DUFFY'S NEW YORK DIARY

Finally, A Real Snow Day!

2010-02-26T17:15:00.000-08:00

We finally got a regular snow!!! It was supposed to be rain and snow mixed up again, but overnight mom Nature changed her mind and when I got up in the morning the city was covered with lots of SNOW. Mom took me to out to play in it.
(Note: mom is not terrifically adept with the movie function on the camera and also, just to cut her some slack, the camera is defective. So here are a lot of live-action shorts.)

That lab and I had a really good time, most of it unrecorded. Sheesh!

When I came in it was straight into the bathtub for a de-icing. I was fine with the snowball coat, but mom was not to keen on it for inside.

I got to play in the snow again in the afternoon. Wonderful Lisa, who walks me when my mom is at work, has a better camera.

All in all an excellent day!

And I know someone who loved it as much as me (not counting my sissy).

Hope you had a fun time Auntie Ami.

And hope you are all enjoying whatever weather you're having.

Luv,
Duffy

XXXOOO

2010-02-13T13:19:00.002-08:00

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my sweet friends! Many, many hugs and kisses.

And a special smoochie to my friend Max who came to New York for a surprise visit. After he spent a good bit of time with my lovely sissy, Asta, who showed him the town (as only she can), I wanted to show him around my ‘hood. We spent a lovely time walking through the snow in Washington Square Park. And had to duck a few snowballs along the way (those NYU kids!). As we passed the Knickerbocker, a great old Village restaurant, we stopped to listen for a while to the jazz piano player just finishing a set. We took a quick tour through SOHO to do a little window shopping and finished up at Happy Paws Day Spa for one of their special treat plates. A nice ending, I hope, to a whirlwind NYC tour.

Great to see you, Max.

Luv to you all,
Duffy

2010-02-13T13:19:00.001-08:00

XX

2010-02-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

It Snowed!!!!!

2009-12-20T17:06:00.000-08:00

When I got up this morning there was a whole lot of snow! I got up bright and early. OK, not as early as on a mom workday. Stupid plows had already ruined some of the nice drifts, but I found enough snow to play in. The park was beautiful.

I started out by getting right to the bottom of things

and ate a lot of snow in the process.

It wasn't so cold, so I convinced mom that I would be able to navigate drifts better without my coat.

There was a lot of activity in the park.

But I still kept an eye out for any squirrels that might be in the vicinity.

All in all, a very satisfying morning.

Luv to all,
Duffy

It's been a while!!!!

2009-12-13T17:26:00.000-08:00

I's been way too long since I checked in. Mom's fault. Sheesh! (She apologizes to all my friends, so I'm cutting her some slack)
Meanwhile, while I was away in Norf Carolina for Thanksgiving, which you probably read all about on my sissy Asta's blog, I was given my first ever award. Woweeee!!!
It's a Circle of Friends award from Mack and Sally Ann and I'm really honored.

It comes with some requirements, which am happy to comply with:
1. Publish it on my blog referring to the friend who sent it. (Done)
2. Tell five things you like to do.
3. Pass the award on to keep the circle growing.

OK. Here goes:
I love zoomies and can run really fast. I do this especially well with my sissy in the long hallway of her house and at the dog run with my friend Djiga, who is a greyhound and knows something about running.

I like to jump straight up in the air, which I do when I'm happy, usually all the time, but especially when my neighbor friend, Stella is on the other side of our front door. She is such a cutie!.

I like pick up sticks in the park and to eat fall leaves.

I like to eat roast chicken even better.

I like to say a friendly 'hello' to the squirrels in the park (hehehe!)

(The chicken and the squirrels disappeared too fast for a photo. Is anyone surprised?)

I now I would like to pass this award on to:
Agatha and Archie
Maggie and Mitch
Scruffie, Lacie and BabyStan
and my sissy, Asta

Thank you so much Mack and Sally Ann

Luv to all,
Duffy

Thanksgiving wishes

2009-11-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

As you probably know from reading Asta's post, I am in Norf Carolina for the Thanksgiving Holiday. I want to wish all my friends (both four and two leggers) a wonderful, warm, lovingly tranquil Thanksgiving.
Luv,
Duffy

Good-Bye Sweet Snickers.

2009-11-22T12:57:00.000-08:00

Our hearts go out to her loving family.

Friends!

2009-11-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

Meet my morning mates.

This is from left to right: Chanel, she’s one year old and just passed a course to be a therapy dog; Luke, he’s five monfths old and an Australian shepherd; at the end is Clara, a swell Samoyed. Clara isn’t there every morning, but she’s the best sport for letting me bite her ears.

Every morning my mom and my pup’s peeps hang out in Washington Square Park. There is a dog run there, which I go to sometimes at lunch, but in the morning my friends and I hang out in front of the fountain. So we need to be on leash, except for Luke, who comes when he’s called. Mom seems to think I would bolt if I saw a squirrel or another dog across the street. Sheesh! (Don’t tell her but she’s probably right). Anyway, the leashes don’t seem to inhibit our play.

Mom says sometimes we really look like a pack of wolves.

Don’t let that little Luke fool you, he has razor sharp shark teeth and can take care of himself. Besides, he will soon be twice the size he is now, so I better get my licks in while I can.

And mild-mannered, therapy dog Chanel has quite a not-so-tame play personality.

Fall mornings wouldn’t be complete without breakfast. Chanel and I must have cleaned the park of about a bushel of leaves by now.

Enjoy the season!

Luv,
Duffy

Halloween Fun!

2009-11-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

Hi to everyone. I haven’t been around for a while ‘cause my mom was out of sorts. I told her I’d go out and get her some, but that idea went nowhere. Anyway, I’m happy to be back, especially because yesterday was Halloween and my sissy Asta and I went to a Halloween party together—my first one ever. (If you haven’t already, check out Asta’s blog for lots of great pics.)

The whole neighborhood was in a fine, haunting mood. We passed some spooky stuff on the way to the party.

And the whole run was transformed into a spooky place, with ghosts,

witches, bats, mice

and other scary stuff

But the best part were the costumes. Everyone got a picture taken when they arrived.

Here’s a photo of my sissy, Little Red Riding Hoodie, and me the Big Bad Wolf. A great pair if I say so myself. Bet I fooled you with the granny outfit. Hehehe.

Embarrassed as I was to wear the granny gown and nightcap, I have to admit, it was a pretty successful outfit.

And after the party, every dog got a goodie bag with loads of swell stuff.

What a terrific party! Hope you all had a fun Halloween with more treats than tricks.

Luv,
Duffy

A new stuffy playmate.

2009-10-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

Before I begin, let me say that yesterday I was present at the Blessing of the Animals celebrating the Feast of Saint Francis. And I was actually blessed, along with my sissy, Asta, and a gazillion other dogs, some cats, at least one bird, a giant rabbit and two ferrets. Here I am waiting for my blessing. (My mom’s camera isn’t nearly as good as Asta’s mom’s camera, so I refer you to Asta’s blog to check out the fabulous event.)

And now for a few words on welcoming stuffies.

My mom left a new little friend on the kitchen counter. I’m sure she meant to give it to me, but evidently she forgot. It’s obvious from the look of her that this nice looking chx wants to meet me.

Step 1. Look nonchalant and say hello.
Hello! I say, helloooo! Or as Tanner would say, Wassssuuuup!

Step 2. Convince your new playmate that it’s perfectly safe to come on down and play. It may take a bit of smooth talking, but gradually you will instill confidence.

Step 3. Play hard1 Have fun! Life is short. (Not to worry. I have a sissy who is an expert at suwgewy.)

Luv,
Duffy

A VERY SPECIAL DAY!

2009-09-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

It's my sissy Asta's birthday.
YEAAAAY!

She's the best sissy a pup could have. She's smart and beautiful and sweet.

And she's talented, too. She can swim and surf

and play the piano

and dance, too (here with Fergi and Jake).

She has a great sense of style, as many of you who have seen her wardrobe can attest.

And she's a gourmet, 'specially when it comes to ice cream.

Asta's a champion of friends and good causes alike (just look at the right side of her blog). And with everything she has to do, she still takes time to keep a good sisterly eye on me.

Happy Birthday, sweet Asta! I'm one lucky pup to have you for a sissy.

Luv gazillions,
Duffy

Stella

2009-09-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

As most of you will probably agree, playtime is the best. I could play all day. Except for eating time, and of course, nap time

I have plenty of toys to play with,

but I really, really love to play with real live playmates. I have some friends at the dog run that I go to, and I get to play with my sissy, Asta once a week or so. But when it rains, or when my mom doesn't feel like playing, I am really lucky to have a friend right next door that I can count on for some good crazy fun.

Meet my sweet friend Stella!

She's about two monfs older than me and a bit smaller. But don't let her size fool you, she's quite the fiesty pup. We have lots of fun while mom and Stella's mom yak and sip wine.

And they think they're having fun!!!

Luv to all,
Duffy

Off to a rocky start!

2009-09-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

My blog seems to have gotten off to a slow start. Mom had some problems with how to add stuff and change stuff on blogger. On top of that the ‘puter laughed in her face!

Lucky for us Aunt Ami is a Xpert with blog stuff and we went right over to Asta’s house for some tips. That meant that Asta and I got to PLAY. Yeaaaa! After some discussion, we agree on which of her favorite toys I can tear apart.

But mostly we just hang around. I love hangin’ with my sissy.

And now my mom knows how to do some blog stuff better. Hope you’ll still tune in from time to time ‘till we get all the kinks out.

Luv to all,
Duffy

It's about time!

2009-08-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

I just had my first birfday and I thought it was high time I started a blog. Actually, my sissy, Asta -- who anyone who reads dog (and cat) blogs knows -- was the one who thought it was high time. So here goes.

This is how it all started.
Last October, I traveled all the way from Norf Carolina to my forever home in New York City. It was a pretty scary trip as the pilot wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, if you know what I mean.

My human mom introduced me to everyone.

As soon as I found out I had a sissy a few blocks away (well pretty close), I just knew I would be fine in the big city. In fact, I got to stay at my sissy's house every day in the beginning, 'cause my mom works, and I needed to go out to pee a lot in those first momfs. Asta's mom, aunt Ami, was really patient even when Asta and i got a little too "wired". Here's a photograf of my sissy teaching me to wait nicely at the door before tearing through the apartment for some wild and crazy zoomies. On your mark...

Mostly for the past year I've just done what all regular pups do:

Played

Snept

Read the New York Times

All that's history now that I'm all growed up (Except for the Times part. And the play part. OK, and the sneep part, too). Guess I'm just the same now as then, only more mature, hehehe.

Luv to everyone.
Duffy