It certainly has been hot here in Chicago and the other day our ceiling fans just weren’t cutting it, so Sid and I took a stroll over to the lake to cool off.

The water level in Lake Michigan is a very high this year and the Foster Dog Beach has been reduced to a little triangle of sand. But Sid hardly noticed as he was there for one reason only: SWIMMING!

I got in the water with him and, let me tell you, that chilly water felt amazing and cooled off both of us instantly.

At times, the waves got pretty choppy and Sid ended up a little deeper than he realized. He is really good in the water, though, and managed to keep his head above water the whole time.

While there, we met a new pug friend: Colby!

Sid and Colby splashed through the waves and kicked up sand while racing each other on the beach. Colby certainly has a cute little face, huh?

With more sweltering days on the way, we may start making every day beach day!

… the Pug Will Play!

Hi everyone! Sid here today reporting to you live from Pug Slope HQ.

Now I make look cute, sleepy, and innocent in the above photo, but let me tell you, while my Dad was away on vacation for a few days earlier this week I PARTIED LIKE A CHAMP!

My two awesome pug-sitters, Lauren and Pam, loaded me up with excellent treats and belly rubs the whole time. I even took advantage of the fact that my overnight pug-sitter wasn’t familiar my normal schedule so I woke her up EXTRA EARLY so I could get breakfast as soon as the sun came up! Hee hee! Score one for the Sidster.

“TIME TO GET UP! I really do eat breakfast at 5:30am every day. I swear.”

I got to go on really fun walks to new parts of the neighborhood that Dad never took me to before.

“I have NO IDEA where I am and I’M OK WITH IT!”

I even got to EAT PIZZA at a restaurant that had outdoor seating! And guess who got a bunch of blueberries for dessert?! It was heaven.

I had so much fun, guys!

I did miss my Dad a little but my pug sitters were so awesome that they made the time he was away fly by. Thank you, Pam and Lauren!!!

(Now I just need to find a way to secretly hide these extra pounds I gained so I don’t have to go on a DIET!)

Hello everyone! How are you all doing today?

How am I, you ask? Well, let me tell you, I’m BEAT!

Since the weather has been so nice here in Chicago lately, my dad has been extending my walks and we’ve been covering some major ground every day. Sure, it helps to keep us both in shape, keep my nails at a reasonable length (I REFUSE to let him trim or dremel them!), and it’s fun to walk down new blocks or visit new parks, but with all this extra mileage my legs need a break!

I’ve found this new criss cross position helps to relax and stretch my muscles. I could lay like this all day. In fact, I usually do!

Have do you guys like to recover after a long walk?

P.S. In case you were wondering, that is my current elevated bed, or “ela-bed“, that I use to get up into the big bed. It’s essentially a bin with a bed on top. But sometimes I like to just lounge on it. I have 5 beds, so I make sure to use all of them at some point!

(THAT LITTLE PAW JUST KILLS ME!!!)

To celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, Sid and I decided to venture into some uncharted territory. Well, uncharted for him anyway. We hoofed it over to the El station, he hopped into his tomato-red travel bag, and we zipped off on the El train down to Lincoln Park.

The sun was bright and the air was warm, so I came prepared with some ice cold water and a small dish so Sid could frequently rehydrate his pug mug throughout our excursion. We exited the train at Diversey and walked East towards the lakefront. By the time we got to the North Pond, Sid and I were both ready for an H2O break and a good ol’ fashioned sit.

We found a nice shady spot where Sid immediately became best friends with his little water dish. We relaxed by the North Pond and watched the birds and other wildlife go about their daily affairs.

After our batteries had recharged we completed the circle around the whole pond, through all the interesting native gardens near the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. In those wonderful gardens we saw lots of songbirds, butterflies, ducks and ducklings, and even a turtle!

The heat was getting to Sid by that point so we started heading back to the El station. Instead of taking the direct route down Diversey, we leisurely zig-zagged down the shady tree-lined side streets. All of a sudden we came upon this wonderfully ornate mansion on Wrightwood Avenue.

My photo doesn’t really capture it well as I couldn’t get the whole facade in the frame as the home is massive. It is known as the Francis J. Dewes House, was built in 1896 for its namesake, and is a registered Chicago landmark. The house next door, which is also from the 1890’s and is a registered Chicago Landmark, was built by Francis’s brother, August Dewes. It is also very ornate and the mansard roof was spectacular.

About a block away from the El station, we took a little break in a shady patch of grass. Sid gulped down the remaining drops of our cool water supply and then proceeded to flop onto his side for a belly rub! It was really funny. He got plenty of “awwws” from passersby.

We had a great day! Hope to have another adventure like this again soon.

How about those thunderstorms?!?!

If you live anywhere near the midwest you know what I’m talking about. We had some intense rainfall and thunderstorms the past few days. The plants around our neighborhood were certainly happy and it seems like anything green and leaved has doubled in size. The pug, however, wasn’t super thrilled about the rain and we had a couple walks where we both ended up drenched and miserable. Although once the rains stopped we were greeted with a gorgeous morning of fresh air, blue skies, and soft breezes.

There were also lots of sweet puddles throughout Winnemac Park which I think in Sid’s mind made up for all the trauma he experienced trying to poop while getting soaked the night before.

Did anyone else go play in some puddles today?

Guys, I think Sid forgot how a bed works.

He seemed pretty comfortable in this position, although I would think putting one’s WHOLE body in the bed might be a tad more comfortable. But what do I know.

Are there any other pugs out there that also prefer this half-in half-out approach to napping?