My alarm wakes Eko and me every morning, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we get up at the same time.  I take slightly more time to get my brain going than Eko, but thankfully we've settled into a nice routine.  Check it out:



One day I hope to wake up as quick as Eko, but I can't start now, it's Friday.  Hope everyone has a great weekend and that your pet lets you get some extra sleep!

Dogs, like the rest of us, are creatures of habit.  Within about a week of moving into my apartment, I could already tell where Eko's favorite spots to relax were.

With that in mind, there is a phenomenon all dog owner's experience that I like to call "Hey...it's been too quiet for too long."  It normally happens when you're reading something, or on the computer or otherwise occupied.  In the middle of a sentence your brain will shoot you a message to let you know, "Normally you never have this much time to focus, something's up."  A moment later you will think to yourself, "Wait a minute...where's the dog!?"  Then you call the dog but you don't hear the familiar padding of feet.

In my experience, I've found that there are two opposing reasons that this phenomenon occurs.  Reason #1 - your dog is up to no good.

"Will, quick question... you asked me to eat those new shoes for you, right?"

This morning I had that "Where's Eko?" feeling and I didn't hear that stomach dropping sound of him tearing anything up.  He didn't come when I called, and I've learned that reason #2 he won't show up is that he's in a deep sleep.  I made a quick loop of the apartment to check out in which one of his favorite spots he was dreaming of chasing lions.

I usually find Eko passed out with his legs straight in the air on the couch, but no luck there

I don't know why Eko loves snoozing on the the stairs, but he does.  Nevertheless, the stairs were clear.

On hot days like today, Eko prefers the hardwood, but there were no signs of a Ridgeback on ground level

My apartment is not that big, so I began to get slightly concerned.  Eko is not exactly a little dog, where could he have gone?  That's when a gust of wind fluttered the curtains and I saw a familiar outline...

I'd recognize that ridge anywhere

You looking for me?

When I opened the porch door this morning, I didn't realize that the screen wasn't closed.  Eko ducked through the curtains to watch the world for the better part of an hour.  I think Eko would make an excellent lifeguard - he loves being in the sun and he loves watching people.

It looks like Eko found a new favorite spot, so I will have to make sure to leave the screen door open so the neighborhood watchdog can get to his post.

Eko is always ready for adventure... well, almost always.  This morning he was a bit lethargic and I could hear his stomach growling.  I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with the treat raid Eko conducted last night when I accidentally left the jar open next to the couch...

The patient tucked into bed

It looks like our Bucket List adventures are on hold today while Eko sleeps off his stomach ache.  Eko hasn't missed a day of work play in over a year, so I think my Superdog has earned himself a sick day.

Like Superman, Superdog recharges his powers from the sun

With a little rest and a little pumpkin/rice, Eko should be as good as new by tomorrow.

I am a simple man - clearly - and I enjoy the simple pleasures of life.  As I've said before, there are few simple pleasures better than a good beer or a relaxing lounge with your pet.  Now, if you can find a place where you can combine those two things?  Pure bliss.

In our travels, Eko and I were lucky enough to find a couple establishments that blended bars with dog parks.  Unfortunately we haven't found one of those gems in Chicago (business idea anybody!?) but last night I think we found the next best thing.  Not far from my apartment, Wrightwood Tap is a bar that welcomes dogs with open arms.  The bar doesn't serve food, so your pup is welcome to come inside to rest his paws beside you.

As if I needed another excuse to take Eko out for a walk

Eko and I have visited plenty of restaurants/bars where we sit out on the patio but still get some strange looks from the staff.  Our experience at Wrightwood Tap couldn't have been more different.  After I ordered my beer, the bartender came right around with some water and treats for Eko.

Eko was distraught when he dropped his treat into his drink, but he eventually fished it out

Eko was in the mood for a low five after our discovery of such an awesome place

Wrightwood Tap, we'll be back!

Wrightwood Tap is a simple establishment that is perfect for a simple man like me.  The bar has definitely earned itself two new regulars!

Last week Eko and I (along with some help on the camera from my girlfriend, Emily) had a blast putting together our audition tape for the Food Network.  While the finished product turned out great, there were quite a few takes that didn't go exactly as planned.  Emily and I had fun watching these bloopers for a laugh, and I think you will enjoy them as well.