Archive for the ‘Big Adventures’ category

My Summer Road Trip: I Was a Good Guest!

September 7, 2013

Cookie here!  Summer’s over, but I have fond memories of my first real road trip to Cape Cod.  I went to go visit my cousins, Mabel & Annie.  Mabel is my little cousin, Annie my big one!

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We had such a good time!   We played, ate, and slept together.   There were lots of bones, and plenty of sunbathing spots.  That’s Annie in the background.

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I went to Falmouth Heights Beach – what a beautiful spot!

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Sure, there were a few mishaps.  Like the afternoon I jumped through this screen door.  Sorry Auntie, I just wanted to go play with the kids!

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And there was the day Annie lay down on a palate of oil paints.  She sure looked pretty!  Dawn detergent did the trick…

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At night I was so tired I slept very well on the comfy air mattress.

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Best of all, I got in lots of quality time with the kids…and isn’t that what family vacations are all about?

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I Hope you had a great summer too!  Woofs, Cookie

Cookie’s First Snowstorm

November 9, 2012

As if Sandy wasn’t enough drama, this Wednesday a snowstorm came to our area…putting seven inches on the ground for us!

Luckily, I had managed to pick up a doggie-puffer parka at Target (which, by the way, I am happy with – it’s their Boots & Barkley brand. Water-resistant, easy to put on, and nicely lines. )I wasn’t sure what Cookie would think about snow.  As you know, she really hates the rain.  But she does love to crunch on ice cubes at home.   Well, we were happy to discover that she LOVES the snow.  This little video captures some of her earliest snow moments.  Since the snowfall has ended she has been having fun discovering all the properties of snow: that it’s soft and fluffy and fun to plow through when it first falls, and then it gets hard and “crunchy” underfoot later.  Just like a kid, she loves to lick and eat the snow as well.  She has extra fun digging up and burying her bones now. She doesn’t seem to mind the cold at all, and if anything has been spending more time outside.   Her paw prints in the snow look like little daisies, and I now have to be careful when I walk her that she doesn’t pull, so I don’t wipe out on the black ice.  Definitely new territory we are (literally) walking into here!

I am still blogging from the road, (today we are at Cosi) as my home internet remains down from Sandy.   Cookie and I thank you for all of your support!  We hope you have recovered from Sandy and will keep the posts coming.  Warm and Fuzzies, Diana

Shelter From The Storm: Cookie’s First Boarding

November 6, 2012

Like many of you Dear Followers, Cookie & Co. were temporarily displaced by super (awful) storm Sandy.  Somehow, we managed to discover an amazing place for dogs in the Providence, Rhode Island area: The Ocean Dog Club.

Due to an extended power outage in Katonah (for some of my neighbors here it’s still going on) our family decided to head up to Rhode Island and stay with our family there.  We had never boarded Cookie before, but having her stay with us in Rhode Island wasn’t practical, and we had trouble finding care for her in our area amid all the storm aftermath.  My wonderful Mother-in-law Carol went online and found the site for Ocean Dog Club.  After a telephone chat with the Owner, Sue, and a visit in person, I knew I had found the perfect place for Cookie to stay while we recovered from Sandy – and for all our future Rhode Island visits.  The Ocean Dog Club is very convenient to downtown Providence and is a beautiful facility featuring Doggie day care, boarding, grooming, and training. When you visit “the club” you’ll feel like you’re at a nursery school as opposed to a kennel.  All areas are large, bright, and cheerfully decorated, with ample space for dogs to stay and play, both indoor and outdoor.  Sue takes great care to evaluate the dogs to make sure they are sociable and healthy – thus helping ensure the well being of your own dog while there.  I found her attitude and instincts towards dogs in general as well as Cookie to be very in sync with mine.  “The Club” was also immaculately clean. On a personal level, I am very grateful to Sue for her flexibility with us in making arrangements for Cookie.  It was very helpful during a difficult time.  So my friends, when in Rhode Island, do check out the Ocean Dog Club – you and your dog are in for a treat.  www.oceandogclub.com or info@oceandogclub.com

The post-Sandy storm update from Cookie of Katonah: we are home with power, but no internet.  So our blogging may be sporadic for a bit.  Unfortunately another storm is heading for our area for tomorrow.  We have our paws crossed it ends up being no big deal.  We hope that you & yours are back on your feet post-Sandy, whether they be 2 or 4, and hope that you stay that way!  Warm & Fuzzies, Diana

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Cookie Meets a Pet Psychic

October 10, 2012

You don’t need to be psychic to know that your pets are sensitive beings with thoughts and feelings all of their own.  But have you ever wondered just what exactly those thoughts and feelings were?  

Cookie with Sharon Warner, Pet Psychic

We had an opportunity to find out  while recently attending the Animal Awareness Day Fair in the town of Branford, CT (which by the way is a great New England town – and a really nice place to visit – and definitely dog-friendly.)   It was a lovely event celebrating the pets in our lives, and there were many folks there milling about with their dogs.   Amidst the vendors and participants offering pet goods, information about adoptions and animal rights, and treats for pets and their humans, we met Sharon Warner, an “Animal Communicator and People Psychic.” Our entire family, along with Cookie, had a very enlightening talk with Sharon, during which it should be noted Cookie was unusually calm, and did not bark or pull away from us once, despite the many distractions around her from the fair.  We were happy to hear through Sharon that Cookie is very happy in her life with us, and not surprised to hear that she wants more opportunities to RUN. She enjoys her meals and particularly loves visiting the upstairs of the house and our different bedrooms (which, due to her household manners still lacking, and her habit of stealing things from our rooms, is a treat for her.) We asked her through Sharon why she is always making off with various household items (food, pens, decorations, paper towels, etc.) and the answer was that there are just too many opportunities for mischief for her to resist all of them.  Too true!   Sharon told us that Cookie is very sad when we leave the house and it is quiet and she is by herself.  And we have been noticing lately that separations from us have been harder for Cookie and do cause her distress.  After discussing Cookie with Sharon, we enjoyed getting feedback from her about our other beloved pets, those currently with us and those who have departed this life.  I particularly enjoyed hearing that our late beloved cat Molly, who moved several times with us during her life, has also moved with us to Katonah, and still loves to sleep on my pillow.   All in all, meeting Sharon was certainly a Big Adventure for Cookie and our family.  And I am now an even greater admirer of the wonders of our sweet Cookie’s soul and spirit.  If you want to learn more about Sharon, visit her website: http://www.communicatorforyou.com

I must also mention how pleased we were to meet Stella and Sterling during the Fair – an Aussie and Mini-Aussie duo – who were just the cutest.  Sterling had a “marble-eye” – something I’d never seen – that was a swirl of brown and blue iris – very cool!  Warm & Fuzzies, Diana

On the road again!

September 28, 2012

After a bumpy start, Cookie now loves riding in the car with us.

When she was a very little puppy, we had a pet carrier for the car we would place her in.  She would cry and cry and usually ended up getting sick in the car.  After a couple tries we figured out not being able to see us made her very anxious.  So, for a while we held her on our laps in the back seat, and when she got too big for that, I bought a foot-long leather mini-leash for the car.  First I run the seat belt through the leash opening and click the seat belt into the car’s receiver.  Then this leash gets attached to Cookie’s collar.  She is securely attached to the seat belt, but she can lie down, sit up, stretch out, etc. and have the room to do so.  It used to be she would just zonk out and nap or chew her bone, but now she enjoys sitting upright and staring out the window at the world.  It’s a classic case of the great companionship dogs provide us.  Well, Cookie and I have another errand to run together, so, Happy Trails!  Warm & Fuzzies, Diana

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Cookie’s Big Adventures: Stone Barns Center

September 18, 2012

For a walk you and your dog will never forget, visit the Stone Barns Center in Pocantico Hills, NY.

The Stone Barns Center is a non-profit farm and education center, with a mission of increasing awareness of healthy, seasonal, and sustainable food, educating children about sources of healthy food, and training farmers. There are acres of fields where vegetables and flowers grow and pastures full of animals including chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, piglets, cows, calfs, and burrows.  Beehives buzz with activity, the Terrace Garden is still full of lovely flowers as of today’s date, and the Greenhouse is producing all sorts of yummy veggies too.  In the middle of all these activities, in a lovely stone chateau & barn, are the Farm Store, the Blue Hill Cafe, and The Farm Market, open on weekends.  The well known restaurant, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, is on site as well.  Throughout the year the Stone Barns Center offers amazing opportunities to learn about egg collecting, gardening, cooking and farming.  There are tours of the facility and children’s programs every weekend, and Farm Camp is offered throughout the year.  

But best of all from Cookie’s point of view, dogs are welcome to come and visit and walk through the center’s rolling hills and idyllic paths.  Breathing in the freshest of air, and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the livestock and crops – what could be better for a dog?  And also for you?  With the Autumn leaves coming in, it’s a wonderful time to come visit and spend the afternoon.

The Stone Barns Center is open Wednesdays thru Sundays. For more information, visit http://www.stonebarnscenter.org.  Cookie plans to be a frequent visitor this Fall..hope to see you and your dog there too!

Warm & Fuzzys, Diana

Don’t forget to vote for me on the PetSmart Monster Cute Contest!  Entry name: Cookie  Entry title: Angel Eyes  Thanks!