Day 147

Yesterday was Wag 'n Walk, a event for the Auckland SPCA.

It had been raining pretty hard all week, but it ended up being a really nice, even hot, day for the big event. The main event was a 3K dog walk, but there were also a whole bunch of food, information booths and events. The dogs had to wear special Wag 'n Walk bandanas, but Newton's bandana didn't fit him very well. It was a one-size fits all, so it was HUGE on him... But his neck is kind of large, so if the bandana was folded to a smaller size, it wouldn't wrap around his neck.

Events included:

• A dog/child obstacle course race
• A dancing dog show/competition
• Final round of New Zealand's Top Dog
• A dog/owner look-alike contest
• A dog/owner fastest eater relay contest
• A best trick contest
• An oldest/youngest dog contest
• A smallest/largest dog contest

A dog named Caesar won New Zealand's (Auckland's?) Top Dog contest. I'm not sure what he was, but he was at least part Mastiff. He was GIGANTIC!! 106kg, down from 116kg during the winter... But he looked even bigger than that! He was literally the size of a small bear. His owner won a year's supply of dog food!! (He said it costs him ~$300 a month to feed Caesar!)


















Newton's first time meeting other pugs!!



















George and Newton



















Frankie, the black pug, and Newton













Fluffy white dogs















Taking a break to cool down


















One of the Top Dog competitors















Newton is very brave!!



















All dressed up



















Dancers















Newton got his head stuck in his lunch bowl















Harry the Shar Pei












Everyone was exhausted after a long day

Newton, 19 weeks old

Last week Newton learned how to drive!!















Newton is very focused...















...Most of the time!!

















He's already mastered the one arm "I'm too cool" pose!

New Word: Batch

Kiwi English: A weekend/vacation home

American English: A quantity of items, such as baked goods, that arrive at one time

Newton, 18 weeks old

Newton's first encounter with sand was a success!!

















Newton tried on funny hats at the puppy gift shop.

Kiwi Food

Today I learned the difference between a 'Sausage Sizzle', a 'hot dog' and an 'American hot dog'.

1. Sausage Sizzle:








A 'Sausage Sizzle' is a sausage (usually what Americans would call a hot dog, but sometimes, if you have a fancy Sausage Sizzle, a sausage) on a piece of bread with onions and tomato sauce. It is very common to have Sausage Sizzle fundraisers, so 'Sausage Sizzle' may also refer to an event.

2. Hot dog:










A 'hot dog' in New Zealand is what one would call a 'corn dog' in the states.

3. American hot dog









An 'American hot dog' is what we Americans would call a hot dog- mystery meat sausage on a bun.

Newton, 17 weeks old

Poor little Newton tried to attack a reusable grocery bag.

I tried to tell him not to, but he wouldn't listen...



...I think he learned his lesson.

Day 123

Yesterday was the final round of the bake off at work. It was epic.

Entry #1:









Chocolate mousse with a crispy wafer and raspberry sorbet. Served with raspberry and balsamic reductions and crushed pistachios. Fancy looking and pretty tasty.

Entry #2:









Lemon meringue pie with homemade lemon ice cream. Refreshing!!

And the winner...









"Tiramisu-Zen". A little bit booze-y for my taste, but very impressive looking.











It was topped with roses, a Buddha, a candle, chocolate dipped strawberries and a white chocolate river.