Eye and Paws

Eyes ... windows to the soul.

Paws ... after the pawdicure.

Lost In Thought

Sasha, the Pit Bull

My neighbor's new puppy, sweet and hyper.

Do I Really Have To Wear This?

Let Me Out, Please

My poor little pooch had to have surgery. This was the best image I could get, he was moving so much, wanting to get out of his cage. When he did, he practically dragged me to the clinic door. He really wanted to get out of the place.

A Walk in the Woods

Running Errands

Union Terminal, formerly a train station, now housing the city's Museum of Natural History & Science, History Museum, Omnimax Theater, and Children's Museum.

The kids at the vet. Only one is mine. The other is a friend's border collie/chow mix and the sweetest girl you could ever hope to find.

Another Dog Lamp

The Rocky Steps & Other Philadelphia Sights

The Rocky Steps started it all. This is the name given to the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I learned about them when I came across an article on a book written about the people who climbed them. They are well known for the role they played in a famous scene in the film Rocky, in which the fighter, played by Sylvester Stallone, runs up the steps to the accompaniment of the song, "Gonna Fly Now." Visitors to the museum can often be seen mimicking Rocky's famous run up the front steps. I did not plan to run up the steps but I was hoping I would see others do so ... and, oh yes, tour the museum as well. I was not disappointed.

Looking up the address of the museum, I saw that the Rodin Museum was nearby. We decided to add this to our itinerary. But, before starting out, we stopped for lunch. Since I like dogs, The White Dog Cafe already had my "let's try" approval. Loved the doggie lamp and all the doggie paintings on the walls.


The Rodin Museum was the gift of movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum (American, 1872–1926) to the city of Philadelphia. Mastbaum began collecting works by Rodin in 1923 with the intent of founding a museum to enrich the lives of his fellow citizens. Just three years later, he had assembled the largest collection of Rodin's works outside Paris.

This was the first time I had seen Rodin's work in person and it was a wonderful experience. It's difficult to explain the emotional impact of being face to face with work that one has only seen in books. Just as we were leaving we had the added pleasure of listening to this docent give her lecture on Rodin. She was so well-informed and entertaining, that we re-toured the museum with her.

Next stop, the "steps." This is what I found at the top of them. It was an interesting feeling stepping onto Rocky's footprints and no, I did not do the dance, but I saw a few who did.

When I was studying art history in college, I learned that those lightly veined white marble Greek statues that appear in every history of art book were painted. Maybe they looked like the statues in this frieze at the PMA?

On our way back to our hotel room, we passed an arched entrance to a school. It's the first time I have seen Michelangelo's name split in two and the first part spelled Michael, not Michel.

Old Christmas Tree

Walking my dog this evening, we passed this discarded Christmas tree. It's been lying in the owner's drive for months. I wonder what is keeping him or her from putting it on the curb for yard waste collection.

A Face to Love

Lessons We Can Learn From Canines*

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
4. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
6. Take naps and stretch before rising.
7. Run, romp and play daily.
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
9. Be loyal.
10. Never pretend to be something you're not.
11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

• These lessons (source: unknown) have been around a while ... if only we humans could be as easily satisfied as our canine companions.

His Favorite Things

Slipping and Sliding

Hard to see but that's me sliding down the hill on a very slippery piece of plastic, my pooch running behind.

Self-Service Dog Wash

Doesn't he look happy? I love the sign in front of the shop. Makes me smile every time I see it. My few experiences of washing my dog at home were a watery nightmare so I am happy to have discovered this place. They supply everything ... warm water, shampoo, towels, blow dryer and a plastic apron to keep me dry, mostly ... and hints. Did you know that you can postpone the inevitable doggie water shake by washing the head last? It's the wet head that starts it all.

Shadows

Very Big Traveling Dog

According to the information ducktaped in several places on this enormous crate, the occupant was an American Bulldog, weighing 125-pounds, almost twice what my dog weighs! The attendant taking care of the dog said he had never seen a dog that big ride on an airline and apparently neither had the people coming up to peer into the crate. His size was frightening to them but I thought that he was a gentle soul and felt sorry for him because he looked so bewildered.

The "Old" Dog

My dog, nine years old this month. This solemn look belies his playfulness.

New Puppy, New Year

My sister's new puppy, Teddy.