By Patrick and Sophie
Hello everyone, my name’s Patrick. I moved to Forest Hills in July and I love it here! I live on 29th Street with my human, Pat, and a cat called Sophie – well I guess nothing’s perfect – you’ll hear from her in a minute. We moved here from Burleith where Pat had lived for a long time.
As for me, I’m about 9 and some sort of terrier – I hear Pat telling people that I’m nearly all Yorkie with a splash of Manchester Toy Terrier – whatever that means. Pat took me home to live with her about two years ago. I don’t remember much before that until I found myself on the street in Prince George’s County and was taken to something called a shelter – it was very noisy and scary, but I was taken from there to a foster home, which was a bit better. One day they took me to a street corner with lots of other dogs. We stood out in the cold for a long time and people came and petted me. Pat came to talk to me and a few days later I went to her house and I’ve been living with her ever since!
Every morning Pat and I walk along Audubon Terrace and onto Soapstone Trail and there are so many things to stop and smell. Sometimes I see my buddy Jacques who lives next door, or the pugs Max and Mia, or Scout, or Coco and we stop and greet each other. There are lots of great places to walk around here and I specially like going into Rock Creek Park where I can run free (don’t tell anyone – I promise I’m very well behaved!) and sniff and sniff and sniff – it’s heaven!
Well I’ll hand over to the cat now before we run out of space. I usually pretty much ignore her, but I guess she did move in with Pat first so I’ll let her say a few words, and I’ll look forward to seeing you all around the neighborhood!
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Hola! My name’s Sophie, I’m about 8 and I come from Bolivia. I’m extremely beautiful and I rule 29th Street from my throne in the window of Pat’s office. I’ve lived with Pat for about three years and it’s great. I came from a home with lots of cats and dogs and children, and I used to hide a lot because I was frightened. One day I was taken to a place where I had to stay in a cage for a few days, but then Pat came and got me and took me to her house, and after that there was nothing to be scared of, and no need to hide any more.
By the time the Dog came I was obviously in charge so he mostly abides by my rules, but if he doesn’t I sometimes have to give him a good whack! Once I was really mad that he got taken somewhere for a long time and I was left alone at home. Anyway when he came back I peed in his bed to show him how I felt. Needless to say it hasn’t happened again!
As the Dog said we moved to our new house in Forest Hills in July and I love it here. There are lots and lots of windows and, although I’m not allowed out (never quite understand why since I lived on the streets of Bolivia for a long time!), there are lots of places where I can sit and watch the birds, and sometimes even deer and foxes. From time to time little mice come into the basement and then I have to be on duty to try and catch them. I sit and watch for them for hours and once I even caught one – that was a proud moment!
So although I won’t be seeing you around the neighborhood, maybe you’ll see me in the window one day and if you do please give me a wave – I’ll be on the lookout!
June Shadoan says
Hey there Patrick. Hello from beautiful Sarasota, Florida where it is warm and balmy and the sun shines every day…(except today..it’s raining) I really do miss you and our occasional sniffety sniffs (if you know what I mean). There are a couple of dogs in our neighborhood here…including one very loud Beagle who howls morning, noon and night. My mommy sometimes gives her a treat and then she calms down…either that or she eats the little rocks on her driveway. Her sister Jody (a skinny Golden Retriever) is much better behaved and wants to romp and play..but I just want to bark at her as I do with ALL Golden Retrievers. Well so long for now…see you in April. Woof woof, Jacques
Laurel Christian says
Hi Patrick and Sophie! You are both so talented. I really enjoyed your article. I was smiling and laughing as I read of your adventures! I look forward to meeting you sometime this spring or summer. My name is Jerry and I’m a Jack Russell Terrier mix. I live with my family on 29th street a couple blocks from you guys. I have two feline siblings, one brother and one sister. So, we could probably share many stories.