Saturday, February 28, 2009

Dolce's Loot

Dolce was wandering around the front yard of Twin Oaks, idly chewing on random branches. I tried to get her attention.

"Dolce," I said. "Did you know that the UPS guy left a package for you in the garage?" But Dolce just ignored me.

I know what the package is, because I saw the order online, and I looked at the return address on the box, and it's from the Fendi store in NYC!

Dolce ordered these cute little doggie booties, and these bibs! Now why does Dolce need bibs? She is so vain! She doesn't want to get her fluffy white hair dirty! India says that when Dolce hears the blow dryer, she runs into India's room and wants India to blow her with the nice warm air! India says she loves it!

Felicia has been too busy to open her mail since she's returned home from Palm Beach, but I am going to stick around, because when she sees what Dolce charged to her Visa, she's not going to be happy!
I just hope that Felicia doesn't cave. Because all Dolce has to do is look at Felicia with those pretty Pom eyes, and then she cocks her head, and Felicia thinks that she is so adorable that she forgets what she's yelling at Dolce for! No wonder Dolce is so spoiled! She's never learned boundries!!
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Friday, February 27, 2009

Dolce Orders a Mink Doggie Carrier!

When I got home, I couldn't wait to tell Dolce about my adventures as the FMCFP (First Mate in Charge of Foot Pedals) on the 747. But she barely glanced at my photos! She just looked at me and said, "Well, when I was in New York with Britney, I was the First Officer on her Citation X. The First Officer is the Co-Pilot!" I said, "Well, a 747 is a lot bigger than a Citation X!" And she said, "But a Citation X is private!" So I said, "Well, a Citation X might be private, but it's smaller! A lot smaller!" And she said, "But it's PRIVATE. And besides, Britney's little boys played with me!" And I said, "What were Britney's little boys doing in the cockpit? They should be in their seats, wearing their seat belts!" Then Dolce told me that she was first in her class at the NPPAA (National Pomeranian Pilot Aviation Academy) in Louisiana!
We kept going on like that for a while until finally I gave up.
You just cannot argue with Pomeranians. They think they know everything.
And I don't know if I believe her anyhow. She said she left the photos of her in Britney's Citation X cockpit back in New York! At Britney's apartment!

Then Dolce just walked away, with Brooklyn Cruz, Dolce's PA (personal assistant), close behind.

But I went on Felicia's computer afterwards. And I looked at the History, because I just had a feeling that Dolce was up to no good! And guess what I found out!

Dolce ordered this mink stroller from Fendi!! Takashi sent her photos of it! He said, "Dear Dolce, This mink stroller just arrived at the store! The fur looks just like your fur. I think you would look better than Paris Hilton's Chihuahua taking a ride in it so I am giving you first right of refusal! Let me know if you want me to ship it to you!"
And guess what! Dolce wrote back and said "Yes!" And she used Felicia's credit card! Which I happen to know, is already maxed to the hilt from when Dolce ordered the Fendi booties and bibs that I will show you tomorrow!

Felicia is going to be mad when it arrives! She loves to look at pictures of mink but fur makes her sad! She thinks about all the animals who died, and Felicia is an animal lover. So Dolce is going to get into BIG trouble.
And I can't wait! Ha ha!
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Maia Flies a 747

After a week in Palm Beach, Felicia had to get back home. Unlike some of the doggie owners she met at the Ritz Carlton, Felicia cleans her own house (which means vacuuming up dog hair every day!). She does not have household personnel to stay home with the gang and therefore needed to get back and rescue them from kennel prison! But first, Felicia read the Wall Street Journal, to find out just how badly her stocks were tanking. Then she brought me back to the room.

Once back to our room, I got to read my morning newspapers, ON the table, not BY the table! I thought about one lovely lady we met in the lobby, who came by to pet me, who lived in New Jersey and had 5 pugs at home! Only one got to go to Aspen with her. She was at the hotel for the horse show in Wellington. She said that when she and her husband called home, they asked the housekeeper how their 2-1/2 year-old daughter was doing, and then how "the boys" were doing! She said, we have our two-legged child and then we have our four-legged children! Felicia knew exactly what she was talking about!
Another lady who lives in Westchester, but has an apartment in New York City, has four different dog breeds, just like us, from ShihTzus to a Lab! She picked her apartment on the UES just because it had a big deck for the dogs to hang out on (bigger than the apartment itself, she said!). She was appalled that Felicia put her dogs in a kennel! Felicia explained that she didn't have live-in help! Joanne used to think Felicia was crazy, but after this trip, she realizes that there are other crazy doggie lovers out there just like Felicia!

Once I finished reading about which CEO had taken how much bonus money or stock options, and when, and from what bank, and was it before or after TARP, I sat on the bed and watched Felicia pack.

The wonderful Andres, from Abe's Limousine, came to pick us up in a lovely new SUV (see Andres's photo, above, with Felicia and India, from Art Basel). He brought us to the airport. We talked about his birthday coming up on March 6 (Happy Birthday in advance, Andres!), and all too quickly, we arrived at the airport.

When we boarded our Northwest flight, we met yet another lovely dog owner! This time it was our wonderful flight attendant, Rio, who insisted on holding me (above). (I love his name! I wonder if Rio has gone to Rio? He must hear that all the time!) Rio happens to have a Yorkie named Diesel who will be 2 on May 20. Diesel weighs 6-1/2 pounds. Rio promised to send Felicia a picture of Diesel for The Maia Chronicles. Then Rio took me into the cockpit to meet the rest of the crew!

In the cockpit, First Officer Scott showed me the controls. We chatted a bit, and it turned out that Captain Tony (left, in photo) needed a bit of help flying the Big Bird! Captain Tony asked me to be the FMCFP--First Mate in Charge of Foot Pedals. The foot pedals operate the rudder, located at the back of the vertical stabilizer. (Don't worry...I have my Pilot's License from the NYPAA--National Yorkie Pilot Aviation Academy!) Everyone was very happy with the way I ran around jumping on the Foot Pedals during the flight, which wasn't all that easy considering I only weigh 2.9 pounds! But when we landed in Detroit, Captain Tony promised me a promotion the next time I helped fly one of Northwest's 747's! He even gave me some wings to wear on my collar! I can hardly wait to get back home and tell Sacha, Max, Peaches, Dolce and Brooklyn Cruz all about our fun trip flying the Northwest Skies, all the way back from Florida! (Felicia kept telling me that she even remembers when Northwest was called Republic Airways!!)
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Pampered Palm Beach Pets

But before we left Palm Beach, we spent an afternoon cruising the famed Worth Avenue.

While there, we saw these two beautiful and pampered Palm Beach babies.

We introduced ourselves! (That's my head!)

And we learned that Gert is the lovely owner of Carlos, a three-year-old Havanese. (Blue for boys!) And presiding Royally over the pink stroller is Ladybird, a King Charles Cavalier, (Queen Charles Cavalier?), whose chic owner is named France (pronounced Frahnce). Ladybird will be two in May!
I cannot believe that Felicia makes me walk!

And as we were about to leave, we ran into another lovely Palm Beach resident who kindly posed with her baby, Bisou, almost three. Quite the contrast with the tough but laid back South Beach pups we saw last week!!
Till tomorrow (hint! Maia gets to fly a plane!),
Love, Maia

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Beautiful Day in Palm Beach!

I stayed in the room this morning with Joanne while Felicia went to get her New York Daily News and New York Post and had breakfast and saved chairs by the pool. I just wasn't ready to begin my day. But we finally arrived at the pool to spend our last day glued to our seats! It's sunny and windy out, but whatever the weather, it beats what's waiting for us tomorrow in lovely Michigan!

Yesterday it rained, so we went in to Palm Beach and spent the afternoon browsing Worth Avenue.

On the way, we passed homes with topiary and hedge rows. So different from Michigan's landscaping!

Tomorrow I will show you pictures of some of the gorgeous and spoiled--yes, even more than I am!--Palm Beach dogs!
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Monday, February 23, 2009

Echo Restaurant

The first night we arrived in Palm Beach, Felicia and Joanne went to Echo restaurant, an old favorite. It's Asian fusion and owned by the famous Breakers Hotel.

I hid on Felicia's lap until a busboy told Felicia that dogs were allowed on the deck. So I surfaced!

Later the next day, Julie had to go back to Fort Lauderdale, so we posed for one last picture before saying goodbye! I'm hoping that tomorrow we can go to the famous Worth Avenue. I haven't been there since Felicia and Andres picked me up in Fort Lauderdale's airport three years ago, now! I wonder if Felicia will stick me in a purse at Ferragamo, like she did before!
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Gulls of the Family

On Thursday, some of Joanne's family came to visit us: Janan, Joyce and Vivian. We had a good time sitting by the pool and chatting about their hard work decorating their parents' home. Janan held me almost the whole time!

Joanne's mother Samira also came. Now we can see why Joanne and her sisters are so pretty!

Felicia keeps taking pictures of birds. She loves all the wildlife in Florida. The birds are pretty bold here, too, one of them kept stealing crumbs from our table at breakfast! The weather is great, and with all the snowstorms we had back in Michigan, we are feeling lucky to be here.
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Fun in Palm Beach

Julie decided to buzz up from Fort Lauderdale where she brought daughter Rachel to visit Dave's mother. Julie and Joanne and Felicia went to Renato's for dinner.

The next day they had lunch at the hotel, on a very windy day. The tile reminded them of the Versace mansion.

I like Palm Beach because here at the Ritz Carlton, dogs are allowed to be out by the pool AND at breakfast! I don't have to hide in Felicia's purse anymore, here!
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Friday, February 20, 2009

Nice to Meet You

This is what Brooklyn said when he met the crew! Takashi, NYC stylist/makeup-artist/photographer, designed Brooklyn's greeting!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

A Day at Bal Harbour Mall

It was a chilly day so Felicia and Joanne and I caught a cab to the Bal Harbour Mall, where they spent the afternoon.

I like the mall because it is outdoors, and I like to watch the koi.

And I like to watch the turtles. Someday I would like to have a big pond with koi and turtles!

After wandering around Neiman Marcus, Chanel and Fendi, Joanne and Felicia and I went to the wonderful Carpaccio and had a bite to eat. Then it was back to our hotel!
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Plane Ride Home

After the flight attendant nicely told Felicia to get Brooklyn back in his carrier, she stuck him in with me.

I tolerated it. It was going to be a long ride home.

Finally we made it back to Michigan. Here we are, waiting for our luggage, best friends.

And here is Brooklyn in his new home. He looks a little bewildered.

But then Dolce introduced herself. And they've been running around the house, causing commotion, ever since. Thank heavens for Dolce!
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Bridging Brooklyn's Purchase

Just after picking me up on Sunday morning from Les Petits Puppies, Felicia held Brooklyn (as yet unnamed) in her arms. She and Joanne discussed names for our new baby. SoBe for South Beach? Zorba (if Brooklyn was indeed from Malta as her breed's name suggested)? We were on our way to the airport to leave for Michigan. Even our driver, John-from-Spain, suggested names for our new little pup!


Joanne held me as I eyed my newest sibling less than enthusiastically. Was I going to have to share my carrier with that thing?

The answer was yes. And Felicia not only had to pay extra for Brooklyn, but Northwest was even maybe going to make her put Brooklyn in a second carrier! Yes! But Felicia talked them out of it. There was really plenty of room for two tiny babies.

Joanne posed with me in her arms, to commemorate the day that Felicia bought another dog. Felicia's son Michael told her she needed an intervention!

Felicia was afraid Brooklyn would bark, so she kept him out as long as she could. But eventually she had to put him back in the carrier with me. I wasn't terribly happy about that but I had no choice.
Till tomorrow!
Love, Maia

Monday, February 16, 2009

Miami Brooklyn Goes to Michigan

Felicia lay awake at night wondering if she had made a mistake. (I think she did! But that's another story.) The next morning, on the way to the airport, she brought Joanne to the pet store to pick up the puppy she had bought the night before on their way to Lincoln Road to have dinner (with me on their lap!).

She had seen Brooklyn in his cage the day before, and had fallen in love. There was something about the way he barked, the way he acted and his attitude, and she knew she couldn't leave him behind in Miami when she went home to Michigan! She had never fallen in love with a dog like that before. (She ordered me over the internet! And fell in love with me when she picked me up at the Delta Cargo office at the Fort Lauderdale airport!)

The owner of Les Petits Puppies in South Beach brought Brooklyn out for Felicia to look at.

"No," Joanne had said the night before when Felicia was about to buy Brooklyn. "You already have so many dogs! Think about it!" But Felicia was certain that Brooklyn belonged in our home! And she was even more certain that she couldn't leave Brooklyn behind. He belonged with her, with us.

So she bought Brooklyn, and walked out the pet store's door, and now I have another cute little dog to compete with! But I know that I am the only dog that Felicia takes on trips with her! So I am still the luckiest dog of the pack.
Till tomorrow,
Love, Maia