INTRODUCING D-O-G

Ain't I cute? Well, maybe except for my snout. It got badly frostbitten a couple of winters ago, before the girls rescued me. It's red most of the time now, and no hair grows. When it's really cold (like during this past winter) it stings a lot. But rubbing it with my paw doesn't help - in fact, it makes things worse. My paws got a bit frostbitten too. They bother me sometimes, but the discomfort doesn't stop me from racing around the yard at top speed and leaping over obstacles like bushes, rocks, logs, and my dog friends, Peter, Gibbs, and Lola.

I weigh 61 pounds, which is about right for a mostly-Dalmatian dog. My tail is very strong. If I wag it too close to a plant it chops the stalks right off. My humans aren't too happy about that. As you can see, I'm white with a few dark spots here and there. I have a big black patch around my right eye. People say it make me look very distinguished.

Uh oh, here comes Gracie. I'd better stop writing. See you soon.                              ©2014

The Indian Hunter at Central Park

Gracie Roosevelt's favorite place in all New York is Central Park. And her favorite statue there is the "Indian Hunter". It was while standing on this statue of an Indian and his dog that she first spied me shivering in the deep snows of the park. We pass this sculpture often when she takes me for walks. I guess I like it too - especially because the pair helped with my rescue. But it does feel a little bit spooky to me. Maybe that's because both man and animal seem so ferocious.

The other day Gracie read to me about the statue. I'll share with you what she told me.

It was created by an artist called John Quincy Adams Ward. Grace said he was named for the sixth president of our country. My history is a little rusty, so I'll take her word for it. Ward's "Indian Hunter" was the first American sculpture to be placed in Central Park. It was installed in 1869. She says it's made of bronze, and stands on a granite pedestal.

And there you have it.

Cheers, D-O-G

Autumn Is Here

Can you believe it? It's already Autumn. What happened to Summer? Yikes. Well, this photo was made earlier in the week during a spell of really nice weather we call "Indian Summer." That's a few days of nice weather slung in between weeks of chill. It looks as if Indian Summer is going to end tomorrow, and we'll be in for a long, cold Winter.

I like Winter - as long as I wear my jacket to keep me warm. You see, my fur is really, really thin, and I get cold very easily. How thin is it? Well, you can see my pink skin back around my hind legs and along my belly. So, I like Winter - like getting to tear through the snow like a "banshee" (one of Teddy's favorite words). But I do not like being cold.

Think I'll go outside now and soak up the rays of the waning warmth (Gracie suggested using "waning." You can look it up in the dictionary, if you like). Until next time.

Bye! D-O-G

Hot Days at the Pond

Central Park in New York is huge - over 800 acres. There's lots to do there, in all seasons. It's been pretty hot this summer, so Gracie and Teddy take me over to the Pond near 59th Street, hire a row boat, and we all go rowing around the waterway. It's great fun, and it's a great way to cool off, especially if you're a dog. But there is no swimming allowed.

I get around this by "accidentally" falling into the water. I paddle around until one of the guards starts to blow his whistle, then the children haul me back aboard, shouting, "He just fell in! Sorry." Boy that little dip is so refreshing.

This picture shows the boathouse where we rent the row boat. Those women standing there are Laura Roosevelt and housekeeper Hannah Orlin. Neither of them like rowing in Central Park, but they do like to keep an eye on kids and dog.

Have a refreshing summer.   D-O-G

A Visit To The Dairy

On hot summer days like we've been having, Gracie likes to take brother Tedddy and me to the Dairy in Central Park. It's this neat old building (built in 1870) close to the playgrounds. It used to serve just milk and snacks, but now they're trying ice cream. Gracie usually gets me a vanilla, and a strawberry for herself. Teddy likes chocolate. Sometimes we get the ice cream in cups, but lately we've been trying something new called an "ice cream cone." It's a lot like a small waffle wrapped into a cone shape. The cold stuff is then scooped in. Dr. Roosevelt says the cones were invented by the French. Smart people, those French. Merci.

We eat the ice cream on the way back home. Gracie always remembers to get extra paper napkins, because Teddy makes a mess of things. But I'm very good at licking off all the excess with my long tongue.

Hope you have a place to go for ice cream where you live.

More soon.   D-O-G

p.s.: the picture of the Dairy is double because it is a "stereo view". With the right kind of viewing device you can see the image as if it was in 3D. Swell, huh?

Tardy Post, Sorry

I am so sorry that I've not posted anything recently. My nose has been giving me lots of trouble, so lots of trips to see the vet, Dr. Flagg, were in order. The skin gets all red and crusty, and sometimes sores develop. It sometimes hurts quite a bit. She thought it might be related to the frostbite I got before Gracie rescued me.

Dr. Flagg gave me all sorts of different medicines to try. Some were pills. Some were salves. And for the longest time nothing worked. But this week she started me on a newly developed treatment. The crustiness has started to go away and hair is growing again. So maybe this will work. I sure hope so.

Now maybe I can get back to a regular schedule of posting on my blog. Until next time (soon, I promise).                       Cheers, D-O-G

Yikes! Back To The Vet

I had an accidental fight with my friend Peter the other day. Teddy threw a ball into the air and when it landed we both chased it. We collided with a huge "THUMP!" and I think that set us off. It was not a pretty sight, and I'm not proud of my part in it. Big Mac had a heck of a time separating us.

I ended up with a seriously bloody nose. And poor Peter . . . Dr. Flagg had to put five stitches in his left paw. He's confined to home for two weeks, and I think Gracie is going to keep me on the leash for a few days to make sure I stay out of trouble.

Me, Peter (center) and his cousin Gibbs, playing in Central Park last month.

Peter, my friend, I am so sorry! Get well soon.

Your Pal,   D-O-G