I love all animals, but dogs take the cake for me anytime, especially over cats! I grew up with dogs and I’m a dog person. Five years ago, I lived in an apartment building and I thought it was terrible. The apartment and building were fine, but the people never smiled, it was a fight to get anything done, and, of course, I blamed it all on the neighborhood. When my lease was up, I searched all over town for the right neighborhood. Where did I end up? Directly across the street from the old building, and I love it! The difference? My new building allows dogs.

As I often mention in my blog, I like to take advantage of the fact that I live across the street from Central Park. In one blog I even mentioned how I think it’s great that the park allows unleashed dogs prior to 9 a.m. That is a great sight to see, but nothing compared to what I saw yesterday — it blew me away! I though I’d seen it all, but apparently I was wrong. I saw four good-looking men, all sporting the same jacket, each with about 10 dogs, all of different breeds, on leashes. They would walk them and then make them all sit, lie down and obey any command their hands waved. The dogs were perfect, and I realized it was an obedience school.

But the name on the jacket is what really made me smile - Zen K9. Yes, that’s right, despite the economic crisis and everything else going on in the world, rest assured, because your dog can find its spirituality. I guess as crazy as the city can make humans, it can stress out dogs, too. I am glad to see they have a place to go while their owners go to yoga class.

Now, that may sound sarcastic, but if I had a dog, I would trust the people I saw yesterday. All the dogs looked happy and extremely well-behaved. I hope I run into them in the park again!

-Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

It has been a whirlwind week as I came back from a trip to Europe and immediately turned around for a trip to Los Angeles - talk about burning the candle at both ends. The trip was a star-studded event as I was able to fly on Qantas Airways’ Airbus A380 (the largest passenger jet airliner in the world) and play a hole with Tiger Woods at Trump National in Los Angeles.

The A380 was impressive. I was part of a VIP flight from LAX to San Francisco which turned around after buzzing the Golden Gate Bridge at 8,000 feet. The entire flight lasted about two hours and offered the 150 invited guests a chance to tour all four classes of service - first, business, premium economy and economy. The plane is massive with its double decker design. First, business and premium economy are on the top floor with the bottom floor devoted to economy.

Pilot and actor John Travolta was on hand for the flight and the press conference, as was Olivia Newton John, who flew over on the A380’s maiden voyage from Melbourne to join the festivities. The flight offered a chance for close one-on-one time with both celebrities - nice chatting and how do you dos. They both seem to be warm and friendly people.

In case you did not know, Travolta is a real pilot trained by Qantas and ranked to fly the B747-400. He is training on the A380 as well and he was all decked out in his Qantas uniform. Olivia was in a flight attendant uniform. Travolta also owns a B707 in the Qantas colors. Qantas maintains the plane in exchange for appearances, flight training and such - it all seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement.

During the press conference, I asked the final question to John Travolta. “John, how does the A380 first class compare to the configuration of your own 707?” He replied, “That’s a personal question!” and the audience roared with laughter. Geoff Dixon, Qantas CEO, added, “I know that we do not have double beds.” More laughter!

It was a great event and a wonderful plane, one that runs so silently and lifts off without any effort at all. The plane is more economical and it has a quoted per-mile, per-passenger fuel consumption that shows the behemoth does not drink great quantities of fuel.

I’ll save Tiger Woods for next week!

-Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO

I don’t have a dog in NYC. I would love one, but it would be unfair to the dog, as I am not on a set schedule. So, still wanting a dog, I settled for second best and volunteered to walk my neighbors’ dog while they are away — a 14-1/2-year-old golden retriever. This is the first time I have ever dog sat for a neighbor. My neighbor’s instruction was to give him as many treats as he wanted. My neighbor also added I didn’t have to worry about walking him because he will walk me! And, walk we did.

We went out for our first walk and the old guy took off like a puppy - I had to run to keep up with him! I found out why fast. We barely made it past the Ritz Carlton (20 feet from our door) when he lifted his leg, and we quickly crossed the street towards the park. We finally got across the street and barely made it into the park when he did more than lift his leg — if you catch my drift. I did my duty (pun intended) and picked up after my new friend and found the first rubbish bin ASAP. I thought “good dog,” and we continued on our way; I was relieved the worst was over. Wrong. Another 20 feet went by and he did his business again, but this time I was defenseless with no bag to pick up with. Of course, like a bad episode, 15 kids walk up behind me, about 18-19, with what looked like a TV crew. As I tell the dog it is time to go, one of the punks in aviators (honestly, it wasn’t even sunny) yells out “That’s disgusting”! I turned and agreed and got out — as fast as I could and, I’m sure, red in the face.

Luckily, I didn’t get a ticket, which was a likely possibility if a cop had been nearby. But, in a world trying to be green, I am sure the crime I left behind will be put to better use than whatever trash that crew of teens left behind when they were done doing their business! C’est la vie, I suppose, and lesson learned. I will bring multiple doggy bags with me next time….

-Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

Do you enjoy practical jokes? I like them as long  as they are harmless (call me a goody two shoes, but it’s easier to be nice in my book). Anyway, I always get a kick out of hearing office jokes. I believe it’s important to keep high office morale to keep everyone operating at his or her highest-level achievement, but let’s face it; today’s times are stressful. A practical joke is always a great way to relieve a stressful work environment.

I know some of my colleagues have perfected this art and hope they share some of their stories on the blog. I myself have not been the mastermind of any large-scale jokes, but I believe practice makes perfect. I haven’t seen too many episodes of the television series The Office with Steve Carell, but seeing how it is a show that has taken off in various countries around the world, obviously I’m not alone in thinking the office can be a good place to play practical jokes on your colleagues.

Please share some of your stories to distract us from our workday!

Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

I guess I’m the sucker - just ask Alex and Courtney. A & C (as we will call them for this blog) came out to World Headquarters this past Friday. We spent the day reviewing accounts and strategies. At about 1 pm, I took the team to lunch at the Washington Crossing Inn (me, A, C and Kim), hoping we would see some of the local personalities like Pirate, Jellybean and Puppet (but, this is another blog altogether).

Afterwards, we came back to the office and wrapped things up for the day. I drove A & C to the Trenton Train Station. Alex has always been quite fond of TRE and, in particular, of the “Candyman” who used to work at the newsstand. Alex has been traveling to and from TRE from NYC for five years. A few years ago she told me about the guy at the newsstand who would mumble vulgarities and other unspeakable things to her when she picked up water or magazines for her rides back to NYC. One day I was at the train station very early and I was crabby. As I was buying the newspaper to read on my trip into NYC, I saw the “Candyman”. Without thinking, I told him I didn’t appreciate the language and comments he was using around my employee. You can imagine how he felt. With about six other people in the line, all he could was apologize. But, again, that is not what this blog is about.

It’s about the little side trip we took on the way to the station on Friday. We stopped into Pete Lorenzo’s steakhouse, located right across the street from the station. As we pulled up (this is a usual side trip!), we turned over the Z28 (1994) with the top down to the friendly parking attendant. He keeps the car about front for a tip (and will even vacuum the vehicle if you are there long enough). And into the bar we went for a cocktail. Courtney likes the Absolut martinis. I also indulged with a martini; Alex stuck to white wine.

I began chatting with a gentleman who came in. When he told me it was his birthday, I wished him a happy one and bought him a beer. As we continued chatting, he asked to borrow my phone. I dialed the number for him and handed over the phone. He said we should have a drink together and suggested I buy the round - I did. He made another call - trying to get a ride home - no problem. Then he repeatedly said he needed to have a conversation with me. He asked if A & C were my daughters. I said yes, but that Courtney was adopted. Jokingly, she said I was a mean father because I always told people she was adopted. We all laughed, but I think the gentleman believed us. He remarked he could tell Alex was my daughter because of the dimples; “They’re fake,” I responded. Then came our conversation. He needed “cab fare” to his apartment ’cause his “girl” was too intoxicated to drive and pick him up. I asked how much, he replied $20. I said sure as Alex and Courtney rolled their eyes. “There by the grace of God go I,” I said.

My father always had a pocketful of change. I never knew why until he died, when a friend told us he never passed a homeless person without giving them something. I have another friend that is so generous to the homeless. I remarked how great he was, handing out $20 here and there. He told me he had been there and knew what it was like. There by the grace of God go I, I thought.

-Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO