Friday Adventures with the Gremlin Dog

Yesterday we took Gremlin out for Adventures in the City.

The point of this is threefold: first, to get the foster dog out in front of as many eyeballs as possible, since you never know who's looking to adopt a dog just like yours; second, to socialize the dog with friendly strangers, new environments, and the general bustle of the city; third, to evaluate the dog and get more information that can be provided to prospective adopters. Can the dog sit quietly at a sidewalk cafe next to a table full of rambunctious six-year-olds? Does the dog spook when a horse-drawn carriage clatters over cobblestones 15 feet away? Whether the answer's a new selling point or an area that needs work, it's all useful to know.

So we got Gremlin dressed up and ready to go.

"How's my vest look?"

First stop: Washington Square Park, followed by wandering around the green spaces of Old City. Gremlin was fascinated with the squirrels and kept wanting to chase them up the tantalizingly low tree trunks in the Magnolia Garden.

"A SQUIRREL! Right over THERE!"

 Next: Dinner at Beau Monde, a lovely neighborhood creperie that is very welcoming to dogs. Gremlin behaved beautifully, sitting quietly under the table and nibbling on occasional morsels of French cheese (she was partial to the crumbly blue). The table of kids next to us was completely charmed, as were several other diners.

Finally, an after-dinner romp at the dog park, followed by glorious collapse upon getting home.

And that was Gremlin's Friday full of adventures. Tomorrow: Rittenhouse Square Park and the Saturday farmers' market.