Let me start by saying that most of the time my dad is an okay dude, but he can also be a total bozo. Well, this weekend he must have been in bozo-mode because somehow he only managed to snap TWO photos of all the crazy adventures that occurred. So you’ll have to use your imagination to fill in the rest. Actually that might be better because in your imagination there’s like unlimited baby carrots, so you go ahead and imagine that first. OMP, all those baby carrots! Ok, now back to imagining the weekend adventures of Sid the Pug.

Here’s what went down:

First, my dad got a rental car because we were going to be visiting my dad’s sister in the ‘burbs (it was her B-day this weekend). I love me a good road trip and this one, while not quite on par with a multi-day cross-country journey (which I’ve done TWICE now) this was still pretty fun.

In order to prevent my luxurious fawn pug fur from getting all over the black interior of the car, dad made me ride in my travel bag – which I didn’t mind one bit. I’ve ridden practically everywhere in that thing (buses, planes, trains, and even IKEA – more about that last one in a minute). It’s a little tricky getting your head propped up in the most ideal way (why there is no bolster inside the bag is beyond my comprehension), but after attempting like 15 different positions I found one that worked.

When we arrived in the ‘burbs, I got to go for a long walk with dad and my grandma in Bemis Woods. The weather was amazing – there was snow on the ground, the sun was shining brightly, and the temperature was mild. Even though we hiked for like an hour and a half, bozo only managed to get one photo:

After the hike, I took a nap while dad, my aunt, and everyone else all went out to dinner. I was a little ticked that they didn’t bring me along so I took a poop inside the house (that’ll learn ’em not to bring me home leftovers!).

Dad and I started on our journey home but made a quick detour at a huge building called IKEA. I’m actually kinda glad there aren’t any photos from this place because it was WEIRD and kinda freaked me out! They don’t technically allow dogs inside so my dad thought he’d be covert and bring me inside in my travel bag since I guess it looks just like some normal bag that humans carry around their human junk in.

There must have been thousands of people inside this place. The mesh panels on my travel bag obscured my vision a bit, but I could still see all the people slowly walking in a line together through a maze of chairs, beds, and giant wooden things named “TOBO” and “LIATORP”. The people were so busy looking at all that stuff that no one even noticed that there was a pug in their presence! Thank goodness dad knew exactly what he was picking up so we zipped through there pretty quickly.

I was happy to get back in the car, unzip the lid of my travel bag, and perch my head up top for a nice relaxing snooze on the ride home.

Sid has been nagging me to change the masthead for a while now.

He said the background of hundreds of baby carrots was a mixed blessing. Yes, he LOVES baby carrots, but he said he couldn’t stand to visit the blog because it always made him insanely hungry (I suspect a few of you other pug readers felt the same way). So we decided to go with our original vision of changing the masthead along with the seasons.

We headed to Winnemac Park to get an outdoor photo that would capture the season and arctic temps we’ve been having. Much to our dismay the weekend we picked was snowless so the photos failed to convey the “dead of winter” concept (but at least this masthead won’t seem out of place come April, right?).

The lack of snow did allow us more time outside though as Sid isn’t a fan of long walks when it’s 17 degrees out and he can’t get any traction on the icy sidewalks. He preferred the photo above because he has more ‘tude going on. While I thought his tail did look amazing in that photo, I suggested a profile shot. I told him he would appear more “regal” in profile which instantly won him over to the idea.

What do you guys think?

P.S. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Time to get out and romp around a bit, right?!

Well, maybe he’s not quite “in love” but he’s without doubt “deeply obsessed”. However, have no fear, Miss T-Buttz and other lady-pugs out there, the object of Sid’s desire is not another pug – it’s his little red Wigzi ball.

The main reason he totes it around everywhere is because each day at lunch time the Wigzi’s pockets are stuffed with treats and peanut butter by yours truly. This pug-distraction technique affords me the opportunity to eat my own lunch without uncomfortable staring, sneezing, and loud-sitting on the part of Sid.

However, even when the ball is clearly empty – and trust me, Sid gets EVERY MINUTE MORSEL – he still carries it around. His optimism amazes me. I guess he thinks the ball may somehow spontaneously sprout more peanut-buttery goodness and he does NOT want to miss that moment.

Sid and the little red ball are practically inseparable.

I guess the lesson here is if you are looking to catch Sid’s eye, you might want to try stuffing your ears with peanut butter. Although don’t be surprised if he FOLLOWS YOU EVERYWHERE, FOREVER!

Although it’s been frigid outside, we’ve been very lucky lately because it’s also been exceptionally sunny. When the sun is out, warming up your face, 19 degrees doesn’t seem so bad. Sid’s been doing his best to track the sun beams as they make their way through the apartment. He flops from his bed to the floor to his second bed to his blanket and back to the floor.

Since we’re due for some more snow and arctic temps this week, we are enjoying the sun while we have it.

Hope you all can find a nice sunny spot to hang out in today!

Hello frendz…

So, since it’s too dang cold out to go for long walks, I’ve been amusing myself with activities that I can do inside. You know, reading books, watching the tube, knitting….ok who am I kidding, I’ve been NAPPING most of the time. Or staring at my dad until carrots are deposited into my mouth.

I figured some of you guys might also be experiencing the winter doldrums so I thought I’d learn ya something today: How to do the infamous “Flap Flip“.

Depending on your region, you may also know it as the “Meh? Muzzle”, the “Shaggy Sneer”, or the “Bemused Gregory”. Yeah, that last name never really caught on.

Step 1: Avoid water for about 1 hour. We want to get our mouth nice and dry for maximum muzzle-flap stickage.

Step 2: Let out a GIGANTIC yawn. You may optionally make a high-pitched squeeking noise while yawning that I like to do approx. 3 inches from the face of a sleeping human at breakfast time.

Step 3: Let your arid mouth and lack of snout work to your advantage as you slowly close your jaws. Often a lower anterior snaggle tooth can aid in the process.

Step 4: Gaze in the mirror at your amazing “Flap Flip”.

This face is best used when prompted with inane questions like “Are you a good boy?”, or “Wasn’t that a FUN walk we just went on?”. Good luck!

Have a FLAP-tastic weekend, doodz and doodettes.