Sophia's Birthday - In the Pink

Sophia turned three on April 1st and we had a very special day. (Click on photo at left to enlarge)

Early Saturday afternoon (once the weather had cleared a bit) we parked in Pioneer Square and went to Zeitgeist Coffee House at 2nd and So. Jackson. I wanted to show Steve the art on display for the International Shrinky Dink Festival. I also knew they were dog friendly and would have no trouble with me bringing Sophia in to get a decaf mocha.

We walked back to First Avenue and headed north for Pike Place Market and Three Dog Bakery. It was about a mile walk and we window shopped on the way. As we stepped into Three Dog Bakery it was quite crowded. Almost immediately there was a strange man standing in front of me who asked, "Can your dog come play in my office?” Now, this is a bizarre question, and I wasn't quite sure how to answer it. I asked, "Are you asking if I get to take my dog to my office for work? No I don't get to," he said no, no, and motioned for me to follow him.

Since Steve was there as escort, I shrugged and cut through the crowd and behind the counter and into the back office. There we were greeted by two little iggies, named Dash and Lyra. I got Sophia off her leash and she went about dealing with two little eager iggies in a small space. She did very well.

Randy, he introduced himself, is the owner of Three Dog Bakery. This bakery is the first Three Dog Bakery outside of the original corporate bakery in the country. Now there are several all over the country (http://www.threedogbakery.com/) He has two iggies and 2 labs, which were lying behind the counter in the store. He has owned it for the past 8 years along with his brother and brother-in-law, all which were working that day. Randy had driven by us as we were walking up First Avenue and said he hoped that's where we were headed since he saw I had an iggy. I suspect he was watching for us as he asked what happened to her purple coat. We had taken it off as soon as we came in since she gets hot and static-y.

After a visit and talk about the IG rescue community and future play dates, we headed back out to the store to look at the bakery items in the case. I picked out a Pupcake for Sophia's birthday treat, and also a Puppermint Patty Cookie and a Pup-tite Four. Steve perused the clothing rack and took a pink fleece jacket off a hanger to try on her. He found a good fit (size 14) and Sophia left the store sporting the new "Flower Power" jacket by Fido Fleece. http://www.kooldawgtees.com/images/ff-FLOWER_POWER0705.jpg I think she pranced a bit higher since she was now completely decked out in pink - she was also wearing her new pink ostrich feather collar and matching leash. We were a sight to see.

And people saw us - everywhere. It's hard to walk 20 steps without fielding a question from a passer-by, or a request of a small child to pet my doggie. Sophia has gotten very good with her public and takes petting really well - especially if it comes in the form of a scratching under her jacket where she builds up static and gets all hot and itchy.

We walked down the vendors on the street across from the market stalls - I wanted a chicken hom bow from the Vietnamese vendor. Steve didn't know what he wanted until we came across the French bakery, and he went in to get a ham and butter sandwich on a crusty roll. Sophia and I stood outside trying to not get stepped on and I always smile when people point and say look at that cute little dog! After Steve returned with his food, we walked down the block and crossed over the Volunteer Park and sat at a picnic table to enjoy our lunch (sharing bits with Sophia of course).

After eating, we decided to head into Pike Place Market in search of the Italian gelato shop. I didn't know where it was located and hadn't realized in advance how crowded it was inside the market. Nothing like a July day, but we still had to elbow our way thru. Steve carried Sophia and walked behind me. People pointed and ask questions as we make our way thru, and when we were walking Sophia kept poking me in the back with her nose - like literally every 10 steps I was getting a nose on my back. Steve thinks she was trying to be sure it was still me or something.

We finally got the quieter part of the market near the mini donut vendor and asked a stall keeper where the gelato place was. She said it was actually outside and the next door down. Steve put Sophia down since it was quieter here and we went outside to find Bottega Italiana. It was a cute little shop with small couches and seating areas, and they let us bring Sophia in. I saw on the counter they had ciocolitta (the hot drinking chocolate I adored while in Italy over Xmas) and decided I didn't have to decide between the two. First I would have something cold, and then I would have something hot! Perfect! http://www.bottegaitaliana.com/pages/20050615.html

So I tried a small gelato, which had one spoon of nutella gelato, and one of vanilla. Steve tried coffee and something else I decided would ruin what I was eating. She steamed the chocolate while we enjoyed our gelato, and Steve also had an espresso. Sophia got to lick out the cups and was very happy.

We headed back south for the car and stopped and watched the demolition of the parking garage next to The Lusty Lady. It's being torn down for a new mixed-use tower, retail and condos. The big equipment just tore it to bits and we stayed long enough to watch one whole section come down with a massive crash!

We came across Flora and Fauna Books in Pioneer Square on the way back. It was a place I had always heard of as a native plant steward but I had never been to. Sophia tried to stay awake while we perused the books. She was pretty funny looking - her ears were in super-alert mode, but those eyes were closed. I picked out a little "Latin for Gardeners" book, and Steve picked out one on Bonsai (something he's tried before and we currently have a bonsai cabernet grape vine).

We got back to the car around 5 PM and drove home, happy with our exercise and having thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon together. Sophia took a nap as soon as we got home!