Our mom is back from her visit to New York City and she is jazzed. She kept going on and on about some d-o-g named Belle. Mom claims to miss us when she travels, but from our point of view, she’ll take up with whatever pet surrogate is available. Seriously…a dog?
We’ve had our breakfast and now need a nap. We’d title this post “Our mom the dog slut.” She can finish this one without our help.
Jealous feline name calling aside, my brief trip to NYC for the Business of Pet Writing Conference knocked out my cabin fever and more. Initially, being a true-blue cat person, it didn’t occur to me that the dog show would be in a few days. Walking through the lobby of the Hotel Pennsylvania, I noticed that every other person was attached to a dog on a leash.
Then I had a forehead-smacking V-8 moment…the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be held right across the street at Madison Square Garden, February 14-15, 2011.
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| Belle |
In my humble opinion, the doggy du jour was a sweet Cockapoo named Belle. It was love at first sniff. She didn’t seem to mind the residual smell of felines. Kudos to Belle’s guardian Lee for her good behavior…no paws on the legs and sloppy kisses from this dignified little gal. No barks, just happy tail wagging and butt wiggling. Who could resist?
As I settled into the guest room, Belle offered her assistance by jumping on the bed. Still, she kept a polite distance from my clothes, toiletries and other assorted items. Amazing what we can learn from pets…live in the moment. Enjoy attention and soothing words from a new person.
When traveling, my days are filled with activities…conference going, sightseeing, shopping, dining out and soaking up a new city. I’m not too keen on being out alone after dark (even at home), so tend to spend much of the late evening in my room. Belle was willing and able to assume the role of surrogate pet.
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| Belle burrows her head into paws. |
She curled up nearby as I checked emails, made phone calls, read conference materials or watched television. My Saturday evening dinner with friends ended earlier than her dad’s night out. A full day of intensive listening, note-taking and networking followed by dinner (including a glass of wine and two espresso cups of chocolate mousse) left me too sleepy to stay up for the 11 o’clock news.
Belle happily jumped on the bed and inched up from the foot to a warmer spot along my side. Lee’s listing on AirBnb.com mentioned that he had a small dog. It didn’t say she would capture my heart.
Back home now and spent the night with my two cave kitties, who forgave me quickly for a four-day fling with the Big Apple and a happy little d-o-g named Belle.
