Princess Olive, Queen Mayo, and the Jess-ter

Why you should microchip your pet

2008-06-12T12:52:00.002-04:00

Losing your pet can be one of the most heart-
breaking exper-
iences. One Brooklyn man recently went through the ordeal firsthand, but luckily with a positive outcome:

A dog that went missing from Sunset Park on Monday afternoon was found 60 miles away on Long Island the next day.

The Long Island woman who found the chihuahua took him to a vet, who found a microchip between Boy's shoulders identifying him and his owner.

[Owner] Liu said his dog went missing when he visited a friend's fenced-in backyard and suspects someone picked up the dog "and went the wrong way." As for Boy's health, Pierce said he seems good, "except his feet on the underside seem to be cut up.

In January, a Colorado trucker was reunited with his dog that had run away at a Hudson Valley rest stop. And microchip your pet!

Thanks, Gothamist.

Rainbow pug

2008-05-20T14:43:00.002-04:00

We actually have our bookshelf organized like this thanks to Nat the artist, but I bet Olive would be just as disinterested in the color as the excited pug in the photo.

"bookshelf spectrum, revisited" image by chotda.

Comic pug

2008-05-20T14:25:00.001-04:00

One of my regular go-to bloggers, Cully, has started a new feature based on CraigsList Missed Connections on A Child of Atom. If you're unfamiliar with Missed Connections, it's an area on the CL site that allows strangers to post a description of a random encounter, in hopes that the stranger can find the person they are seeking in real life. Master illustrator Cully (have you seen his Subway Sketches?!) is taking choice posts and illustrating them, and I couldn't help but love his pug in this one:

Update: Cully agrees that his rendering looks just like Olive!

Dog Pedal Parade takes Manhattan

2008-05-19T11:06:00.001-04:00

Over the weekend, a unique sight was seen in Manhattan's Greenwich Village: a parade of bikes, with dogs riding along in spiffy little seats and baskets or running alongside. The event was held to raise awareness of bicycles that can ferry pets as well as the need for more widespread adoption of homeless animals. The Dog Pedal Parade was put on by Time's Up!, a self-described "direct action environmental organization."

Check out the video, which includes some pug cameos and a true jam as its soundtrack:

Thanks, Gothamist!

Because I loved you

2008-04-18T10:36:00.001-04:00

By Sam Brown of explodingdog.

Milkbones beat gourmet concoctions

2008-04-17T12:15:00.005-04:00

New York magazine published an in-
teresting taste test this week that offered some of the city's most decadent treats to some of its most discerning palates. The jury was made up of Gordie, a French Bulldog; Bear, a Saint Bernard; and Chopper, a Boston Terrier (right). The treats included Birdbath’s peanut-butter dog biscuit (two for $1), Batch’s foie gras–flavored biscuit ($2.75 each), Bouchon Bakery’s foie gras–flavored dog biscuit ($2.70 each), and Milk-Bone’s Bacon Chip ’n Cheese Flavor Bakery Bites (~$4.19 for a 14-oz. pack).

Luckily, at least for all us budget-minded folks, is that the Milk-Bone was the overwhelming champion:

Gordy--"The little guy surprised us by coolly sniffing at it for a few seconds and then shuffling over to the Milk-Bone Bakery Bite. He made quick work of it, licking his chops and, with a spirited woof, giving his compliments to the chef. When Gordy declined to eat anything else, we redid the test from scratch, breaking up the biscuits into smaller, Gordy-size bites. But the results were nearly the same. . . "
Bear--ate pretty much all of the treats
Chopper--"Right away it became clear that in Chopper, we had another Milk-Bone-Bakery-Bite fanatic. She immediately took the Cheetos-colored snack and ran away with it."

No, I am in no way affiliated with Milk-Bone!

Image by Stewert Isbell in New York magazine.

Olive chews on an olive

2008-02-06T13:04:00.000-05:00

And cracks us up:

My pet, my child

2008-01-04T13:16:00.002-05:00

From Over-
heard:

Woman: How dare you?! How dare you?! How can you say that? How can you tell my child I don't love him? Apologize! Apologize!
Man: It's a dog.
Woman: How dare you?! Apologize right now!

--Tower Records, E 4th & Lafayette

"New dog stroller" image by iTripped.

Happy Birthday, Olive!

2007-12-13T12:40:00.000-05:00

On this date one year ago, our little Olive was born some-
where in Missouri. Less than two months later, we would pick her out from a group of three puppies. Olive was not too big, and not too "sooty," as Nat describes the grey-black markings on the top of another pug puppy's head. She had just the right personality, too--friendly and curious, but submissive to humans. Just a few short days later, we brought her home to our apartment in Brooklyn. We spent that first three-day weekend playing and snuggling. She was small enough to sleep on top of me--about 5 lbs.

Olive has grown into a rambunctious, social pug who has bad manners but a great, people-loving personality. She has mastered the 8-hour car trip, house training, and off-leash hours at the park. Not to mention navigating down the Cacapon River.

We've had a great time so far with you, wrinkle face. Happy Birthday! Besitas!

(In case you're curious, this is among the most recent photos of the beast, taken at Thanksgiving this year--she's now 22 lbs.!)

"Happy Birthday" image by Will Pate.
All images of Olive by Nat or me.

Cross-posted to She's Leaving Home.

Besitas!

2007-12-11T10:10:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Clover!

Pug-o-ween!

2007-11-05T10:28:00.000-05:00

Hi everydoggy!

Hope you had a fantastic Pug-o-ween...or, Halloween, for all you non-pugs. I dressed up as a beeeeeeautiful Peacock Princess.

Look at my colorful tail.

We did not do much for the holiday, my mommies just dressed me up in this costume and took pictures. I did not like the head piece so I wore the costume with my own creative interpretation...voila! Hoodie-dress! Pug-o-ween = treats

I wonder if peacocks can fly??? This one can!

The costume was also a little, ahem, snug around my tummy. My mothers explained that this was the biggest size and we would have to make do. I am filling out to be quite a voluptuous woman since I will be 1 year old in December!See ya!

My alternate identities

2007-10-25T13:55:00.000-04:00

Winston and Zelda's mom, LMizzle, had a fun meme up recently. Maybe I can convince Mom and jess-nutt to call me by one of these rockin' nicknames:

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car): Piggie Feet

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie): Salmon Salmon Snap

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name): O-Sau

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal): Pink Crocodile

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born): Beso Brooklyn

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first): Sauol

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink): The Green Chicken Stock

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers): Bill Tim

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Meat Jerky

10. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ): Margaret Lynn

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): ?

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Spring Black-eyed Susan

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”): Banana Collar

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Kibble Oak

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”): The Chewing Sunshine Tour

"Nicknames" image by Mohsan.

Olive the model

2007-09-19T16:32:00.000-04:00

Olive is quickly becoming an international modeling sensation.

Check out her shot for Lexie Lew!

Olive's new cravings

2007-09-04T14:44:00.001-04:00

...may soon include this fancy new fro-yo for canines. Via Yum
Sugar:

Developed by The Barking Dog Ltd., Yöghund is a frozen treat made from organic yogurt, bananas, peanuts and spring water. It's currently only available in a few markets, but you can also purchase a pack of four containers online for $5.99.

Apparently I missed the blog's post on the dog ice cream truck.

"On being mean to dogs #1" image by chicken widget.

first day of school

2007-08-29T09:21:00.000-04:00

OH MY DOG! There has just been so much going on in Casa de las Besitas, I can hardly wrap my little wrinkly head around it. These last few weeks have been filled with so many exciting things, and a couple of not so great ones...

Firstly, Aunt Bri gave birth to Beckett Ace, my new cousin and my mommy's new baby nephew! He is pretty cute, I must admit, not as cute as myself, but he seems like a cool guy so far, not that I can judge since I can't play with him yet....but, we'll see! I just know that I am so excited for my Aunt Bri and Uncle Wes and Beckett is making my mommy very happy to be an Auntie. My consolation prize for not being the baby of the building anymore was this really cool new red keyboard squeaky. I love this stuffie and I make beeeeutiful music with it! I must admit, I am pretty talented with the squeaker.

I got my stitches out of my tummy and nose, thank dog, and I am back to my normal self. I went the park last weekend and played with 5 OTHER fawn PUGS (well, one was 1/2 puggle, but I'll let it slide) and although I had such a blast rockin' and rollin' in the dirt with them, I got a little roughed up and needless to say there are some scrapes and nips on my little wrinkle-face...oh well, I'm a tough doggie, and I'll be okay soon...that just means more treats!

The Jess-ter went away on a "busy-ness trip" for a whole 7 days during the week of the birth and left me her whole side of the bed! It was nice to get all of my mom's attention, but I guess I'm pretty happy she is home, too.

Sadly, as of last night, my mommy has started school again. This makes me very sad because I won't get to see her right after work anymore. It is only 2 evenings a week, they tell me, but I am going to miss seeing her right at 6 after my hard day of napping in my crate. She is taking classes so she can eventually apply to nursing school. Whatever that is! Well, hopefully there will be more time for a new routine of blogging in this schedule, but we will all adjust just fine, I hear I get to go to the park this weekend a lot....

What have they done?!?!

2007-08-06T09:55:00.000-04:00

So here I am, chillin' being my usual happy-pug self...

I had no idea what was coming...

until then...

THE VET. Something about an "ovariohysterectomy," and "nasal wedge resection." WHAAAA?!?!!!!

(above: before nose)

(after, post-op nose with stitches.)

(Hi everydoggy! Olive's Mom here. Olive had to get spayed and had nose surgery to help her breathe better. We are all in recovery mode here and will post more when things are back to normal later.)

This stinks, and that's all I can say about the whole thing! I know I get extra attention and I get to be carried a lot (up the stairs) but I have NO IDEA why I had to go through this!!

I have to wear this stoopid cone all the time and I have to take cheese-medicine (Olive, it is good for you and you like the medicine wrapped in the cheese.) Ugggh! I HATE THIS. The good thing is, I also get a syringe of pain medicine...then I feel all sleepy and woozy, and oh boy I can't feel my feet...must, lie, down....goodnight!
(How Olive's cruel Mommies make fun of "cone-head" with a stuffed pug and a lamp shade. HAHA! They were nestled coincidentally.)

How we're paying for Nat's nursing school

2007-07-30T16:33:00.000-04:00

From Overheard:

Little boy: Hey, can I pet your dog?
Man with puppy: You got a dollar?

--Washington Square Park

sleeepy smoooooshy

2007-07-27T10:06:00.001-04:00

sleeepy smoooooshy, originally uploaded by Olive the pug.

I entered this photo into the flickr group Smooshy Faced Dogs, but we didn't get chosen. Hurumph!

The theme was "Best Friends." I love my Jess-ter and loooove sleeping in her tum. Okay, gotta get back to my morning nap.

busy busy bee!

2007-07-10T07:30:00.000-04:00

Hi everydoggy!

Things around here have been so jam-packed busy, I haven't had a chance to blog ONCE since I have been home from my trip to the mountains.

Guess what?!? I'm a TRUE mountain doggy now. I learned how to swim and hike off-leash and generally learn new non-New York dog ways from my other dog cousins, Sophie and Apollo. (Their Dad is my Mom Jess-ter's twin brother.)

My mommies took me on a car trip to West Virgina for the 4th of July, so we were away for quite some time, but now we are back to normal life in Brooklyn...still settling into the "new" apartment.

I tell you, I loooooove the vacation life. I was so into relaxing at the cabin, I didn't want to leave and go back home. Many naps and float trips down the river....ahhhhh....what a life!

I don't know if you doggies know this, but my Aunt Bri is going to have a baby boy in August and I am helping Mommy plan the par-tee to celebrate, which is actually this weekend...Planning the
"shower" has been hard, but fun. I don't know why they need to bathe to celebrate the new baby, or even why they can't take a bath instead, but it is quite the big deal for some hoomans. I get to help Mommy pick out things that look like toys for me for "party favors." Whatever those are. I don't know if I will be able to go to see all my hard work, but I'm sure Mom will take lots of pictures in case I'm not allowed in the bar where it is being held. Yeah, I said bar. Mom's cool like that. I'm getting to be such a grown up doggy, maybe soon she'll let me have some of her beer that tastes so good and cold....oops! Don't tell her I've tried it!

And now, for the PICTURES!!!! Yay, my favorite part!

Here I am with Mommy in the car. I think she was bored. It took us 7 hours to get there, but I was a good sport and only made grimacing faces like this one a couple times during the many, many photoshoots.

Look how happy I am in the mountains! (Mom messed with the colors, what do you guys think?)

Waiting to get the inner tubes ready for the float trip.

Apollo, my dog cousin and the Jess-nutt with the inner tubes.

On the float.

The Cacapon river!

Navigating.

Floating.

Going over a really big rapid!

(Mom's note: It really wasn't that big, Olive. A gentle ride, really. We just had to hold onto you tight.)

Thinking about swimming.

I think the outdoors do me well, don't you?

Family float portrait.

Take 2.

Wearing my lifejacket like a good girl while I swim.

Keep that head up!

Just call me Captain Olive.

On one of our day trips to Harpers Ferry.

Ahhh, how I miss vacation...

I'd be a Golden Retriever

2007-06-18T11:45:00.000-04:00

From Overheard:

Boyfriend: I wish I had a dog.
Girlfriend: I wish I were a dog.

--Union Square

"Union Square" image by Das Bobby 2000.

Goodbye, Mommy....

2007-06-13T10:09:00.000-04:00

I had to say goodbye to Mommy this morning. As soon as I saw the suitcase I knew something was up. She is going to see my uncle graduamuate from high school and visit with her parents in California. I've never been to California. I wonder what it's like....

Anywhoooo, it was awfully mean of Mommy to leave me on this particular day, especially, because today I am 6 months old!

I think that while she is away I will have a big paw-tee to celebrate. Hehe. I'm not really going to be alone, though. The Jess-ter will be around to supervise and provide me with any missing snuggles while Mommy is away... Mmmm...snuggles... (*pug bliss face*)

Have fun on your trip, Mom! I end this post with my back to you... that's how I feel about you leaving me...I'll miss you...

We made it!

2007-06-11T12:03:00.000-04:00

Well, we made it to the new apartment.

It has taken me some time to find the computer, the necessary cords, and actually sit down to blog, but there has been so much going on, I just simply don't have the time. Firstly, let me just say, that living upstairs from my cousins is AWESOME! I get to play with my big dog cousin, Lexie, whenever I want! Well, whenever I bark loud and long enough at the door that connects the apartments...hehe. In this new apartment, another great feature is that I don't have to sleep in my crate anymore at night. I get to sleep in the big bed! Snuggled between my mommies...ahhh....and I must admit, I have been pretty resourceful in my escape techniques to get off that tall thing! No accidents from me, thankyouverymuch...I know where the piddle pad is and I use it in the middle of the night if I have to. :) I'm such a big girl now. That's what they keep telling me.

Look how big I'm getting!

This is my new favorite spot where I sit and watch the birdies.

This weekend was Brooklyn Pride, and so to show my support, I had a fancy sparkly rainbow tank top that I sported to the festival. The parade was at night, so I didn't get to go, but lemme tell you...I got so much lovin' from both the boys and the girls in my snazzy beater-tank.

Well, I must go check on the other animals downstairs now! You know, those two cats really grind my gears...always hissing and swatting at me when I go by...I think its best if we both stay far away from each other which is what we usually do. I'm still working on my chihuahua cousin Gertie. Slowly but surely she is warming up to my charm...she'll be rolling around with me soon enough, I tell you. (Mom's note: Olive, don't get your hopes up on that one. Gertie was an abused doggie and so for a while when she first joined their family, we couldn't even touch her lower back without her turning around and snapping. Her version of playing is a little different than yours. Let's just leave her be and play with Lexie, okay?) But Moooooom, all I wanna do is bother her!

mmm...Artichoke!

2007-05-30T09:51:00.001-04:00

mmm...Artichoke!, originally uploaded by Olive the pug.

I loooove to chew and I looove my cousins' artichoke toy! Ahooooo!

Guess what?!?!

2007-05-26T09:03:00.000-04:00

We're moving!

And I thought I'd help with all the packing my moms have been doing. (That's why they haven't been helping me blog very much lately. Gee thanks.)

We are only moving just down the street, basically. We are moving into the apartment of the new building that my Aunt Bri owns. All sorts of craziness in that place, but nonetheless a great improvement on our current home. I think Mom will like not having to pick so much trash out of my mouth in the new neighborhood...hehee. Oh, also, unlimited playtime with my cousins Lexie and Gertie. I could never get tired of them!! (Mom's note: and laundry in the building, lower rent, and uh, my new nephew who will only be downstairs after he is BORN in 12 weeks or so!!!!!) So, stay tuned for more news on my adventures throughout the move and this beee-utiful Memorial Day weekend (whatever that is) leading up to the move full of nice weather in NYC and.....

packing!

Toodles!

She's crazy, I tell you

2007-05-25T11:03:00.000-04:00

Olive barking loudly

Nat, looking at Olive: Did you just fart and then bark about it?

Jess-nutt: Did you really just ask her that?

Oh, how I'm going to miss her...

2007-05-18T10:32:00.000-04:00

I am at work after dropping little Olive off at her Aunt and Uncle's house for the weekend. The Jess-ter and I are going back to Sm!th for their graduation festivities. I can't believe we were only doing that ourselves last year. Whoa. How time flies. Anyway, we dropped Olive off and she played with her cousins as energetically as she did last night so I'm not too worried about her(we decided on a third preliminary meeting with the cousins Lexie and Gertie last night), but it breaks my heart to be away from her. How do all of you ever part from your little one? It is going to be tough, but only 2 nights away from her.

We say weird things to dogs

2007-05-17T10:11:00.000-04:00

Nat and I will occasionally talk to Olive in a more articulate way than she can probably understand. Often, Nat will try to rationalize with her, for example, and I often talk to her with overly detailed explanation. Seems like we're not alone, though. Lots of people talk to their dogs as if they were talking to another person, though not necessarily in more sophisticated language:

Large black man to tiny dog with hacking cough: I told you three times already: Calm yo'self! --Cunningham Park, Queens
Woman to her two dogs: Sit down... And don't steal anything. --Pet store, Park Slope
Woman to dog barking at passerby: No, that's not appropriate. --70th & Amsterdam
Toothless man on bike to Shih Tzu: You gotta watch out! Have some human food. Eat at a Chinese restaurant. You a classy dog! --10th & 6th

Even more.

"Quick! Gimme that jerky!" image by tanakawho.

White Wonder in Brooklyn

2007-05-17T09:39:00.000-04:00

We've never seen one of these during our walks in Prospect Park:
Olive would go nuts over a white squirrel!

Don't cha just love PINK?!?!!

2007-05-15T10:08:00.000-04:00

Hi everydoggy! Mom finally let me out of my jail cell to blog. I got ahold of the blog and made some adjustments, as you can see. Mommy helped me design my very own header and THEN I was left to my own devices. This is what I came up with. Teehee.

I also have some really LAME pictures no thanks to her. (What? It was Mother's Day already...I don't have to be nice to her anymore. Though, I did send her a card. In the MAIL. Bet most doggies my age can't do that.)

Anywhoo, we went to the park a lot this weekend.I got to meet my Auntie Beth. I put on my best face for her. I ate a lot of my Kong this weekend too. Mom embarrassed me and put up these pictures with it smeared all over my face.
I had a lot of naps this weekend.
Other than that, my mommies had to help at/enjoy the Brooklyn Design Show for Lexie Lew. Here is Brooklyn, where I live. Mommy took this picture when they were there.

Look at their booth! My "brother," Pimento, who looks like me but just sleeps all day and snores when you put his "batteries" in (whatever those are) , attracted a lot of visitors to the booth as he snored away in one of the beautiful dog beds at right.

Today's word of the day is:

2007-05-09T10:07:00.000-04:00

Bothersome.

That's what Mommy says I am, and now that I've used "the google" to look it up, I can't say it is the nicest thing, MOM. Well, the Jesster thought of it too soooooo... I guess I have two mean ol' mommies!! (Hah, yeah right, Olive)

My curiosity and extreme excitement to meet every doggy shouldn't be a bad thing. Anywhoooo, I love going to the park for that very reason. Except for the super wet grass. That is a new thing I do not like about the park. But no matter, I still go to the park everyday and get to explore the neighborhood on the way there as well as some other habitats within it.Ahooo!

I really want to get mommy a fancy camera so she can take pictures of me like Merrylog's blog. But, we'd have to do something called "save." Whatever that means. It could be a great hobby for the two of us and I do like posing. I guess I'd have to get used to the costumes and dress up, though. Hm. Maybe I should re-think this encouragement.

Puggy kisses, Olive

And now the one traditional portrait of Olive at a pug meetup...

2007-05-07T11:36:00.000-04:00

ta-dah!

Mommy is just not very skilled when it comes to capturing the action I provide at the pug meetups, but oh well. Here I am during a minute of stillness at the meetup on Saturday. I must admit, I am a good subway traveller. I only whined once as long as Mommy held a ziggie for me to chew on while I rode in my bag. It is officially too small for me, also. It got a bit cramped in there after a while, actually.

The meetup was in a tiny area that was called a "small dog run", but really it was meant for rabbits, not 12 puggies plus other small dogs that were there anyway! So, there was not as much running as last time, but I did meet about 3 different boy pugs who were around my age and size and we wrestled like crazy. They didn't try any nasty stuff, though. They knew who was in charge. Heh. Like they'd even have a chance.

After the disappointing meetup, we went home and they gave me a bath. It wasn't so bad, but I really tricked them and continued smelling despite the shampoo! Here I am getting in mommy's face to make her smell my stinky wet dog smell:It was okay that the meetup wasn't a lot of exercise since I had already gone to the park that morning. That's right, every doggy. I got to go to the park twice in one day!! My mommies love me and are so nice.

On Sunday, I played with my cousin Lexie and learned how to use their backyard to piddle. I am going to be staying with them in 2 weeks, so we had to get in some practice time before Mommy leaves me along with my crazy dog and kitty cousins! I never get tired of playing with Lexie!

And now some other pictures of me from this weekend. Including one from this morning! You know how I love those early mornings!

Dogs & the cabbies that stop for them

2007-05-06T14:32:00.000-04:00

From Overheard:

"Young woman: Thank you so much for picking me up with my dog! No one would stop for me.
Cabbie: People who love animals love humans. If you can't clean up the shit of a dog, how are you going to clean up the shit of humanity?
Young woman: Wow, that's deep. I totally agree.

--18th & 3rd"

I love mornings!

2007-05-04T13:46:00.000-04:00

I like to wake up really early and get a good start on the day, ya know?

Here is what usually happens:

I wake up Mommy by whining at 5 or so when I have to piddle. I can hold it most of the night, but not the entire night yet since I'm still too little. If I do not get let out of my crate, I won't pee in it, I will simply make so much noise that the neighbors would think there had been an attack in our apartment! I play with my toys and rest for a little longer in the crate until 6. At 6, Mommy and the Jess-ter get all dressed, caffeinated (to go), and loaded up with "gear" for me. I get so excited at this point because I KNOW we are getting ready to go to the park. When I see my harness, I jump up and down excitedly! When they are FINALLY ready, we walk up the hill to Prospect Park. It is about a 15 min. walk so it is a nice workout to get the playing started. I usually cannot control my excitement and tug the whole way. If I'm not tugging, I'm trying to eat garbage, leaves, flowers, or anything else from the ground. (see green thing in my mouth...) My mommies do not like when I do this. Sometimes, there are these really smelly things, and I always want to carry them in my mouth, but mom always says "Don't disappoint your mother" in a tone that is so scary about these particular "butts." I think I heard her tell me that cigarettes are bad and they are the worst things to quit, but I'm still curious and don't understand what that has to do with anything! (Mom's note: it really is terrible to fish out cigarette butts from your dogs mouth when you are a recovering smoker...and they are EVERYWHERE and perfectly Olive sized. BOO.) When we finally get there, I walk on the leash for a little while to get to the meadow. This is where all the doggies get to run off leash until 9 in the morning. On the weekends, it really is like a giant dog run, but on the weekdays, at such an early hour, there are just a few others. (Mom's note: I think it would get a little too intense if it was like the weekends so early in the morning before work! I wouldn't be able to handle it!)

In the park we play with my ball. I play for a couple of throws, bringing it back to them each time, but then I get tired. I just had that big walk, remember? And I am a little pug. That is when I eat the grass and look for good sticks to chew on. Sometimes, if I see another doggy playing a more fun game, I will run over to them and chase them as fast as I can, which isn't much considering they are always big dogs that I am chasing. After a while, we go home, but we never get to stay long enough. Even on the weekends, we have to go back on our leash at 9 so the playing abruptly stops. Today I was soooo interested in a "Frisbee," whatever that is. I had never seen anything like that fly in such a magnificent way! Too bad my moms had to go to work, otherwise I might have gotten that other dog to let me play with her Frisbee.

We walk the 15 mins. back home and then it is BREAKFAST! My favorite meal of the day, of course. It is only superior to dinner because I manage to eat it faster. Then, I play in my crate while they shower and then I lick their legs dry because that is one of my chores to pay my keep. I then lounge around on my bed, usually, until it is time for them to go to work and I have to go back into the crate. I don't mind at this point because I am ready for a nap after all of our early morning activities! Yay mornings!

Olive XXI

2007-05-04T10:22:00.000-04:00

at the park this morning in the early dawn

We finally got her AKC registration and for some reason every time it says her name "XXI" is printed after. I didn't give her a middle or last name, but they decided that she had to have that on the end. Does this mean she is the 21st Olive in AKC history, ever, making it seem very royal and grand? Or, does it mean she is the 21st Olive THE PUG?? Hm... And, also, what if I don't WANT her name to be "Olive the 21st." It makes her sound like a new century-robot or something. New and improved: Olive the 21st.

Pictures! Outside pictures!

2007-04-29T15:06:00.000-04:00

At the park. Ready to play.

Watching other doggies.

At the park...a moment of stillness...mmm...yummy grass...

Yes?

I think it is delicious!

Beer! Mmm....this is the beer that Mom Jess-ter sells!

She is actually wearing her little pearls in this one, though you can't really see them. You CAN see the little pink bow on them, though.

Mmmm.....grrr.r..w.w.w...

Olive loooooooves her Pet Fulltentials Chicken tenders! Yumm-o!

Olive's tail is so confusing

2007-04-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

The Times has a piece today about a study that reports that when a dog's tail wags disproportionately to one side or the other, it suggests specific emotions. If it wags to the left, he or she is having negative feelings, and if the tail wags more to the right, the dog is happy and having positive feelings.

What if your dog's tail is all curly and you can't tell which way it's going?

"curly Q" image not of olive by *kaishin*.

debating this post

2007-04-23T11:55:00.000-04:00

It is really tough for me to try to create a post on this blog without pictures. I just don't see the point. But I suppose, someone might be missing out on the weekend happenings of our little family...

Friday we left Olive at home for the evening and went to a concert. This is one of the first few, real, "grown-up" events that we have gone to since she arrived, but it was just down the block, so not too far. I always feel such guilt leaving her at home when I very well could be spending time with her. This is only because we crate her all day while we are at work. It wouldn't be like this if the guilt from "Oh, but how will you work all day and leave her at home? Poor thing!" wasn't everywhere. Geez, dogs live in NYC with owners that work full-time all of the time. They survive. They are not mistreated, harmed, or abused. They are healthy and loved, thankyouverymuch. I can't STAND people who say that to me upon learning that I have a puppy.

The concert was great, Erin McKeown. She is just so darned cute and fun to watch!

On Saturday morning, Olive woke me up at an unusual 4-something. I think. I was so tired I don't remember. I usually like the early morning time with her. It is just her and I while the Jess-ter puts in her ear plugs and sleeps. Or, at least, tries to. I make coffee and spend some time cuddling or just let her be in my lap doing whatever she wants. Chewing, most likely.

But this morning was just TOO early. I took her outside when it was a little more reasonable of a time. The gay-boy-bar was just shutting down their gates from the prior night (!). After the walk and play session/and or cuddle session, she is awake. Simply, awake. I do not give her breakfast until 7, so that is quite a while to wait. But, she usually does fine and she did fine on Saturday. The weather was what begged us to come outside and play. In my groggy state waiting to give her breakfast I fashioned the bright idea that I would take her to the big park for a play session during the off-leash hours.

I decided that I would take her to the park. The park is a full 4 blocks uphill. This is a lot for a little pug to walk on her second walk of the day. But I thought we'd try it. And I am happy we did. It was quite an idea, on my part, to bring a 4 month old pug puppy to the park where neither of us have ever been, let alone know where to go. I knew the off-leash hours were until 9am, but that was about all I knew. I had heard of pugs meeting on a certain hill, (no, not PUG HILL, that is in Central Park. We were still in our neighborhood of Brooklyn after all) but I wasn't sure when or where that was. So we just went in. I kept her on the leash and we walked in the grass. She enjoyed the sunshine and had a lot of sniffing to do! There were so many new smells and she was very excited. She had no trouble peeing outside eventually (hooray!) and we walked further into the park on various paths until we came upon a valley. The valley extended into the main grass area of the park and it was in this area that THOUSANDS of dogs ran, off leash, so happy to be in the sunshine! A beautiful sight. It was perfect because we didn't know where we were going towards, and then we come to the crest of a little hill and BAM! Doggie-heaven!

I was sort of following some smaller dogs since I wasn't sure Olive would know what to do with all of the big dogs. But since she had her first meeting with her cousins, Gertie the chihuahua, and Lexie, of Lexie Lew fame, I figured she wouldn't do much except let others play with her. She is certainly not very aggressive, more like brave and thinks she is much bigger than she is, but none of those qualities really worried me.

So, I found a good spot and unhooked her leash. I didn't come prepared with a toy or anything, which was stupid on my part since I was all by myself, but I learned and brought one on Sunday when we returned. She ran a little and generally didn't bother any other dogs and they didn't bother her. But then, further up the hill, I spotted the trot. The black face in the distance...another pug!

Through the thousands of dogs, they found each other! "OB-One" was his name. He was a big snorter of a guy and just wanted to stand around until Olive got him to muster up some energy and CHASE her! She got him to bark and really let loose! They were so cute together. She ran circles around us, herding, as she likes to do, and he chased after her for a couple of rounds. I was so excited that she found another pug because as soon as he came over, she suddenly KNEW what to do! Amazing! OB-One's Mom and Dad talked to me about how they play differently than other dogs and it really is true. I thought it was just Olive being young and not knowing how, but it might just be pugs. They have little spurts of really intense energy and then none at all. Too funny! We went back home after an hour so the Jess-ter didn't wake up to us missing. She walked very well on her way home (probably because she was tired!) and we brought the Jess-ter with us Sunday morning! So fun! Sunday was not nearly as crowded because we went an hour earlier, but it was still cool to show the Jess-ter where and what specifically, we were doing during that morning.

I am so glad the weather is finally nice enough to take Olive to the park and have both of us enjoy it! She is learning how to walk much better on her leash, plus learning the off-leash park etiquette. She is growing a lot, too! I am worried she is overweight already, but I think I am going to be forever paranoid about that with the pug breed! The doctor said she was fine last week so I don't have any reason to believe this, but still, I don't want her to be an overweight doggie.

ALSO! In the most exciting news, she can finally go up the stairs in the apartment building!! The inside, steep ones to get to our actual apartment door. She goes up all 2 flights and I still can't believe it! She is so cute when she goes up, too, her round little body swaying back and forth taking each giant step with all of her might! There is a dog run at another playground-type park just down the block. We will be exploring that one this evening after work! I hope she continues to be a good, growing puppy.

Another thing I hate: when other dog owners think that she is too young or little to play nicely. A dog approaches and they sniff each other. Olive's first usual reaction is to jump up on them to get a better view. She doesn't really "jump" as much as place her front paws on their back. Perhaps the owner might not like this and view it as aggressive or unconventional, but it really isn't. She is just very small with funny eyes so therefore would like a better view. The doggies usually begin playing or whatever until they ask, "How old is she?" "4 months." Then they usually take their dog away. What's with that? I know they are being protective of her, that they don't want their big dog accidentally hurting my little dog, but when it is a full grown chihuahua? Seriously? Why do you HATE PUPPIES?? I want to answer any questions from now on with: "5 months." or "4 months, but she's tougher than she looks." or lie and say "A year. She's just a miniature pug." HAHA!

PICTURES!

2007-04-20T10:02:00.000-04:00

As "punishment" for waking up so freakin' early this morning, I subjected Olive to a dress-up session and photo shoot. Here is the evidence of my cruelty:

put on this polo shirt, and look at the treat...

OKAY, since you are being cooperative you can have your breakfast 20 minutes early.

Look at those little buttons!

Awwww...(it is a bit big around her neck, but fits her, ahem, tummy, just fine)

Look! Your KONG matches.

I don't think she has the greatest muscle control in her back legs yet.

Turned out feet in 2nd position!

Close-up and photoshopped

Frozen teething dinosaur stick.

Grainy, B & W

Where I belong...

2007-04-16T11:12:00.000-04:00

I think that Saturday's events have changed me forever. I am a new puppy, everydoggy.

Somehow, after braving the noise that is the NYC subway, I made it to the Upper West Side with mommy for the pug meetup! Waiting for the train was the worst part and I cried a bunch, which caused people to realize that I was indeed a dog, inside a giant pink and gold purse. Once I got on the train, I got very comfortable, rested my head on mommy's arm and alternated between sleep and admiring myself in the reflective silver walls. If only that loud conductor wouldn't come on every two minutes and announce something unintelligable and wake me up! So rude!

When we got there, I walked like a good girl into the park and into the dog run area. This park had a small dog run and a large dog run. The pugs were in the small dog one and as soon as I entered, mommy undid my leash and everydoggy went wild over me! All of the boy pugs did A LOT of sniffing, but I held my own and didn't let them overwhelm me. Then, I ran around and around in fast circles as all of the other dogs chased me! It was so much fun. I loved to be chased! If they ever caught me, I did flips around them and one time I did a double barrel roll on my tummy and got right up afterwards to continue playing! I'm tougher than I look, okay? I loved seeing all of the pugs and licked a lot of smooshed faces. One dog in particular was very nice to me. Her name was Daisy and she was a much older, big girl pug. She would stand on the bench and I would put my paws up with her and she would lean down and we would lick each other! Daisy's mom got some pictures, but we only ever did it for split second intervals so it was nearly impossible to catch on film. Heh. (Mom's note: there would be more pictures, but since I was new to the meetup, I was a little intimidated and not so comfortable whipping out the camera and snapping a million pictures. Plus, Olive was hardly ever still and the camera doesn't do "action" so well...oh well...you can see her "resting" in the shade above.) Daisy and I loved to give each other kisses. I think I was reminded a little bit of my old dog-mommy. After Daisy left, most of the other dogs were gone by then anyway since the train took so long to come and we were late, so we walked the three big blocks over to The New York Dog Shop, which was having a grand opening celebration and SALE!

The walk was so nice. The Upper West Side is where I belong! There is no garbage like in my neighborhood and therefore I walk like such a good girl...Mommy couldn't believe it! They have little elevated boxes around all of the trees so I knew that when I stepped up there, that was where I was supposed to do my business. I peed outside THREE times!!! That is more than I ever have before!

At the shop, I got treats and was passed around to different arms, which I didn't mind at all. I was nice to all of the other doggies, though they would get jealous when their owners wanted to admire me! I eventually fell asleep in someone's arms while Mommy shopped (& drank Cristal!) and when I woke up, it was time to go home! I slept the whole way home on the train as well. I was so quiet that some tourists didn't even know I was in my carrier (which is quite silly, since I had my head out the side) until I started SNORING!

I had a lovely time and now feel more comfortable peeing outside. Generally, after this excursion, I am better on my leash. I guess it just takes practice on my part and patience on mom's.

At the sale, I got some very nice things. A pink polo shirt, a bigger Puppia harness for when I grow out of this one (they were such a deal Mommy couldn't believe it!), this dress, my same black Puppia puffy vest in the next size up, and last but not least, a pink pearl necklace! I think Mommy loved shopping for me with all of the sales. She even stayed (mostly) within her budget! Go Mom!

Look at Olive!

2007-04-13T13:03:00.001-04:00

new toys and some updates

2007-04-12T16:13:00.000-04:00

Hey everydoggy!

It's been a while, but I have just been too busy to post. Plus, mom thinks that if there aren't any current pics of me available for posting, it just isn't worth it, but whatever.

I have been up to so much mischief! Lately, I LOVE to bite. I mean, LOVE. IT. My mommies got me some new toys to hopefully cure me of this, but even though I LOVE my new toys, I LOVE mommy's toes EVEN MORE! Teehee.

So, first, I joined the club and got a loofah dog. A pink one, of course. I really like this one, but I think some stuffing is already coming out after 2 days of good chewing and general ruffing it up. I also got these two Petstages toys. Boy do I love those! This one can be frozen and so it feels soooooo good on my gums and teeth. I'm teething, you know. I like this one for tug-o-war, and I generally am occupied by these toys for a much longer period of time than others. Yes!

Finally, Mom got with the program and actually put something tasty in my pink puppy-Kong. She puts this yummy-tasting stuff that comes out of a can...I think it says something like "Kong stuffer" on it for Puppies...well, I looooove it! The first squirt kind of exploded all over the place so there was a lot of extra to lick up....lucky me! I chewed the Kong for a long time, much longer than usual, without the yummy goo inside. And today I still wanted to chew it! Even after the yummy stuff was gone! Just the residual taste was good enough for me!

Mommy says I have to go to the vet tonight, but I don't mind. Everyone there loves me and they give me sooooooo much attention.

On Saturday I am going to my first pug meetup in Manhattan. Or at least, Mommy and I are trying to go. The Jess-ter is going to some sort of "baseball game." Whatever that is. So she won't be able to help Mommy take me on the subway into the city from Brooklyn. I'm pretty sure I'll convince her to take me anyway, since I am usually pretty good and quiet in my carrier, but we shall see. There is also a grand opening celebration of a dog boutique right near where the pug meetup is! I think my new coat has already gotten a little, um, tight so I want the next size up...What? I'm a growing puppy! This store is where my mommy ordered this coat from online and they are actually opening a real one, so I'm excited. Plus, there is this talk of "sales." I don't know what those are yet, but the way mommy gets so excited about them, I'm sure when I find out it will be great!

Puppy puggy kisses!

some ridiculously cute pictures

2007-04-06T11:22:00.000-04:00

These were taken with the Jess-ter's camera, which finally got fixed and finally got a connector cord. It is much faster than mine. And generally better. She is still quite squirmy to capture on film the way we want her.

Hm...her two mommies did not influence this picture at all. This is one of her favorite toys. Bad Olive! A series on her Lexie Lew bed. Before it was taken away. She likes to try and chew on beer bottles. I guess since they are cold on her puppy-teething gums??! Watching TV.

Another favorite spot to chew. She also barks and scratches at the floor in this area.

what a good girl

2007-04-04T13:54:00.000-04:00

I am convinced Olive's brain is very large. Larger than average for a puppy her age. The Jess-ter does not agree. This morning while waiting for our subway transfer I tried to "prove" to her why I thought she was so smart. I couldn't really gather many examples, but now that I think more about it, our morning makes a nice example.

This morning, Olive woke up with the sun at her usual 6-ish. She always wakes up between 6 and 6:30 because no matter what, those curtains we have are simply not complete black-out shades. This is normal and fine by me. It gives us the right amount of time if we all wake up on her schedule. She began whining, but not badly and no barking. So I let her out, she went straight to her piddle pad, relieved herself and then waited patiently while I used the bathroom for a treat. She might have even been...(gasp!)...sitting! She was then unusually good by climbing onto my lap as soon as she saw her harness. She helped by putting her head through and was very quiet, patient, and cooperative after that while I carried her downstairs to go out.

She left the apartment building on her own. (Sometimes, you have to pick her up for the entry-way part and just place her outside once you are out, but this time she walked right out the door on her own accord!) She walked pretty well, meaning only minor pulling and biting of the leash and eating garbage off the ground and as soon as we turned the corner off of the main avenue we live on, she moved to the side (to the side! the side!) of the sidewalk to do her #2. She had a beautiful little squat in which she did not move all around (i.e. didn't accidentally step in it while she was going) and then moved out of my way and SAT, waiting for her treat! I cleaned it up, gave her the treat, and then she was all frisky and ran down the rest of the block. I'll admit, she wasn't as good after that. She keeps trying to bite her leash as she is walking/prancing!

She walked as far as she could right into the apartment (until the stairs that are steep even for humans) and was happy to lick the Jess-ter when I put her in bed with her to say good morning. She did not bark for her breakfast and when she piddled again she sat right after to wait for her treat! Such a smart and good girl! We are finally getting the hang of this, I think! It really helps that we automatically have a pretty strict schedule due to our jobs and commuting.

When it was time to leave, she could sense that it was time for her to be in her crate from the typical scuffling of last minute bathroom touch-ups, gathering of coats, and assembling of bags. We put all of her toys in her crate with her, I put on my coat, I went into the kitchen to get her goodbye treat, and when I turned around she was nicely sitting in her crate on her make-shift bed! She knew we were leaving and that she had to get ready with us, too! Perfect little girl...

Alas, her extreme intelligence might be due to the fact that she finally has begun to understand this:
doing what they want = treats.

I was reading this article all about schedule-based training as opposed to crate or paper training, and I think we are doing a pretty good job keeping her "schedule-based" all along and we didn't even know it. Harrah!

************************************

And now, for some cute bath pictures from the weekend! Since she is so small and therefore easy to control, she does not give us too much trouble in the bath. This was her first time in the actual bathtub, as opposed to the kitchen sink which we used before.

Fun with Flickr

2007-04-03T15:11:00.000-04:00

I thought this was cool enough to post twice.

This neat program randomly generates any text of your choice using photos in Flickr. Check it:

Who Am I? or, how we're teaching Olive not to know her own name

2007-04-02T09:56:00.000-04:00

Although Nat seems to think Olive knows her name to the point of coming when called, I tend to think it's closer to working only 50% of the time. I don't think we're helping her to learn her name, however, when we call her so many different things! I'll admit my guilt in using the occassional Wrinkle Face or Besita, but I've heard Nat coo the below to Olive, just within the last week!

Little Miss Sunshine
Rotund Rapunzel
Poop Machine
Stink Machine
Stinky
Baby
Furball
Fuzzface
Snuggle Muffin
Rolypoly
Crazy

Besitas: A how-to

2007-03-30T16:27:00.000-04:00

By now, readers have probably figured out that we refer to Olive's kisses as besitas. We know it's not a real word, but we like it. We translate it as "little girly kisses," and we apply the name only to little girly kisses from our little girl, Olive.

As the master of the besitas, I was asked to share my technique. Let me tell you, it is reliable. I can get at least fifty besitas a day, no problem, and when Nat follows it, she has the same success (I'm pretty sure Aunt Judy did, too).

How to Get the Besitas

It doesn't really matter what position you or Olive are in. It's easiest, however, if you are directly above her or in front of her. Get close.
Hold both of her (oh so silky!) ears in your hands, rubbing and massaging them. I recommend a circular motion, with your palms on the front of the ears, thumbs on top, and fingers on the back (see first photo below). Nat has no idea what she's doing when she does this step, and it still works.
Make kissing noises.
Pucker your lips and move your face close to Olive's. She may choose to kiss your nose or your chin, and avoid the lips altogether.
Rinse and repeat.

See photos below for further explanation:

new ears!

2007-03-28T13:57:00.000-04:00

Well, they aren't really new, but they are getting a new shape and standing up taller on their own. Mommy says it is because I am growing, but I think it is because the strong winds on my walks have pushed them back. I don't like the wind. Or the cold.

before
after

Notice the difference? Well, anyway...here is what I do when I am enjoying my belly being rubbed.

I guess I look a little scary with the flash in my eyes and all, but I was yawning and the camera took me off guard! I like to sit like my mommies sit. Also, when I am this happy I sometimes don't know what to do with my much-too-long-for-my-body limbs! So, I put them like that.

Here I am in my crate. You might notice how that pillow is not my new Lexie Lew bed. Well, I really liked peeing on it, (because it is all mine, ya know?) but one day it went missing. What did those crazy ladies do with it?!? In retaliation, I pooped in my crate Monday right before the Jess-ter came home from work to let me out. Heh. That'll teach 'em.

Oh. My. God.

2007-03-26T12:03:00.000-04:00

I went outside.

There were so many new smells and sights and sounds! It took me a while to get used to the harness and leash, but eventually, I get the hang of walking. Well, trotting. I prefer to prance, actually.

But it is so much fun. I chase Mommy while the Jess-ter walks me, or I chase J's pant legs while Mommy walks me, but either way, I like it. I don't like the cold. I don't like the wind. I don't like the wet sidewalk. Curbs scare me. I like to eat leaves and twigs and branches, so without that distraction I prefer to simply do my business in the middle of the sidewalk. I hate waiting in the cold outside the supermarket. Mommy usually puts me in her coat, but I squirm and wiggle so much, I don't stay inside too long.

Also. People love me. I'm serious. People stop to look at me and tell me how cute I am. I usually take this opportunity to stop walking and take a break by shaking everything out.

(Mom's note: She had no problem going poop outside, but the piddles where few and far between all weekend. Even with the little cut-up squares of piddle pad I would put down! Any suggestions for this transitional period? In a city? While crate training?)

My new Lexie Lew bed!

2007-03-25T12:30:00.000-04:00

Here are the pictures of my new bed!

MINE!

Mine. My. New. Bed.

I must appologize for the quality and I hope this in no way reflects the sleek design features of Lexie Lew. The Jess-ter's camera is better than Mommy's, but now that it is finally repaired, the computer cord has been lost....

It sure is comfy, though. I loooooove it! Thanks, Uncle Wes.

And when I pee on it, my mommy simply unzips the cover and is able to wash it right then. Or simply stain/odor treat it, if she's lazy!

what a day!

2007-03-22T11:07:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was such a big day.

First, I got a new little carrier from my Auntie Bri. So Mommy strapped me in and we went out into the cold! I was so scared! It was nice to be able to see out and get cuddled at the same time in this little bucket carrier, but it had a bell that scared me even more than the new noises and smells.

Then, we went into the vet's. There were a lot of people waiting! I sat patiently and ate some treats out of Mommy's hand when I felt comfortable, but there was such a long wait and new people coming in and out with animals and carriers. There was one particular dog that scared me so much I had to hid under Mommy's arm. It was the biggest thing I have ever seen. It's name was Ruby and she was a German Shepard who had eaten some of that bad recalled food. In the "little dog section," away from Ruby, I met an old black Chihuahua in a red coat and a Westie who was very woosy, walking around funny, named Wally. The whole time I was waiting, there was a black cat across the room named Raven, but I didn't really notice her. It was crowded!

The vet was nice to me and said I was a petite pug, and will probably stay that way, but I was growing well and gained 1.7 lbs. I got a shot in my bum and some medicine in my mouth afterwards. I am almost 14 weeks and have had 2 sets of shots, so I can go outside now!! He said my breathing was perfect and much better than last time. Mommy said we were going to wait until the weekend to introduce me to the outside so we could have more time and nicer weather, hopefully.

I also had to try on this horribble "harness" yesterday. I hated it. I know it is pink and soft, but it just bothers me! I want to bit it off and try my hardest to which means I slam my body against the walls of my crate. **Mom's note: um, yeah, we are doing small trial periods with that one...**

When I got home from the vet there was a beautiful surprise for me. A big bed! It is from my Uncle Wes' company, Lexie Lew, and I am too little to be a spokesmodel, but I sure did think it was comfy. I got a lot of attention on this bed and Momma Jess tried to take pictures with her new camera. I hate that thing! I obliged for a little while. (those will be posted later...)

Today i could tell that something was funny this morning. Mommy was running around putting little notes on all of my things. Apparently, my Auntie Bri is coming over to give me my dinner tonight. My mommies were not paying enough attention to me and I could tell they were getting ready to leave me and go to work. So, I decided to pee on my new bed. That'll show them!

the rainbow is gone

2007-03-20T11:12:00.000-04:00

Attempting to fight the blogger widget bull-shit by trying to combine it with my html template did not work. I succumbed to the pre-formatted blogger template. Boo. The other one was splashy and bright and now this one looks plain old dull in comparison, but for all involved, this is probably easier. Especially little Olive. I don't think she could have caught on very quickly to any html commands. She just learned her own name this week.

Olive has been getting much better with the biting and "No!" command. She comes when called by her name (usually) and waits patiently without barking for her food. She always goes potty in the correct spot (the kitchen piddle pad) and is growing and, ahem, filling out a bit.

I cut her nails again this weekend since the first time I did it, I really didn't take enough off, but bad mommy had the frickin' clippers backwards and so I got a vein. She let out a little cry, but no different than the first two cries she had let out the weekend before upon the first two nails, but after a bit she started bleeding all over. She was fine in the end. My pants and shirt were covered in little bloody paw marks which just breaks my heart, but I held a wet paper towel covered in the styptic powder that came with the clippers (thank god!) and eventually she stopped bleeding. It was quite scary and I am very sorry I did it. I'm pretty sure she forgives me, though, since she has been acting fine ever since.

The accidents continued to roll all weekend long. I slammed my right index finger in a car door and took off a corner of the nail. It is better today with a band-aid strategically placed so I can type, but I also gave myself a burn on the wrist making grilled cheese while Jess-ter was sleeping. That'll teach her to never leave me alone to my own cooking devices...heh. This isn't that unusual for me since I am the most clumsy person you will ever meet (I have broken almost all of our graduation present glasses, and we haven't even been graduates for 9 months), but it is particularly difficult when you still have accidents on your hands from the week before. Yeah. Trying to shave the skin off of your pinky...don't try. Washing the knife and slicing the same finger that would be slammed in the car door...not so much fun. I just can't help it.

Tomorrow Olive goes to the vet for another set of shots. I think this set will mean that we can take her outside (finally!), but it might be another 3 or 6 weeks until we can take her to the park. I am seriously so excited about this prospect. (heh...especially since we the closest park we will be going to is Prospect Park...ha!) At night when I come home from work, she is so excited to play fetch, but the apartment is only so long for her to run! She runs all around, in laps, doing "mad dog"to let out that energy which would be the perfect use for the park! She is ready. I can tell. But, we will have to wait for what the vet says.

Last night I had a serious happy-attack. Like giggling with glee happy. I just got so, so, so excited that I finally have a pug puppy like I have always wanted and talked about. It is unbelievable to get what you want and even more unbelievable when it turns out better than you ever expected. I mean seriously, I am in such a happy place in my life because of this puppy and the love around me!

Rachel Ray's Irish Breakfast

2007-03-19T16:23:00.000-04:00

Rachel Ray was ready for our hangovers on Sunday with the deliciously hearty breakfast she was preparing right when it was time to make our own breakfast! So, with a few adjustments the Jess-ter made us (minus Olive) a great, Irish-inspired breakfast:

Fluffy, creamy, cheddar scrambled eggs
Baked beans!! (my addition since I had to go downstairs to the corner market to get milk anyway...I bought the vegetarian version even though Rachel was making hers with bacon)
Toast with honey butter (so simple when you melt the butter first in the microwave and simply pour the mixture over your entire piece of toast...really sop up the mess)
side salad with "Balsamic Breeze" Vinaigrette (a healthier replacement for Rachel's sausage and potato patties...hey, we indulged with the beans and honey butter already!)

I even had tea with breakfast, an unusual choice for my morning beverage (COFFEE!) since Rachel's menu also had a pot of Irish breakfast tea brewing with it.

Delicious!

dinner party?

2007-03-18T10:03:00.000-04:00

Apparently, my mommies had something called a "dinner party" on Friday. All I know is that I got to meet my Auntie Judy and some very new smells were coming out of the kitchen. I thought I was on my best behavior and even posed with that nasty sweater on.

I hate it. I really do. I don't want it on my body. Ever. I guess I look pretty cute, though. I was investigating the camera/giving everyone a close-up.

Here's what the Jess-ter made for Auntie Judy and Mommy:

Sautéed Pork chops in a Balsamic reduction
Harvest Grains including mini red quinoa (!) with onions and mushrooms
Spinach with lemon juice
"Dreaming of Vienna" frozen torte dessert from TJ's....

I bet it was delicious...I'm dreaming of puppy treats....ah...

about us.

2007-03-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

Hi! I'm Olive. I am a 3 month baby girl PUG and I live with my two mommies in Brooklyn, NY. Or at least that's what they tell me and who knows whether or not to believe them...just look how silly they are!

Well okay, this family portrait was taken after a run-in with some Irish Car Bombs on St. Patty's day...BUT...

...I've never actually been outside so I don't really know what Brooklyn is like, but I am sure that soon enough I will get to know my neighborhood and will grow to love it as much as my mommies tell me I will.

My mommy on the left, the dark-haired one, is my real adoptive mommy, Queen Mayo. People might know her as "nat" or "nayonnaise" from other blogs. It was her idea to get me and thus, I am her responsibility. She had wanted a little girl pug baby like me for about 6 years. Took her long enough, but I'm sure glad she waited for me. She works at a desk job in TV advertising with not too much responsibility so she can blog from her cubicle a lot. My moms met at Smith College, where they both graduated from in May 2006. My namesake, the other Olive the pug, lives at Smith. They say I would like it there with all of the smart, wild women on that beautiful campus.

My mom on the right is the Jess-ter. People may know her as "Pickle" or "Jess-nutt" from other blogs. She works in the city like mommy, but she works in marketing for a textbook publisher. All I know is that they sit at desks all day while I nap in my crate! They tell me they have to do these "jobs" in order to pay for my treats and vet's visits. Though, if you ask me, I could take or leave the vet.

So, welcome to our family blog! We are a very kind and loving family...thus the name of our house, Casita de las Besitas. Our own little translation is "the little house of the little girly kisses..." enjoy!