Poopsie

Every summer my friend Karen and I look forward to our European getaway. We put our pets in the trusted hands of our loved ones and off we go. We always meet so many cute animals along the way while we are secretly pining for our own. In the past Karen has been known to shout out to other people's Yorkies "Bentley!!!".

We had the craziest experience two years ago when we were in Santorini, Greece. We were in the village of Oia (pictured above) and we came across this sweet dog. We stopped and gave him love and as we walked away he started to follow us. As we made our way thru all of the winding alleyways, there he was right at our side. We shopped. He followed us in. We had dinner. He waited outside. We went to a little outdoor wine bar. He came with and laid at our feet. We stopped in a little store and bought a few packs of lunch meat and fed him and about six other dogs that promptly showed up. We walked for what seemed like miles and our friend, who Karen nicknamed "Poopsie", walked with us. As we got to our car at the end of a long day and night to drive back to the other side of the island we had to leave Poopsie behind in the dust barking at us as we drove away.

We were so taken with this dog and his instant bonding to us. We thought it must mean something. We starting trying to hatch a plan to bring him home. He stayed on all of our minds.

We enjoyed ourselves so much in Oia that we went back the next day. As we were taking in the sites we walked to a lookout point and as we rounded a corner, there was Poopsie! We all shouted POOPSIE!!!!! And he jumped up so happy to see us. Poopsie followed us again all day and we left broken hearted again as we had to leave him behind.

We realized what a nice life he must have living on this beautiful island with all of these friendly people to play with. He surely had a home but he roams free all day. He lays in sun, gets lots of yummy food and gets to watch the most beautiful sunset in the world night after night. Talk about a lucky dog......

Grey Gardens Sunday

This was the original trailer for the Grey Gardens movie when it first opened.

Afternoon Project...

Here's Little Edie sporting a sweater she borrowed from one of my teddy bears (!) feverishly working on one of her rawhide sticks. If I'm planning on being gone for a long while I'll give her one of these before I go and that ususally keeps her busy until I come back!

PS - How cute is she in her little striped sweater????

Hey Big Spender.....

If your posh pup likes to shop, then it's time to get the little one his/her own credit card. These Plush Credit Card Toys are available in four fab styles:

Barkingdales, MuttsterCard, Arfmerican Barxpress and Muttsy's Department Store. They are sold separately or as a set of four (one of each style).

Set of four $40 (save $8) or $12 each.

http://trixieandpeanut.com/toys/100141509.html

Frances Albert Friday!

I was missing Frank this morning. Joe called last night and said 'why don't we take Ginger and Edie for a walk in the morning?'. Good idea! So this morning I put Edie in the car and made my way over. As I turned on Joe's street I caught myself slowing down like I always did just in case Wanda was out with Frank and Ginger doing the 'emergency pee-pee good morning' before our long walk. Then I realized I didn't have to worry about that anymore.

When I pulled up in front of the house I set the alarm on my car and waited to hear Frank barking. He knew the sound of my car alarm and would always start barking the minute he heard me set it. Then he would be waiting for me inside and would body slam me in delight then grab my hand with his mouth and lead me to the kitchen for treats. None of that happened today either.

Every inch of the walk is a reminder of Frank and something funny that he did. Then there are all the 'oh, can you imagine if he was here right now' moments. We ran into a really cute boxer and told his owner how cute he and Frank would have played together. We ran into the FedEx guy and he was so upset to hear that Frank was gone.

We cut our walk short today. Ginger was dragging.....and it just wasn't the same without our pack leader, Frank.

Capuccino or 'Expresso'??

Aunt Wanda took Javier back to the vet for a checkup one week after his 'expression' incident. He was put on antibiotics since he had a little infection back there. The vet gave him a gold star today and said he is all better and I don't have to try to shove half a pill down his throat everyday anymore. Phew! They also clipped his nails so he can play with his sister Edie and I don't have to worry about him taking her eye out.

When Jake came home I had a party platter waiting for him....tuna, treats and his crunchy dry food. He was so happy! Then he made a bold move! I caught him sleeping in his sisters bed!!! That was a first and totally hysterical. She just stared at him a little confused but being the good girl that she is, she decided to share and let him sleep there for a while.

Oh and Jake isn't having his 'expresso' alone. Karen emailed me today to let me know that little Cooper was dragging his butt across the floor and she realized he needed to order an 'expresso' too! Talk about timing!!

Sweet Dreams...

.....for the little czar or czarina in your life as they snuggle up in this luxurious imperial bed inspired by the art of Peter Carl Fabergé. A fabulous faux jewel design enhances a foam insulated body covered in royal red velvet, elegantly lined in gold velour. This comfy, handcrafted design was the Winner of the Pet Product News Editors Choice Award for 2004/2005. Approximately 23 inches (58.4 cm) in length x 17 inches (43.2 cm) in width. Recommended for pets (cats and dogs) 15 lbs. and under.

This fancy bed will set you back $295. Is it a small price to pay for royalty or will your pet prefer to be a pauper?

http://www.productsnpith.com/store/ps/fabergepetbed.html

Trouble's in Trouble....

From the NY Post...

It's more money, more problems for Leona Helmsley's $12 million dog, Trouble.

The poor little rich bitch has been wintering in Florida after being targeted by death threats up North, The Post has learned.

Trouble turned tail from the 28-room Connecticut estate where she had been staying after her caretakers received approximately two dozen threats against the petite pooch, who became a celebrity earlier this year after Helmsley died and left her a $12 million trust fund.

The dog - under an assumed name - was flown by private plane with her security team to a Helmsley property in the Sarasota area about two months ago, sources said. A spokesman for Helmsley organization, Howard Rubenstein, declined comment. John Codey, the Helmsley executive in charge of the pooch's trust fund, said Trouble is being well taken care of.

He estimated the cost of her upkeep - including security, medical care and grooming - to be well over $300,000 a year. The Maltese chows down on meals prepared by chefs. Most households in New York City made only a hair above $38,000 as of 1999 and more than 21 percent of families were living below the poverty line - about $13,000 - in 2006.

Helmsley's will called for Trouble to be taken in by her brother, Alvin Rosenthal. But he snubbed the dog, leaving her to be cared for by Helmsley employees at her Dunnellen Hall estate and in Florida. Trouble's penchant for biting people has earned her many enemies over the years, but Codey said he has been astonished at the animosity toward her.

"I think the reaction was really quite bizarre," he told CBS's "The Early Show" last week. "We received any number of threats to kidnap the dog, so that was a major problem for us after Leona passed away."

He said that the 41/2-pound pooch has a rotating security team and used an alias when she flew out of Connecticut. "We've had problems keeping her identity confidential, and we had to change her name even to take her on the aircraft. We called her Bauble instead of Trouble," he said.

Codey doesn't expect Trouble to chomp through her entire trust fund. He said whatever remains after her death will go into

Prickly Situation.....

Abandoned baby hedgehogs are too weak to hibernate

These baby hedgehogs are casualties of the chaotic weather. They should be asleep for the winter - but instead they are nursing their broken bones at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

The RSPCA says its rescue centres are looking after hundreds of abandoned hedgehogs born during the exceptionally mild autumn and who are too small or weak to hibernate. The odd weather has also led to a shortage of their favourite grubs, beetles, slugs and caterpillars. RSPCA wildlife scientist Adam Grogan said: "They need to gain weight before they can hibernate."

FOR SALE: One Useless Cat

Frank's East Coast Nana B. sent me this funny email.

Its the Evolutionary Story for the Day

The Great Dane

The Great Dane is a giant dog that combines nobility with robustness and power with elegance. It has a long narrow head with an accentuated frontal stop and a rather large nasal canal. Its neck is long and muscular and its front legs are perfectly straight. It has muscular thighs and round feet with short, dark nails. The Great Dane's tail is medium-length, reaching to the point of the hock. Its eyes are round and usually dark - with a lively intelligent expression. Its ears are either cropped rather long, pointed, and carried erect, or left natural. Its well developed white teeth must close in a scissors bite. All Danes have short, thick, shiny, close-fitting hair. The color of the coat indicates the variety. fawn, brindle, black, blue, mantle harlequin and sometimes Merle. However Merle is a common result of harlequin breeding, but it is not a recognized color. Black coats and dark eyes, while blue Danes may have lighter eyes.

The Great Dane is a gentle giant. Dignified, kind, sweet and affectionate, it is playful and patient with children. It loves everyone and needs to be around people. The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it. A steady dog, responsible and dependable. Brave and loyal, it is a good watchdog. Because of his giant size, the Great Dane should be thoroughly obedience trained when young so it will be manageable when fully grown. Teach this giant dog not to lean against people, especially children. Some individuals are dog-aggressive, especially with same sex dogs. It is good with other dogs if it is raised with them from puppyhood. This breed may be slightly difficult to train.

Height: Dogs 30-34 inches (76-86 cm.) Bitches 28-32 inches (71-81 cm.) Weight: Dogs 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg.) Bitches 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg.)Dogs of even larger size are more prized.

You Have to Hear it to Believe It.....

Remember I mentioned that Audrey and Frank used to talk on the phone? Here is a voice mail message of one of their conversations that I had saved.......

Anyone care to translate???!

Hot Bitch of The Week!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!!

Set your TIVO!! Tuesday, December 4, 8pm et/pt. Let the reindeer games begin with RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER, the longest-running holiday special in television history. This classic has entertained millions of families since 1964, with the world-renowned musical score from Johnny Marks and the voice talent of legendary performer Burl Ives (Sam the Snowman). RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER recounts the tale of a shy, young reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny red nose has made him the laughing stock of all Christmastown.

Frustrated by their inability to fit in, Rudolph and his friend Hermey, the Elf who wants to be a dentist, set out on their own. However, they soon find themselves pursued by the Abominable Snowmonster. They flee to the island of Misfit Toys in the Arctic wilderness where Yukon Cornelius, a prospector they meet along the way, comes to their rescue. Returning to Christmastown, they learn that bad weather may cause Christmas to be canceled. But Rudolph's headlight--his illuminated nose--saves Christmas by serving as a beacon to guide Santa's sleigh.

I'll make sure to have a box of tissues handy.......this one always makes me cry......

Grey Gardens Sunday

This is a wonderful interview of Al Maysles at Grey Gardens today. It's a bit long but definitely worth watching....

Brrrrr.....

It's cold out there! Little Edie has been shivering in her little Dior boots. I've been lighting the fireplace, layering her bed with blankets and I even put a little space heater next to her bed to keep her warm. Little girl needs some yummy new sweaters to keep snug as a bug. Here are some great new designer ideas if your little one is also doing the shakes....

http://www.burberryusaonline.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1862225&cp=2119969

http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=10395&category_id=200

http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2825801&cp=&f=Home&kw=pup&parentPage=search

http://www.target.com/Leopard-Print-Dog-Pajamas/dp/B0009PM63U/602-1621533-9685458?ie=UTF8&node=166928011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1