The Bicycle Craze

Yikes! I almost got run over the other day in Central Park by a crazy lady on a bicycle! The Park is full of people of all ages riding these infernal machines. JW read in the New York Times this week that there is a bicycle craze sweeping the country. Jeez, this craze of crazy people almost swept me off my feet over by the Dairy. It's dangerous out there, folks.

JW is a part of this nonsense. He just got a custom-built Jersey Skeeter, made by the famous racer, Augustus Zimmerman. It's a beaut. At least that's what Dr. R. says. It's red. And it has all sorts of fancy fittings. Laura was pretty sore when she saw how much he paid for it.

It's surprising how many girls and women have taken up the sport. This picture was taken by Gracie over by the Sheepfold. The two ladies live a couple of blocks up Fifth from our house. They're very nice people. And they are very responsible cyclists (unlike some of those reckless speeders in the Park).

Gracie hopes father will buy her a cycle soon. Mr. Zimmerman has offered to teach her to ride. You won't get me on one of those things, but it would sure be fun to chase her up the drive.

Happy Riding!        D-O-G

Visit to the Vet

This week Gracie took me to see Dr. Frances Flagg, our vet. It was just a routine checkup. I really like this doctor. She helped save me after the rescue, so I owe her a lot. Anyway, she took my temperature - normal. She weighed me - 61-1/2 pounds. She looked in my mouth. "He could use a teeth cleaning," Dr. Flagg told Gracie. Boy, that didn't seem like fun. She spent a good bit of time studying my snout, and didn't seem too happy with what she saw. You see, it's really red and there is almost no hair, on account of the frostbite I got last winter. So the doctor told Gracie to keep a close eye on it, and to keep the skin clean. Dr. Flagg checked my legs and paws, and she thought they were in pretty good condition. Last, but not least, she had me wag my tail. "Lot's of strength in that tail of his," she told my human. When we were done, John Jay drove us home in the carriage - and Gracie took this picture of me. Nice huh?

'Til next time.     D-O-G