Garden City Shopping

Laid back weekends are my favorite ones. And ones that maintain a temperature above -5 are pretty awesome as well. This past one was a perfect combination of the two.

To celebrate, Tessie and I went down to the pride of Cranston, Garden City. I wanted to shop, she wanted to walk. And - surprisingly - we were both able to get what we wanted!

As usual, Tessie was all business and wasted no time in letting all other dogs know that this area - which includes everything the light touches - now belonged to her.


Now, a little side geekery (what, having a blog about my dog isn't geeky enough?), one thing you must know is that I love candles. And during a holiday shopping spree, a girlfriend and I discovered that the three-wick candles from Bath & Body Works rival Yankee Candles. They smell amazing and burn forever. And when they have a sale, they have a SALE. Two for $20!
I tell you this because I know it is mainly - if not only - my friends and family who read this blog. And I know you ladies love candles too. So go, Bath & Body Works is having a sale!!!

Anyways, a big shout out to the ladies from the Garden City location. They smiled through the window at Tessie, and when I asked "is it ok for me to bring her in if I carry here?" the gave me a huge smile and said "absolutely!" There was no one in there except Tessie and I, and we spent a good twenty minutes chatting with the dog loving employees there - who all, of course, ooh'ed and aah'ed over my Tessums - while I shopped. It was fabulous.

After a quick walk around the plaza, I reached my mecca: Anthropologie. Brand new! It just opened last week! And I still haven't been in! I tried my luck, asking the door greeter if I could carry my dog in just for a quick peek and the new store and....he said yes! In fact, one of the girls on the floor (while discussing Tessie's cuteness) said "we've had much bigger dogs in here!"

And I spent lots-o-money. So Anthropologie and I both won.

And Tessie was so well behaved! It was like having a heavy (or, heavier than usual) purse. She cuddled up in my arms, resting her head on my shoulder and just looking around. One woman sifted through the sales for a good few minutes before exclaiming "Oh my gosh you have a dog! She's so good! I didn't even notice her!"

And here I inject my evergoing argument that well behaved dogs should be allowed in more public places. Honestly, here's the perfect example! Tessie didn't make a peep, was completely friendly to everyone she encountered, made it possible for me to retail fix for the night, was able to get out of her crate, and the store was able to make money. Everyone won! Why is this not a more normal thing?

Anyways....pictures.

Tessie now understands my obsession with Anthro. Here she is looking longingly at the store...


The desire in here eyes is one I am all too familiar with.

And for funsies, here's a blurry shot of the new store. My new second home!


Our next stop was the walk-up window at Newport Creamery, where we got strawberry Awful-Awfuls (for you non-Rhode Islanders, that's a shake - stands for "Awful Big, Awful Good!" Yep, that's how we roll...)

Tessie was a fan.


After another lap around we just hung out around the gazebo. Tessie absolutely loved it.


She fiercely guarded her newly acquired territory from passers by....well, ok, "fiercely guarded" = "watched them go by." But still!

I have yet to get a good picture by using the timer. Le sigh.

By the end of the night, I had an exhausted puppy. Considering we had already gone for a two mile walk that morning, I'd say she had a pretty awesome day.