February 22nd, 2008 Rachel
One of the many “perks” we’ve encountered while living in this still being finished building is that elevator wait times can be long and there’s no shortage of conversation/graffiti in the unfinished elevators. Tuesday was less amusing when it took twenty minutes to get an elevator. Thursday was even less fun for Adam when he had to take the pup down an ungodly number of stairs to do his business…and back up again. Ew.
Well, this morning was my favorite so far. Let’s call it…”The Tale of The Contractor Who Thinks I Have The Hots For Him”.
While dressed in my Friday morning finest (i.e. boots, fuzzy hat and woolly mittens), I was traveling back up to the apartment when a couple of contractors joined me and another gentleman in the elevator. Contractor A (CA) leans down and starts making a fuss all over Harley…which involved my favorite part of dog ownership.
CA: What’s your name, little guy? You’re a cute little man…
<I hold off to see if he really wants to know his name…>
CA: What’s your name?
<Le sigh…okay fine, give him what he wants>
Me: Harley…
The conversation-with-the-dog-while-owner-plays-spokesperson. Classic.
So, he starts telling me all about how his girlfriend wants a dog…but then he’s going to have to walk it…and what a pain that would be…then goes in for another round of puppy fussing.
CA: Are you going to come home with me? Yes you are…you going to come home with me? Relax on the couch? Have a couple of beers?
Me: Heh - that’s funny, he actually does like beers.
CA: <smirking at me knowingly> You mean…his owner likes a beer <insert creepy leering>.
<Ew. Lord. You have a girlfriend. Ew.>
Me: Um. No…actually I DID mean that HE likes the taste of beer.
Contractor B (CB): That’s true. Some dogs do like the taste of beer.
Thankfully, their stop was up next and off they went.
I can’t wait to see what adventures my next elevator ride will bring.
(Disclaimer: I don’t give Harley beer. This was a discovery made at a party once by a joker who thought it’d be funny to get a photo of Harley sniffing the end of his empty beer bottle. Harley thought he said “lick the empty ravenously” was the request. That’s the end of that story.)
Posted in Observations, Pets | 1 Comment »
June 15th, 2007 Rachel
My fish jumped out of his tank last week. One second he’s in there swimming around, the next second I thought that a salamander had crept up the stairs and planted himself next to my computer. I figured this was him telling me he needed a roomier place. More closet space, appliance upgrades.
His bubblenest (above his head) indicates he approves. 
Posted in Fishy Fishy, Pets | 2 Comments »
May 26th, 2007 Rachel
Posted in Pets, Photos | No Comments »
May 14th, 2007 Rachel
Back in Pasadena, where the kittens are available and armed for cuddles and Harley had more than a few wiggles to greets us with when we came in the front door. It’s nice to know that no matter where you are, no matter how you feel about a place or an apartment or what have you…it’s those things, like watching Louie try to knock Adam’s blackberry out of his hands so they can scratch his ears instead…or listening to the loud ‘thwump’ of a cat jumping off the kitchen counter as we turn the front door key - knowing full well that a certain tricolored mischief maker will protest that she is innocent, I tell you innocent!
Anyway, random notes, but they mean something to me for being familiar, comforting, home.
Now time for sleep.
Posted in Animals, Pets, Random | No Comments »
December 27th, 2006 Rachel
I could keep this post really short and just sum up my thoughts with our neighbors are judgmental scum and I’m gullible and in too much of a hurry.
But where’s the fun in that?
Suffice to say, what I perceived as “oooh’ing and aaaah’ing at Harley’s wiggly nature” was actually them thinking “Wow, that dog is crazy hyper.”
This train of thought led to, “These people don’t know what they’re doing. Let us help them. They need a book…yes, a book. A book about dog behaviour. With a section on crazy, hyperactive, unhappy dogs. Aw, shucks - that section is toward the back…we should bookmark it with a paperclip so they don’t miss it. Make sure it’s a red and white candycane stripped paperclip! There. Now that ought to do it. Happy Holidays!”
For anyone who knows “little dogs”, they tend to have lots of energy. So much so, that on a continuum of little dog energy, I’d say Harley falls more in the half asleep category than the head-is-going-to-explode-with-energy end. We had just come home, the pup was anxious to get outside, and his exuberance usually lasts for about 20 minutes, depending on how many people are around. He wiggles, he plays hard to get ’catch me’ games (Thanks, Tadpole!), and he likes to think that he’s bigger and more impressive than he actually is (again…little dog, people) but he’s also barely over a year old and petite.
It disappoints me that what seemed like a generous, thoughtful gift turned into preachy judgement (I really can’t think of a better word to describe it than that). I’ve been around dogs, cats, horses, you name it, my entire life. I’ve known happy, sad, energetic, and sorely depressed animals. Harley may be quirky, but it seems unfair to label him a headcase after one (ONE!!) encounter.
So now…I’m unimpressed and looking forward to ignoring my new neighbors (sigh…life in a large apartment building goes on…).
Posted in L.A., Personal, Pets | 2 Comments »
