Voter Antipathy

"Rock the Vote" "Get Out the Vote" "Vote or Die"...lies, lies, filthy lies. After enduring months of messages about civic virtue, THIS proud Canine American found that the much-hyped "universal suffrage" that supposedly separates us from those nasty second-rate, third-world, chauvanist-pig kleptocracies is not so "universal" after all: WHAT DO YOU MEAN DOGS CAN'T VOTE??!

I am a good citizen, I abide by the social contract: I visit the sick, never leave messes on the public streets, arrange for taxes to be paid on my many necessities and accoutrements, pump cash into the economy by requiring regular walks. Laws effect my daily life: licensing, leash laws, public transit rules. And yet I am not allowed to have my opinion registered, my voice heard, in the grand and powerful scheme that is our representative democracy?

Who knew they still took that "one MAN one vote" thing so seriously...?

Disenfranchised,
Pearl

Celebrity

Sometimes it's better to let a professional tell your story...so take a look at my latest vacation (a week in the Catskills), blogged on the National Geographic Traveler blog: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/extras/blog/blog0 610_1a.html

~The Cosmopolite

Eating Something Almost Precisely But Not Entirely Unlike- Crow

I've mentioned on my page before that I'm pretty sure pigeons are tasty. Let's just say I've disproved that theory, and the less said about it the better. Believe me, if it were in my Bulldog character to show remorse...ha! It's not! In fact, I'd better get back to stalking those rats-with-wings...see ya!

Incorrigibly yours,
Pearl

The Photo Shoot

My publicist directs you here: www.tonyabouliapetphoto.blogspot.com

~Pearl~

New Digs

I was skeptical at first that things were actually going to improve, when Mama started packing up all our things in the big brown boxes. I REALLY didn't like it when there was almost nothing left at all...I went to lie down in the hallway **ON THE BARE HARDWOOD FLOOR** to make sure Mama wouldn't forget me when it was time to go. But she didn't, and now I have a whole new, fancy domain all to myself.

Sure, the new place is bigger than the last one, with even more soft spots for me to relax, rest, sleep, nap, meditate, snooze, etc. But the very best part is that we're now only 1/2 a block away from the VERY BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!! That would be Central Park, of course. In the mornings we pups get to romp around off-leash. This very morning I ran into my Good Dog therapy dog trainer Sue, and her husband, and her silly doggies Billie and Dewey. And I met a super cute little pug dude, Dudley. But my best find was Cricket--she's a gorgeous cream Frenchie girl just like me, and one of my pup pals, and I was SO happy we finally got to meet in person.

So now I'm so looking forward to settling in, getting unpacked, and meeting a new pack of friends up by 86th Street in the Park.

Your Domestic Diva,
Pearl

The Bahamas! (with Mama)

Fab news! I just learned that Mama and Aunt Julia and I are going to the Bahamas! I had heard rumors of such a trip, but it wasn't clear that I was going to get to go too...well, how could a vacation be a vacation without ME?!?

So now things are in full swing to get ready--there are so many things to pack! Mama has ordered me a doggie life preserver (FRENCH BULLDOGS CAN'T SWIM) and a special cooling collar lest I get overheated. Then there are papers and permits to get, my travel bag to clean out, snacks to pack...what a bustle, and how I'm looking forward to it! We are going to stay at some big fancy resort and I get to go on a snorkeling trip on a big sail boat and everything! Hey--anyone with tips for how to make Caribbean trips with doggies even better, drop me a line.

Getting away from it all,
Pearl, Beach Girl

Out Like a Lamb

Gracious, it has been forever since I've updated you all on my life and general condition--I've been so remiss! It's no excuse, but I have been BUSY...

First, I continue in my recovery from that nasty whatever-it-was esophageal issue. Mama is still feeding me in a vertical position--with which I am more than happy to comply, considering that she feeds me YUMMY RAW MEATBALLS. The ingredients differ a little batch-to-batch, but this week the menu is meatballs made of a mix of ground beef, veal, and buffalo (gotta love Whole Foods), with some supplements and vitamins thrown in for good measure. Sometimes the meatballs are tossed in a light salmon oil (we're all concerned about getting enough Omega-3s theses days, aren't we?). I think Michelin is due to visit soon.

Secondly, I've been volunteering as a Therapy Dog/Model (who's surprised by THIS?) at a community center down in SoHo. There's a program there where high school kids learn about photography and journalism, and they use therapy dogs from The Good Dog Foundation as subjects. I don't always have time for the press, though, so I let Mama do my interviews for me while I pose. I hope to post some portraits by these talented youngsters here soon!

Finally, I'm keeping my paws crossed that SPRING is finally coming to New York City. This past Saturday was glorious and warm and mild, and I spent nearly the whole day in Central Park, running, sniffing, and being strolled about. I hope to make a more regular habit of it--I blush to say that my fitness level has been quite compromised by my convalescence and general distaste of nasty, windy, frigid Northern winter weather. Bless me, though, we're nearly halfway through March, and I'm hoping the worst of it is behind us. From here on out we have St. Patrick's Day and Easter and all the rest of the great SPRING holidays--so hopefully the weather will comply with the calendar.

I hope all is well with my dear fans, family, admirers, and Pup Pals.
Erin Go Bragh,
Pearl

PUPPYFIND.COM = JERKS

A note from Pearl's mom: I have removed Pearl's puppy pictures from this page because several of Pearl's Frenchie pup pals have had their puppy pictures stolen and posted as dogs "for sale" on a NOTORIOUS SCAM website, puppyfind.com. Dogster knows about this and is trying to address the fraud, but it is still happening. I don't want my Pearl's identity stolen, and I don't want liars and fraudsters to make money off of her (gloriously gorgeous and adorable) image. I'm sorry that it has come to this. I hope those people are shut down soon. I hope no one EVER gives them money again.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on puppyfind, or TO REPORT A STOLEN PICTURE, or TO REPORT A $$ SCAM on puppyfind, check out this new website: www.puppyfindsucks.com.

~Pearl's Mom

P.E.A.R.L.: The Return of the Queen

Dark days indeed have these been, while the Queen has in exile suffered, in ignominy and pain. Far from her rightful kingdom and devoted subjects, she has languished in a cell, weak, her majesty unrecognized and her humiliations multiplying.

Yet even as her people were ravaged by sorrow and fear that she would never return to them, there were hearts in which some sparks of hope had been kept aflame. And so the Queen rallied. Awakening as if from a deep and numbing sleep, she gained strength, ate, and tentatively gave some kisses. Her royal charisma undeniable, the strange folk who had looked after her were renewed in their efforts, and together effected a magnificent recovery. In a matter of days, casting off her shackles and lines, the Queen emerged glorious, beautiful, and powerful. Given over to the care of her most faithful servant, she was borne from her exile in a golden chariot, and the fog that had engulfed her kingdom was pierced with its light on her arrival.

Hail now the Queen, returned to her Throne and Raiment, to her Beds and Couches, her Lounges and Pillows, her Sqeaky Toys and NylaBones! Fan now those sputtering sparks, that once were hope, into great flames of joy, of exultation! Come ye rejoicing and pay homage in the form of Belly Rubs--for the Queen has Returned and throughout the land there shall be much Petting and Cuddling and Making of Fusses.

Improvement

A note from Pearl's Mom: well, after three days in the hospital, PEARL GETS TO COME HOME TODAY!!!

She does have some problems with her esophagus, but her stomach is okay and so far she has not developed any pneumonia. She is going to get some medicines and eat standing up like a person (on her back legs) to help the food pass down to her tummy. I am sure she will have something to say about that, but as long as the food is good, I doubt she'll notice too much!

Anyway, I am so happy that the little dogger is going to be back on her home turf soon, and hopefully she will get healthier and healthier the more we learn about her condition, and won't need any more work done. It scares me so much to have her put under anesthesia! But the vets who worked on her did an excellent job.

I must give a big Thank You to the folks at the Animal Medical Center in NYC for taking such immediate and excellent care of my baby, to the kind people at her regular vets, West Chelsea Veterinary Hospital, for explaining what was going on and being done while Pearltastic was at the AMC, and to various Yahoo groups (raw learning, canine megaesophagus) for much needed information about her condition. All of these were and will continue to be fantastic resources for me & my dog.

Best,
Emma