Dog Pedal Parade takes Manhattan

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

By Sam Brown of explodingdog.

Milkbones beat gourmet concoctions

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

And cracks us up:

My pet, my child

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!

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!

Thanks, Clover!