Staten Island Adventure: Magnificent Marge

OMD. A highlight of my NYC adventure was the chance to pop over to Staten Island and visit Sam and Marge from Marge Blog. It required a cab, a ferry, and a train, but to see magnificent Marge … I braved it. Look at me overcoming my big city fears!

One Tired Girl

I averaged just 3-4 hour of sleep a night while in NYC. Squeezing as much into my time there, staying up late to chat with my friend and hotel roommate, and simply being over-stimulated from all the people, noise, and activity, meant that I mostly lived on adrenalin and coffee.

My roommate had a 6 am flight, so she had to get up at 3 am. I tried to go back to sleep, but had very little luck.

So, I got up, got a little work done, got packed and headed out for my Staten Island Adventure earlier than expected.

I sent a text to Sam, once I was on the ferry @ 7:30 am, which was an hour earlier than we had planned (Sorry, Sam).

So, she hustled to finish her paper route and still managed to meet me at the train station by 8:30 am.

As I mentioned yesterday, I got to smooch on this terrific bomb dog at the ferry station. And, yes, I got to see the Statue of Liberty. (It’s much smaller than you would think. I’m sure everyone says that.)

One Scary Thing

I’m happy to report that only one kind of scary thing happened. After getting off the ferry, I went down the stairs to catch the train. I needed to use an ATM-like thing to buy a train ticket, so I got on the train a bit later than others who have long-term train passes.

That extra time may have saved me a little drama.

When I got on the train, there was some guy singing at the back, but that’s not all that unusual … even in Denver … so I didn’t think much of it.

But, at the first stop, I realized that all the locals on the train were looking — but trying NOT to look like they were looking — at something. I glanced back in time to see two cops handcuff and remove singing man from the train.

One of the officers got back on the train and asked who the man had been “harassing.” Well, it turns out he had been bugging a young woman (a local) before I got on the train. She moved. He moved. She moved again. He moved again. Eventually, she told him to @#$@# off, and he left her alone.

She said she didn’t call for help. So, I’m not sure if someone else called on her behalf or if they have surveillance cameras or something, but somehow these cops got a call.

She didn’t want to press charges, but they didn’t let the guy back on the train.

The rest of the ride was completely normal. And, there with her big, big smile was Sam waiting for me on the platform at the train station near her house.

One Great Dog

We went back to Sam’s house, where I got to meet Miss Marge. Apparently, everyone says this too, but Marge is MUCH smaller than you would think from seeing her pictures on their blog:

• Marge is essentially Lilly’s size.
• Marge looks a LOT like Ginko (muscular butt, brown-bear undertones to her black coat).

You can read Sam’s account, but here are my impressions.

First of all, Sam and Marge are the VIPs, not me. Their ongoing story of agility success despite Marge’s fears of sounds, people, and (sometimes) other dogs is the story I originally thought I’d be telling about me and Lilly here on Champion of My Heart.

Where Lilly and I have failed (spectacularly, I might add), Sam and Marge have succeeded beyond all measure. It’s such a victory, and I’ll be forever in awe and JEALOUS of their success.

Marge did seem a little nervous to have me in the house, but I didn’t push it. I tried to use all the right body language, and she did let me:

• Pet her
• Feed her treats
• Ask for behaviors (sit, down, shake, touch)

Her SHAKE looked more like a paw slap. Sam says she does that when she is nervous.

A couple times, Marge grumbled at me when I asked her something, like, “Who is this lady bossing me around?”

Lilly makes those noises too … when she does something because I ask but wants me to know she isn’t too keen on the idea.

We sat on the kitchen floor for a while with Marge, and she decided that life was back to normal and flopped down on the mat near the back door (one of her safe places).

Then, we moved to the sofa in the living room, and Marge took up her spot on a towel and went to sleep. I think that’s a VERY GOOD sign that she was fine with me being there.

Yes, Marge sat about as far away from me as she could on the L-shaped sofa, but still, she relaxed and slept.

So, we had a terrific visit — me and Sam, me and Sam’s mom Carol, me and Sam’s sister Jess … and of course Marge.

Before Sam and I took off to have brunch, I even got some Marge kisses. We wanted a picture with us both facing the camera, but it made Marge nervous to sit close next to me AND face the camera at the same time, so we didn’t push it and just let her be herself.

One Terrific Guy

After brunch, Sam’s boyfriend Louie drove me to the airport — all the way from Staten Island to La Guardia (which is in Brooklyn). Tom was really worried about me gallivanting all over the day I was scheduled to fly home, so MANY, many thanks to Louie for ensuring I had a direct and safe trip to the airport. It made me feel better, and it made Tom worry less. Thank you!

It’s a scenic way to go as well.

One Favor Returned

Since Sam was kind enough to coach me through cabs, ferries, and trains, I returned the favor. You see, our girl Sam is afraid to fly. Even being near the airport makes her nervous, so Louie — who I suspect has plans to travel with Sam in the future — suggested she come inside the terminal with me, just to see what it’s like.

Sort of desensitization work.

So, I showed her how to use a kiosk to check in for a flight and get a boarding pass.

Just like with our fearful dogs, I think it’s easier to be BRAVE when you have a partner or someone to look to in scary moments.

I probably would have been more adventurous in Manhattan, if I’d had Tom or a friend at my side the whole time. Still, I feel pretty pleased and a little empowered by the things I did do on my own.

One Big Hope

I adore Sam. Since I’m the youngest in my family, I never had that “little sister” experience … even though some of my nieces are a few years older than Sam.

Did you know she is going to college on a full scholarship? After undergrad, she’ll apply to physical therapy grad school. That’s one smart, hard-working gal we have in our dog blog community. AND, she trains, teaches, and competes in agility. I’m not sure she sleeps.

Since I had a 15-year gap between my first trip to NYC and this one, I completely understand how life intervenes. BUT, I have high hopes that someday (maybe as a college graduation trip next year) Sam will venture onto a plane and out to Colorado.

Imagine the party us local girls (and our dogs) could throw!