Usually, Paulie the Pug drags me into Hoboken areas that not many would prefer to tread in.  Maybe it's because he enjoys his privacy.  Perhaps he basks in the glory of sporadic one-on-one interactions with passing dogs.  

Whatever the reason, I am always eager to let the little Pug take the lead in our adventures together, for we always have a great deal of fun no matter where we go.  Not to mention that there's just something adorable about the way he struts ahead with his head held high, his chest puffed up and his tiny ears flapping in the wind that humors me, as well as passerby.

Paulie takes the world on like a determined Pug on a mission! 

Fairly recently, the 22-month-old became a fan of local dog runs.  It took him a while to become a fan because some dogs just weren't all too happy to see this enthusiastic, short-haired chap overlooking their play.  A couple of them even snarled and growled at my shy pal from behind tall fences when all he did was sniff a "hello", making Paulie so nervous that his curled tail instantly straightened as he hid behind my calf!

(I've known Paulie since he was 11-weeks-old, and I have never seen his tail straighten.)

So we pick and choose our social destinations, carefully.  We, too, keep our options open, electing a different run each time we go. 

And, of course, I'll never remove Paulie's harness.  The last time I did that, he ran and ran in the dog run in large circles, making me chase him for a good 20 minutes before another dog distracted him into submission and I grabbed him with an "ah-HA"! 

Below are shots of Paulie and his new friend, Ray, playing "Follow the Leader":


                             Hey, Check Out The View!



           What View?



                                    Brown-Eyes At My Knee