Felt like spring to me!  And the dogs too.

Everyone was really well behaved and so polite.  Everest was mad because I made him wear a muzzle and sulked like an old man the entire walk.  (He will be even madder that I said this but he eats poop) and after the weekend the park is like an all you can eat buffet.  Ryder was thrilled to see his little buddies and their moms and practically jumped the fence to see them.  While the rest of them stormed the park - barely clearing the people standing at the gate.  Luckily all the people at the park this morning were in a good mood.  Joey kept Copper busy and just about went crazy when Copper rolled in the snow.  Joey really, really loves Copper.  Whistler and Bruin brought up the rear. 

The afternoon group had two special guests - my nephew Timmy (all the golden girls love Timmy) and Trio (a little dog with three legs).  Trio will be with us for a few walks while her mom is on holidays but she is so sweet and strong and fits right in that we would love to have her all time in our group.  Everest, Whistler, Bailey and Wilbur got a second walk because Timmy was there to help out.  Tim kept the balls flying for almost an hour.  When all the tongues were hanging and lapping up the snow and puddle water the dogs were finally tired out and relaxed enough to just enjoy sniffing and roaming around.  (They also got a trip to the river for a quick drink in the middle of the ball playing.)  Gabby, Pina, Auzzie, Wilbur, Mitch, Buddy, and the rest were exhausted but so thrilled at the end of the walk.  Loading them was sooo easy.  They got a little dirtier than they have lately but I think it was worth it. 

Deceivingly cold today.  The dogs were better able to bear the winds than me.

The morning group was soooo good.  Everest, Joey, Riley, Rover, Ryder, Bruin and Bailey really impressed me today.  They were calm and just enjoyed being out with the gang.  It was a nice way to start the end a busy week.

The afternoon group took a lot more work (as usual).  Since almost all the dogs were ball dogs we played for almost an hour.  We moved slightly from our secluded corner once the dogs had burned some of the beans out.  People stopped to watch Everest, Wilbur, Whistler (co-supervising), Auzzie, Gabby, Pina, Sam and Remy work to be the one to get the ball.  Usually it was either Gabby or Pina to get the ball first but everyone had a turn at bringing it back to me except Wilbur.  Wilbur is much better at stealing the ball after one of the big guys has brought it back and dropped it.  I was surprised when the alarm went off at one hour and the dogs were still interested in playing AND had not lost a half dozen balls.  At one hour we stopped playing and the dogs just trotted around, sniffed and socialized so they were nice and calm when we got back to the truck. 

We're Back

What a beautiful day for dogs!  The dogs were all so well behaved even though they were a bit nutty when we first got to the park. 

I thought that the morning group needed to burn off some steam so we tried to play ball.  And given that there were the following retrievers present:  Everest, Copper, Leo, Whistler, Kip, Bailey and an honorary retriever, Bruin it is no surprise that they managed to lose/destroy four balls in about four minutes.  So on we walked.  We met up with Gary and Sisco and they came along for the ride.  We then had a another late comer, in the form of Frankie, join us.  Apparently it was cleaning day at Frankie's and he doesn't like the cleaners and had to leave his home quickly.  He had more fun with us anyway. 

The afternoon group was good as well and they took only slightly longer to lose three brand new balls.  Auzzie, Pina and Gabby were not impressed by this as they still wanted to play.  I guess balls are not in cards until we get back to swimming.  Our new friend Buddy was able to relax a bit more today and show his playful side.  He his still not sure of the whole pack adventure but seems to like to pal around with the little boys.  Taylor, who nearly perished last week in the cold, was in fine form this afternoon.  She was pretending that she was a mighty hunter and moved in slow steady motion towards other dogs until she pounced.  Very funny to watch!       

Last week was gross!  I missed my furry friends very much. 

Holy grossness!  What a wicked day! 

The dogs and I tried to make the best of it best it was truly gross out there.  Everest, Copper, Joey, Rover, Bruin and Whistler made the "tough enough to try" group this morning.  Rover and Copper acted like it was any other day at the park while the rest of them started lifting paws.  There was no one at the park so I did not really care how they acted just so long as they got exercise.  So there was some extra barking but nothing too bad.

The afternoon group fared a little better but not much.  Wilbur could not even let his little paws touch the ground.  He was truly miserable about missing.  Gramma had to buy him some booties on the way home so he will be set to (maybe) try again.  Auzzie was dudded up big time.  Booties and a jacket but still the cold got to his skinny little self.  I, however, got a good laugh at the way he walks with his shoes on. 

We welcomed Buddy this afternoon.  He is a three year old golden and new to pack walks.  He is a little shy around the more confident dogs but did enjoy doing figure eights with Auzzie.  Gabby and Pina came back from the country where they were for a couple of weeks.  They did not seem to mind the cold weather and were happy to get out and tear up the park. Sammy and Frank, though not quite as excited as G & P trailed along behind the group and made the best of the situation. 

How much more lucky can we get with the weather?  The wind was a little nippy today but well worth it to get the sunshine.

Copper, Everest, Joey, Riley, Rover, Ryder, Whistler and Wilbur made up the clowns in the morning group.  Wilbur missed having a young little guy to hang out with so he decided to make a pest of himself and tease Ryder and Riley.  Ryder and Riley have no use for pups and yelled at him a couple of times to back off.  Wilbur thought they were hilarious.  Copper and Joey hung out again today.  Joey just loves Copper and Copper just loves the attention.  Rover who usually has to wear a muzzle as he is very noisy and loves to chase the other dogs (which for some reason scares people) has been so good since I broke his muzzle the other day.  He hasn't scared anyone!  I think he is finally growing up.  We had a huge surprise this morning when we pulled up and saw Penny Schiaroli and her mom Trudy.  They had moved to Kamloops last year and lucky for us decided to move back.  We hope to see lots and lots of Penny.

The afternoon group consisted of more clowns.  And primarily male clowns which meant there was quite a lot of unnecessary behaviours amongst the group members.  I guess Wilson and Sidney had to test out Remy's resolved to stay in the group as they were not present on Tuesday.  Remy could not have handled the situation any better.  We started out playing ball but, again, the group lost three balls in about 20 minutes and then that was over. I still cannot figure out how, two labs (Remy and Ev), Sammy (a golden retriever), Wilbur (a pug-ador), Wilson and Auzzie (ball fanatics) could lose that many balls in such a short time.  Oh well, they are much quieter when there are no balls involved.  Sidney had a race with a greyhound.  He lost of course but kept up for quite a while. He is super fast!  Little Taylor found several male boxers very handsome.  They thought she was cute too and they sparred a little until the rowdy boys wanted to get involved.  She felt like the proverbial "little sister". 

Sorry no blog on Tuesday.  Everest and I did not get home from PALS until 9:00. 

Yesterday we welcomed Remy to the group.  He will coming out with us on Tuesdays and Fridays.  He is 4 year old goofy yellow lab.  He accepted his initiation into the group with a great deal of class and was very playful with the little guys - Wilbur and Auzzie.

Today began with trepidation as the weathernetwork was reporting low temperatures and high wind chills.  By the time we got to the park and bundled up the wind had died down and sun was shining and we had a great time.  Ryder was the only sporting boots and jacket to be shivering at the end of the walk.  I think a lot of it was show.  J and Riley were up their usual tricks.  They have such a good time together.  The funniest thing they do is a bromance dance in the centre of the field.  I wish I could get video of it.  Meeko joined us today and boy was he happy to get out of the truck and stretch those long legs.  And Marty was thrilled that he got to hang with Wilbur.  The two of them are so mischievous.  They would grab onto the leashes and try to pull the other dogs around and they both work diligently to removed Marty's jacket.  Copper found a new little buddy in a pugle named Harley.  Harley is new to Jen's group and the two of them were like Mutt and Jeff.  Copper was very gentle with his new pal.  I wonder how Everest and Joey are going to take having a third Toadie? 

The afternoon group got to play ball for some of the walk.  It seemed that they forgot that they were supposed to bring it back to me so I could chuck it again.  All the dogs worked against each other to see who could steal the ball and play keep away for the longest before being out smarted.  I would say that Wilbur and Shea were the starts of that game.  Mitch and Auzzie tried but could not keep the focus required.  Shea is very sneaky.  She tippy-toes around and then swoops in to snatch the ball as soon as it is dropped and then she sneaks away before the other dog had clued in.  This happened to Wilson several times.  Sidney was not interested in the ball - just the running.  Taylor trotted around the park like a little deer.

What I thought was going to a painful experience turned into a very fun day.

Another special day at the park.  Kinda warm.  Sunny.  Good dogs!

Copper, Everest, Joey, Riley, Wilbur, Whistler, Shea and Nina made up the morning group.  Since there weren't that many people and dogs this morning we got to play ball.  The other dogs wanted to join in but for some reason their "moms" didn't let them.  Oh well, we had fun.  Wilbur, Shea, Everest and Riley seemed to enjoy it the most.  Whistler was a giant pest as she would grab the ball the others brought back just to complicate matters.  She used to be the best and the fastest but now she relies on the younger dogs to do the heavy lifting. 

In the afternoon there was Frank, Nina, Shea (it takes a lot to wear them out), Sam, Sidney, Taylor, Wilbur (he's got a good "gramma"), Wilson, Rover and Grannie Annie (who usually comes on Tuesdays).  We weren't able to play ball because this pack gets too nutty with the ball but we still had fun.  Sidney, Wilson, Rover and Wilbur found a choco lab that liked to be chased and then chased her literally all over the north end of the park.  They were having such a good time until Rover got carried away and dive-bombed the poor thing.  She wasn't hurt.  It is just the way Rover shows affection.  He kind of like a 12-yr old boy with girls. 

Today was an absolutely wonderful.  The weather was unbelievably warm and the dogs were so good I could have weeped with joy.  They all played well together, no one whined about where he/she was sitting, any squabbles they had they managed to settle themselves in very short order.

The morning group consisted of Copper, Nina, Frank, Everest, Marty, Riley, Shea, Whistler and Ziggy.  There wasn't as many people and dogs at the park as there has been since Christmas break started so we were able to play ball.  It was great to see them playing even though Whistler and Ziggy kept trying to steal the ball even though they would not run to get it.  Shea, Everest and  Riley were the most interested.  Riley has to be commended for his awesome behaviour today.  He was so happy, playful and obedient.  Go Riley!!

The afternoon group was good too.  Cheetos, Frank (lucky boy with two walks today), Owen, Rover, Sam, Taylor, Wilbur, Bella and Casey all behaved in a very respectful manner.  Rover, Bella and Wilbur chased a few bike riders who dared to come down the bike trail.  The dogs can't get at them and they run forever so it works well to wear them out.  Cheetos was most disgusted that we chose to walk in the centre of the field.  (It is less icy there but unfortunately there is more poop.)  Casey wasn't too happy about it either but she is tougher than our prince.  Bella and Wilbur were play fighting and I actually think that Wilbur was confusing Bella with his strength and fiestiness.  Frank was very tired after two walks and passed out on the floor of the truck and I did not see or hear him until I got him home.  Taylor was tired too and fell asleep on Cheetos.  Cheetos was not impressed. 

Here's hoping that tomorrow is just as pleasant. 

Another beautiful day for dogs.  It was so warm this morning I did not even have to wear a jacket.  Tomorrow the wind is supposed to be wicked.  Lets hope the weather geeks are wrong.

Copper, Bruin, Bella, Everest, Marty, Whistler, Ryder and Erckle enjoyed mild temperatures and playing with friends at the park.  We went down to the river with Jen's group as two of her dogs rolled in poop as soon as they jumped out of the truck.  GROSS!  It seems that we cannot walk five feet with out walking into a pile of feces lately.  Ryder was on leash today for the first time since he was 16 weeks old.  He is almost five.  He has been eating seeds at the park and they have upset  his tummy so if anyone else is pukey for no other apparent reason this may be the cause.  Bella loves Marty (well any little boy dog really) and spent a good portion of the walk trying to coax him into playing with her.  Since she is so much bigger than him he tried but could not keep up.  When we were at the river Everest became mesmerized by the ducks and kept sneaking off to watch them and ponder how he was going to get them all in his mouth.  The ducks are pretty savvy and showed no sign of being intimidated by a large black lab. 

The afternoon group was a little crazy so we spent most of the walk along the outer edges.  Which in a way was more fun as there is still soft snow there.  The dogs loved finding this treasure and running their snouts through it and getting all "zoomy".  Cheetos did not participate in the frivolity after all enjoying the dog park is something for the lower breeds.  Lucy and Teddy (the Christmas mastiffs) enjoyed playing with Dutch, Owen and Wilson.  Lucy has really come out of her shell - she was so painfully shy the first couple of walks.

All in all a good day for Fun for Dogs but it will be even better when everyone is back in school and back to work next week.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here's to a wonderful, happy and full 2012!!

Since there are still a number of dogs on holidays this week there was only one walk.  For a change of pace and to avoid the crowds at Southland I took the dogs to Edworthy.  There were significantly less people and dogs therefore we could enjoy more space. 

Joey latched onto Copper and followed him around like a puppy.  He was very excited to see his friends and was chatted it up with all the dogs.  Wilbur and Mitch palled up but when we came across a girl schnauzer Mitch's attentions to Wilbur waned.  Ryder was really into the schnauzer as well.  There is something about that breed (even when it makes up only half the dog) that makes them want to stick together. 

Rover's recovered from surgery.  He had been off the walks since December 20 but you would never have known it.  He literally hit the ground running and did not stop until I dropped him at home.  We are all happy he is back and pain free.  Taylor was off with her mom for a week or so as well for holidays and was eager to get to the park and try to dominate Wilbur.  She stands over top of him as he fits quite comfortably between her legs and then nibbles on him.  Wilbur thinks that Taylor is his girlfriend.  Frank, Sam and Ev mainly kept to themselves and did their own thing (close to the group of course).  Whistler, the undisputed QUEEN of all dog parks EVER, was challenged by another old female from Amy's group who was quickly put in her place.