!@#$%^&*()_+

This will be the final doggie update for a while.

I phoned the animal shelter this morning as soon as they opened to make sure that Hudson would be dressed and ready when I got out of work.

And the volunteer who answered the phone replied that Hudson was adopted by someone else on Friday. But they have a lot of other cute dogs I could come and choose from.

Heartless bitch.

It's FATE!

Today I got a call from the animal shelter. Hudson is back!! Such crappy timing, as I am leaving town tomorrow. While they won't hold him for me over the weekend, if he's still there on Monday, he's MINE!

The guy I talked to today couldn't explain to me what all the secrecy about his location was, but I don't care. He's back!

How I'm going to find time between now and then to buy him a bed, food and water bowls, a leash, a gate, and something to eat, I'm not sure. But I suppose I can always get those things from the chain pet supply store conveniently located across the street from the shelter before I go to get him.

He apparently did very well at school, and he accepts other doggies now as a fact of life. They said he's learned his name, and how to sit and lay down, heal and walk on a leash, and not jump on people to get attention.

Fingers crossed that nobody else adopts him!

Finally available on FredtheWebsite.com: Picture of Steven's Bar Mitzvah.

This landmark event took place last month. I don't have any pictures of the service, but there are plenty of shots from the luncheon, as well as from breakfast at the Chester Diner in New Jersey the next day.

All in all, it was a lovely event, and the Bar Mitzvah boy man did a fantastic job during a very long service. Here he is (left) with his cousin Ben the morning after.



One of my personal highlights from this trip - and I do mean ONE of the highlights, was the 2008 Mustang Pony I cruised around in for the price of a tiny economy-sized car. No - I'm not planning on buying a car, but it was fun for a weekend, on Route 80, where zooming is just expected.

Some of you have asked about the status of Project Dog. I had decided on Hudson the day he went to Study Abroad. Although I gave the shelter my contact information, it turns out that Hudson isn't coming back to the shelter, and they can't/won't tell me where he is. Since this is a no-kill shelter, I'm not afraid for his welfare, but I am sad I hesitated on adopting him the day we met.

More about Doggies

First things first - I still haven't adopted anybody.

I went back to the shelter last week to visit Hudson, and I'm completely in love with him. He's such a sweet baby. I chatted with one of the shelter volunteers about possible barking and howling, and she told me she's never heard him utter a peep unless he's outside and another dog gets too close. It would seem that Hudson is not a fan of other dogs. In fact, he hates 'em.

Before going to the shelter I invited two other friends to come along and check him out before I made a decision (I'm in love, I can't be expected to behave rationally.) Both of them canceled at the last minute, and so I decided to leave the adoption for another day.

And I did return on Wednesday with reinforcements and found that Hudson was gone! The shelter was too worried about his aggression towards other dogs, and so they sent him for a three week study-abroad to the Southside to attend K9 University. Crushed, I left my business card and asked them to call me when he gets back from his trip.

Lauren, my partner in many crimes, has her reservations about Hudson because as a Hound, he is predisposed to certain traits that might make him less than the best condo dog. And how did she try to help the situation? She took me to the Chicago Dog Show last weekend!

It was a great day, although somewhat overwhelming. So many wonderful dogs - none of them available for adoption. I spoke to people from various rescue programs, loved on lots of dogs, and watched the puppy best of breeds/best-in-show. (Can I tell you how ridiculously cute the puppy toy representatives are??)

Below are a few of my favorite pictures of the day. If you want to see the rest, click the link at the top of the page to see all the pictures I posted to my website. If you want to see larger images and are using Internet Explorer, you can click on the photos and you'll get just that.

I think this little guy is a Cairn Terrier. He's a volunteer dog who visits young children in hospitals.

This guy is a representative from the Bulldog rescue. A few of his colleagues were with him, dressed up in other costumes, but it being so close to St. Patrick's Day, here's a cute little leprechaun:
I think Lauren knows what kind of puppy is - (comment Lauren?) Look at how cute he is! He was going to town on his little toy, flipping out and just being adorable. It was hard to get a picture of him that wasn't blurry.


File this one under "pity". Look what they've done to this Poodle?! He's been shaven and styled, and his ears are in elastic bands!


Love, Love Love. I hugged this dog for a long time and didn't want to let her go. Say what you will about Doberman Pinchers - they are sweet dogs! I was so excited at the prospect of having another Doby (had two as a teen) that I actually called the Doby rescue. Yeah - unless I want the toy version, and I don't, these guys are just too big to live without a yard.

Pre-grooming bad hair day. Although, this could be a picture of me, come July.

So stay tuned - it will be three weeks before I can have Hudson, but in the spirit of trying to find the right dog, I'm still looking. I'm looking with half a heart, but I'm looking.

Doggie Update

Well, the update is that there has been no movement in the doggie search. The weather has just been crap, and the doggie shelter isn't very accessible to public transportation. I suppose if I were compelled to adopt either of the little cuties in my earlier post, I would have just rented a car and done it on Sunday. But I didn't.

Today it would have been very nice to come home to a happy puppy. Even with the blizzard outside, I wouldn't have minded a little walk. It would have been fun to use my dopey puppy voice and to say something else other than, "I'm sorry, I'm not at liberty to comment at this time."

But that's the wonderful thing about dogs, isn't it? As long as you are happy, you can say "no comment" to them, and they like you anyway.

The Search for the Doggie Begins!

It has been ten years since Nikki, my darling and constant companion of nine years died of cancer. An Australian Blue Healer, curious, intelligent, and loyal, she made every day a happier experience.


See Nikki Here

I was heartbroken when she died. I was young, traveling the world and knew that getting a new dog at that stage of my life was not practical. And so I waited. Even after moving back to Chicago I was never really sure I was staying here, and I never felt completely settled. I bought a condo four years ago, but still didn't think having a dog suited my lifestyle.

Lately I've been paying attention to that hole in my heart created by living dog-free. I still don't know where life will take me, but being happy is an important part of being settled. And so, I'm going to get a dog.

Lauren and I took a trip to the PAWS Animal Shelter today, and I began my search.

So far, I am considering Skye - a beautiful Airedale/Collie mix



And Hudson - a very playful hound dog.




Skye has had a difficult life it seems. She's very timid and isn't overly fond of men. This picture doesn't do her justice - she's a graceful girl. She wasn't particularly affectionate, but I think in the right home environment - possibly mine- she'll come out of her shell. She's sweet, she was patient with her younger, extremely boisterous roommate, and was even willing to play with her. Skye showed great curiosity, and she even barks like a lady. According to the shelter, her personality is that of a wallflower:

Shy yet charming canine searching for patient owner with relaxed lifestyle. Looking for gentle guidance to help me come out of my shell. Treat me sweet and kind and I’ll blossom

Hudson is just a love. He's still got some puppy qualities about him, which although adorable, could make him a pain in the tuchas. I sat on the floor with him, and he came right over and brought toys to play with. At one point he had draped himself on my lap. Another concern is his bark. I haven't heard it, but he is a hound dog, and when he does have something to say, the neighbors six blocks down the street will know about it. Hudson's personality is that of a Busy Bee:

I’m a naturally playful, curious, and trusting canine. Take me for a big walk every day; give me something to do. After my job’s done, I’ll curl up in front of the fire with you in the evenings. I’m a dog on a mission to please you and myself.

The one dog I'm not considering is too new to the shelter to have a picture posted. He's a two-month old puppy named Roger. Roger was an extremely affectionate mix of I don't remember what. He is friendly and playful, yet not bubbling over with dopey doggie energy. He still has his pink puppy belly and that wonderful new-puppy smell. He nearly melted me when he crawled into my lap and put his head on my shoulder, his nose against my neck, and showed no interest in moving off. If I could handle the challenges of a puppy this young, Roger would have been an instant pick.

I didn't walk out of the shelter with a dog today, because the rules of this game are that before I can adopt I have to have a 24-hour cooling off period. I fall in love at first sight with most animals, and this, I'm hoping, will help me pick the right dog for my lifestyle in a more logical way. Besides, I'll need time to buy doggie necessities like a bed, food, toys, and bowls. I've already picked out a vet and am investigating dog walkers.

And speaking of toys, please hear me now: although I will allow my dog to remain a carnivore, he or she will NOT be chewing on pigs' ears. So don't bring me any. Got it?