Abe on the Montreal Scene: The Pup-arazzi

Walk up Mount Royal

On Sunday, we met up with family friend Alessandra and hiked up Montreal's most infamous "mountain."  Mountain is a matter of perspective.  When all things surrounding said mountain are flat, any mound of earth can be considered a mountain.  Regardless, it was a lovely walk as we meandered up the switchbacks through the dappled light of the trees along a wide-graveled path.

At the Chateau.

Along the way, Abe attached himself to dog-lover and treat-provider, Alessandra.   We passed and greeted several other dogs, babies, etc.  It is amazingly, isn't it, how dogs and babies seem to connect people? Everyone seems to love children and dogs.  They are the two mediums through which people seem to reach out to one another.  Without them, seemingly, you are just another person.  But with one or the other, conversation strikes up and the swapping of information and stories with perfect strangers begins.  And while moving down to Washington for a little while seems daunting--leaving behind our town, our home, our friends, but with a child and a dog--I know that it will be easier to connect with these two sweet beings as our "arm candy" than the two of us as a young working couple.

View from the top of the Mountain.

After a leisurely lunch at the little restaurant just short of the top, we continued on to the Chateau at the top of Mount Royal.  There we were greeted with the expansive view of the city.  We stopped and admired.  Not long after settling at the top of the mountain, we were approached by a large Chinese family that surrounded us asking questions about Abe.  Once they had the go ahead, the Pup-arazzi went nuts, the clicking of camera shutters and the flash of lights brought out the best in Abe, now an experienced celebrity. 

Abe in the spotlight of the Pup-arazzi

Abe seems to have garnered a fair amount of attention.  But while he shines in the spotlight in public, we try to keep a humble life around the house.  At home, it is easy to forget he is here.  He is quiet and sleepy.  In public, he comes alive under the affectionate hands of his admirers.  This latest run-in with the Pup-arazzi has prompted a public response.

Abe and his publicist and mother.

As his publicist, here are a few FAQS to frequently asked questions on Abe:

1) What kind of dog is Abe?
He is a Samoyed.  He's polar bear crossed with a cotton ball.

2) How old is your dog?  Boy or girl?
Abe is a boy.  Don't be deceived by his pretty white fluff.  Abe is 4 years old.  But he acts like he is a puppy in public and like an old man around the house.  Either way, he is a prince and sometimes a bit of a diva.

3) Where did you get him?
We bought him from a breeder in Victoria.

4) You must have to brush him a lot, he is so white.
Yes, we should.  But we don't.  He brushes himself. Literally, dirt just seems to fall off of him.  He does get groomed three times a year whenever his stylist tells us that it is time.  Depends on the weather.

5) Do you shave him in the summer?
 No, we do not.  The length of his hair dissipates the heat.  Shaving is cruel, especially because he takes his looks very seriously.

6) Does he shed a lot?
Yes.  We call it "Abe Love" and bought a high-end vacuum in his honor.

7) Does he get along with your son?
Yes, he loves Gabriel, especially when Gabriel serves him treats, but he doesn't like him messing with his 'do.

8) How does he travel?
He travels in the luxury of his own climate-controlled area with private seating.  He is able to travel with other friends to talk to if he wishes.  He even sports his own boarding pass, courtesy of WestJet.  On the rare occasion, if he misses a flight, he is put up in the VIP lounge where he is served mineral water and kibble before heading to the finest puppy resort close the airport for an overnight stay so that he can get an early flight.  However, his tight cross-continental itinerary is too stressful and Abe will be cancelling future public events that require flight travel.  Abe sends his regrets.   He will make the occasional public appearance via Skype through his publicist.

9) Can I take him home with me?
Abe is not for sale.  Honestly.  He is our dog-baby and he lives with us.

Further questions/comments can be directed to the comment section of this blog.  Thank-you!