Sam, the cyclist!

A new toy came in the mail today! It's a buddy rider! It's a bicycle seat for dogs, just like me. 

When mummy and daddy bought their foldable bicycles a year ago, they were figuring ways on how I can tag along on their bike rides.  Running on a leash beside them was totally out of the question as I would probably get run over. The first thought was to mount a basket on the front of the bike. Unfortunately for me, I was a tad bit over the weight limit. (Boo~) So the idea was axed. NEXT!

The second idea was to mount a basket on the bicycle rack. Mummy went online and found a Pet Rider Rear Seat. When it arrived, we were so disappointed to find that it was too big for the rack and ended up returning it. NEXT!

The third idea was to buy a doggy backpack carrier, so that mummy can carry me on her back when she cycles. Mummy found the Outward Hound Backpack and gave it a try. The backpack served it purpose for a while. But I grew tired of sitting in the bag and tried to climb out of it on numerous occasions. In addition, the weight on mummy's back was giving her a bad backache. So, NEXT!

Stupid mummy went ahead on bought the most humiliating thing for me - a Leg Out Carrier. I looked hideous in it and I just hated it. Mummy couldn't stop laughing when she saw how pathetic I looked. Here goes. 

 Seeing how much I hated it, mummy was nice enough to not bring me out in that. (I personally think that she's kinda embarrassed as well.) Plus I guess she figured that it would be quite challenging for her to cycle with that. Despite that, she decided to keep it and maybe use it someday. (Noooooo~)

My parents kinda gave up and stopped exploring other means and was planning to buy me a bike trailer for dogs. While procrastinating, mummy came across a product feature on Under the Blanket. She immediately bought me a buddy rider and after a week's wait, it arrived!

Here's how I look. It fits dogs up to 30lbs! (I'm only 15lbs!) 

The panel in front allows me to rest my paw and look out. 

Daddy, the engineer, and Uncle TL took a fair amount of time to mount it on the bike. But at last, the job was done!

Ta-dah~

I was practicing my winking so that I can attract pretty girls!

When Mummy and daddy brought me for a test ride the next day, I was a little apprehensive. But by the end of the ride, I'm loving not just the breeze, but the huge amount of attention that I was getting. Everyone was fascinated by the buddy rider! Mummy was initially a little worried about the balance and how tough it might be for her. To her pleasant surprise, it was really easy for her too! Phew~ Now I'm won't be left behind when they head out for a quick spin!

Counting down to the next cycling session!!

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A hot hot HOT place called Vegas..

The last leg of our west coast vacation was at Las Vegas as Daddy had to attend a work convention there. 

Vegas? Me no like.

Firstly, Vegas wasn't as dog friendly as California was - no dog park along the strip, not welcomed indoors, no grass for me to run on!

Secondly, I'm underage. No booze, no gambling. BOO.

Thirdly, the weather was insanely warm! My poor little paws were burning, no thanks to the heat! 

Sigh.

Due to the crazy heat, my parents decided to walk along the strip around 8pm, kinda thinking that as the sun sets, the weather would improve. Sadly, it didn't exactly help as we were all still melting from the heat.

Anyway, we managed to stop by Bellagio just in time to catch the water show. 

It was pretty spectacular, but I wasn't exactly fond of the loud blasting sound.

After enjoying the show, we walked along the strip and found a wishing fountain that resembled the Trevi Fountain in Rome. I tossed a little coin in, wishing for good health, better weather and a little girlfriend. (*Please come true~)

After what seemed like eternity, I finally saw a lovely patch of turf grass in the dessert! Pity it was fenced up. -_- 

So unfriendly.

We made it to the Pirate Show @ Treasure Island. Mummy had fond memories of it when she visited vegas some twenty years ago. Unfortunately for mummy, her memory failed her and the act was just way cheesy and boring. She got so bored that she decided to take lousy artistic photos of me instead. Unable to withstand the lame-ness of the show, we left even before it ended. Besides, it was way overcrowded, stuffy and just crazy hot. By then, we got so exhausted battling the heat that we decided to head back. I was more than glad to do so. *Pants*

Our initial plan was to stay and walk around Vegas for 3 days, hence Daddy went ahead and returned the faithful car that had served us well for the past week.  However, after our failed attempt to conquer the strip on the first night, mummy decided that vegas just wasn't the place for me to walk around and went ahead to rent another car just to drive me to a daycare for the next day. (Phew~ thanks mummy for not putting me through the heat again!) So I happily went to a lovely AIR-CONDITIONED daycare @ La Jolla on Day 2! Crazy Mummy decided to fight the heat and challenged the walk along the strip again. (It was so hot that mummy actually finished 4 bottles of water in barely under an hour!) 

Anyway, mummy came along a Paul Frank store @ Fashion Show Mall. The below caught her eye and she couldn't resist going in. 

Of course, mummy did NOT leave empty handed and bought me some lovely gifts!

A signature skurvy retractable leash and a dog tag. 

Shhh.. don't tell mummy, but I was just shopping online and found that she overpaid for both items! Online shopping was almost 40% cheaper. Poor Mummy. 

Anyway, vegas was a disappointment for me. (Think Mummy felt the same.) We were so ready to get out of there that we even changed our return flight to an earlier flight and left the hot hot HOT place 8 hours earlier. Sure was awesome being back in NYC! 

I was a little sad when the vacation came to an end. Afterall, I really enjoyed how dog friendly west coast was, the gorgeous weather (except Vegas) and just exploring new hotel rooms and places. Hee, my mood perked up when Mummy told me that we will going to San Jose in end July to attend her cousin's wedding! 

Yapz, WE are going! *Wriggly dance*

Maybe I needn't unpack my little doggy luggage then.

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Another awesome reason why I love the west coast!

While shopping @ Westfield Century City Mall in Santa Monica, LA, we came along the most awesome thing - a treat dispenser cum water fountain! How amazing is that? Unlimited treats for dogs and fountains of varying height! So thoughtful!

I just wanted to munch on the yummy milk biscuit, but stupid mummy insisted that I pose to show my appreciation. What rubbish.

After even more begging, I was finally awarded the yummy milkbone!

Just making sure that no crumbs was left behind.

That's just another awesome reason why I love the west coast~

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Dog-Mazing San Diego..

San Diego is amazing beyond words. It's uber dog friendly and I'm loving every moment of being here. In fact, once I get back to NYC, I'm gonna pack my little bag and move over here for good. (Okay, mummy is glaring at me now. Guess it's not gonna happen. Boo.)

Anyway, my parents decided to do some window shopping and managed to find a dog friendly mall, Otay Ranch Town Center. And boy were we in a pleasant surprise when we got there! There's actually a dog park within the shopping area! Yipeee~

The whole area is also dog friendly (I was allowed in most stores) and there were several dogipot pet stations located around the mall.

We were even more surprised when we found the dog park. It's BIG and GRASSY! (*does a little wriggly dance*)

The wall art is actually little paw paint prints of dogs that frequent the park! Too clever.

The big dog area is nice and big.  Unfortunately, the small dog area is a little pathetic, but thankfully the dogs were well socialized and fun, so lucky me got to run wild with the big guys.

There's a cute little kennel for me to pee on walk through.

And a GIANT fire hydrant! Gosh, that's every dog's dream! I want one of that in my dream home! Mummy please~

Before we left, we checked out the small dog area and played a game a fetch again.

While the weather was just amazing, it did get a tad bit warm for me after all the exercise. Guess dogs do need some shade too. Plus a little time out to recharge my battery.

Recharged and happy. If only someone will toss the ball for me. 

The doggy water fountain is really thoughtful too. At least this keeps the water fresh. 

Sigh, what an awesome place. 

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Fiesta Island, San Diego

If there is a doggy heaven, I'm pretty sure this is how it looks/feels like. 

Yes, this is the BEST place on earth. This is Fiesta Island, San Diego, where dogs run free, unleashed. This lovely peninsular island is just beyond amazing. Not only is there plenty of land for me to roam, the water is calm and there's no nasty waves that might scare the hell out of me. Period. 

There's a specific fenced in 'dog park' for dogs that ain't as good off leash (aka me). However, the area isn't fully enclosed and there are openings at each end of the beach. My off-leash track record have been pretty horrid, thus explaining the long tail (leash) that I was tagging along. But nothing is gonna stop me when I'm having fun!

The place is crazy huge. After an hour of fun, splash and hike, we barely even covered one tenth of the fenced in dog park.

Look how huge the fenced in dog park is!

Did I mention that there were plenty of yummy dead mice lying around? (LOL, this is probably a plus for me and not for my parents, but who cares.)

There were a handful of dogs and their owners wandering around. The dogs were amazing, well socialized and friendly, totally up my alley. Besides wrestling with some of the dogs there, I got to play fetch! The game of fetch is actually one of the few ways of grabbing my attention. Once my focus is on the ball, I would stick to where ever the ball is and not run far and away. 

Watch me chase the ball!

In Sam's world, fetch does not equate to bringing the ball back to the thrower. Fetch means I get the ball and finder's keepers. Everytime I grabbed the ball, I would run into water and wet my little paws. Poor Daddy had to chase after me, before stepping on my 'tail' (the tagging leash) and snatching the ball out of my little jaws! And the process repeats itself. (I get an extra kick when daddy starts cussing me for making him go through all the hassle. wheee~)

Fun.

What can I say? This is really the best place on earth.
(I'm sorry Central Park, you have lost your placing.) 

Yap, I'm one happy and tired little man!

Shhhh.. sounds like there is talks in the works that we might swing by Fiesta Island again before we leave San Diego. 

HOORAY~

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It's Hollywood~

I'm at Hollywood BABY! 

Since I haven't had my breakout role in hollywood yet, thus do not qualify having my name down on the walk of fame, the best I could do was to take photos with stars that share my name.

We found Sammy Kaye. (I've NO idea who he is..)

And Forest Whitaker. (I actually recognize this actor!)

My parents got tired and couldn't be bothered to look for "Loo" or "Lim", but again, I doubt that they would be able to find any. 

Last but not least, I had my own taste of the red carpet. (Where are my fans though?)

Sigh, leaving Hollywood was bittersweet. Where's the agent that's supposed to spot me and make me the next superstar (to replace Uggie?!)? I'm disappointed.

Sucks to have to leave empty-handed. 

Better luck next time!

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My personalized stickers!

Mummy made some awesome stickers for me! Best part of it, it's stickers of me, or rather, my silhouette!

Gorgeous?

Me showing off the stickers!

They were made to personalized and label my own items. 

First one went to my water bottle!

Next was for my poop bag dispenser!

Isn't mummy just wonderful? 

Love love love~

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