Like a Native New Yorker

Greetings to all my followers if I have any yet.

Well, the snow which came down heavy and furious was beautiful and now is all over.

Crossing the streets can be a drag because of the messy slush and filthy puddles.

Besides, people have put out ice melting salt, which is strewn everywhere, it can cut up and sting your feet so I hope you all have your pads well protected.

Even though I get plenty of walks all over town, sometimes when we are returning from a small vacation trip to Nyack, NY we take the subway from Grand Central Station back downtown.

I have actually begun to enjoy that infamous underground ride. They are super fast and screechy noisy.

Sometimes the subway cars are so jam packed I can barely even wag my tail!!

However, when the people traffic is light I manage to get a seat.

I have ridden many different lines and I prefer the newer trains on the IRT line, the numbers 1,2,3 or the 4,5,6 which go south-north-south-north all day and all night long.

SUBWAY TIP: It is very important to be polite and not to mind or react to the people pushing and shoving, or coughing and sneezing on top of you.

Take up as little space as possible. Let people pet you if they just can't help themselves, tell yourself 'it will be over quickly because chances are their stop is coming up soon'.

And most important......“watch the closing doors”.

Nam out-

When you've just “got to go” in that cold wet snow!

OK my fellow ratters...that snow event yesterday in Manhattan was a lot of fun and very messy.

I managed to have tons of fun AND stay warm and dry because I was properly dressed.

IMPORTANT DRESSING TIP: Before you head out into the cold, icy, wet winter wonderland, make sure you are wearing your toasty fleece long johns AND your insulated winter ski Parker, with removable hood!

If you have them, wear your Pawz booties, OR you can use 'Mushers Secret' on your pads to protect them from the nasty salt. http://www.musherssecret.net/faq.html

FINAL SNOW TIP: Tempting as it may be my friends, remember to avoid the “yellow” snow.

Now go play with your friends and enjoy in comfort!

Nam out-

travel in style my fellow ratties

OK, so you're in NYC, in the middle of winter, what to wear?

FASHION TIP. Well the best dressed will be sporting a fleece one piece union suit. This unit zips up the back, covering the legs and the hind quarters for warmth. It is available in several colors. I prefer the earth tones.

Then there are the snow storms and with that comes the nasty salting of the side walks!

FASHION TIP. Get some of those "Pawz" reusable, disposable rubber boots. They come in different sizes and colors, but most of us ratties will need the small. The small is available in red, and I found that this red really helps accessorize my winter look beautifully.
Besides feeling protected and warm, I get so many second looks, smiles and compliments from everyone who sees me on the street. I JUST LOVE IT!

Oh, and while you are in the big apple and when you need to, make sure you get to 'go pee' on one of those shinny brass hydrants! Now that is what I call "going in style".

ridin' the rails in style

Greetings fellow travel hounds. In todays blog I have a few special tips for ridin' the rails in style!
Posted here is yours truly on board the train which took us from the airport in Albuquerque to Santa Fe, NM. It is called the Rail Runner. It is a sweet ride too.
So here are more things to keep in mind whether you are riding on a train, or plane.

TRAVEL TIP NUMBER SIX
Be super well behaved, and obey your human. Remember you are along for the ride so enjoy it.
You will notice I am wearing my matching red winter parka in this photo.
Efforts like showing off your extremely good manners, having a calm demeanor, being friendly towards your fellow human passengers, no barking and looking cute as a button in adorable clothes like I did on this trip, will help earn you points with both the conductor and the ticket agents on board.

TRAVEL TIP NUMBER SEVEN
Also IMPORTANT, wear your harness or collar at all times, and KEEP YOUR ID TAGS ON YOU.
I don't need to tell you what a nightmare it could be without them.

TRAVEL TIP NUMBER EIGHT
Here is an easy tip to make your ride even more pleasurable. Inside your Sherpa travel bag there is a lovely washable faux sheep skin mat. So here's all you do. Ask your human to take your Sherpa mat from your case and use it as a protective cover on your public train seat. Believe me, it will make for a more comfortable ride AND will also put you in good favor with the other passengers who might take issue with a dog siting on 'their' seat.
If you don't have the sheep skin mat, then a towel, blanket or cloth will work just as nicely.
Look lady, no shedding here! By the way this is also works great for plane rides too.

Hey, take the train, It is so much fun. So many things to see, and very few stops.

That's it for today, Happy Trails, Nam out.