynn. I loved being in Las Vegas at Christmastime, especially since it was in the mid-60s and sunny every day.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO RUB IT IN!!!

The Wynn was so pretty. These are all fresh flowers.

I WISH I COULD UPLOAD YOUR VIDEO OF THE CAROUSEL. IT’S SO PRETTY.

We stopped at the outdoor terrace for drinks.

WHY DOES COUSIN CINDI HAVE LEAVES AND TWIGS IN HER DRINK?

We stopped along the way to pick twigs and berries in case we got hungry. Silly, they’re not twigs. I think they’re mint leaves.

On the walk back, I recruited some Minions.

I HOPE THEY’RE NOT GOING TO BE MY ASSISTANTS! I DON’T HAVE TIME TO TRAIN NEW EMPLOYEES.

After dinner at Rao’s, we stopped at the Bellagio fountain to see Jarred’s grandfather.

HUH? I’M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS.

His spirit lives there now.

WITH POP-POP?

No, your pop-pop isn’t there.

UMMM…WELL, I’M STILL NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS.

We do and it’s all good. The fountain was the perfect place to recite the Lakota Morning Circle prayer even though it was evening. The words represent the spiritual circle of life and are so beautiful.

I WISH I HAD THAT FOR MY SACRED CIRCLES AT CAMP. YOU COULD HAVE SHARED IT, YOU KNOW.

WOW MOM, LOOK HOW PRETTY THE BELLAGIO WAS DECORATED!

Cousin Scott and I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Isn’t this the prettiest view? I don’t remember the last time I saw a sky that blue. It must have been in the Fall sometime because it’s been cold and gray here for what seems like an eternity.

Nights were filled with more shows and play time and capped off with soufflés at the Eiffel Tower restaurant. Here’s a photo from one of our Eiffel Tower soufflé tastings.

YOU’RE LOOKING QUITE REGAL IN YOUR BIRTHDAY TIARA MOM!

I had such a great time with our cousins and Warren and Fran. And your Uncle Jonathan sent the loveliest heartfelt message to Cousin Sammy who gave it to Cousin Cindi to read to us. I’m blessed to have such love and light in my life, starting with you Pugsley.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR CELEBRATING MY MOM’S BIG DAY WITH HER AND TO OUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES FOR JOINING HER AND TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF HER IN LAS VEGAS. BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU, MY MOM WAS ABLE TO FULFILL HER LAST PROMISE TO HER DAD. WE KNOW HE AND HER MOM WERE SMILING DOWN ON HER WITH SO MUCH JOY. WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

I’M ALL VERKLEMPT NOW. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE REST OF YOUR TRIP. I NEED A MOMENT SO TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES.

Are you okay Pugsley?

YES sniff, gurgle, snort

Are you crying?

NO. I’M A BIG BOY. MY GOOGLY EYES ARE LEAKING BY THEMSELVES. CONTINUE PLEASE.

The day after everyone went home, I went on a tour of Death Valley.

THAT SOUNDS SCARY MOM. I’M GLAD I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THAT TRIP. I WOULD HAVE WORRIED ABOUT YOU.

It was sunny and 74 degrees and beautiful.

YEAH, IF YOU LIKE DESERTED CANYONS, DRIED UP LAKES AND CREEPY CRAWLY THINGS WHO LIVE IN THE DESERT.

Atop Dante’s View

The view from Zabriskie Point

This is called Devil’s Golf Course. It’s what’s left of the salt lakes from thousands of years ago.

HERE YOU ARE MOM AT THE ARTIST’S PALETTE. THE COLORS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

THEN WHAT DID YOU DO?

The tour guide took us back to Las Vegas and I went to see Le Reve at The Wynn, an acrobatic water show, which was magnificent.

YOU DON’T USE THE WORD MAGNIFICENT MUCH SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN EXTRA SPECIAL SUPER DUPER GOOD. YOU KNOW MOM, YOU COULD HAVE WATCHED ME SWIM IN MY POOL FOR FREE. AND IF YOU WOULD HAVE SENT ME TO TRAPEZE CAMP LIKE I ASKED……

Whoa…How cool!

You’re not going to trapeze camp!

Here’s the outdoor fountain where everyone had drinks. At night there’s a laser light show.

LIKE STAR WARS?

Not exactly.

DID YOU HAVE YOUR SPA DAY LIKE YOU WANTED?

Oh yeah. I spent an afternoon at Qua at Caesar’s Palace. After sitting in the hot tubs and the herbal steam room, I sat in the Arctic Room while snow fell on me.

HELLO……….AGAIN, WE HAD SNOW FALLING HERE AT HOME MOM! YOU WENT TO THE DESERT TO SIT IN THE SNOW? I HAVE TO QUESTION SOME OF YOUR DECISIONS. ARE YOU SURE WE’RE RELATED? smh

You’re funny Pugs. You would have loved the buffet at Caesar’s where I ate dinner. I think I ate my weight in dessert. Las Vegas is full of places that make my favorite – crepes.

YUM – A Reese’s Peanut Butter Crepe

During dinner I realized that all day I was waiting for 8:30 to watch the Eagles game. Then it hit me…….that meant 5:30 in Vegas. So I checked the score on my phone and then went to the nearest bar in the casino and saw the 4th quarter.

YOU’RE A REAL DO-DO HEAD SOMETIMES. THE SNOW FROM THE ARCTIC ROOM MUST HAVE FROZEN YOUR BRAIN giggle.

You say the nicest things Pugsley.

There were other Eagles fans at the bar so there were a lot of “boos” yelled proudly as only Philadelphians can. I felt at home.

On my last day there I went to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. There were all kinds of fish:

JELLY FISH

STAR FISH

SWORD FISH

PIRANHAS

WHERE ARE THEIR SHARP TEETH?

I didn’t stick my hand in to find out.

LION FISH

SOME LIZARD THING

SQUIDDLY DIDDLY

SHARK!!!!!!! EVERYBODY OUT OF THE WATER!!!!!!!!!!

IS HE FLYING MOM?

Pugsley, he (or she) is in an overhead aquarium. There were so many more fish in the tanks and stingrays that you could pet. They looked slimy so I passed on the stingray bonding experience.

HOW COME YOU NEVER TAKE ME TO THE AQUARIUM? OR THE PETTING ZOO? OR SIX FLAGS? OR THE CASINO? I PLAY POKER ON YOUR COMPUTER WHEN YOU’RE NOT HOME. COME ON ROYAL FLUSH….PUGSLEY NEEDS A NEW NYLABONE….

So that explains the mysterious charges on my credit card!

WHAT? DID I SAY CASINO? I MEANT SCHEDULING. YEAH, I’M IN GOOGLE CALENDAR ALL DAY LONG.

We’ll discuss this later. Tell me about your vacation.

DIDN’T YOU GET THE MESSAGE I POSTED ON MY BLOG FOR YOU?

I did and it was a wonderful surprise. I knew you would sneak your way onto a computer at camp. I’m going to share what you wrote to me:

Submitted on 2014/01/06 at 8:24 am

Hi Mom!

Its me Pugsley on my vacation at the Family Pet Resort. I am currently hanging out with my “girlfriends” at the front desk. These human ladies just can’t get enough of me! Is it okay if I have more than one human girlfriend? You won’t tell anyone, right Mom? Anyways, I just got done a cuddle session with Linda (my hotel girlfriend). We had a lot of fun! I really like to cuddle all the time, even during play sessions. I hope that’s okay, even though they’re called “play sessions”. Anyways, I need to go back to my suite until group play starts. I need a quick nap before I go hang with the guys in the play yard.

I miss you mom! But don’t worry, I am keeping busy at the resort. This place is always “popping” with things to do…. I think I need a vacation from my vacation.

Love you!

-Me-

P.S. Don’t forget to bring me back a present… preferably food…

Pugsley, you’re the cutest guy. I heard that you were sitting on Steffi’s lap at the front desk. You had everyone wrapped around your paw, didn’t you?

YOU KNOW ME. I HAVE MY CHARMING WAYS WITH THE LADIES.

HEY MOM, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? WE’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERVIEW.

NO!!!!!!!! WAIT!!!!!!!!! DON’T TURN ON THE MICROWAVE WHILE I’M SO CLOSE TO IT. WHAT IF ALL THE MOVIE THEATER BUTTER KERNELS POP IN MY TUMMY AND I BLOW UP?

WHADDYA MEAN “SIT OVER THIS BOWL?” MY BUTT’S NOT A HOT AIR POPPER!!!!

Friends, I apologize; we’re going to have to cut this interview short. It’s good to have life back to normal – my version of normal, anyway.

Until next time……

Love, Pugsley

MOM WAIT. DON’T TURN IT ON YET!!!!

PUGSLEY PHONE HOME

Posted on October 22, 2013 by pugsleysworld

Hi friends. It’s my favorite time of year – Halloween! Mom was staffing another Vets Journey Home weekend. Another six servicemen and women are on their way to finding emotional peace and healing from their service. I love that mom does this volunteer work. It also gave me the opportunity to go to my favorite vacation spot Family Pet Resort. In the summer I go to camp there. I guess you could say I went to boarding school this time.

Saturday was the big Halloween costume party. Many of you heard mom say that she sent me with my costume that we kept very secret until I revealed it. All I’m saying is GUESS WHO WON FIRST PRIZE??????

I guess you all know by now that I’m a pug. In addition to being extremely cute and cuddly, we also resemble a famous movie star from the 80s. Remember when Gertie dressed ET as her doll so her mom wouldn’t find out about him? In case you forgot, here he is:

My costume didn’t exactly turn out as planned. I updated it with some funky blue streaks in my hair. Mom says I look more like ET meets the Bride of Frankenstein. I’m sitting in the pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin to bring toys to all the good boys and girls. Hey look – there’s Linus.

I don’t care that I don’t look exactly like ET. My dress is so much prettier than his. You can’t see it because my hair is covering it. Here’s a closeup. I’m very comfortable with my feminine side.

And here I am with my prize. There’s so much cool stuff in the basket: food, treats, toys, a bowl, cologne….and the best part is that I won two nights in the Deluxe Villa and playtime. The villa is the one with the big bed and flatscreen TV. I’m so happy.

Wow, my prize basket is bigger than I am!

Mom never splurges for the villa. She says I watch too much TV at home. I missed three episodes of Dog With A Blog over the weekend. And speaking of….I had my blog first, mine is funnier and I deserve my own TV show. HEY DISNEY – CHECK OUT MY BLOG!

I love all my teachers at Family Pet Resort. My report card said I was the teacher’s pet. I keep telling mom that I’m secure in my power and it’s much more fun to be in charge than to join in. I excelled at sunbathing and hanging with the humans to watch over the other kids and make sure no one got hurt. We pugs are born to snuggle with two-legged people, not four legged ones.

Mom entered my photo in the Blue Buffalo Halloween contest. Please vote for me here until Halloween and share it on your Facebook and Twitter feeds please.

Well, I gotta go for now. Stay tuned for more about mom’s Vets Journey Home weekend when I can debrief her. I have some ideas of my own that I’d like to share.

Happy Howloween, Pugsley

pugsleysworld

I'm Pugsley and Welcome to My World

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