Hello, readers! I realize it has been quite a long time. Please accept my sincerest apologies for my absence here.
Unfortunately, my secretary, also known as the Lady, spent the whole summer learning some new skills and then was job hunting (I’m not certain what that is, but perhaps a “job” is some sort of comestible?) all fall and winter. As a result, she neglected her secretarial duties with an alarming disregard for my responsibilities to my small yet devoted audience.
I thought about conducting a search for a secretarial replacement, but I found it surprisingly difficult to get any placement agencies to return my calls.
However, the Lady now has found a “job” and appeared somewhat chastened when I scolded her for abandoning her post with no warning. Guilt led her to attempt bribery.
Which worked out well for me, I must say.
Last spring, the Guy, the Lady, and I went on a beach and wine tasting trip with Discover Outdoors. My first trip to the beach was so exhilarating that the Lady decided to repeat the experience this past weekend.
We had a smaller group this time, but clear skies and plenty of sunshine.

Running on the sand is excellent exercise
I spent much of the day in the company of budding Instagram star Pippa (a/k/a “The Brooklyn Pipster“). As some of you know, I do not suffer the energies of young puppies kindly; at four months, Pippa is decidedly young and decidedly…energetic. Nevertheless, she shows great promise for a puppy, and I have no doubt that should we chance to meet again in a year or so, I will find her company most enjoyable.

Keeping an eye on the dunes
After the beach, we visited a couple of wineries, where the humans enjoyed sampling some lively whites and smooth reds while I took in the scenery and the odors.

Drink all the Merlot you want
The wine humans were most welcoming to us dogs, so much so that I began to ponder what a charmed life it would be to spend the rest of my days as a resident vineyard dog. If my humans cannot be convinced to start their own enterprise, perhaps someone could put me in touch with a winemaker in search of a canine mascot?

Checking out the oak
Until such an opportunity arises, I’ll just have to savor my memories of that fine day.

Among the vines
P.S. I was very well-mannered (as always) and did not leave any my personal signature on any of the vines. Just in case you were wondering.
Hi Albert! Nice to hear from you again. I’ve heard of humans hunting jobs as well, but I don’t think they ever catch one. At least if they do, my two humans never bring them home ‘cos I’ve never seen one. Woof! Ray.
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Thanks, Ray! These jobs are mysterious things. I am sure that if you hunted something, you’d catch it. Woof, indeed.
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Well hello Stranger!!
So nice to see you back and I am most perturbed to hear of your staffing issues of late. I too struggle to find good help and I am a human with opposable thumbs so can hold a telephones to speak to people that I might want to hire and with that in mind I feel you plight. However, I too would have been placated with treats even if the best treat was not a comestible the size of a job….
Great to see you are back with us young Albert and here’s hoping you will be writing lots more and taking us on many more adventures….
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Hello, Mr. Cameron! Hope you are well. I feel better knowing that I am not alone in struggling with recruitment. I am aiming to keep to a once-a-week posting schedule and will have to start visiting again, too.
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Well good luck with the staff Albert. And if the Lady becomes wayward again, remember you must put your foot down with a firm paw and nip any slacking in the bud!
Good to have you back 🙂
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Sorry, Albert, I think the felines have the wineries and distilleries in their, um, back pockets. According to an article I read recently, the distillery business requires that four-legged “candidates not only have an attractive appearance, but also developed the killer instinct.” You may want to talk to Jeffy, the black cat in charge of the Kings County Distillery over at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for some advice — or not. Good luck! Meow…
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Oh, my, I simply cannot accept that. Surely a dog would also be of service? We do have a different skill set, after all. Who ever heard of a guard cat? What if some nefarious wine thieves were to attempt a break-in? I am not too proud to share space with a cat, provided our responsibilities are clearly defined.
But thank you for the tip about Jeffy. I much enjoyed reading about him on your blog!
https://hatchingcatnyc.com/2014/10/17/brave-black-cats-brooklyn-navy-yard/
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Welcome back, Albert!! We look forward your adventures!
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Thank you, Ms. Sabina.
I just saw that LadyBird left you in December. My People and I are so sorry for your loss.
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I love you, Albert! You are adorable.
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Thank you for visiting, Ms. Karen. I agree!
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Please wish your Lady good luck with the new job and ask her to write more often we miss you Albert!!!
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Thank you for stopping by! I will tell her to write once a week. I think she can manage that.
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