New York dogs, etc.

A statue in Central Park as a memorial to sled dogs
who transported some explorer on some polar expedition.

This wasn't a dog trip, it was a vacation from dogs more than anything, but still, it's what I notice and comment on wherever we go.

Sparky and Gypsy Jr. heading to the van.
They thought we were going to hike,
but instead I took them to the
boarding kennel.

The most common breeds we saw were bulldogs, English, but especially French.  They must make good apartment dogs and satisfy a New Yorker's need to pay too much for something.  But we also saw a Rhodesian Ridgeback, which I would think is a terrible choice for the city, a few lab types, some basic mutts, a couple pitties, and one boxer.  I noticed testicles on more than one male dog, proving that ignorance isn't exclusive to the South.

We saw seven shows in five days:  Porgy and Bess, Peter and the Starcatcher, Sleep No More, Tribes, Cock, Dogfight, and The Best Man.  We took in a couple museums, the Met and the New York Historical Society.  We knew nothing about the latter until I happened to catch a promotional video for it on a local television channel.  It seems that it used to be pretty much just a place for researchers.  They ran out of money and had to make some changes, including opening up more to the public.  They've got an impressive collection and several very well put together special exhibits.  We will be going back next time we are in New York and I highly recommend it--there were no kids, no crowds of tourists, although it's right next to the Museum of Natural History.

A grove of American Elm trees in Central Park.
The area was roped off from people with fencing
and "Help Preserve the Elms" signs

The Metropolitan Museum of Art had an exhibit of early Egyptian art, which included this hippo figure known as William, which is the museum's unofficial mascot.  You can take non-flash pictures of the museum's collection generally, but not special exhibitions, probably because many of those items are on loan.  I got this picture before anyone told me not to. 

The Met has a very impressive collection of Egyptian art, although not as much as the British Museum.  The Brits stole all they could get away with and I've come to think it's a good thing they did.  Much of the world isn't capable of being responsible for its own history.  Just look at what the religious idiots known as the Taliban did in Afghanistan.  Christians throughout history have been as bad, or worse. 
 

We really lucked out on the weather. The prior week had been beastly hot as it had been here, and they had thunderstorms and heat advisories predicted for the days after we left, but while we were there it was a nice as New York in July can be expected to be. 

There is nothing like Times Square at night, or during the day for that matter.
I am reminded of the quote from Tennessee Williams we saw a few months ago in New Orleans:
"America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans.
Everywhere else is Cleveland."