Author Archives: puppyperryspate

Perry Prefers Blondes

IMG_2694I know people it has been a few weeks since I have shared my adventures with all of you but I have been busy and a little self-absorbed which is nothing new of course.

Over Mother’s Day weekend my Mom was out-of-town visiting family in NJ while my Auntie Wendy came for a visit. It was so nice considering she is a blonde and you know my infatuation with the ladies in general –especially blonds. She was so fun to hang out with and she got Dad out of the house…

We went for a long walk along the beach in Venice and saw all the peoples on the boardwalk, which made me happy because I got extra attention from strangers. It was a lazy weekend and I was a little sad as I missed my mommy but she had a good time with her aunts and grandma.

When Mom got back, we had to prepare for a houseguest who was coming for one of Mom’s MI trainings and guess what?   She was blonde as well, so I was in blonde heaven!

I just want to report that I have been a good boy for the most part…my only real weakness is that squirrel PITA who continually irritates me by hanging out on the fence making squeaky noises which gets me really going. He goes back and forth on the fence to taunt me so I finally have to get outside and chase him. …perhaps he is not a safe friend.

One bad thing did happen and I got into more than a little trouble with Dad. However, it really was not ALL my fault. Henry (the dog next store who looks like a little Sherlock Holmes) likes to start fights with me. He prances across the driveway and up to MY windows, and barks which really gets my goat.

This week Dad and I got home from an errand and I was trying to wait for the signal to get out of the car. Suddenly I saw that little thing lying in wait and I took off. Of course Dad was using his outside voice to calm me down but the adrenaline kicked in and we were off.

The next thing I realized in my fit of angst was I was on a leash without a parental holding on and I took advantage and tore off down the street. This made Dad crazy and he screamed for me to come back. There were cars in the street which to my credit I did avoid but what really got me going was when he yelled, “fine go kill yourself” and turned around and walked away.

What? Did he did not care?

Then I got a little nervous so I turned around and ran back to him. I realized he must have been using some reverse psychology, but it worked.

Dad 1 – Perry 0

The weather in Santa Monica is a cloudy 65 degrees today. We are thankful it did rain a few inches, which were desperately needed in Los Angeles to help our drought situation. Please send water if you have any to spare.

Peace,

Punky

The Lazy Days of Spring…

IMG_2687Do you see this look on my face people? Yep – that is right I want to play and do something of substance and it seems the parental’s want a mellow day! What on earth is a mellow day? Seriously, if I am moving and getting into all sorts of trouble why cannot my pack follow suit?

As usual at Casa de Perry we have been on the go. Mom last weekend was in Albuquerque, New Mexico speaking at a Sweet Success conference to the Navajo Diabetes Educators. Apparently she had a good time WITHOUT me since I’m not allowed to travel on planes. I’m not so great in the car so planes might be challenging for me.

Next week Mom is off to Massachusetts again for another Motivational Interviewing training and then to see Auntie Marjorie in New Jersey. Dad and I will be staying at home to have a boy’s week, which I love because that means extra snacks and playtime in the house.

After Mom gets back they are planning a few trainings in Central California, which I am excited about because I will get to hang out in the country.  I’m not sure what the motivating is all about since I’m plenty motivated to do what needs to be done so I”m not sure why these humans need that?  Shows we are still the superior race!

I did hear Dad talk about maybe going up to SLO in July to visit my grandparents and hang out with family up there. I do like a good road trip, although it requires that car thing again.  Hmmm…

Well that is a quick update folks so back to lounging on this mellow weekend. Probably a lot of people are having a mellow weekend because it was a big one with the Kentucky Derby and the Mayweather / Pacquiao fight which we did not watch either.

The weather in Santa Monica is a bright, warm 75 degrees. By the way, did I tell you Mom keeps looking at her wrist? She’s more than a bit obsessed with her new thing I believe they call an Apple Watch. Apparently she’s one of the only people in town that seems to have one. She says it helps her keep track of her “steps” whatever that means.  I’m not sure why it’s important since I get LOTS Of those but as long as that shiny thing is not more special than ME!

Love Perry

I Had a Grown-Up Day Today

IngosToday was an amazing day – there was so much that happened.

I was left out of my crate not only ONCE but TWICE!  The first time when the parentals went to church and second time when they went to do a food review at the new hip Santa Monica restaurant Ingo’s.

Ingos was the original restaurant Callahan’s and was recently bought by Mom’s friend Bob Lynn who invited them for the opening.  The only bad part was I was NOT invited which was the bummer but I got to stay home all alone and roam the house, AKA lounge on the ottoman.  You can see Mom sneaking a picture of Dad sitting in the booth.

AND I passed the home test as I patiently sat on my throne till they got home and did not disturb anything in the house – even the pens, which I still have a secret addiction to.  Mom says I should go to Pens Anonymous but I told her I would be the only one present.

Anyway, less is more so I will leave it at that.  The weather was amazing AND I got to go on TWO walks because we are finding that more walks lower insulin resistance and use our glut4 muscles whatever that means.

Love Punky

MELLOWNESS in Santa Monica

IMG_2050 2This weekend has been sort of interesting and the key word is mellow and soup.

Dad’s been on a soup kick but it’s not because any of us are sick.  I’ve been a bit sulky since I want to GO somewhere and for a not so good change for me I’m stuck at home.

One of our good friends had surgery and Dad made him homemade chicken soup to help him feel better.  I was a bit jealous since I did NOT get to go to the hospital but as of now I’m not allowed – hence the reason Dad has to get my service cape so I can do those sorts of things.

IMG_2049Today Dad made ANOTHER soup – French Onion – and this one took him hours.  It looked quite yummy but again I was not allowed to be involved in this process since canines cannot eat onions, or so I’m told.  I thought it was a bit odd since he was crying all morning, but Mom said it was just the onions.

I thought I’d post a picture so you could all see it.  Auntie Chris is coming tomorrow so Dad thought he would make something special for HER.  I guess if I get to see her, it’s all good.

The best news is the weather is pretty spectacular in Santa Monica today – a cool beautiful sky with a nice breeze.  Dad and I have been enjoying the new patio and yard work he’s done this weekend.  We are looking forward to some summer dinners and maybe even a party (?)

Love to All!

Perry

Happy Peaster

PerrypatioThere is a lot to celebrate this week…patio, Passover and Easter all within 7 days.

Yep – that’s right folks – our week started out with a bang and ended up on a reflection.

Monday and Tuesday Dad and Zach worked long hours and created a beautiful paver, patio which added a nice outside space for our family. What I like best about it was that unbeknownst to Dad he subconsciously color coordinated the patio to match ME…once again, it is all about me here at Casa de Perry.

Even though I only watched Dad and Zach moved over 20,000 pounds to create the nice oasis in the backyard and do some work in the front yard, it was still a workout going to and fro with all our supplies.

All in all our yard got a nice little face lift.

This year Passover fell on Good Friday and today is Easter, and Mom’s friend Lisa said it was a “happy peaster.”  Last year I had an egg hunt in the back yard, and this year my gift was being left outside my crate while the parental units went to church. Now that is what I call the good life.

Otherwise we are hanging tight here in Santa Monica and the weather was a beautiful spring 70 degree day!

Happy Easter Peeps…but don’t eat the peeps since they are a bit high in sugar.

Perry

The Big Red Truck

IMG_2001The last few weeks I talked about how HOT it was here in Santa Monica….well Casa de Perry has put a new meaning to HOT and it is not flattering but more of parental unit embarrassment.

Yep that’s right folks my Father decided it would be OK to create a recipe with a cast iron skillet. You know where I am going with this don’t you?

The next thing you know the alarm is going off and Dad is flagging this thing on the ceiling and opening up windows. I just looked up and ignored the fan fare.

Life resumed to normal until we heard the sirens.  Since we live in LA it is nothing to hear these cacophony of sounds. However, it kept getting closer and closer…so close in fact it was in the front of the house.  A BIG RED TRUCK in front of our house – HOW FASCINATING!

Next I hear Mom tell Dad that he needed to deal with this. I watched him go outside and have to tell the Big Red truck it was a false alarm.

IMG_1998Oh the pure joy of watching Dad be embarrassed…

Pery 1 – Parental Unit ZERO, oh that should be Dad ZERO

And it’s been a very pleasant 70 degrees in Santa Monica today, so no fires to report on today!

BTW – in case you missed it it was National Puppy Day this week and MY baby picture got lots of likes on Facebook as it should.  I’m posting that picture here just in case you missed it.

Love Perry

Happy Spring People!

punkyrecipetestingThe first weekend of spring and I am happy and always ready to go. Mom has been encouraging us to take morning walks and I just love them. However, Dad is not a fan as I still have my addiction to pulling. These parental’s have no clue as I want to explore and be the leader of the pack.  That is what us Weimaraners are known for in case you did not know.

As for leader I have found my new thing which makes Dad even crazier…every chance I get I pull everything out of my crate and bring it all over the house. OK, I have been doing this for a few years now but lately when anyone touches my stuff I get out of sorts and have to run and wrestle it out of their hands. I am so on it that I can be dead asleep and just sense that someone is touching my stuff.

But it does not end there…I know there are a few rugs that I am not allowed on, especially when I am eating a delicious bone. Yep you guessed it I got straight to these off limit spots and make a mess.  I am still 3 years old so I have another year before I have to start acting like a grownup, since us larger breeds take the longest to grow up.

Since it is light longer I have more daylight hours to cause craziness in the Dopart-Batchelor household.

Thank goodness it cooled off and it was a very pleasant 66 degrees in Santa Monica today.  I thought I was going to die after all the cooking this week in our house.  The new cookbook was in FULL gear with at least 10 new recipes and I am here on the cool kitchen floor asking for treats.  I got a few but not sufficient for my needs – maybe later.  I did sneak some gluten-free crackers and they were amazing!

Later,

Perry

Is it SO HOT here PEOPLE!

IMG_2602I cannot believe that we are having record high temperatures in March, and today is a whopping 90 degrees!  This means in our old house it is in the mid-90’s and does not cool off at night.

I know that the parentals are secretively loving this extreme heat because I cannot move…well I move from one area to the next and just plop myself down with a loud thud. I wish we had a swimming pool.

I was surprisingly perfect this morning. Mom and Dad went out to church and left the crate open. I just hung out in there with the door open. They have been letting me roam around a little bit by myself lately and that is nice. I am trying not to cause too much havoc.

OK – don’t be worried my little campers as you can see I thought Dad was not paying sufficient attention to me so I brought both his running shoes outside again.   He was really good about using his Fitbit last year and then abandoned ship and since today is the LA Marathon I figured I’d light a fire under his feet to get him going again.

Then I thought I would give him an extra run for his money so while he was retrieving his shoes I took his tax pen and chewed it up. Yep- it is grumpy season because it is about taxes.

So we are doing well, heat and taxes aside.

If you haven’t checked out Mom’s most recent blog you should since it is a quite inspiring story about her road trip in snowstorm.

Peace out Perry!

Challenging Weeks AND Treats

IMG_2586This week I learned something new which made me realize just how precious life is.

Our neighbor lady, Ann, passed away after 92 wonderful years of life.

Although she was cranky at times, for the most part she was a kind and thoughtful woman who was never afraid to leave a conversation without saying “I love you.”

When Dad brought me over to meet her when I was just a pup, she was so happy and welcomed me into her home. She was lucky in this day and age to able to finish out her life in her home.

You will be missed Ann and always thought of with love.

Last weekend we missed our blog so sorry I have been out of contact. We were all a bit more than challenged since Dad was working hard dealing with the flooding in our back yard and Mom was way challenged trying to get o Arkansas to speak.

Since it hardly eve rains in Santa Monica, when it does, it creates a lot of issues with our back yard and garage but Dad dealt with it and were okay and saved our books.

Mom’s flight from Dallas to Arkansas got cancelled and she was stranded at the airport with no options to get to her speaking engagement. She told me she met some really nice people, one man in particular who was an angel and he offered to drive her and another woman to Arkansas in the snow, a 330-mile trip.

Since Mom and I are alike in that we are not really “car people” I was surprised but it seems Mom’s life this year is about new adventures so she’s taking it in stride.

Mom did her annual thing this weekend going to Natural Foods Expo. Dad and I stayed at home waiting for the new items while Mom and Victoria waded through the masses of excited foodies and you can see her new finds on her blog.

I am always excited to see what she brings ME home and this year I got to have a new treat from Riley’s Organics.  The nice man named Grant gave Mom TWO bags of treats for me – the Apple and Peanut Butter dog biscuits.

Not only do they taste amazing, but more importantly they all organic, wheat, corn and soy free with no additives or preservatives. We all know what happened to me when I was given a dog treat at daycare that had wheat and preservatives – I almost died and had to go on all those drugs so I’m happy Riley’s is healthy for me.

I needed a new fun tasty treat since Mom has been busy and remiss at making me the homemade one’s from A Healthy Baker’s Dozen – remember my picture and dog biscuit is featured there.

So it’s that time of year ending Daylight savings where you “spring ahead” and I know the parentals love this as I sleep in a little more.

It’s almost spring time and I can report a really lovely 75 degrees in Santa Monica today. I know – we have nothing to complain about compared to our human and canine friends in other parts of the country. My friends Katherine and John in Boston are having to make a practice of cleaning snow off their roof each weekend and I’m not so sure the parentals would ever be up for that so we’ll stay on the west coast for now.

Peace!

Perry

And the Oscar Goes To….Perry?

IMG_2368Dad finally returned from the cold land of Kansas City Missouri. I was excited to see him and instantly forgave him for abandoning me by counter suffering and snatching a full chicken off the counter. Told you payback can be fun.

The week went great and all of us here at Casa de Perry are happy and healthy. We are working on printing a batch of our book A Healthy Baker’s Dozen, which should be ready in a month. Mom continues to book speaking engagements in Motivational Interviewing all over the country and Dad is trying to keep me out of trouble or should I say I keep him out of trouble.

I thought things were getting close to perfect since we were having a workday at the house. Usually these are pretty cool and mellow, with Dad in the office and me lounging with a big bone.

BUT NOT this time!

The Zade baby came over which means I do not receive all of my loves and attentions, which I am entitled to. Plus didn’t Dad just go to Missouri for that baby? And Dad was holding that little thing way too much and I felt abandoned.

IMG_2505I had had enough and tried to challenge the little creature with a stare down as you can see. Finally after a few hours things went back to normal and the baby was put into his container thingy and left.

Of course once the godchild left I shared with Dad my frustration by taking a few pairs of his shoes outside. That will learn him.

As you can see I am just sitting here waiting for the Academy Awards to begin.

Well, it is once again the Oscars and even though Ellen is not hosting it, Doogie Howser, MD will be in the house.

OK, red carpet fans you will not see me out there on it as it is overcast, chilly and the temp in Santa Monica is only 64 degrees today. I know our east coast friends are more than jealous but remember I have absolutely no hair or body fat to keep me warm, so I’m entitled to a little complaining.

And the Oscar goes to…

Maybe Perry?