Dancing shoes

 

Someone got a new pair of dancing shoes last week and is ready to let loose. Ok, they're not really for dancing and truthfully, they're not really even shoes. We've been getting some strange weather here again and it snowed twice this week...again. 

Harry, who really is not a huge fan of going on a nice, leisurely walk anyway, really has a tough time in the snow.  The slush and ice becomes very compacted between his toes and not to mention, the salt and snow-melt on the sidewalks really sting. It's utterly heartbreaking when he begins to hobble on three legs, stops walking, holds one paw up, looks up at you, shivering- as if he's asking if it's time to head home.

Dogs in the city really do need some type of foot coverage and these Pawz have been great.  They're like thin balloons that go on his feet and we think Harry even likes the extra traction the rubber provides him!

He's kind of a sight out there with his winter coat and red shoes.  I walk behind him and giggle to myself- his little back feet look like they're wearing little red heels. What a stylish guy...

Scratching and sniffing

We bought the cats a "real" cat scratcher recently. They have had many in the past: the Cat Scratch Lounger, a sisal one that hangs from the door knob, cardboard ones on an incline- you name it.  I guess we tried all the other ones because they're smaller and  much less obvious pieces of cat furniture.

Did I know that cats prefer ones they can climb on, fully stretch out on, and really dig their claws into? Of course, but I couldn't be convinced to get them a big one. Well, we'd finally had it with all the scratching on couches and yelling at them every time it happened, so we got them this. Here is Gregory, hiding behind the scratcher and Chantal's trying to hunt him. He has no idea she knows that he's there!

This scratcher is TALL and they can fully stretch out to use it.  Needless to say, they LOVE it.  The day it arrived, Gregory got to it first, so I think he felt that it was "his".  Every time Chantal came by (even just to smell it), he jump attacked her! He's better now and they both use it equally.  

 :: Gregory really enjoying the scratcher on day 1 ::

 :: a view from the top- Gregs still enjoying his scratcher ::

He's a real boy!

Harry is a dog. But sometimes, he seems more like...well, a real boy.  He can be the sweetest little guy at times and quite naughty at other times. But the thing about him is that he seems to really know what you're talking about with just the slightest tilt of his head. One of the sweetest, and most un-dog-like things he does is "going to bed". 

If we're up late watching television or studying, and he realizes it's quite late, he will jump off the couch (even off a comfy, warm lap), find his favorite toy of the moment, and head off for the bedroom to snuggle amongst the covers (using his toy as a headrest).  Sometimes, we won't have realized where he's gone because he's usually always under foot.  

"Where's Harry?!" 

"Oh, he's gone to bed"

This is how I found him last night as I was getting ready for bed. Is he not a real boy?

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Le Barker Meridien has taken a long break, we know.  Over the past year, we were just so busy. Harry and the cats had a great, but exhausting summer and we will post some stories and pictures for all our dedicated readers to fill them in on what these little clowns have been up to.

We will also be slightly changing the format of the blog...stay tuned!