Drooling Over Football Season
Willamena is ready!

She loves the beer, wings and nachos that accompany the pigskin parties. Oh, she loves pig ears too.

She made a quick stop at the NFL Kickoff Party in Columbus Circle today.

However, since nothing says football like 90-degree New York City streets, she decided to check out the stage and scene from the 4th floor of the Time Warner Center. 

From Central Park you could hear the entertainment; which tonight includes Usher and Keith Urban, but you couldn't see the stage.  From inside the gates at Columbus Circle you can see and hear the event, plus stay and watch the game.

Tonight Willamena plans to watch from the comfort of her own spring coil doggie bed as the defending Super Bowl Champs, the New York Giants, take on long time rivals,  the Washington Redskins.

There may even be pig skins.

If you click on Mena's picture and look closely, you can see all the people lined up along Central Park South for the Kickoff event.

Call her Willa in Phila, Silly Willy in Philly or just Mena on Market, NYC Dog had fun sniffing out the sights of the City of Brotherly Love.
Check back soon for her tour!
She also found some haunted sites. Remember the Willabeast's Haunted NYC tour?
Soon she will show you some bone-chilling spots of Philadelphia.
And yes, she ate plenty of cheesesteak.

Backyard Birthday Bash
Willamena's backyard, Central Park, is celebrating the 150th anniversary of it's design this year.

Instead of a bouquet of helium balloons --that would only get stuck up in the trees anyway-- the Central Park Conservancy and City Parks & Rec joined with AeroBalloon to offer rides in this large helium-filled balloon through August 22nd.

Visitors go up, up -- up 30 stories -- but not away. The balloon is tethered.

See more pictures here.

Willamena hasn't gone up- she prefers to stay grounded. Actually, she's always trying to get at the core of the park. She'd dig her way that direction if she had her way.

You can go skyward everyday 10am to 10pm until August 22nd. The location is Cherry Hill, on 72nd street. It costs 25-dollars for adults and $17.50 children.

Willamena as Bat Mena in The Dark Dog.

In honor of the opening of The Dark Knight, Bat Mena explores some of her favorite caves in Central Park. 

But wouldn't you know it, she finds green slime in her watering hole, and now must be a news hound to find out what joker is responsible. 

The full story of The Dark Dog is COMING SOON.....

VIEW FROM THE BEDROOM WINDOW
The new Mino was supposed to be used as a collar cam today, but instead, it caught some flames as Willamena's apartment was starting to fill with smoke.



Outside people gathered to watch as numerous crews fought this apartment fire.



Back inside the apartment, you can see firemen putting out hotspots.



And ouch. Look at his poor flooded terrace.

Okay, so a girl and her dog have to practice when it comes to learning new equipment.
Mena's new Mino is smaller than my Blackberry. It weighs less than a large Milkbone. You Can imagine it's a little different to shoot with than the 30-pound monsters I've carried on my shoulder.
So last video we were leaving Central Park to sit in Alternate side parking. It was too hot to sit in the car, so we sat on a stoop near our car.
Here is our little video. (Soon these will be all edited and polished, so enjoy these rough cuts while you can!)

MENA's New MINO!
Willamena is introduced to the new Flip Mino phone. As you watch this video, you'll see we're just getting our paws adjusted to the features. Coming soon- the Mena Mino Collar Cam. Off-leash hours will never be the same.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER or X-treme Mena Season? July 3 - August 11

Willamena loves getting an extra walk at night because it isn't dark yet. She also likes hanging out in Central Park with a blanket and picnic during free concerts.

However, she does not fancy the hot sidewalks. When it comes to the weather, Willamena prefers mild spring or fall days; the days she gets to run and play in the park for hours without dehydrating or snot-sicles forming in our noses. Yet possibly her favorite time of year is snow-digging season.

But since this is the time of year that The Dog Star, Sirius, shines the brightest, we get Dog Days, which begin July 3rd and end August 11th.

The Dog Star is visible with the rising Sun at this time of year. Ancients associated the bright star with the hot weather during the time. Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Greater Dog).

If there was an XM star, and it happened to shine during either flower blooming season or snow shoveling, Mena would try to promote X-treme Mena season.

The Sex and the City Movie has more "doggy style" than you might expect.

Charlotte adds on to her family, plus another of the girls adopts a pooch.

Even Mr. Big is compared to a dog when Carrie introduces him as her boyfriend. He says he is too old for that, she says, okay, "man-friend." 

Big replies that Man-friend sounds like a dog. 

"If the shoe fits" snarks Carrie.

 

While the girls steam things up on screen, Willamena has compiled some of her favorite "cool" places and accessories.

FOR A DRINK:
Carrie has her cosmos.
However, Willamena always seems to spill out of those top heavy martini glasses. She much prefers the pint-sized plastic cups she can chew on after finishing up a beer.  Here she is enjoying a cool one at the Sheep Meadow Cafe  in Central Park. She also recommends the West 79th Street Boat Basin Cafe.
Here at the Barking Dog on York and 77th she enjoys sitting outside and lapping up free offerings from the "dog bar." 
Better check the line before heading for a burger or frozen treat at Shake Shack. But don't mind the wait. The website suggests meeting a new friend on the "pick up line."

TO "STAY":

In the series Samantha moved into the Meatpacking district and made it cool. In the movie, the friends continue to clank their heels along the cobblestone streets in the area for drinks. The BIG rehearsal dinner was held at Buddakan. The movie ended with a glamour shot along 9th Avenue, with a glimpse of Hotel Gansevoort. (Pet friendly!) The hotel is also offering a special Sex and the City package deal.

Visitors to NYC can get a glimpse of the spots made hot by the girls on the Sex and the City On Location Tour.

TO WRITE:

Carrie writes and checks her email on her MacBook Pro. 

(Just like the one Willamena uses!)

Since Carrie refused to borrow Samantha's IPhone, saying she hasn't figured those out yet, Miss Bradshaw could probably use a free lesson or two offered at the Apple stores.

No doubt she could benefit from the workshops offered at all four of the city's stores.

TO GET HITCHED (OR NOT):

Just across from the Apple store on 5th Avenue is The Plaza. In the series, Carrie dreamed of a Plaza wedding.  But then she saw Mr. Big with his new bride, Natasha there.  In the movie, Carrie decides a 

wedding at the Library by Bryant Park would be perfect.

Willamena likes the Plaza, especially it's view of Central Park. That is where she chases tail during off leash hours from 9pm to 9am.

TO EAT:

"It was a little past 10 and I was dressed to the nines at Brasserie 81/2" is a Carrie line from the series. 

This orange statue is actually a 9, marking 9 West 57th street, which is the address for Brasserie 81/2.  

In the movie, Charlotte almost gets to enjoy a meal at Lumi on Lexington Avenue. Click here for pictures from the movie and the menu!

TO PAMPER:

Willamena has booties she calls her Manolo Pawniks. They keep her sensitive paws warm in the winter and protected from the hot sidewalk in the summer. 

She also loves the scent of Sexy Beast. It's a New York City line of luxury dog grooming products. (Mena has a photo shoot planned with the products- check back soon!)

Life is HOT in the city! 

As people flock to theaters to see the movie Sex and the City, Willamena is taking you around NYC to show you how she lives it up.

CHECK BACK SOON for Mena's tour- PLUS vote on whether your dog is a Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda or MUTT- a mix of them all!

Also, find out about Willamena's Manolo Pawniks, doggie cosmos and where she gets tail!

Cinco de MENA (x2)

In honor of the 5th of May, and Willamena having just turned ten, we continue the celebration with Cinco de Mena (x2.)

The Menu for Mena consisted of pulled pork, (actually a dried pork dog treat from the Texas company Merrick) and Mena-Colladas!

Mena also loves left-over take out from Mexican restaurants, especially the chips. She rarely gets a doggie bag, though. Not just because its not really good for her, but also because there usually isn't any food left!

For people who find themselves in Manhattan looking for a margarita or Mexican food, don't listen to the pundits! There are plenty of delicious places to fiesta in NYC.

Starting with a new favorite this year,
Mole.

Mole is on Allen Street just off of East Houston. The restaurant is family owned. The wife is from Mexico City. She created the chipotle pork tacos at her other restaurant, Taco Taco on the Upper East Side on Second Avenue near 90th.

1. Mexican Radio.
19 Cleveland Place

For those looking for stuffed jalapenos hotter than you'll find in Texas, this is your place. They aren't on the menu, you have to ask for them. The margaritas are strong; they also offer a jalapeno marg.

2. Santa Fe.

73 W 71st St, Btwn Columbus Ave & CPW

This is more southwestern cuisine than Mexican, but the Margaritas and salsa can't be beat. After just two, you'll be ready for a siesta.

3. Los Dados.
73 Gansevoort St at Washington St

A hot spot in the Meatpacking district. Mexican for when you need to feel trendy.

4. Baby Bo's Cantina
627 2nd Ave. Btwn 34th and 35th

From what I remember, the margaritas and salsa are good.

5. Cafe Frida
368 Columbus Ave, Btwn 77th & 78th St
This isn't a place where you get chips and salsa when you sit down. You have to order them. But the tacos you roll yourself are worth the sacrifice.

6. Diablo Royale.
189 W 10th St, Btwn W 4th & Bleecker St
The steak soft tacos are devilishly delicious. Beware this place is usually packed at night. The keeper of Otis, Willamena's boyfriend, had her first margarita ever here!

7. El Rey del Sol
232 W 14th St, Btwn 7th & 8th Ave
Fresh Fruit margaritas are great. Try the grapefruit margs. Beware the tamales. They are vegetarian- all corn meal!

8. Zocalo.
Three locations. But I've only eaten at the one at Grand Central Terminal.
Headed to Connecticut? Ask for a margarita on the rocks to go.

9. Tehuitzingo
695 10th Ave(between 47th St & 48th St)
(212) 397-5956
This is the place to find your family-made tacos. No pretension, and very little English.

The plush cake sings "Happy Birthday To You" when Mena bites down on the sensor. She only likes toys that sing or make some kind of noise. A squeaky center, however, is not enough. If it is a stuffed bear, then it better growl like a bear. Or it sits untouched.
My shoes never made noise! Why was she so obsessed as a puppy?
I guess that was puppy-dom. Those days are long gone as Mena turns 10! We've been celebrating all month. Actually, the celebration got started late, so we're extending the fun into the 5th of May. Cinco de Mena. X 2.
We'll see if she will wear the sombrero.
However, I'm told like a typical kid, she doesn't like her new coil bed. She loves getting on mine, so ???
She always ends up on her old bed. I know, I need to get rid of it, and put it in the back of my car where she sits like I planned.

In celebration of Willamena's 10th birthday, here are some puppy pictures.

Mena Turns 10!

Top O' the Morning!

People keep asking what Willamena is doing for St. Patrick's Day.

If you remember, she celebrated last year with tours of Irish Bars on the Upper East and Upper West Sides of Manhattan. (I'm sure she left some out, send me the ones you like!)

Since St. Patrick's Day falls during Holy Week this year, maybe McMena will tour New York City churches. As you can see, she already made a stop at Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

New York City is still planning on having it's parade as usual on St. Patrick's Day, March 17tth. But because of Holy Week, Ireland's bishops have shifted the feast day to Saturday, March 15.

Here is how other areas are reacting to an early Holy Week and Easter.

The First Day of Six More Weeks of Winter.

Whether the ground hog saw his shadow yesterday or not, we still have to wait until March 20th for Spring to begin.  Groundhog day also just happens to mark the half-way point of Winter. People around the world celebrate the day as Candlemas.

For those wanting spring-like weather to consume our last half of winter, too bad Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. 

However, Staten Island Chuck and Chuckles in Manchester, Connecticut did not see their shadows.

Because I'm not looking forward to six weeks of cold and snow, I'd love to think that these two rodents closer to me than Phil, are correct, except, that the rat dog herself, SAW her shadow. 

We were walking west on 79th street just out of Central Park, and there is no question: Six More Weeks of Winter.

FOUND: BUTTON. Black. Please contact...

New York City. Home of "be careful with your wallet. Wear it around your neck on a cord and tuck it in your shirt so no one will steal it."
The place where the mentality is "each one for himself."
"If you can make it here you can make it anywhere."
I just have to say that New York City isn't living up to it's billing lately.

I enter into testimony a button. Yes. A button. This faux-leather covered, less than an inch, black button. It fell off my long overcoat a few days ago. When I got home and realized it was gone I was upset. UGH! I lost a button!
It was the bottom button and I was wearing the coat without it. And with the past two days warm temperatures, I didn't even wear the coat yesterday. So basically I had forgotten about my tragic loss.
UNTIL TODAY WHEN I FOUND IT HANGING ON THE GATE OF A DOG PARK FOR ME. My button. It must have fallen off my coat in the dog park. Someone saw it in the gravel-ish wet-ish litter-box-ish terrain and thought "A button! Someone lost this and will be looking for it!"

When you lose a button you immediately deal with the fact it is gone. Unless you have saved the extra button that came with it upon purchase, you are just without a matching replacement button. But not in New York City. Seems living here if you lose a button, someone will find it and place it in one of the free doggie poop bags and tie it to the gate of the dog park for you to find and bring to the corner dry cleaner to sew back on.

A button.

And I surprised when my drivers license, credit card and business card that all fell out of my pocket while walking along Central Park South on THANKSGIVING following the parade were returned to me. The lady that found them ended up seeing me on the street looking for them nearly an hour after they were lost and yelled out, "Heather?"

But a button? I mean, I am very appreciative, I just think it is hysterical! I finally have good luck, and it's wasted on finding a button?

New York City come on!

Happy New Year from Times Square in New York City.























The sun was shining bright just after noon when people were already gathered and camped out in Times Square. To keep Mena from squinting in her annual New Year's Eve pose, she needed sunglasses.
She went earlier in the day last year. Click here to see last year's NYE.

More New York City Holiday Fun
After a stop at the Plaza on 5th Avenue, who can resist a vist to Tiffany's a few blocks away along 5th? Willamena always seems to find her way right to the front entrance, so we call it Sniffany's.

NYC Holiday lights - just a few.

For people who love the consumerism of the holidays, these blue and red lights adorn the Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle. They constantly change colors, one segment of each star at a time.

It is well known that holiday shopping builds a hunger for borscht.

What better place than the Russian Tea Room to fill that craving?

Plus looks like you could even get your shot for next year's Christmas card out of the way. (Since everyone else goes to Rockefeller. Pooey.)

Who doesn't love the legs of the Rockettes?

The show outside and around Radio City is almost as festive as the show.

Across the street, red ornaments are stacked in a fountain.

Less than a block away, a toy train lights up 6th Avenue.

And of course, every year, tall nutcrackers line the UBS building.

WILLAMENA WANTS IN THE ACTION AS A FILM CREW PREPARES A SCENE ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE.

Remember when I went on vacation and Willamena had her headshots done by her babysitter? Well, I should have had one with me this morning as I had to pull Mena away from this set.

But even my tugs weren't successful. You'd think that along with setting the scrims and adjusting the lighting for the driver side of this Toyota Matrix, they were grilling bacon.

Mena even got a pat on the head from one of the gaffers. I said, "she wants to be in it." He responded, "she should be!" Even one the guys taping an interview with someone working on this set, turned the camera on Mena's persistance to stay and watch.

Then Mena saw that someone was getting in the truck that was going to pull the Matrix along Broadway for the shoot. She was about to jump in.

I was told they were shooting for a movie called "Three Girls."

ROCKEFELLER GRINCHES!

Now that Willamena is back in New York City from her white Christmas New Hampshire visit, she wants her typical NYC Holiday pics.
However, security is the grinch this year.
The security guard in this picture was on his way over to say get away, "no dogs." She didn't understand considering this area is a public sidewalk.
She came to this side because she had just been chased away by another security guard by the angels.
That is where the people from NBC take pictures at no charge. You are given a slip with a website and number. You can view your pictures on line and order if you wish. There isn't any pressure. It's a great holiday shot. BUT NO! I asked if that was a new policy, the guard said dogs have never been allowed. Prior today, it has never been an issue. Look at last year's photo. It was taken by a tourist offering to help us out. There was security everywhere, but we weren't told to leave.
Maybe it's for the best. Because of the embarrassing exile, Mena now wants to find unusual places to take NYC Holiday pics. She promises to have them posted before the New Year.

ALL MENA WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS WAS A MINI-ME-na.

Actually I just wanted a picture of the two together, possibly with their paws up to their lip.

But with all the food and holiday treats around, Willamena didn't want anything to do with another dog.

Instead, she spent the day guarding the tree, anxiously awaiting the moment she would get to finally rip into her gifts.

Which, as you can see, she did a good job of as soon as Christmas morning arrived.

She was even transformed into Santa-Paws.

Unwrapping gifts wasn't the only activity the holiday hound jumped into.


She was thrilled to run down this hill right next to the sledders.

She slept well that night, with plenty of time for sugar-plum kitties to dance in her head.

Hope you're having a howling happy holiday!