Category Archives: dogs

Cold Walk

Posted on January 21, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again on a Saturday morning, I would like to blog about walking my dog. However comma (that is an expression I got from a sergeant I knew in the army), I did not take my dog for a walk this morning.

I tried to walk Tabby every day this week. I want to start running again, with an eye to the Boilermaker and my waistline, but it’s just been too cold and snowy for me (only those who go out and run themselves are allowed to roll their eyes, point and laugh or call me names). Still, walking in the snow is good exercise. It’s definitely more effort than bare sidewalk.

Tabby has definite ideas about how long or far she wants to walk, especially on very cold or very hot days (guess which we’ve been having lately). Monday she pulled me around our block and only around our block. It was a slightly longer walk, though, because twice we crossed the street to walk where the sidewalk was more bare. And, as I said, we had plowing through the snow going for us. Tuesday was another short walk.

Wednesday I had the bright idea to see how long it would take me to walk to Wal-Mart. See, on Thursday Steven and I had a dinner meeting of Ilion Little Theatre Club, and Steven had to work till 6:30, which would make us a little late. I had this elaborate idea that I would get home, walk Tabby to Wal-Mart, get the car, drive back home, put our dish to pass and plates in the car, then drive to pick up Steven at 6:30 to get to the meeting in a more timely fashion. So Wednesday was in the nature of a dress rehearsal (see my theatre background asserting itself). It was the coldest day yet, with wind chill. I had for once remembered my scarf, and it was not the miracle I was hoping for. We got a little more than halfway (I think; didn’t measure it on a map) when Tabby stopped short and looked at me. I know that look. We turned around and went back home.

Thursday, I made her walk all the way to Wal-Mart. She tried the stop short and look trick, but I assured her it was quicker to keep going. As soon as she saw the car, she felt better about everything.

I have been suffering from some bad headaches, so I have been keeping a headache diary, noting that I have had a headache every day in 2012. I noticed my headaches were often worse in the evening, so thought walking in the cold might have something to do with it. Friday, I made the experiment of not going for the walk. Tabby did not mind so much, because Steven was home and she likes to hang with both her peeps. Also, she had been to the groomers, which is very exciting for her and excitement tends to tire her out. Lo and behold, I had no headache. Could the fact that it was Friday also have been a factor? Hell, I’m no scientist.

Be all that as it may, I have a headache now. I did not take Tabby for a walk, but I did go out and help shovel the driveway. Tabby ran around in the snow while I did that, so she did get some exercise. I’ll probably break down and take her for a walk this afternoon if she cares to go, headache be damned. If it’s exciting, I’ll blog about that on Sunday.

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Another Saturday Stroll

Posted on January 7, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

We have had a couple of pretty nice (for January) days, and I have taken the poocher for a couple of long strolls.

Saturday was not as warm as Friday, but still perfectly acceptable walking temperatures. We set off shortly after Steven had departed for work, me keeping an eye out for bloggable observations and Tabby keeping a nose out for interesting smells. We passed three mail carriers. We got a cheery greeting from two and a polite one from the other. Not bad.

We strolled down Prospect Street, and I looked at the distinctive old building that used to house H.M. Quackenbush’s corporate offices. It is a forbidding looking brick structure, a rectangle with stern corners and some embellishment at the windows and roof. I like embellishment. Why be plain? Except, of course, when you are going for that stark, minimalist look, which can also be very nice. I wish somebody would do something with the Quackenbush building. It seems a shame to let such a historic looking building go to waste.

Speaking of waste, we walked down Main Street past several closed businesses, some of which have been closed so long they no longer show any sign of what they used to be. I slid on the ice on the sidewalk in front of one. I jerked the leash straightening myself and got a “What?” look from Tabby. I reflected that if more businesses were open, no doubt some shopkeeper would be moved to keep the sidewalks cleared and safe.

Tabby did not pull me up to the door at Hummel’s for once. She pulled me to State Route 5, but I declined to cross it with her. Too much traffic for my tastes. We walked along Albany Street to Bellinger instead. When we got to Meyers Park (not Weller; had to think a minute, I often get those two confused. I think it’s the “er” sound) Tabby opted to walk along the sidewalk on the perimeter, which is unusual for her. Usually we walk through the park itself or pass it by entirely.

As we went by St. Frances de Sales Church, I said good morning to St. Frances. I said it in my head, though, because of course saints can hear you think. Somebody put a bright red scarf on the statue of St. Frances in front of the church, and there are red lights in the bushes on either side of the statue. It looks nice, and reminds me I need to find something to do with the box of scarves I’ve made the last couple of years. No sense in letting them go to waste like all the downtown buildings.

Tabby and I had a slight disagreement when we were a block from our house on the opposite side of the street. She always wants to jay walk while I insist we follow the crosswalks, even though the paint is almost completely gone. Something else I wish somebody would do something about. I know, I’m somebody. But can you see me getting white paint and painting the crosswalks? I can’t.

It was a nice walk, and I hope an acceptable blog post. I have plans for this afternoon. I may have an Ilion Little Theatre project to blog about soon. As always, stay tuned!

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Pedestrian Saturday

Posted on January 1, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I did do a couple of blogworthy things on Friday, but some Saturdays I have run or walked in the morning and blogged about that. I find that fun, so as I walked Tabby to the post office this morning, I thought it would make an OK post.

I had meant to walk to the post office Friday and mail out our mortgage payment. I love making a mortgage payment; it makes me feel like such a grown up. Having a house ain’t too bad either.

It felt warmer this morning than it had yesterday. In fact, I thought it was raining because of the melting snow and ice dripping off the eaves. But no precipitation and little breeze, so it felt almost springlike. It must have been even more different from yesterday than I realized, because all Tabby wanted to do nothing but sniff, sniff, sniff. If if was up to her, I think we would still be three houses from home with her nose buried in the snow.

The melting snow created some hazardous spots on the sidewalk and in the road. I warned myself to watch out for black ice. Then I thought how some people will say, in a superior tone of voice, “There is no such thing as black ice. Ice is clear. The road underneath is black.” I think these people need to get over themselves. I find “black ice” to be an evocative expression (evocative is one of my favorite words). To me it sounds insidious and altogether more dangerous than “ice you can’t see very well on a dark road, because ice is clear, you know.” As I hashed this out in my head, I almost slipped. I think it was technically grey ice, but I managed to stay in a relatively upright position.

Payment safely mailed, we strolled down Main Street with a few pauses to sniff. I looked longingly at Crazy Otto’s Empire Diner. I could have used a good diner breakfast. A few older gentlemen were parting company outside the diner. “Dunkin’ tomorrow, right?” “Dunkin’ tomorrow!” they were saying. I imagined they were retired and met for coffee every morning. I like to think of people meeting for coffee. I like to meet people for coffee.

Tabby wanted to go into Hummel’s, where people who work often pet her, but the sign said they are closed December 31 and January 1. Good for them. New Year’s Eve is not such a big office supply holiday, I would think.

It was not a very long walk, but we enjoyed it. I hope the spring like temperature lasts for the afternoon. I will enjoy to see 2011 out with another walk with my dog.

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After Christmas Trash

Posted on December 28, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have not been doing anything Mohawk Valley-ish, as I like to describe it, but I have been good about taking my good little dog for walks.

Today is Garbage Day in Herkimer (doesn’t it sound like a holiday when I capitalize it?). Post Christmas trash in distinctive. Gobs of wrapping paper sticking out of the recycling containers. Herkimer and I think Oneida County now does “one and done” for recycling. Instead of putting things separately in clear plastic bags, we can put everything into one container. We bought a Rubbermaid trash can on wheels for the purpose. I noticed some people are still doing the clear plastic bag thing, which certainly looks more festive on the Garbage Day after Christmas.

Also in the recycling are all the boxes from new Christmas toys. That is a cheering sight. I like to think of all those kids, off school for the week and playing with their new things. I hope they are not tired of them yet.

I saw one tree by the curb, minus most of its needles. Did the people forget to water it? I know some people take their tree down the day after Christmas, but I think that is depressing. Can’t you at least wait till New Years? There is some tradition you are supposed to wait till the Epiphany, January 6, and my Mom told me the priest at her church insists the correct day to take down decorations is January 9. I think our stuff is likely to come down on Steven’s next day off after New Years.

So I’m enjoying the decorations left up while I can. Walking in the daylight — and today is a gloomy day such as I enjoy — of course lights are not on. And those big blow up decorations are all limp and a little sad looking. Some of them look as if they have been partying heartily. I guess that’s seasonal, too. One house has a blow up snowman on the porch. That seems to me a good place to put him, because during the day his limp, sad state is hidden.

We saw a couple of other dogs on our ramble today. Tabby was particularly interested in a little one in a pink coat. Tabby has a coat for the really cold days. Some people would say, “She doesn’t need a coat! She has a fur coat of her own!” That is, of course, true. However, she has that coat on indoors as well. My Mom always told me to don’t wear my coat in the house, because I’d be cold when I went outdoors. I know, dogs are different.

I enjoyed our post-Christmas walk. Exercise, of course, is good for a post-Christmas letdown or other depression. I could even be grateful it was not a white Christmas after all. Bare sidewalks and no need to shovel the driveway when I got back home. That’s the gift that keeps giving!

I’m afraid when some people saw my headline, they were expecting me to expound once again on the snack I like to make (but like better to eat) White Trash. Sorry if I disappointed anybody. In fact I do plan to make a batch of White Trash later. I wonder if I could get a blog post out of that.

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Christmas Eve Walks

Posted on December 26, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t have anything mushy or profound to post on Christmas Day. Instead I have a fairly pedestrian post about walks I took with my dog Tabby on Christmas Eve.

Steven had to work from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. while my assignment was to get The Rest of Christmas Ready before heading to Rome and my parents’ house. Naturally as soon as he left the house, I got right to work. And by “to work” of course I mean onto the computer to make my blog post and check out what people were posting on Facebook. Then a walk was in order.

The walk was actually of a practical nature, because we went to the Post Office to mail out a couple of bills that were soon due. It was delightfully quiet in the neighborhood, although quite cold. The lobby of the post office was open, but not the window. Actually, I would expect the post office to be quiet on Christmas Eve, because then it is a little too late for Christmas cards or mailing presents. I remembered how last Christmas I had vowed I was going to mail everybody their Christmas presents so as not to have to load so much stuff into the car Christmas Eve. It was the first I had thought of that vow since I had made it, so you see how well it worked out.

After mailing the bills, Tabby wanted to keep walking, so I let her pull me here and there. The only thing I refused her was crossing Route 5, not so delightfully quiet. It might have been fun, since we rarely walk on that side of town, but I felt it was too cold. We would just have had to cross back again, and it was really too far if Tabby suddenly got sick of walking, as she occasionally does. We walked down Albany Street instead, another street we’re not often on. Tabby looked longingly at First Source Credit Union as we went by, but I assured her that nobody was there to give her a treat. The walk ended up taking a half hour. I felt exercised.

Later that morning, we went for another walk. I intended to give Tabby a bath and wanted to give her every opportunity to relieve herself first. I like to give Tabby a bath before we go on a visit. Friday might have been a better day, and Steven might have been able to help me then, but things do not always work out as we plan. The second walk was shorter and one of the usual routes: over to the Historic Four Corners, down through the little park at Basloe Library, the up Prospect Street to East German. I was surprised to see the streets were almost as quiet as they had been earlier. Some of the residential areas seemed almost deserted. I guess everybody went away for Christmas.

Tabby was not best pleased about the bath, but she endured like the good dog she is, so I was able to get her all pretty to go visit my parents. We took the third walk after she was dry. She indicated the desire for another business meeting, and I was not about to let a brand clean dog run by herself into the backyard. I put her on the leash and walked her around the block.

In between these walks, I made guacamole and chicken wing dip, wrapped presents, cleaned up after myself and generally finished up the Christmas chores. When Steven got home, we were ready but not raring to go. I was tired after my various exertions. Tabby, of course, got her second wind as soon as she saw us loading the car. When I picked up the kennel, there was no stopping her! We were off the celebrate Christmas!

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A Less Generic Walk

Posted on December 18, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought my post about “Walking in the Dark” was too generic, so I decided to take Tabby for a specific walk and note some actual details.

It had snowed this morning, and it was still cold to me. Still, the sun was bright. For a moment I wished I had worn my crazy old lady hat, with the wide, shady brim. The last time I wore that hat, though, my ears got so cold I put my hood up over the hat and really looked like a crazy old lady. As the wind picked up, I was glad to be wearing a toque.

Some of the snow stayed on the ground. I had a chance to study it as Tabby stopped to sniff various places. You could see individual little white specks, like laundry detergent. Or ice melt, as I observed on our church steps later. I’m sure it was actual snow on the dried leaves underneath the trees Tabby sniffed.

I saw a snowball bush, and thought again that I want one in my yard. They look so cool when the flowers turn all brown in the fall. They look especially nice in the snow. As I realized how cold and winter-like it was, I remembered I had once again failed to plant more crocus bulbs in my yard. I have some crocuses that come up every spring, and every spring I say, “I’m going to plant more crocus bulbs! Eventually, my yard will be ALL crocuses in the spring!” It may happen one day, but not in 2012.

Tabby pulled me toward the Historic Four Corners, a favorite spot of ours. The sign in front of Herkimer Reformed Church read, “I bring you good news of great joy: A savior is born.” A great seasonal thought.

We crossed the street and walked by the court house. I looked across at Herkimer County Historical Society and felt guilty, because I had been going to go there today. Author Jim Greiner was there signing copies of his new book, Last Woman Hanged — Roxalana Druse. That would have made a great blog post. Roxalana Druse, of course, was hanged at the 1834 Jail, as is noted on a historical marker, which I have mentioned here. I intend to buy the book. Only, when I got home from work today, I just didn’t feel like going to an event.

We walked down Washington, then back along Mary Street by our church, Christ Episcopal. Tabby wanted to go inside, because there are always nice people to pet her when we go there, but I told her nobody was there. When we got to the end, Tabby pulled me across the street and back up the other side of Mary. She also wanted to explore an alley, so we walked down it, but it was a dead end. So much for going the Tabby way.

We crossed Washington by Carney’s Corners — a good place to get a sub. I could go for a sub. There is a gift shop on the other side — Cozy Corners, I think it is called. I must check that out sometimes. It could be a good blog post.

We walked through a more residential section and then up part of the path that used to be the hydraulic canal to German Street. I love that path. Tabby stopped to smell a bush at a house where a Jack Russel terrier usually barks at us from the screened in porch.

“Come on, before the dog that lives here starts barking,” I told her. I guess he wasn’t home, because silence reigned. Tabby finished her sniff and lifted one leg to pee on the bush, like a boy dog. What was that all about?

I was glad to get home. I made myself a cup of tea to warm my hands, and Tabby sacked out on the love seat. I think our nice little walk through Herkimer made for a perfectly acceptable blog post.

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Saturday Morning Walk

Posted on December 3, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

Other Saturdays I have gone running in the morning and then blogged about my run. Today I walked to the bank with Tabby, so my post will be about that.

I had a couple of checks I wanted to deposit in my Mad Money account at First Source Federal Credit Union here in Herkimer. I like that bank, because they are dog friendly. They don’t mind if Tabby comes in with me; in fact, they usually give her a treat. I thought they opened at eight, so we set out accordingly. I figured if I was wrong and they didn’t open till nine, I could get two walks in.

It was cold! Our thermometer said thirty-one degrees, and I believed it. The grass was stiff with last night’s heavy frost. I slipped on a little ice in the driveway and told myself I’d better watch it. I quickly put on the headband I had put in my pocket in case I needed it. I was wearing a jacket large enough to pull the sleeves down over my hands. Tabby did not seem to mind the temperature, but then she has a built in fur coat. I kept telling myself, wait till February. Then when it gets to be thirty-one degrees, we’ll be rejoicing in the warm weather. Perspective is a wonderful thing.

We saw a young person wearing pajama bottoms walking a large dog on the other side of the street. I could not tell if it was a young man or a young woman, because he or she was bundled up in a coat and hat, and the pajama bottoms were gender neutral. I mentally deplored again the fashion of wearing pajamas in public. Then again, maybe the person had just rolled out of bed and did not want to make their dog wait for its morning business meeting. Anyways, who am I to judge other people’s clothing? Especially when you consider some of my crazy old lady outfits. Tabby and the other dog regarded each other suspiciously but did not bark. Good dogs.

Tabby did her business, and as we continued toward the bank I kept an eye out for a trash can. You would think some of these businesses would have one by the door. At last I found one. I did not want to carry Tabby’s poop into the bank. I carried it into the post office once, set it down to transact my business and forgot it. I went back to get it and apologized, but how embarrassing. And pretty gross for other people.

After I made my deposit and Tabby got her treat, we went home by a different route. We saw a pug I know across the street but did not get near enough to pet him. He looked at us rather interestedly but kept walking, pausing of course to sniff or poop. Closer to home I got to pet two sweet shih tzu looking dogs (I’m never sure about breeds; I ought to get a book). Tabby touched noses with them but was more interested in heading home.

I have at least one more walk in mind for later today, as well as a couple other Mohawk Valley adventures. This morning’s stroll was a pleasant way to start my day.

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Walk, Don’t Run

Posted on November 30, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

The headline is from a sign at work. They’re all about safety there.

I ran three days in a row, that is, three out of my four days off. Then I went back to work for ten hours (sweet overtime). I was tired. Of course, every time I don’t run just because I’m tired, I regret it the next day. It rains, or my back hurts, or something else comes up, and then I’m two days without running. That said, I just could not get myself into sports bras and out the door.

I had coffee instead. Then turned on the computer intending to make my blog post. Then started thinking about my poor dog, who had been so happy to see me come home and who I was ignoring to be on the silly computer. The least I could do was take that pooch for a walk.

It was a lovely afternoon for a walk. Gloomy but not raining. I love gloomy days. I admired the trees’ bare branches against the grey sky. I always think deciduous trees are the real artists of nature. Every season they offer something different to admire.

I let Tabby pull me where she wanted to go. Down German Street towards Main. There are some cool older buildings on Main Street before you get into the downtown area. For example, the former Masonic Temple that now houses a tanning business. And of course, the Historic Four Corners. I noticed a wreath hung over the front door of the 1834 Jail and a Christmas Tree in the window. Very nice. Tabby pulled me through the little park near Basloe Library, and I was reminded about their book sale. Maybe I could check that out for a blog post later in the week.

I realized we were headed home after that. Tabby knows the neighborhood and had definite ideas about how long she wants to walk. My only concern was to keep her from jaywalking as we got closer to our street.

As we walked down our street, I saw a man walk, stop, then walk some more. It was almost dark by now, so it took me a minute to see the small animal frisking behind him. We caught up to them as we got to our house. The small animal was a tiny chihuahua. When she saw Tabby, she stopped and waited curiously. The dogs sniffed each other, but when I went to pet the chihuahua, Tabby barked and the other dog ran away. Her person picked her up and I petted her.

I said how cute she was and asked how old, and if it was a she or a he. The man said he thought she was about two. He had rescued her in California, where apparently she had just been dropped off in traffic.

“Sometimes they breed them and all they want is the puppies,” he said. Isn’t that just awful? She was a very sweet dog and so little. The man told me he had brought her back to New York thinking to give her to his grandkids, but they could not have a dog in their apartment.

“What, this cute little dog couldn’t hurt any apartment! Well, she’s lucky she has you,” I said.

“Oh, I just love her,” he replied.

We wished each other good night, and Tabby and I went inside. I hope we see that cute little dog again. I had missed my run, but the walk was nice.

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Back on My Feet Again

Posted on November 17, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do tend to go on about things (like for example the DARE 5K). I think almost every post since last Thursday I have mentioned my bad cold. Due to the cold, I have not been running or walking in a number of days (that’s a silly expression: “a number of days.” After all, one is a number.) (Some say the loneliest number) (But I digress). I was determined to take my schnoodle Tabby for a walk on Tuesday.

We set out down German Street in the direction of Caroline. I thought we might pass a couple of Mohawk Valley landmarks I could put in the blog. First we walked by Trinity Lutheran Church. They had a craft fair and soup luncheon last Saturday, which I missed as I was in the throes of the Overtime Blues.

I saw a cute little poodle I’ve tried to pet on occasion. She was a block and more ahead of us, walking with her lady, and we did not catch up. Just as well, she’s a nervous poodle. I also saw a pug I think I know, peeping out of the front door of his house. If it was the pug I think it was, he’s hard to pet too, but not because he’s scared of me. He’s just too wiggly.

Tabby and I boldly crossed Caroline, which I don’t always attempt at that time of day. It was no problem, though, and we walked on. We passed the Bellinger Rose Bed and Breakfast. I’ve never set foot in the place much less stayed there, so I can’t give it a real plug. However, it’s a beautiful building to walk by. Maybe one day they’ll do a Historical Society Fundraiser there, as the Balloon Farm Bed and Breakfast in Frankfort did once (alas, in my pre-blog days).

I had thought to walk down by the high school. For one thing, they have a handily located trash can, and Tabby had done her business (incidentally, I don’t know what kind of dog food and treats, Steven has been buying lately, but Tabby’s poops were tri-colored. It was amazing). Unfortunately, some parent meeting was going on. Lots of traffic, and I did not like to intrude. I did scan their electronic sign as I passed for upcoming events. We went to a fun play there once (again, during pre-blog days. Sorry, Herkimer Footlighters).

Tabby was getting a little tired of walking by now and started pulling me toward home. We headed in that direction, making good time except for just a couple pauses while Tabby explored a promising smell. She may get tired of walking, but she almost never gets tired of sniffing.

I always like walking in Herkimer, and I like writing blog posts about my walks. I always try to find something new and different to mention to my readers. I’m almost never disappointed. I hope my readers like it too.

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Another Pedestrian Post

Posted on November 10, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tuesday Tabby and I walked to the post office with post cards. I did not allow myself to be distracted by television. I did not neglect to put my bra back on. So right away, I was doing better than the last walk to the post office (or worse, when you consider the bra thing was pretty comical to blog about). Still, the walk was not without its points of interest.

I rather blatantly wore a crazy old lady outfit. I kept on the BDU pants and bright orange shirt I had worn to work (I think they look nice together). I added a sweatshirt and changed my steel toed work shoes for comfy running shoes (purchased at The Sneaker Store in New Hartford, NY). I let Tabby jump and bark impatiently while I looked for my crazy old lady hat.

We used to have a neighbor who loved that hat. If she saw me and I did not have it on, she’d say, “Young lady, where’s your hat?” She moved out, but Steven ran into her at Wal-Mart the other day. She told him to tell me I’d better be wearing my hat. So you see.

We walked into the post office to mail the post cards. Nobody has ever yelled at me to get my dog out, so I guess it’s OK. She wanted to greet a lady who was buying stamps, but the lady did not seem interested.

Since Tabby had been nice enough to accompany me to the post office, I let her choose our directions for the rest of the walk. She pulled me to Hummel’s Office Plus. One clerk, who knows Tabby from previous visits, greeted her by name and walked out from behind the counter to pet her. Another clerk said, “What a sweet dog,” and petted her too. We left when a customer came in needing help, but not before the customer petted Tabby as well.

After that, Tabby pretty much pulled me home. She is quite familiar with the streets of Herkimer. A successful walk from her point of view — petted by three people — and from my point of view — got my post cards mailed. And I got a blog post out of it, although I hope to have something more exciting to blog about soon. Stay tuned!

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