For the Love of the French (bulldog that is)

The moment I met my boy

So I have had M. Remus Lupin [or just Lupin] for about a year and a half now. And while I have always suspected that something was off with him from your typical Frenchie, I have just come to terms with it this past week. My French boy.... is really from Boston - that is he is a French bulldog X Boston terrier aka Frostons, Frenchtons, Faux Frenchbo (My brother will be thrilled since he's a huge Boston Redsocks fan). The evidence to prove it?

- size: 23 lbs - on the low end of the range for 

Frenchies, high end of Bostons

itty bitty little Lupin

- stature: tall and lean, but broad across the chest - 

height from the Bostons, chest from Frenchie

Long and lean playful machine

- ears: curled back when he was a puppy - a la Boston

There are those little flippy-back ears!

- face: undoubtedly wrinkly and adorable - Frenchie

Look at all those wrinkles! Who couldn't love those?

- teeth: itty bitty gremlin teeth - Boston smiles

not typical Frenchie monster fangs

- bark: unimaginable "talking" and whining - VERY Frenchie

BUT alert & protective bark - hello Boston

- energy: oh. so. hyper. jumps and bounces when he 

walks, and jumps about 4.5 feet high- Boston. No doubt

He can jump on barstools... part cat maybe?

- personality: stubborn, mum suck, playful clown - 

Frenchie & Boston from what I have heard

 

Doesn't that look just say "I didn't do it... I don't know what you're talking about"

- separation anxiety: howling and whining. for 6 hours.

Oh and pushing the bathroom door open, but only when

 I'm in there - I don't care which one this is, it sucks sometimes

He is my #1 man, and goes everywhere with me

- brains: I know everyone says their dog is smart, but

Lupin knows sit, down, stay, shake paw, lay, give me 10,

"bang bang"-this-is-a-stick-up or sit pretty, treat on nose

and he is manipulative - ummm... human? 

Likes to sleep on the granite when it's hot because he knows its cold

Well, regardless of what my little guy is, I absolutely love him and wouldn't change any of his mannerisms (except maybe the separation anxiety - 6 hours of crying on the first night. Come on!) As a matter of fact, he is such a unique and fun dog, I just might get a sister for him!

Reducing my Ergonomic Footprint

So it is no secret that I am a lover of all things old and vintage, but that I adore modern and new things as well. Mix that with my quest to get fit without the use of a gym (ick - so not my thing), and my eco-conscientiousness, and viola, I am purchasing a bike.

But not just any bike. A cruiser bike - and not just any cruiser. An Electra cruiser. We are talking works of art meets old school cruiser styles meets top of the line flat foot technology (ie. comfortable and good for my back to ride all the way to work and back).

Electra Cruiser Coaster 3i in Electric Turquoise

And here is the kicker. I never knew how many accessories and customizations you can do with a bike. We are talking seats, grips, rims, spokes, baskets, bottle holders, bells, racks... hello birthday ideas, christmas ideas, and anything inbetween ideas. (and hello accessorization!)

Bonus: Lupin has learned how to go for runs along side a bike, so I have finally found a way to drain his puppy energy. And when he gets tired, we can do the adorable puppy in basket thing. Frenchie in a bike basket = automatic "Aweee!" from pretty much anyone.

Come on, now you want a Frenchie and a bike