Close-Up

Oates came in for a close-up while Willie called out for his brother by the ice cream stand.

Rainy Day Snuggle

It rained all day today but the guys kept dry and snuggled up.

Downtown

This afternoon, the boys braved a 93 degree temperature for a pose by the subway.

Love Seat

Actually, this is a single person reading chair that Willie and Oates fashioned into a love seat.

Flower Power

While Willie took a closer look, Oates sang an old flower power tune.

Curb Your Dog

Willie and Oates do not pay attention to signs.

The Right Profile

Here they are striking the right profile. They're getting good at posing when I give them a minute.

Off The Hook

Willie and Oates park under the last pay phone in Manhattan.

Wagon Time

This morning on their beach getaway, Willie and Oates found weather-appropriate transportation.

The Ocean Doesn't Want Me

These guys needed a lot of encouragement to get their paws on saltwater.

Boat Ride

This late afternoon, two old men enjoyed their own bench on a boat ride.

Cone

Willie and Oates had fun sniffing around the construction going on down the block.

Air Conditioning

Today's post, on the hottest day of the year so far, is sponsored by air conditioning, which has lulled Willie and Oates to a comfortable mid-afternoon nap.

Hot Dogs

It's really steamy today but that did not deter the boys from lining up for a hot pretzel from their local street cart.

The Fuzz

In a strange twist to their relationship, this time it's Oates who bails out Willie.

Summer Of Love

Oates kept lookout for the cops while Willie finished tagging the local storefront.

Drug Store

Oates tried to sell Willie on the cost and convenience benefits of the 16 roll paper.

Sitting Still

It was hard today to get them to sit still for their daily picture. I wanted to capture the plaque on the memorial behind them.  But this was the best one of the bunch.

Park Bench

This afternoon, two old men on a Washington Square park bench shared a dirty joke.

Hard To Read Like Graffiti

Tonight was a tight window for an outdoor picture, and I didn't take enough good ones to choose from. This is the first on the blog where they really seem to be looking at each other. The photo is marred by the fat thumb of the photographer in the upper left corner, tagging the photo like the anonymous artist that tagged that cement stoop.

Abingdon Square Park

We continued our tour of local parks on this glorious Saturday afternoon. This is right across the street from the bank, where the boys had just enjoyed some treats.

Jefferson Park Garden

This is our first visit to our local community-run garden. While Willie took it all in, Oates was inspired to break out into song.

Stoics

This picture from there morning feels like the opposite of right now. The sun is filling the apartment, I am leaving and the boys are bummed. Since then, I've had a crappy day and came home during a rainstorm. They were so happy to see me.  And I really needed that.

Crystal Energy

Willie and Oates are pleased to know there are so many self care options in their neighborhood.

Steamy Summer Sidewalk

Here they are tonight, in their familiar places where Willie is usually camera left of Oates and often looking away while Oates, despite being very gimpy and tired and heat exhausted tonight, kept his gaze at the camera as usual.

Posing

A couple walked by around the time I caught this shot, laughing at me in sympathy for how hard it is getting dogs to pose.  By now, the daily photo shoot seems to be something at least Willie has caught on to, and perhaps finds a bit of a drag.

I've noticed that Oates is more eager to meet my gaze for the camera.  But Willie does strike a graceful pose looking into the sunset.

Brotherly Gaze

This picture from this morning is the closest one yet on the blog of them looking at each other. They are having their weekly outdoor brunch with me and for this brief instant they're looking away from me (and the food on the table).

Willie is clearly looking at Oates but it's not a clear that Oates is returning his gaze.  A little bit maybe.

Not long after this picture, Oates had an eye exam because I've grown concerned with his vision. He's not yet bumping into things, but often can't see treats right in front of him.

It turns out he has cataracts in both eyes. Additionally, he has pigment in each caused by some typical Pug eyelid issues, and these pigments prevent him from even being a candidate for cataract surgery. So we have to treat the pigments for two months to see if that clears things up.

The lovely eye doctor called me a saint for taking care of two elderly dogs so well, but I demurred, saying that I am probably closer to a fool.

The 4th Of July

The first half of this Independence Day was bleary and overcast, as when this picture was taken right before a light drizzle.  Then later the sun came out.

Willie and Oates, flanking the Freedom Tower on the horizon, seem to be enjoying this little moment by the Hudson. I've got to get them up to the country and natural grass soon.

Kitschin'

My trainer this morning (I retain the services of a young woman who occasionally monitors my weight-lifting and exercise which, with keeping this blog, helps make my life look at once both virtuous and silly) remarked that, after seeing and hearing of a friendlier side of me with others, maybe this blog is making me softer. Not physically of course, while I do grim exercises with names like "skull crusher", but emotionally.

Basically, we toyed with the thought that maybe posting this daily picture blog about my old dogs is essentially me turning into someone's grandmother.

Here they are in the kitchen, Oates looking at Willie and Willie looking at me.

Sidewalking

This morning was a challenge to get them still and pointed to the camera.  Open mouths always look like smiles and closed mouths look like enigmatic stares.

Stoopin'

Here they are on a stoop tonight. We do not live here.