frenchie update

My mom's neighbor bought Reggie's half sister :)

Hello friends,

I've never been a great blogger because I will post regularly for a few months and then I stop completely for long periods of time. My apologies for the absence, there hasn't been a whole lot going on in my life or the pups up until recently.

Reggie just got neutered today. I wasn't going to have this done because he has already been to the vet a number of times in the last few months ($$$)  but he had to be put under and have a scope check out his esophagus after the vet found a "mysterious object" when he had xrays done this weekend after threw up and wasn't eating. The vet said he probably just had the stomach flu or ate something poisonous but they were concerned about what they saw in the xray. $1,200 of my emergency fund later I find out that he just has extra skin in his esophagus and that they just left it because it isn't hurting him. I am relieved to know he's okay but it is frustrating that I had to spend so much money to to hear he has extra skin in his throat.

It's good to have him home and I'm not sure if it's because he's on a lot of medication right now but he has so much energy and just wants to play. Don't dogs hurt and feel tired after they get neutered? At least he is feeling well :)

frenchie friday

Hi all! It's been a few weeks since I have done a Frenchie Friday post around here. Not because I haven't had some fun times with the pups or any good pictures, but mostly because I have been super busy running and have neglected this poor little blog. Sad day...anyway, the last time I posted about the dogs I mentioned they were having some skin/paw issues. Thankfully, they are all healed now and hopefully will be healthy and happy for the rest of the summer :)

In very exciting news, Reggie finished his obedience training with SF Puppy Prep! I'm not sure if I mentioned I was taking him but I signed him with a lot of urging from the bf. Reggie is a really good dog with the sweetest personality, but he is also really stubborn and since I have not owned a dog before I was pretty stressed out trying to train him. At 7 months old he was still regularly having accidents in the house, pulling on his leash on walks, and just not listening very well over all. Now that the training is done he has grown up a lot and listens so much better and hasn't had an accident in the house since we started. For those of you thinking of training I would encourage it because it really teaches you to connect with your dog and helped out a lot. Plus, now he can give "high-fives" which is freaking adorable :)

san francisco q&a

I was approached by a San Francisco based organization and asked to answer a few questions about the city. Not sure if this is interesting to any of you, but I thought I would post my answers on the blog. I hope you enjoy!

Neighborhood: Nob Hill

What do you love about your neighborhood? I love Nob Hill because there are people everywhere! It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, whether it’s 8am and the locals are out walking their dogs or 2am and people are wandering home from the bars looking for pizza or hotdogs wrapped in bacon, the streets are always full. Nob hill has plenty of delicious places to eat and no shortage of dive bars that attract locals and people who are visiting.

Native or Transplant: I’m proud to say that I’m originally from the East Bay and officially moved to the city after college. I went to school in Colorado and everyone always asks why I decided to move back. I loved Colorado and have traveled all over the US but no city has come close to stealing my heart like San Francisco has, and still does to this day.

How long have you lived in SF: I have lived in San Francisco for 4 years now. My how time has flown…

Gig: I do social media marketing for a finance company in FIDI. Another social media person in the city, are you surprised?

SF is… my home.

What do you like better: Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge? This is such a hard question because I love both for different reasons.

I run half marathons and train by the Golden Gate Bridge by running along the water all the way to Hopper’s Hands. I live for the sun setting behind the bridge with rays bursting through the fog and the mist from the ocean that comes up and hits me with each wave. With the right music it can be a very spiritual experience.

On the other hand, the Bay Bridge has the best view of the city at night. I love driving over the Bay Bridge and seeing down town all lit up and the boats and the piers and North beach… it’s magical. And the light show! I still can’t believe that one person controls the lights and puts on a different show every night.

What's your favorite neighborhood to hang out in (other than your own)? My favorite neighborhood always changes as I find a new restaurant or shop but right now I have really been enjoying the Marina District. I was not always a fan of the Marina in the past because of the “fratty” bar scene but I have come to really enjoy all of the restaurants and walking around with my puppy. The houses and apartments are adorable and there are a lot of dog friendly places so I can bring my pup along when I run errands. In fact, a lot of the shops on Union Street have dog treats and water bowls so my little guy enjoys this neighborhood too.

Where is your secret outdoor spot? It is certainly not a secret but I love going to Crissy Fields down by the water. I had some friends from college visit when I first moved here and they said they wanted to go to the beach. Because I didn’t know any better I told them there was no actual “beach” around the city and that we would have to drive to Pacifica. One of my friend’s Googled beaches in SF and to my embarrassment we quickly learned that there are beaches in SF. The beach by Chrissy Fields is by far my favorite. It always is so surreal having the Golden Gate Bridge as my view on the beach and I can let my dog off his leash. He loves the water and chases all the big dogs around the sand for hours.

Where AND what would be your last meal here in SF? If I had one last meal in San Francisco I would go to RamenUnderground and order the Spicy Miso with Pork Belly. I always read lists about the best Ramen in San Francisco and I am always confused as to why this place doesn’t make the cut. I have brought about 10 different people to Ramen Underground and all of them have agreed that this is their favorite ramen spot. For dessert I would go to the Mission District and order an ice cream cone from Bi-Rite Creamery. Their ice cream is delicious and it’s right next to Dolores Park so you can eat your ice cream on the grass and people watch in the park.

What restaurant have you been meaning to eat at, but haven’t? I have been meaning to eat at Cheese Plus in Nob Hill on the corner of Pacific and Polk for almost a year. I love supporting local business and I have gotten coffee here a few times but never any food. The people who work at the shop are all very friendly and I have heard nothing but good things about their sandwiches. For some reason I just never think about them when I am looking to grab food with friends. Maybe this weekend?

What is your go-to drink spot? I’m a big fan of dive bars and being able to walk to the bars from my apartment is a huge plus so I tend to go to Bigfoot Lodge and Kozy Kar a lot. The drinks are cheap and strong and the bartenders are super friendly. Plus there’s nothing like dead animals hanging from the walls or 80’s porn on TV to get your night started. 

Where do you go in the city to take in arts and culture? The only drawback to living in San Francisco is that it can be pretty pricey. However, there are also a ton of options for freebies or discounts that you can find online on sites like FunCheapSF. Museums and art studios will offer free days or discounts so I always try to take advantage of those deals. There’s also a ton of art and culture in all of the neighborhoods so I sign up for as many free walking tours as I can. If you haven’t done one of the walking tours in San Francisco you are really missing out. Most of them are free and the tour guides are awesome because they are all volunteers and just truly love the city. Make sure you tip them well at the end of your tour though.

What is your favorite spot to snap a picture in SF? I don’t believe there is one spot in the city that is not picture worthy.

What is your favorite outdoor activity? My favorite outdoor activity in San Francisco is walking. I know it’s not very exciting but there is just so much to see and a million details that you will miss if you are driving or taking public transportation.  San Francisco has the added bonus of having incredible weather year round and the hills can be painful but they make your calves look amazing.

What is the one celebration in the city you look forward to every year? There are so many festivals in the city that I love but my favorite event has to be Bay to Breakers. I ran it my first year and then walked it in costume the last three years. I love dressing up and walking around seeing all of the funny costumes (or lack thereof…) and the people watching is amazing. It gets pretty sloppy towards the end of the day which can either be funny or a bit of a disaster.

Where do you escape the hustle and bustle beyond the bridge? I grew up in the East Bay so when I am looking to escape the city I always go stay with my mom for the weekend. It’s nice to be able to go to bed early, sleep in, and have a car to run all of my errands. Plus my mom always makes the best food when I come home to visit.

Where can we find you on a Saturday night in the city? During the week I spend most of my free time working out and playing with my puppy, so my time to let loose is on the weekends. I love to see my friends and we usually grab dinner and then go out after for drinks. I love to try new places in San Francisco and if the mood is right my friends and I will eventually find a place where we can dance and laugh the night away.

What is your favorite place in San Francisco to act like a tourist?  Fisherman’s Wharf! I don’t care how many times I have been to Fisherman’s Wharf I still love all of the touristy activities and sites.

What is the one thing everyone should do at least once here? I have only done this once myself, but the one thing everyone should do at least once in San Francisco is go to the top of Coit Tower. The views are incredible and there are parrots in the trees. It honestly feels like you are in a different world.

What is the one thing you have yet to check off your bucket list in SF? I am embarrassed to admit to this but the one thing I have never done is walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. I have driven across the bridge a number of times but I have never set foot on the walkway. I always say I am going to do it when friends come to visit but for some reason we run out of time or find something else to do that is closer to my apartment. I am training for the Nike Women’s Marathon in October (hopefully I get in!) and have made it my goal to run across the bridge for one of my longer runs. I am only at 6 miles right now so it may be a few months.

What piece of advice would you give to a traveler about visiting the city? If you are staying in San Francisco I would urge you not to stay down town or in Union Square. These areas are fun and have great shopping but it is the one area in the city that doesn’t really stand out for me. Plus, I have had a lot of friend’s visit who have not liked San Francisco after staying downtown because they said it was too busy and hard to drive around. I would urge people to stay at the hostel in Fort Mason or a hotel in one of the neighborhoods in the rest of the city. Not only will this be cheaper but you will get a more authentic San Francisco experience.

What question do you wish we asked? Answer it here. People always ask me what they should bring when they are visiting San Francisco. I tell them to bring a ton of layers or a warm coat and good walking shoes. For some reason people never listen and usually end up having to buy extra clothes here- which isn’t the end of the world because my friends all buy sweatshirts that say San Francisco and it’s a nice little memento for them to take home. 

a little running update

source

I signed up for the Nike Women's Marathon a few weeks ago and now I am crossing my fingers and praying that I get into this race! If I don't get in I will cry I will sign up for the CIM in Sacramento but I am training to run in October and would love to have this race be my first full marathon. I love the fact that it's geared towards women and have felt so empowered when I have run it in the past. Plus, as you all probably know, I love San Francisco and would love to achieve this huge goal in my hometown.

My training has been going okay. I am up to 6 miles but I only run like 2-3 times a week when I would like to run at least 4-5 and then throw a work out in there one day a week. At least I am doing it though!

I have one issue/question for you guys. How do you make time to train for a marathon when you have a dog that can't run? I always feel like I need to walk the dogs as soon as I get home and I feel really guilty if I take them on a short walk and then go running. Plus, for some reason I never feel motivated to go running after I get back from walking them because I was just outside walking the same direction I will be running. Do I walk them a different direction than I go running? Do I just get over it and learn to make time for both? Any suggestions would be appreciated :)

Btw, I took Reggie on a run at a really slow pace for about 1/2 a mile and then took him to the park to play fetch later in the night when it cooled off and he threw up :( He was okay the next morning but it was a reminder that flat-face French Bulldogs were not meant to be work out buddies.

how much is your pet worth?

The pups have been costing us quit a lot of money lately. Between the bf having to pay for Pig's soft palate surgery and the follow up surgery to remove scar tissue from Pig's nose, to me having to pay to figure out some skin/paw problems that have been going on with Reggie- these dogs are certainly not cheap.

Not that this is a surprise. We both understood that when we bought our pups we would be responsible for them, financially or otherwise. Last year when Pig almost died of pneumonia the bf could have bought a car for the amount of money he spent saving him. Reggie hasn't been much better with multiple vet visits for ear infections, stomach and skin problems, allergies, etc, and all of the other expenses like obedience classes, ruined furniture/laptop cords/rugs, tons of fresh organic food to fix his stomach problems, and lots and lots of toys.

I was reading a financial blog the other day and they were talking about ways to save money. In the pet category they said, "we know you won't cut back on your pets so find another place to save money". I totally agree. I might joke around and say I wouldn't spend all my money on Reggie or Pig, but if it came down to it I definitely would. Dogs become part of your family and it's surprising how much you will do to make sure they are happy and healthy.

How much are you willing to spend on your dog?

new facebook page!

New Facebook page for the pups! Please feel free to visit and Like my new page.

road trips with a pup

The bf will be driving both of our pups from San Francisco to Portland this weekend to join me at my cousins wedding and to visit his family. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) my mom booked my flight with hers online months before the bf planned to come along and the cancellation fee is almost as much as the ticket so I will not be joining him.

Even though I am not going on this road trip I wanted to offer my tips on traveling with a pup since I have done it before and I am sure others will be bringing their pups along on vacation this summer.

Here are a few of the things I have learned to do:

1. Exhaust your pup. Take your dog on the longest walk possible before you leave. Seriously. The last thing you want is an anxious/excited/energetic dog sitting with you in the car for hours on end. Not only is it stressful for you but your dog will be stressed out too.

2. Bring lots of chewies. To keep your dog tired and entertained buy a lot of chew toys before the trip. I usually go to Pet Food Express because they have sales like buy 3 get 1 free. On my last trip from SF to LA I bought 4 pigs ears and 4 new bully sticks and that amount lasted Reggie the whole trip. You don't want to run out though so make sure to buy enough for your dog.

3. Toys! Buy a few new toys for the trip and bring your dogs old favorites. This way they feel comfortable and have something to look forward to on the trip. This is also important when you reach your destination so they feel more at home.

4. Bring the bed. Whatever your dog sleeps on/in bring it with you on the trip. Again, you want your dog to feel comfortable in the car and they like what is familiar to them. This is also good to get them to sleep in new places.

5. Pack water and food. Bring 2-3 bottles of water and a bowl for your dog to drink when he gets thirsty. Reggie gets really thirsty when he chews on pig's ears so I am constantly filling up his bowl in the car to keep him hydrated. Whenever you run out of water stop at a fast food place or gas station and make sure you refill old water bottles.

6. Take lots of breaks. Reggie tends to get a little anxious in the car about every two hours. The best advice I have is to stop when your dog starts pacing, breathing heavy, or gets anxious and take a 5 minute break. Walk them around outside, give them some water and a small amount of food. Even a quick break will help rejuvenate your dog and get them to calm down.

7. NEVER leave your dog in the car for extended time. I found this chart the other day that tells you how hot your car gets with the different temperatures outside. Your dog could die of heat exhaustion especially in the summer so it is best to bring them with you when you leave the car.

8. Safety first. Make sure your dog is safe inside of your vehicle. You can read online the safest ways to travel with your dog. Also, research about your dogs breed and the location you are going. Do you need to take extra precautions because you have a frenchie that overheats easily? Are you going to an area with a lot of fox-tails? Look up the local vet where you will be staying in case something happens. Reggie got into a bottle of baby aspirin my grandma dropped on the floor the last trip we took him on. He was okay but I had a hard time finding a local vet that was open.

9. Dog friendly places. There are a lot of great websites that offer dog friendly places while traveling. My favorite is BringFido.com. It is good to do your research ahead of time so you know where you can stay and what activities are dog friendly.

10. Have fun with your pup!!!

in darkness a light shines

A woman finds her dog during an interview. Heartbreaking and wonderful.

This is one of my favorite quotes from the band MeWithOutYou and I love it because it is so true. Even in the darkest times there is a glimmer of hope, a light that shines.

I am so sad for the people of Oklahoma and truly hope their light starts to get a little brighter.

bay to breakers

For those of you who are not from the SF Bay Area, Bay to Breakers is an annual 7 mile race where people run from the Bay all the way to the water (breakers). Some people take this race seriously and run it for time, while others dress up in costumes and day drink all day walking only a part of the race. For a hilarious description of Bay to Breakers check out The Hotness Your Momma Warned You About and read her post Bay to Broken.

I have participated in B2B three times since I have lived in San Francisco and I love it! Sure, it's a hot drunken mess, but if you do it right you will have a good time. I don't usually drink too much or party too hard so I am fine at the end of the event, but there are tons of people who over-do-it and end up passed out on someones lawn or crying that they don't know where they are. Don't be this person, and you will have a good time :)

This year, I am going with the same group I went with last year and we are all dressing up in tie dye. Some of the costumes are way more creative than this and a lot of people do group costumes. You should Google it to see some of the ridiculous costumes. Oh yea, and a lot of people go naked....(sorry, no pics haha)

If you haven't gone before, and you happen to be in the SF area, you should totally go this weekend. It's a great experience and even if it's not your style it is worth it to do one time. Just remember to wear a fun costume :)