Summer Days, in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Photo by myself in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

It is July 4th weekend, and everyone in the States is enjoying the long weekend. A peaceful chocolate lab in our neighborhood looked like he was thinking fondly of summers gone by. He often naps on his front stoop.

Many folks took the whole week prior to this weekend off. We are spending a few days in Woodstock, New York, about 2.5 hours north of Manhattan by car. Woodstock is a very charming town in the woods, filled with art, music and old hippies.

It is just as hot here as it is in the city, with temps in the 90s and high humidity. In our rush to leave, I forgot to pack the little gizmo that downloads photos from my camera. Drat.

I posted a photo of the same dog a couple years ago in black and white, here.

Related posts: Dog Days of Summer, at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Four-Legged Co-Pilot, on Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, and The Spray of Summer, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Homeless Man and Dog, on Lafayette Street

Photo by myself, around Lafayette and East Fourth Street, in NoHo.

A homeless man decided to pick up his dog, the other day, piggyback. I'm not sure what was going on here.

With the cold weather, the homeless are more noticeable on the streets and in the subways. Usually they camp out in front of churches and empty buildings.

Above, a couple homeless people and their dog camped out in front of a restaurant that was under renovation.

Related posts: Man and Companion, on the Sidewalk, Sitting in Herald Square, and The World Walks By, on Fifth Avenue.

Dressed for the Holidays, in Prospect Park Brooklyn

Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

I met this little french bulldog in Prospect Park, the other day. She was dressed for the holiday season, and looked as if she were reflecting on holidays past. There was a very thin dusting of snow on the ground.

Mark and I spent most of the week in Brooklyn, far away from the crowds that have swarmed into Manhattan. We had a very relaxing time off work.

It's suddenly very cold, here, which shouldn't be much of a surprise since it is January. We had virtually no snow in 2012, just the very light dusting here and there.


Oh yes, I feel the same way. Must we go back to the grind??!

Related posts: A Bit of Nature, in New York, All Ears, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and Out in the Cold, on the Upper East Side.

Dogs in Costume, at Tompkins Square Park

Photo by myself, in Tompkins Square Park.

A Boston Terrier wore a sombrero and colorful wrap at Tompkins Square Park, Saturday. He seems oblivious of the paparazzi, snapping photos in the background.

There was a huge crowd of onlookers as dogs went on parade in Tompkins Square Park, Saturday afternoon. It was the 22nd annual Halloween Parade for dogs.

There was a mob scene and tons of people taking photos. This must be what it's like on the red carpet at the Academy Awards? We managed to see only saw a tiny fraction of the dogs, since we arrived a little late and the area was so crowded.


Yes, it's Mr. T, complete with fauxhawk and tiny boxing gloves. He looks deep in thought.


A French bulldog wore an outfit of prison stripes. His hat says 'Bad Dog'. And yet, he is grinning ear to ear.


A pug posed as Evita, in sequins, blonde wig and a ball gown. 


Human and canine versions of Wonder Woman.


Goldilocks, I think? I am a little rusty with my fables.


Rupert did not dress in costume, but he was sure to check out those who were!

I've always wanted to go to this parade, but never looked around early enough to know when it was. If you ever want to attend, get there early. This is a hugely popular event, mobbed with people and pets.

For more photos of the parade, click here.

Related posts: All Ears, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Taking a Dip, in Prospect Park Pond, and Dog's Head on the Subway.

Outside a Creperie, in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Photo by myself around 6th Street and 7th Avenue, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

A patient pug waited outside a creperie in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Crespella serves up sweet and savory crepes all day. I stopped by for a crepe stuffed with scrambled egg and pancetta the other night. It was de-lish.

I was sorely tempted to have one with strawberry jam and fresh ricotta. Oh, and another with lemon curd and raspberries! Argh!! Decisions, decisions...

For the Crespella website, which includes a current menu, click here.

Related posts: Pork is the Answer, on the Lower East Side, Brunch at Barbuto, in the West Village, and Colorful Eats, at Kelley and Ping, Soho.

Portrait of a Man and Dog, on Sixth Avenue

Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue in Midtown.

A man named John sat with his dog, Aria, Monday afternoon. A sign in front of him reads 'Everyone needs a little help now and then'.

I'd seen John earlier this year and gave him some money. You often see homeless people on the streets, but only a small percentage have dogs with them.

Monday I stopped to speak with John. Aria, a pit bull mix, was extremely friendly, wiggling about and giving me hearty licks. She has an ID tag because she is a trained therapy dog.

'You've been here a long time,' I said. 'I saw you earlier this year.'

'Not that long', he said. 'About two months' (!).

I have mixed feelings about people on the streets with animals, since the animals are used to induce sympathy. In my case, it worked, though Aria obviously cares for her master.

On more than one occasion, I've seen mothers sitting on the sidewalk with their small children, requesting donations. It is very, very sad.

Related posts: Portrait of a Guy, on Sixth Avenue, Portrait of a Musician, in Midtown, and Portrait of Five New Yorkers, on the Upper East Side.

Portrait of Two New Yorkers, in Washington Square Park

Photo by myself in Washington Square Park, in the Village.

While sitting in Washington Square Park, Sunday afternoon, I encountered a gentle New Yorker and his Owner. They live close to the park and were so nice to pose for me.

The four-legged New Yorker sniffed my hand and gave me a lick. Meanwhile, tons of people were milling about and a pianist was playing music outside.
  The dear pup gave my camera a sideways look.

Both were patient with me, allowing multiple shots. I could not resist!

The Portrait Series is a once-in-a-while installment, featuring New Yorkers encountered on the street.

Related posts: Portrait of Five New Yorkers, on the Upper East Side, Portrait of a Dog Owner, in Tompkins Square Park, and Tough Times on the Sidewalk.

Dog Days of Summer, at Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

To cool off during the summer, dogs enjoy the cooling waters of the pond, in Prospect Park.

A fence is put up in the pond, to prevent dogs and their toys from going out too far. Ducks and turtles can often be spotted on the the other side.

Sometimes, owners wind up going in, too, at least, up to their knees. --Apologies again for sporadic posting, folks! It's been crazy busy at the office.

Related posts: All Ears, in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Boston Terriers Gone Mad, at the Mad. Dog Run, and Doggy Bag, on the Q Train.

Maitre D's, on Broadway

Photo by myself on Broadway and 26th Street.

A little dog and some young ladies welcomed guests to Toshi's Living Room, in the Flatiron District. The little dog looks to be a Schnauzer and belongs to the bar's owner.

Toshi's Living Room features live music almost every night. The day I walked by, a jazz quartet was setting up.

For the bar's website, which includes a list of scheduled events, click here.

Related posts: Bright Lights, at the Beacon Theater, Twinkly Lights, at the Breslin, and What's Playing Around Town and at Home.

A Four-Legged Co-pilot, on Flatbush Avenue

Photo by myself on Flatbush Avenue, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

While stopped in traffic Sunday afternoon, we found ourselves next to a guy on a motorcycle and his little jack russell terrier, who was wearing pink goggles.

The little dog was standing on the bike, helped by a wooden contraption. She was shaking but obviously loving the ride.

'A little girl dog?' I asked the biker, while we waited for the light to change. He nodded and gave us a smile.

Flatbush Avenue is the main drag in Brooklyn, right after you get off the Manhattan Bridge. It runs through Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene. It's riddled with potholes and terrible, aggressive Brooklyn drivers.
 

Related posts: Along for the Ride, in Columbus Circle, All Ears in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and In Thought, in Washington Square Park.

A Rupert Update from Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

In the mornings, the rolling green lawns of Brooklyn are sometimes misty with fog. Above, our Boston Terrier, Rupert, was playing keep-away with friends.

Before 9am daily, dogs are allowed to run around off leash for exercise and play*. After 9am on the weekends, the fields are filled with Little League baseball games, with teams of little kids dressed in uniform.

Prospect Park is large and an incredible amenity for Brooklynites. There are public grills and picnic tables for public use, ponds filled with wildlife, and enough space to be able to relax without sitting on top of each other.

Here's a recent video I shot on my iphone of Rupert playing fetch. I call him 'Pupkin' in the video because his full name is Rupert Pupkin, after a character in the movie 'King of Comedy'.

 *In case you're wondering, all owners are required to clean up after their dogs at all times. Most do.

 

Related posts: Boston Terriers Gone Mad, at the Mad Dog Run, In Chinatown and a Rupert Update, and Roaming Free, in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Puppy Dog Eyes, in Bryant Park

Photo by myself, in Bryant Park, in Midtown.

A fellow sat with his envious little Yorkshire Terrier in Bryant Park, Tuesday afternoon.

The fellow was eating something delicious, while listening to his i-device. Meanwhile, his little dog was licking her chops.

The lawn was out of frame to the left, where office workers were already lying about. We've been having cool-ish and damp weather lately, but that hasn't stopped anyone from enjoying the outdoors.

Related posts: In Thought, in Washington Square Park, Doggy Bag, on the Q Train, and Enjoying Pugs and Drinks, Outside.

Walking the Dog, While Pedalling

Photo by myself, in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

A man 'walked' his dog, last weekend, while riding a unicycle.

I have to admit I've noticed a larger assortment of vehicles in the last year or two. Unicycles have been around for a while, but they join the legion of pedicabs, bicycles, tandem bicycles, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades and mopeds on the streets.

Related posts: Look Ma, No Hands, in the East Village, Along for the Ride, in Columbus Circle, and Crossing Broadway, on Wheels.