What a crazy mixed up day!  Most people and their dogs were still on holidays.  The park was packed in the morning and again in the afternoon.  Today we welcomed Lucy and Teddy to our group.  They will be walking with us for the next week or so while their mom and dad are on holidays.  With a combined weight of 270 pounds they are a whole lot of dog!  Luckily for me they are the sweetest pair of mastiffs ever.  Teddy was ready to party as soon as he got to the park.  He had to say hello to everyone and their dog and their dog's brother and probably lapped us several times.  Lucy was a little more shy and stuck close to the pack.  All the other dogs in the group - Bruin, Everest, Whistler, Marty, Wilbur, Ryder and Vader (another newby to the park) were very welcoming.  Marty and Wilbur were sooo happy to be together that they only had eyes for each other except when they decided, collectively, to see what Teddy was made of.  Teddy just stood there and grinned at them.  Ryder was happy to see his buddy Gary as Gary usually has treats for him. 

Vader has been around for a number of years but I have never taken her to the park.  She and I were both glad that we tried it as she was awesome and you could see she loved every minute of it. 

The afternoon group was goony as usual.  Gabby and Pina joined us today (they are usually M, W, F gals).  They enjoyed meeting all the men in the park and trying to get these poor guys to play with them.  People were laughing at Wilbur as he was stealing the balls from G & P and from Owen - kinda embarassing for three goldens to be bested by a 16-month old pug.  Copper was with us this afternoon too and he, Everest and Ziggy palled around (once I got them all going in the same direction) and checked out all the gross smells they could find.  Everest went MIA, under the fence and into no-mans-land where he was for several minutes.  Ziggy stayed close as it was his second walk of the day and was getting tired and Copper was checking out all the females at the park before I could get him focussed on the group.  It took us one hour to make it to the south end of Southland park from the parking lot so the dogs ended up getting extra time to play. 

Sweet little Dutch (who really isn't little) just brought up the rear.

Three More Sleeps

The weather was beautiful and a bit confusing as the temperature kept going up and down.  The dogs did not seem to mind the changes and happily plugged along.

Copper, Clover, Everest, Nicky, Guiny-pig, Marty, Riley, Ryder, Ziggy and Bruin enjoyed the festive atmosphere at the park.  There are a lot more people and dogs this week.  Everyone was really well behaved.  We played ball with Acara's group.  Everest decided that the couple walking behind us was more interesting and hung out with them.  Luckily they did not mind a big, black lab hanging around. 

The afternoon group walked with Wilson's family which totally thrilled Wilson as he had his people and his dog buddies.  Wilson was extremely happy to see us and shot over to the group at the speed of light.  Wilbur and Bella played together.  Wilbur gave Bella a run for her money.  I guess she thought she could get the best of a little pug but she was wrong.  He is more feisty than average pug.  Speaking of pugs Cheetos found another Sherpa in Wilson's mom.  She really liked Cheetos and kept picking him up for hugs and cuddles and of course he sympathized with her needs and allowed the cuddling.  Taylor tried her "domination" technique on another pug (not from out group) and was met with a much feistier little animal.  Owen, the big golden goof, stole a squeaky toy and then proceeded to parade around in large circles squeaking and teasing every other dog in the park.  He was so funny that the owner of the toy and had to just stand there and laugh. 

Three more sleeps!  Ahhh to sleep!

Five More Sleeps

Another beautiful day for dogs and people.  Both groups went to Southland and were so very good that there isn't much to say. 

The morning group consisted of Clover, Whistler, Everest, Guinness, Nicky, Ryder, Erckle, Bella, Rover and Bruin.  Seems like a big group but they are all so mature and/or mellow that it was easy to handle.  Bella and Marty tore up the park a bit with their chasing and barking at each but it was like a big sister/little brother interaction.  Clover was happy to be out with her buddies and get some fresh air.  Erckle is such a little old man sometimes and gets very persnickety when the dogs get too close to his rear end.  And because he makes a bit of a fuss they think that is funny and keep nosing his butt.  Poor Erckle!  Bruin was missing his mom and dad as they have left him for Christmas and he has his nose out of joint but a little extra lovin', attention and exercise seemed to make him happier as he did not want to go home.

The afternoon group consisted of Auzzie, Annie, Cheetos, Dutch, Frank, Owen, Wilbur,  Taylor and Bo.  All the dogs were well behaved and civilized (for the most part).  Wilbur, Auzzie and Owen made it their mission to try and steal balls from other dogs.  It was kind of funny to see little Wilbur the pug stealing a ball from a much bigger dog and then scooting away with it barely inside his mouth.  Owen and Auzzie were riding outrigger and aided his get away.  Bo found some extremely large chunks of wood which I eventually had to take away and throw over the fence.  He was trying to carry so much that his gums were bleeding.  He is a crazy old guy when it comes to packing stuff around.  Grannie Annie got a little frisky when a min-pin wanted to play with her.  She actually playfully took off after him.  Once she realized what she was doing she quickly stopped.  (Old ladies cannot be frolicking with min-pin pups!)

Another wonderful day with the dogs.  They are still enjoying the snow and I find that all of them at least once on the walk will be wiggling on his or her back. 

Riley and J were like a bad comedy sketch today.  They were tethered together because both like to run ahead and find new friends and it is easier for me if they both are going in the same general direction.  And besides they love each other's company so it is not that bad.  Today they kept getting caught on crusty old grass, fence posts, their legs, trees and virtually anything else that stuck up from the ground.  Not only did they stop dead, they then tried to figure out how to unhook themselves by themselves which only created a scene where one or both had to be unleased and the leash untangled.  After this happened several times we moved to wide open spaces. 

Everest was a little bit cheeky and disobidient but sooo cute while he was doing it I could not get mad.  I had given him a ball for a reward for walking away from an potential incident with an unneutred dog and instead of staying close after that he took off and was prancing around the field and throwing the ball for himself.  Jen and I could not help laughing at him. 

Wilson and Sid really enjoyed each other today.  Both boys like to run hard and play hard and they did a lot of it today.  At one point all the boys dogs were involved in the chase (except Frank as his legs are too short and he would have a very hard time keeping up).  I have got to carry my camera more in the new year.

At home time the dogs split in as many directions as they possibly could.  Pina, Gabby, Nina and Shea (not the girls) were the only ones that I did not have personally escort to the truck.  Thanks girls!!

 

What a BEAUTIFUL day for dogs!!  The sun, the fresh snow - too pretty.  Both groups went to Southland and everyone enjoyed the crispy fresh day. 

The morning group consisted of eight boys, Whistler and me.  The girls were definitely outnumbered and boy (excuse the pun) it was noticeable.  everyone was riled up and hit the ground running.  Someone had to spend most of the walk tethered to Whistler so I could keep an eye on him.  He was not happy and it added insult to injury that Wilbur was especially cheeky this morning and was teasing him mercilessly.  After lots of warnings Wilbur eventually had to picked up until he calmed down and could behave.  Joey and Copper chummed around.  It seems that Joey, like Everest, enjoys being Copper's "special" friend.  Everest doesn't mind that Joey has his side-kick job two days a week as it gives him more time to go "hunting" for treasures.  Speaking of hunting Everest and Wilbur were standing on the river bank poised and ready to pounce on some unsuspecting mallard this afternoon.  I have never seen a pug so fascinated by birds and act like a hunting dog. 

Bruin loves the snow.  His beard had icicles dangling but he did not want to get in the truck and go home.      

The afternoon group had more girls but it turns out that they were just as wild about the snow and being at the park as the boys were in the morning.  Nina, Pina, Gabby, Shea and Sam all enjoyed rolling in the snow greeting several men (they are all ridiculous flirts) and generally being alive.  They loved having the fluffy soft snow thrown on them.  Franky really loves this game and he gets so wild and crazy - jumping around and barking when I do it.  They wanted to play ball but the snow is too deep and soft and they would just lose the balls.   They manage to lose them even when there is no snow to lose them in. 

The three musketeers (Auzzie, Wilbur and Mitch) were so exhausted from running in the deep snow that they all fell sound asleep in the truck. 

Cold! Cold! Cold!  Both groups went to Southland and with the exception of Grannie Annie and Cheeotos (the prince) no one balked at the cold.  Owen even tried to swim (well actually he broke through a thin sheet of ice up to his knees.)  When  he got out of the water he rolled in the snow and his fur got all crunchy.  BRRR

The Pinkney kids were gone as soon as we landed at the park.  They led the group on a wild ride of fun and frivolity.  Those three don't waste a minute on fussy.  Marty had his paws full with Bella.  She just loves the little boys and their crazy energy.  It is a good thing that the two of them both enjoy teasing and chasing.  Ryder decided to hang back from the crowd again today as he doesn't like to get his fancy duds messed up.  Copper, Everest, Whistler and Ziggy did not even notice two deer walking behind the truck at the Mac's store in Cranston.  To be fair neither did I.  I thought the people in the store were just trying to trick me at first. 

The afternoon was not as cold but it seemed like there were substantially more  jackets to be put on.  The unloading process was quite extensive.  Everyone kept moving really fast.  Not sure if it was the temperature or their own energy.  Bruin and Riley did not want to come home and I had to resort to trickery to get them back in the truck and use some other people to lure them in for capture.  Once captured they both easily relented and dragged their paws back to the truck.  Frank and Taylor be-lined with no extra encouragement to the truck. 

Looking forward to more happy days with my buddies!!

The morning group hit the park like an explosion and then kept on going.  It took quite a while to get everyone going in one direction.  And once we got going they squabbled like little kids.  Apparently it was pick on Erckle day and he was not informed beforehand.  Marty and Bruin kept on coming up behind him and either trying to hump him (in the case of Marty) or try to goose him with a very large snout (Bruin).  Either way Erckle did not enjoy the attention and rightly so was very jumpy and overly cautious of any one around him.  Res, Nicky and Guinness took full advantage of the being free and led the group around the park at full speed.  Occasionally, Marty would chase Res who appreciated his attention.  Copper was off like a shot making friends at a rapid pace and then bombing back to the group.  Gathering everyone up for the ride home was challenging as they did not want to leave the snow and warm temperatures. 

Ten crazy dogs and their crabby handler.  Coincidence?  I think not.  The temperature changes are reeking havoc on my body and making my head hurt and I think that the daily/hourly/minute changes in the temperatures are affecting the dogs too.  Auzzie, Bella and Wilbur were extremely rowdy today.  I had to move the entire group to an isolated part of the park so that I could get them to calm down before being allowed to join "polite" society.  In moving the group to the isolated part of the park we had to walk through a gully.  Well, Cheetos does not DO gullies and I had to go back for him.  In going back for Cheetos I inadvertently caused the entire group of nut-cases to follow me.  And again we began the journey back to the far away spot.  Everest decided he did not need to be pack member and kept wandering off in search of something.  What, I am sure, we will never know.  Bo knew what he wanted and as soon as he found something to pack around he picked it up and kept it with him until the end.  What is interesting about Bo is that he will not leave his goodies while we are walking but when I start to load the dogs up he seems to loose his stuff.   I think he is trying to blend in with the crowd and not draw attention to himself. 

Any way you slice it a "bad" day at the park with my buddies is better than ANY day stuck anywhere else!!

It was another gorgeous sunny day for dogs!  A bit brisk this morning but overall not bad.  Both groups went to Southland.

The morning group welcomed Joey.  He is Bella's (the pit bull) brother and he is going to be going out with the gang on Monday and Friday mornings.  All the guys liked him and he liked all the guys but has very special feelings for Copper and if I am not mistaken their relationship will be the next big bromance with Fun for Dogs.  I am so happy all the guys like Joey.  The dogs really liked getting into the snow and rubbing their faces and rolling their bodies in it.  Whistler was the only one who had trouble with the paws and being that she is such a tough old girl she powered through.  Ryder was all decked out in a stunning shade of blue.  Complete with jacket and matching booties.  I had not trouble finding him in the park.  Wilbur spent the night at gramma's again and got to enjoy two walks.  It is so cute when he trudges through the snow that is up to his belly and then stuffs his face in to it.  He looks like he has been frosted with icing sugar and the contrast with his glossy black too cute. 

Today Clover came out with us in the afternoon and Bailey was at home with her mom.  She along with Frank loved it when I tossed the soft snow at them.  They got riled up and spun around yapping like the little dogs they are.  Gabby, Pina, Shea, Nina, Sam and Auzzie along with Wilbur were loving the ball play.  I think that the snow added an extra element of fun - kinda like playing in the water in the summer is more fun.  We ran into Wilson (our new guy from Wed and Fri afternoons) and his mom and the gang helped Wilson find his new ball.  They did not want to give it up and eventually a trade was negotiated with the ball we brought and they were on their way.