On our way to Santa Fe, we stopped to take a snooze in Trinidad, CO. For anyone who stops by Trinidad - the Best Western there was a really nice one. And guess what - they like dogs! Yeah! Pudge and I got to be regular guests at this over night stay.

When we woke up - we tried to make friends with a stray pup. Two little pooches from New York extending our paw in friendship. He must have thought we were aliens. We left some Nature's Variety treats at the hotel to give him. Hopefully, he finds his way home or finds a loving home.

"You're kidding - I'm somehow related to you two little shrimpboats?"

Sunny and warm here in Trinidad, CO. This weather job is a piece of cake!

Santa Fe - the mountains, the adobes . . . the dust! Boy, was it dusty. And the gas prices were really high too. But it was also one of the most beautiful places to visit.

I may be only 9 inches tall, but look what I got to see!

Santa Fe? I'm so confused!

Our first stop was Tullivers -a really cool place to shop for pets.

Wait a minute - we're not for sale!

Fan Shane & Mom finish up horse back riding to come BARK THE VOTE!

Top Dog Ellen plays Santa Fe ambassador to the us Patriotic Pooches!

Director Pudge checks out the camera . . .

Steven Spielberg, eat your heart out!

The Canine Contingency get a lift from their Homo Sapiens friends.

Next - on the road to Palm Springs!

Arf-Arf,
Schmitty, The Real New Yorkie

Got into Boulder really late. Loved the Millennium Hotel we stayed at in Boulder. Had a great suite so Pudge and I could run around. Just one small problemo - they don't allow dogs. Drats! When will these hotels learn. We're as clean as most kids (you don't have to change our dirty diapers Arf-Arf!) and folks smile more when we hang around. Don't get me started.

We had a really busy day today. First stop was McGuckin in Boulder. What a cool store and really big! I finally got to meet Emily, who is top dog rep in CO for Nature's Variety.

"Green Aprons is the dress for me. McGuckins sells Nature's Variety . . ." Everybody sing!

It was amazing how many folks got into talking about their dogs and what they feed them.  One lady was so into the whole voting and good nutrition thing - she called up her friend to come down to shake paws (and get a NV coupon me dost think). Another nice human who looked like he was right out of a spaghetti western (spaghetti western?) had 6 dogs - all rescues and he told us about each one. He was really a caring human.

Everyone in Boulder has a beard. Lack of barber shops? I think not.

Wow! There's enough ham in this pic for a sandwich!

Then it was on to Whole Pets in Boulder. What a nice pack of pet lovers and pets. Whole Pets is so into healthy living. They are really passionate about their pets. Our 2 legged and 4 legged WP friends even dragged Emily & the BTV team to march around the street corners to get folks in cars to BARK THE VOTE! Wild!

Darn! No one told us this event was red tie!

Shelly,movie star and marketer extraordinaire checks out my story.

"Hey Pudge, no cuttin' the line!"

What's with all the pictures? Humans are so weird!

Top Dog Carol is a happy camper - campaign camper that is!

We love you Whole Pets. But whew - our dogs are barking!

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Whatever that means!

Now you may think that was the end of our day. Time to find a patch of sun and take a snooze. Nay, Nay. It was now on to Parker, CO to another cool store - For Paws Bakery.  Gotta tell ya - when you drive up, it looks so cozy. They even have a white picket gate on their front door that just barks, "Come on in!"

Top Dog Sheila, hubby David and most adorable pooch, Roxie greet us at the Campaign Camper!

If you look up the word "dedicated" in the dictionary, Sheila's picture is underneath. She carries only healthy foods and treats that she would feed her sweetie, Roxie. That's why she's such a big fan of Nature's Variety. Sheila even cooks every day for the doggie bakery. (In NYC, we call cooking "take out!" Arf-Arf! ). All the treats are made with natural stuff and there is something for everyone - even if you have an allergy. Trust me, Ms. Sheila should have her own cooking show! She is one smart human!

Pudge, did you forget your deodorant?

I give a four paws up for For Paws Bakery!

Now you may think - put a fork in us - we're done. But nay, nay again, again. We had to be in Santa Fe for an event in the AM. That's a 6 hour drive. So, we headed back on the road.

Do you know the way to Santa Fe?

Arf-Arf,
Schmitty, The Real New Yorkie

I'm a five pound pooch and even I get sick of advertising. It's everywhere. Next thing you know there will be advertising at the bottom of my dog food bowl. (Hm-m-m-m-m, now there's an idea! BOL!) That being said, I want to explain why I'm always yappin' about Nature's Variety.

I used to have major tummy aches and itchy ears. My guardians tried everything to make me feel better. I even went to the hospital a couple of times because of my bad tummy. Then my vet, Dr. Marty Goldstein suggested I try Nature's Variety. That suggestion changed my life! I started eating Nature's Variety's Prairie - the lamb/oatmeal kibble with organic chicken, blueberries, peas and sweet potatoes and it helped me get better. Now I feel like a pup again. I never would have been able to take this trip if I kept getting sick. So, now you can understand why I'm so thankful to Nature's Variety.

And the fact that Nature's Variety cared enough to help me go across the country to give pets a voice while encouraging humans to vote - well, I just had to go stop by their offices when I was in NE to say a big thank you. Of course, I've got some pics . . .

What a team!

The Nature's Variety welcoming committee - now I know what it must feel like to be a presidential candidate! Arf-Arf!

My good friend, Scott can't believe we're here!

Wow, I'm feeling the love!

Sitting on top of a mountain of my favorite Prairie kibble. Talk about torture!

Can you see the drool on our face?

I have to add this next pic again cuz I think it say's it all . . .

A "behind the scenes" dinner time shot on the BTV Campaign Camper!

OK, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Arf-Arf,
Schmity, The Real New Yorkie

We landed in Omaha, NE late Monday night. Boy, were my paws tired. Arf-Arf!

Here's my favorite pic of me and my pesky sister, Pudge chowing down after our long drive.

A behind the scenes look at dinner time in the BARK THE VOTE campaign Camper!

It was off to visit Pets R Us in Omaha, NE. It's a really great store that sells Nature's Variety. And I mean lots of Nature's Variety. I love that Humans in Omaha really want their pooches and kitties to eat the best!

A fridge full of Nature's Variety's frozen foods? Puppet Pudge thinks she died and has gone to heaven!

This NE guardian is not only an NV fan, but a lawyer for the railroad too.
Guess she choo-choo's while her pup chew chews!

A tisket, a tasket, I'm posing in a basket . .with Dave at Pet's R Us.

Cameraman Mac from CBS in Omaha gives a victory sign or as I see it - the "very hungry" sign.

Pet R Us carries collars of all sizes. Or as I like to call them - belts!

Off to Lincoln, NE.

Arf-Arf,
Schmitty