Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Petey and Wilf: Parallel Lives?

My Mom is a pretty serious Francophile, who daydreams of living in Paris and calling "Ici Pierre! Et tout suite!" So each morning, we begin our day by reading about the antics of my PONs pal , in deepest France Profound. The more I read his blog, the more I think we live very similar lives. My Mom is half Scottish and one half of his people (Mongoose) are Scottish. We're both shaggy dogs of a beige hue. We live in villages. Okay, so his is in southwestern France and I'm in the southern part of Manhattan in the West Village. But hang on....

Wilf hangs out in his "rickety old farmhouse." Me and Mica hang out in our "rickety old pre-War apartment." Wilf and me share plumbing and contractor problems on a regular basis.

While Wilf begins his day with a walk around 6:30, that's approximately the same time Mica wakes Mom up to get him some fresh water from the sink. She then groggily locks him out of the bedroom ("Where do you think the word 'catapult' came from?") for a bit more sleep.

Later in the morning, we go out to admire the sunflowers. Just like Mongoose and Wilf!

Wilf likes to christen the tyres/tires in his neighborhood. I prefer to leave pee-mails on objects that are less likely to start moving.

Wilf has bountiful fields of wild flowers to sniff. Me too. These bags filled with plants and flowers are actually quite interesting - made of recycled materials and attached to vertical surfaces all over the West Village. You can "adopt" one and care for it, or leave it up to Mother Nature.

Wilf likes to take in the local scene (and occasional snacks) at his nearby farmers' market...me too!
Most of the vendors have treats on hand for dogs and Mom feels guilty not buying something when I'm begging for a cookie. So we end up with more produce than she can ever eat in a week.

Wilf has Mme. Bay and her interesting hairstyles and colors. We've found just the place for her next Manhattan makeover.

Living in France, Wilf enjoys the delicate scent of lavender wafting on the breeze. Okay, so I have to go over to the florist, but same thing. (Although I bet Wilf is allowed to water his lavender plants.)

In Wilf's village, there is much excitement about pottery. Here we have a store that only sells these little glass pots.

Wilf's village is filled with centuries-old cafes and bistros. We have the White Horse Tavern, a whopping 130 years old. (Although Wilf is welcomed at his local cafe and the tavern has about a 100 signs up declaring "NO DOGS ALLOWED.") Sidenote: the White Horse Tavern is also known as the last place Dylan Thomas drank before returning home, growing ill and dying a few days later. Really says something about the food and drink of the establishment, huh?

Wilf can find all sorts of delicious French cuisine in his village. Me too! There's Pastis, Paris Commune, La Recette, The New French, and La Ripaille...

...this new restaurant Bistro De Le Gare. Let's take a closer look at the menu and see if there are any of Wilf's favorites to be had...

Hmmm, wait a minute! Chile Rellenos! Corned Beef Hash! Tamales!!!! Apparently they consulted Mme. Bay when they were creating their authentic French menu...

Here's where we go for croissants and bagettes—just like Wilf.

And I can even get my hair tousled by patrons on the benches outside as I enjoy a drink.
(Unfortunately, no early morning absinthe drinkers in the Village, though there is the odd homeless man sleeping off in a corner in the park, bottle clutched to his chest like a child's Teddy bear and a blissed out smile on his face.)

Another fine French establishment. I particularly like walking past this restaurant and scooping up any errant french fries that have fallen off the tables or stray pieces of bacon!

At the newsstand, I can catch up on the latest in French couture, just like Wilf.

We even have our own endearing characters, like Mohammed and Ali who run the magazine store. (It's called Casa des Magazines but I'm campaigning to change it to Maison des Magazines.) This is Ali. He lets me hang out behind the counter and feeds me bits of his breakfast croissants while Mom buys her 100th magazine of the week. Ali is like the mayor of the Village - he knows everyone and everything that's going on.

Wilf is cautiously friendly with the Village cat and I'm trying to befriend Tiger, the kitten who lives at the bodega on the Corner. She's little and she never hisses at me, but I get kinda shy around her. She was sound asleep on a stack of Poland Spring bottles - who says cats are afraid of water?

Wilf has a Village Frog Pond. I have the Village Dog Pond.

Still more sunflowers growing in the West Village. These are planted along Jane Street and haven't quite come into bloom yet.

I'd say another week, would you agree, Wilf?

I even have some baby sunflowers practically outside my front door! Just like Wilf!

And if you needed any more proof that we are living parallel lives, take a look at this building to the north of us!

So what do you think? Is the West Village just about exactly the same as a charming village in the Western part of France?

Okay - so I guess they don't have alligators in the sewers like we do. Vive la difference!


23 comments:

Kathy said...

What a great post - I came to you through Wilf's link - and really enjoyed reading about your
'French' life in the Big Apple.
Love Kathy xxx

WFT Nobby said...

Uncle Petey,
The similarities are uncanny! But you know what? I am an enthusiastic reader of both your blog and Wilf/Angus's, and I had never before noticed the parallels. (If only Hamish had been around, he would have incorporated your insights into his parallel universe theory, without a doubt).
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

Molly the Airedale said...

You and Wilf definitely could be twinsies, Petey! What a great post!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

How Sam Sees It said...

You know, they say everyone has a twin. Maybe Wilf is yours?

Sam

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

That alligator is unbelievably cool, Petey!

So, about us... well, we have lavender and lots of it in our garden and yesterday, we had a scarce swallowtail, a queen of spain fritillary and a comma all flitting about it! I am not particularly shaggy, as you know, but I get to go out dining in restaurants regularly, and we are a LOT closer to Paris...

Woofs,
Tommy

PS: Uncle MIca, you are looking splendid!

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Maybe you should go to France and visit Wilf - just to hang out and compare lifestyles. It looks to us like you may have been separated at birth.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I just popped over from Wilf's blog--What a fun post to start my day!! It just goes to show you that we are all really the same! :-))

Gus said...

Ah Petey. what wonderful lives you and Wilf have. And so many opportunities for both of you.

I am in envy.

gussie

Posy Linda said...

Bonjour Pierre. I was pleased to find a link to you from Wilk and Mongoose. Truly funny and informative post. I will visit again. Merci, Posy....and Linda too!

Posy Linda said...

P&J - thanks so much for stopping by today. Well, it was just terrieriffic!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

And both of you are incredibly handsome!

sprinkles said...

I linked to you from Wilf's blog and am now your newest follower.

Who would have ever guessed that two dogs so far apart would have lived such similar lives?

I've always wanted to live in NY.

Clive said...

Petey,

Such similiarities! We loved the post!

take care
Clive and Murray

ps-we got to do our first NY post today! Murray loved doing every second of it with his Mom!

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Oh we just read your post bout Clive havin' a respiratory infection. Musta been that plane ride...I'm gonna start wearing a mask when I fly. Well, not that Mumsie has ever taken MOI on a plane...

I can't believe how much you and Wilf are alike, Petey...that's uncanny...thank you for the fabbers tour!

Kisses, dear boy....

Lacie Kins

Lorenza said...

Yes! You two could be twins!
I loved your post!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Maxmom said...

Hey Petey...
I think you guys should move in together...it will save on blogposts :) :) :)
Great post!
Another similarity...you both are great with words!!!
Sending lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

Anonymous said...

Hi Petey your best post ever. Thanks for taking the time to introduce us to your doppelganger.

Ellie

Two French Bulldogs said...

Wow Petey cool post. Wonder if they have an extra room for us?
Benny & Lily

Bocci said...

Wonderful post, Petey! You are an artiste'!
Loved all the pictures :-)

Your buddy,
Bocci

Agatha and Archie said...

WELL we agree with Bertie!! WE WERE ASTOUNDED at the similarities!! Really Petey it is rather frightening... Love A+A

Hailey said...

OMD! You and twinie Wilf are parallel to one another! You are sooooo lucky to have found your twin! I hope some day to find mine!!!

Love, hugs and smoochies! xoxo
Hailey

Eric said...

"Mais oui" Petey! Now use your imagination cos I barked that at the same time as clapping the back of my left paw to my forehead in a dramatic frenchified gesture. (I know lots of them french gestures. That was a clean one) But back to you and Wilf...weird old world Petey, who would of guessed? You and him being twinses.

Only thing I would bark back is you certainly look better in your beret (not that I've seen Wilf wear one but gee I just know it) And I've seen you smoke a Gaulloise. Without coughing. Oui mon ami. You are the frenchier one. Eric mwah mwah mwah.

Martha said...

Hi Petey,
We have missed you! We haven't visited Wilf for some time but as you say the similarities are uncanny.
Why we were surprised you were not wearing a striped beret!
Two very cosmopolitan doggies enjoying the fine life!
Goodness if your Auntie Martha wasn't scared of people we would be off to the shops ourselves!
Thank you for worrying about the thunder Petey, you are so very sensitive - yes we have to leave our little house on wheels in heavy rain and thunder because of you know who!
And your Auntie Martha had lost contact with the bottom in her swimming pic - that is why she was looking so worried.
I have told her more than once that we are bassets and we do not swim but will she listen!
love and kisses
Auntie Bailey xxxx