Maria's Taco Express - South Lamar - ATX

So in case you haven't guessed, my parents don't really cook at home so I get to go out to eat a lot! Maria's Taco Express was a good place for me to visit. I had a rough day today (I spent the day at the groomer) so it was nice to just chill underneath a table while my parents ate nachos, tacos, beans and rice. I did find a few discarded chips to munch, if only someone had also discarded some salsa to go with those chips. Definitely one of my favorite places!

Pasta Atigianale - Downtown ATX

Samuel, my Pawstin dog walker, has the next two weeks off so my parents came and got me during their lunch break from work. We walked to the little food trailer court across the street from our home and found a little pasta food trailer that featured fresh pasta, hand mixed and cut right there in their tiny trailer!  Very tasty...or so I heard.  Very dog friendly with dog bowls for water scattered around the courtyard.  

El Arroyo - Downtown ATX

Dinner with my parents tonight at El Arroyo Mexican Restaurant.  I was on my best behavior. I spent most of my time underneath the table with my face pressed against the railing as I stared into the ditch below.  See, the restaurant is actually built on top of a ditch. In fact, "el arroyo" means "the ditch" in Spanish. I know. I am just a wealth of knowledge. Sign me up for puppy trivia!

Apple Store - The Domain - ATX

Mom is getting a new computer for her biz so we all went to the Apple Store. I was allowed into the store and I sat quietly while Mom and Dad asked the Apple associate some very important questions.  At one point I saw a fellow dog in the store so I sent a shout out to the other dog. That got me in trouble with  Mom but everyone who heard me then noticed me for the first time and I got lots of attention. I'm going to ride this cuteness wave for as long as I can!

Torchy's Tacos - Burnet Road - ATX

We stopped at Torchy's Tacos for dinner this evening.  The Burnet Road location has a nice dog friendly patio and I was given my own water bowl.  Torchy's never disappoints. 

24 Diner - Downtown ATX

My parents went to a holiday party without me (!?) but when they came home they realized they were so busy socializing that they didn't really eat at the party. So I got to go to 24 Diner!  

This was a busy Saturday night but we were seated on the patio within 15 minutes. I got my own water bowl and lots of attention from our server, Liz.  I found a very tasty used napkin under our table that I shredded because I was trying to get any and all tasty morsels from that used napkin.  Mom was embarrassed but Liz thought it was cute.  I highly recommend being in the adorable club - membership does have its privileges. 

Law Office - Downtown ATX

Trial prep. Apparently it's a thing. And not a very fun thing. But my parents have to do it this weekend so I'm thankful they brought me along to their office so I don't have to stay home by myself.  Besides, it's not so bad here. I have my food, water, and toys. 

Google Fiber Space - Downtown ATX

The nice folks at Google Fiber set up a human size snow globe in their space for this holiday season!  I was truly on my best behavior this night.  There was fake snow on the ground, human snacks set on tables just my height, loud music, and large fans blowing inside of the snow globe. None of this really fazed me though. I am learning to trust my parents and know they wouldn't bring me to any horrible place. Except maybe the vet. And maybe the groomer.  But even those places aren't too bad. 

Anthropologie - Downtown ATX

So Mom needed to find a party dress over her lunch hour. Mom also needed to walk me over her lunch hour. Solution:  Shop at Anthropologie!

Anthropologie is a clothing store that is very dog friendly. They let Mom bring me into the store and even with her into the fitting room. The sales associates gave me lots of dog treats, too!  

I'm so cute that I'm always getting my picture taken by strangers so when I saw a stranger pointing her camera at me I didn't react at all. But Mom didn't even know the stranger was taking our picture. So Mom was glad when the stranger came over and showed Mom the picture that she had taken of us.  The stranger asked for permission to post our picture on her Facebook which Mom thought was very considerate of her. Mom asked the stranger to email the picture to her for my blog.  Mom also wants me to write that she was NOT interested in the furry jacket in the picture so don't go all PETA on her the next time you see her. 

Photoshoot - Downtown ATX

Reunited and It Feels So Good - Yard Bar ATX

Last night my parents took me to the Yard Bar. A playground for me, a beer for Dad, and a peaceful place for Mom to play on her phone. Everyone is happy.  So I was running around exploring the yard when suddenly I saw myself walk in through the front gates!  Did I suddenly become two dogs?! Turns out my litter mate brother lives right here in ATX! I was soooo happy to see him. I missed him so much!

Standoff with the Robot - Downtown ATX

No, I will NOT take you to my leader. In fact, I will stare you down until the humans take you away. 

Urban Life - Downtown ATX

Being a city dweller, I have to really make an effort to stay in shape.  Living up in my kennel-in-the-sky means I can't just go out whenever I feel like it. I have to have a human take me down in the elevator and then open a few access doors before I am outside. My parents work all day and can't always come to take me outside.  So they hired a dog walker to come and take me out. The dog walker takes me to get other dogs from their kennels-in-the-sky. Then we all go for a nice walk around the city. As you can see, I am the leader of this pack! 

Mueller Tower Lighting Ceremony

Tonight my parents took me to the holiday lighting ceremony for the old Mueller Tower. There was a marching band that rattled my nerves a bit but once I got used to the music, I rather enjoyed myself.  I said hi to my fellow dogs and received a lot of attention from everyone.  The organizers of the event brought in real snow and I was able to grab a mouthful of this cold foreign substance. There was free coffee, hot chocolate, and apple cider for the humans.  All in all a good time!

Top Golf - North ATX

Today I went to Top Golf with my parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins. My cousins are visiting for Thanksgiving from Oklahoma.  I received so much attention!  I like watching the balls go flying. I had to bark a little at the cart that collects the balls because it was taking all the balls. I wish I could have that job!  I will definitely be back to Top Golf. 

Malaga - Downtown ATX

I met my Uncle Joe and Aunt Courtney the other night. We all went to have tapas  at Malaga.  We sat on the patio and they had a nice heater going. The server lady brought me a bowl of water in a to-go container. I thought it was my toy so I picked it up and dumped my water out.  I thought for sure the restaurant people would not be happy but the server lady thought I was so cute for doing that.  She even brought me another serving of water.  Otherwise I was pretty good and sat quietly under the table. I haven't had a taste of people food so I'm not interested in begging. Besides, I get fed really well at home. I heard some drunk people whispering and pointing at me as they passed by, "OMG look those people brought a skunk to dinner. They have their skunk on a leash!"  So I get that it was probably dark under the table but. Really?!  Who would bring a skunk to dinner?!  Silly drunk people.

Moody Theater - Downtown ATX

Being a photographer's doggy daughter, I have learned to strike a pose.  While Dad is the professional photographer, this is a shot from Mom's iPhone.  

I Spy Something...Squirrel!

West Elm - Downtown Austin

Last night Mom took me to visit our friends at West Elm. The store was looking good, all decked out for the holidays!  We visit this store quite frequently as we pass by on our daily walks.  Most dog friendly store in my 'hood!

Veterans Day Parade - Downtown ATX

Today we went to the Veterans Day parade on Congress Avenue to say "thank you" to all veterans. 

Whole Foods - Downtown ATX

Mom came home for her lunch break and took me to lunch at Whole Foods. Here I am standing guard over her sushi. 

I'm back in Downtown ATX

I am back in my downtown kennel-in-the-sky after my four day ordeal in the suburbs with my grandparents. Just kidding. My stay with them was lovely.  In fact, I was spoiled.  But I'm glad my  parents are back from their trip.  There's no place like home! 

Amy's Ice Cream - Downtown ATX

My parents wanted ice cream one night so they brought me along to Amy's Ice Cream. No fun for me because I wasn't allowed to have any ice cream.  But there were ice cream drippings on the ground under our outdoor table so I was able to have a little taste before Mom caught me licking the ground.  Mom had us change to another table but it was too late because I had already gotten a taste and I. Love. Ice Cream! Maybe Mom will lighten up the next time we go and let me have some.  

The Yard Bar - Burnet Road ATX

Last night my parents took me to The Yard Bar. It's a place where Dad can have a beer, Mom can have a basket of potato chips, and I can roam free with other dogs in the "yard". Next to the "yard" is an eating area where a hostess will seat you and take your food order. Humans can order hotdogs, sandwiches, and other human food. Dogs also have a special menu. I wanted the sliders from the dog menu but my parents wanted my stomach to settle down. Apparently I have stomach issues?  I don't know but my parents pick up my poop for me so they seem to think I'm having stomach issues.  Next time I'll definitely try the doggy sliders! 

Dirty Dog Grooming - Downtown ATX

Today Mom took me to Dirty Dog for my first hair cut.  I met my stylist, Brooke. She did things to me that I would rather forget but after she was done, I gave her kisses and told her I forgive her because she made me look much cuter (if that is even possible). The grooming facility was very clean and they did everything they could to make me comfortable. I like how they called Mom 20 minutes before they were done with me in case Mom wanted to drop whatever she was doing to come get me. I also heard them tell Mom that she could come get me any time up until 5pm so I let out a big bark so Mom could hear me on the phone and let her know that "up to 5pm" was not acceptable.  My big bark worked as Mom arrived to pick me up exactly 20 minutes later.  See my "before and after" photos?  Brooke did an excellent job! 

Intro: From Country Life to City Dweller

Hello, my name is Abigail. My human parents call me "Abby". I was born on a farm in Clyde, Texas. My dog mother was an Old English Sheepdog and my dog father was a Poodle. So that makes me... A SHEEPADOODLE! Here is my baby picture.

I spent the first 4 1/2 months of my life on that farm in Clyde with my dog parents. I was able to roam outside all day and play among other farm animals. I napped in the dirt under an old pickup truck and rolled around in the mud puddles with my siblings. I never once wore a collar or leash or even had a real name. I ate every day from bowls filled by the Human Farmer Lady. I had to fight my way to a bowl every day (did I mention I had 12 brothers and sisters?)

All day long I just roamed around with the other farm animals, my dog parents, and my 12 brothers and sisters. But one by one my siblings started to disappear. New humans would come to visit our farm and then just like that, one or two of my siblings would be gone. 

 One day I was minding my own business and digging a hole in the ground when I was scooped up by the Human Farmer Lady. She gave me a bath and used a machine to dry my hair. That hair drying machine scared me to death! I hid under the porch but the Human Farmer Lady got me to come out. She carried me out to the yard where two new humans were waiting for me. They would later turn out to be my human parents. The New Human Lady held me and squeezed me and put her face in my fur. I thought she might be trying to eat me so I squirmed and squirmed but finally decided just give in to my fate. But the New Human Lady didn't eat me. Instead she was crying what she called happy tears. I later found out that I was supposed to be her Christmas present.

Suddenly, the New Human Lady squeezed me really hard and told me that she would be back for me. Then she was gone. In the weeks that followed, the Human Farmer Lady started calling me "Abby" and I was no longer allowed to roam around but spent a good deal of time in a crate. The Human Farmer Lady told me I had to be crate-trained in a month.

One rainy afternoon, the Human Farmer Lady took me out of my crate and gave me another bath and put a bow in my hair. She packed up all of my toys and drove me away in her old pickup truck. We pulled up to a gas station and I was handed over to my new human parents. They asked me to call them Mom and Dad. I was put in the back of their car in a crate. Good thing I was given a month to get accustomed to being in a crate! And just like that, my farm life was over.

We drove and drove and drove and drove. Finally, I was allowed to get out of the crate. Mom carried me into a little room and suddenly the room started moving! My first experience with an elevator. I hated it! When the room stopped moving, the door opened and Mom brought me into my new home in the city.

I am adjusting well to life in the city. I now love the elevator because that is how I am able to go outside. Instead of naps in the dirt I take naps on the reclining sofa with Dad. I have a bowl of food all to myself and I have learned that there will always be plenty of food for me. Every day I get to go somewhere new with Mom and Dad. I've already been to stores, restaurants, and even Mom and Dad's office.

This blog is about my life as a city dog in Austin, Texas. Thanks for reading my intro and I hope you enjoy my blog! -Downtown Abby