Lovin' The Country

If there is one thing I can't live without, it's a daily walk with Lion.  Actually, truth be told, I can't live with Lion if he doesn't have his walk.  Being an intelligent Australian Shepherd, Lion has the instincts of a herding dog and that means he needs to work, work, work, being active most of the day or he is bored, bored, bored.  If you don't keep an Aussie busy, he'll keep you busy cleaning up what he has imaginatively used (and torn apart) as a toy. 

Lion usually lets me know when I haven't been living up to my end of the bargain to keep him busy.

Lion is a well-mannered Aussie, in that he rarely destroys anything, choosing instead to wailfully moan and sigh over and over again until I head towards the leash.  Last Sunday, I grabbed the leash, slipped it over his head, and set out to explore the neighbourhood on a cool autumn day.

I was so lucky I listened to Lion.  Minutes into our walk, we came upon some acquaintances out on a fox hunting expedition.

Lion: Australian Shepherd or Sleeping Shepherd

Today I am wondering if I have an Australian Shepherd or a Sleeping Shepherd.  Aussies are known for their rambunctious, out-going, social behaviour with both canine and human friends alike.  Not ones to take boredom lightly, they will make their own fun if you don't give it to them.


What does that mean for Michel and I?  Taking Lion our for a walk, another walk, one more walk, run, then walk again.  (Obviously we're both in great shape because of this strictly enforced exercise schedule.  Lion won't let us skip a workout.)  And when we are not walking or running with Lion?  He politely requests we teach him more tricks (he runs and grabs his clicker - a popular dog training tool) or play tug with him (he bumps into us while he holds his tug toy in his mouth and looks up at us wantonly).   His requests are too gentle and cute to ignore, so Michel or I will drop what we're doing and grant his request.

Lion taking a day off from being an Aussie.

The Setai, Fifth Avenue, New York

Whenever I go to New York, I love staying at the Setai, Fifth Avenue.  


Everyone deserves to stay at the Setai. Everyone.


Michel and I were one of the lucky few to stay during their opening weeks.  We had never been to the Setai before, but upon recommendation of a friend, we took the chance and made our reservation.  We felt we were in a paradise away from home.  (Home is paradise itself, but when on business, it's often grueling to travel.  Coming back to a hotel room that is comfortable and quiet is paradise.)  


I am leaving you with a few pictures of our lovely stay.  Wish all of you could experience the room we were so lucky to relax in, because you all deserve it.  Enjoy.

The view from our hotel room: the empire state building.  Beautiful.

Michel, checking to make sure everything is A-OK.  (It was.)

Our dog Lion when we got back home, I'm sure he was thinking, "Where were you?"

Lion's Romp with Friends

Lion is a great dog's dog.  Although he loves people with a passion, he's crazy about dogs.  "Crazy" really is the right term.  Whenever he's brought to the dog park, he trembles as he waits for his leash to be removed and the "Ok" signal that tells him it's time to play.  

Lion, 1st on left, playing with his friends.

Once he's got permission, his back legs catapult him in huge bounds to the nearest group of tumbling, rumbling playmates.  He's a little rude in dog terms, as he doesn't slow down when he approaches, being a ball of fast-flowing, long caramel and white fur, and mouth opened in a great big canine smile.  But most dogs don't mind.  They know he's just a young pup in a big dog's body.  Lion just doesn't know it he's a big dog yet.  And watching the fun he has, we're not going to tell him either.

Our Company Mascott

Say hello to our company mascott, Lion.  Actually, he's not exactly as pictured below.  This is he in his youth, merely weeks old, still too young to be parted from his mother.  He's a lot older now, but still just as cute, well ... maybe the term is handsome.

Why did we name him "Lion"?  He's as gentle and soft as an overgrown kitten, but if ever an ill-intentioned character ever bumbled into his path -- he would be as scary as ... you know ... a lion. 

Unfortunately, he doesn't share our love of fragrance.  As soon as any of us come close to him when we're wearing our fragrance pick of the day, he's headed to the far corner of the room (unless there is a door open, then he's out the door).  He'd much rather "eau de doggy smell", and we just don't have any of that in our stock room.