It's that time of year...

It's football season folks. Dallas Cowboys, please start winning so that my friends and husband won't be sad.
Larry, stop farting. Seriously. It's out of control.

Amish Country, Dog.

Last Saturday, I took an impromptu trip to Lancaster, PA with our friend Tracy. I don't have the pictures yet, but I'll post them as soon as I get them. Lancaster County has a large Amish population. It was a real treat to drive through the picturesque farmland and see the horse drawn buggies and farm equipment (horse drawn farm equipment). I loved shopping at the roadside farm stands. The produce and goods were fresh, homegrown or homemade, and sold at remarkably fair prices. My favorite purchase was a giant yellow watermelon for 4 dollars. This watermelon alone was worth the three hour drive to Pennsylvania:

I didn't know watermelon could taste this good.  

We ate at two restaurants: Good N Plenty (recommended by Daryl) and a smorgasbord (an all you can eat buffet) called Bird In Hand Restaurant. We also stopped by a Civil War reenactment which ended up being super lame. We still managed to get some good pictures, though. (I'll post them, I promise!) Daryl couldn't go because he had to work, but it was fun to have a girl day. When we were in the area, we stopped by a dog breeder's place to look at a puppy that Tracy had found online...which brings me to the Dog part of this post:

Tracy had been looking for a scrappy little mixed dog for few months. She wanted to adopt/rescue, but it was difficult to get taken seriously as a twentysomething girl in an apartment in NYC with no back yard. A lot of people who aren't familiar with the NYC lifestyle don't realize that dogs can really thrive here. No, most people don't have backyards, but we have dog parks. New Yorkers can't tie their dogs up in the backyard and throw some food and water out on a patio; you really have to want to care for your pet because it does take a bit of extra effort. While it's true that an older dog might not adjust to the hustle and bustle of the city, it seems unlikely that a puppy couldn't adapt. Anyway, Tracy was becoming frustrated and started looking at breeders. Long story short, the "breeder" we visited in PA was in fact, a puppy mill operation. 

I have mixed feelings about breeders. The reputable ones are essential in order for breeds to carry on. However, there are so many people who are simply trying to make a profit, and it's sad and disgusting. As a consequence, millions of healthy and adoptable animals are euthanized every year (3-4 millions cats and dogs, according to the Humane Society). Daryl and I got Larry from a breeder. He was our first dog and we had our hearts set on a French Bulldog puppy. I adore him and don't regret getting him for a second. However, I do sometimes feel a little guilty about not saving a dog, and for supporting a business that I don't really believe in. Hmmm....I'm sounding pretty hypocritical, huh? The truth is, there are certain breeds that are hard to come by in a shelter, through rescue, etc. My sister's dream dog is a black frenchie, and she'll most likely have to go through a breeder if she wants to raise a puppy. However, many, many breeds are represented in shelters. Just visit one. Or look on Petfinder.com. If we ever get another dog, I will definitely adopt. I'm gonna be bossy now and discourage anyone from supporting puppy mills or pet stores (which acquire their dogs from mills-  good breeders would sell their dogs to a pet store). A lot of people like to think that they're saving the dog that they purchase, when in fact, they are contributing to a vicious cycle. If you are not familiar with puppy mills, google them. It's gross. 

Oh, and don't even get me started on the "designer" dog breeds: maltipoos, puggles, labradoodles, etc. There is no such thing. Yeah, they're cute...but they're technically mutts, and good breeders don't breed mutts. Period. Go to a shelter or look on Petfinder and you'll find your "designer" dog.

Okay, so why the mini rampage? Well, I accompanied Tracy to the North Shore Animal League on Thursday, and it broke my heart. It's the largest no-kill animal shelter in the US, and it is very well maintained. Even so, those rows and rows of beautiful animals begging to be taken home really got to me. 

On a happy note, Tracy found her scrappy pup. Meet Koda, a 5 pound 3-month old dachshund mix who was transported to the Northeast after being rescued from a kill shelter in Virginia. Aside from being absolutely adorable, she's the sweetest little girl. And she's hilarious.  It's been amazing to watch her transition from a shy, shaking orphan to this feisty little puppy (in just 3 days!). It's pretty crazy to think that she could have been put down. Luckily, she found a good mama. We're hoping that Koda and Larry will be good friends. 

I'm feeling the urge to volunteer or foster...I'm looking into it. 

Ways To Sleep On A Pink Couch

August Wrap Up

Whoa. It's September. I'm done with the sticky, humid heat of summer. Over it. Luckily, the weather was beautiful for our visitors last weekend. Having company is one of my favorite things. It's wonderful to hang out with friends and family and it's a great excuse to explore the city that we call home. Here are some highlights:

One of many subway rides. 

Picnic in Prospect Park

Mmm. This was some good pie. Thanks Four and Twenty Blackbirds.

Post yoga. I want to love yoga so much more than I do. I am too impatient for it (the irony).
 It was great to see Katie, though.

Daryl's show came to an end after a brief but successful run. When I saw his show again on Saturday night, a gentleman (in his 80s with a cane in hand) asked me out for a beer on the way out of the theatre. That was a first.

Okay, who's coming to visit next?