After a weekend jaunt at the Socrates Sculpture Park with his brother, Monty was grass-stained, dirt-flecked, and ready to hop onto my white chair as soon as he possibly could. Maybe I should restart the old Italian tradition of covering all of one’s furniture in plastic.

Monty is in love with these big cigar-like rawhide bone things. When he has one, he carries it around with him everywhere, even if he’s not chewing on it. It’s like a chewable security blanket. So late last night I decided to wrestle him for it. He won. (And yes, I wear glasses occasionally. I’m getting old and can’t see the TV screen anymore. Sigh.)

This weekend was my mother’s 60th birthday party and Andrew thought Monty should get dressed up for the occasion too. Hence, the tie. (And don’t worry – we only left it on for the picture.)
By the way, feminism is totally in my genes. Check out this pic of my mom back in the day (she’s in the middle) at a pro-choice rally in DC. Happy birthday, Mom!

Monty and Neidra were totally kissy-facing each other, so I tried to catch it on camera. Naturally, they refused and all I got was an end-of-vid ass sniffing. Damn.

I have to say, I like that I get chastising messages when I don’t post a picture of Monty on Mondays, as I usually do. I know it makes Monty feel loved.
So here you go folks, Monty as toga-wearer. (And I swear that’s not staged.)

I’m stoked. Reader Alex offered to do a portrait of Monty based on one of my favorite pics of him – and here’s the final product. Cool, no?!
Now I just have to decide where to hang it…

Shameless plug alert: Alex does portrait commissions of both animals and people; if you’re interested in her work you can get in touch via her website.
Thanks, Alex!

Monty contemplates whether to play with his new chew toy (courtesy of Aunt Amanda) or continue to rip up my new bedroom rug.

Since I’m a day late posting, I thought I’d up the “Aww” factor by putting up a picture from when he was wee pup with sad eyes and floppy ears. You can’t resist him now!