Well today was cold and windy and snowy at times but the dogs still enjoyed themselves. (Except Cheetos of course. He hates everything about the dog park and weather.)
The morning group hit the park with a bang and surprisingly on time. I thought we were going to be much later as Everest decided to take himself on a 90-minute walk around the neighbourhood. Scared the daylights out of me. He returned bounding down the road, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth and grinning like an idiot. I was not sure whether to hug him or spank him. I chose to hug him.
Bella and Wilbur were wrestling and chasing each other as usual. Marty did not get too involved which is strange because he is Wilbur's wingman. I think he may have been a bit chilled and needed a sweater. He toughed it out like a little trooper.
The afternoon group was very big and required Tim to help out. Tim is our family friend who helped out last week as well. The dogs and I got there early and Tim showed up a few minutes later. When the dogs saw him they all b-lined to him and were begging to be petted and played with. He is a good sport and grabbed the ball chucker and the tennis balls I had amassed just for this afternoon and they were off. It was quite a site to see 10 dogs chasing one ball. They were barking (Owen, Shea and Rover), howling (Crazy Copper) and scrambling to be the first one. Oakley, Bruin, Remy, Nina and Olive were much quieter but still just as eager to get that ball. The first one to the ball would strut around with it until either Tim or I pulled it out of someones slobbery jowls.
Grannie was a tough old bird today and weathered the weather like a little champion. Cheetos - not so tough but we all love his pinched expressions and looks of disgust.
On a side note Owen smelled wonderful today. He had been to the spa and looked and felt great too.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Another fun day for Fun for Dogs. It was a busy day and a somewhat cold day but everyone had a good time.
All the dogs were still giddy and excited by the snow and the most unlikely combinations of dogs could be found frolicking together. Bella, who usually chases Everest and tries to throw him off his ball fetching, was actually playing with him. The two of them were out in the middle of the field pushing their noses through the snow and bumping into each other. It was so cute and unexpected that both Jennifer and I stopped to watch the interaction. Of course when they saw us looking at them they stopped. Bella was also wrestling with Ellie. Bella and Ellie act as each others wing-woman when they are coordinating an attack on either Wilbur or Marty or both. Wilbur was not with the morning group so Marty did not have a wing-man but as it turns out he did not need one. The girls mostly left him alone and he was free to tease Ryder. Ryder does not cotton to the young ones bothering him. He already felt nerdy because I dressed him in booties and a jacket. Secretly he likes wearing his duds but outwardly he has to deny it to the other dogs.
Original Copper and Oakley have settled into their truce and can be seen walking together in peace. Peace is the most important thing and they are handling themselves very well. Crazy Copper was a hyper hound again to day and bayed about every minute. When he bays he uses his whole body and gets up on his hind legs and lets loose a howl that can be heard across the park. Ziggy ignored his pack in favour of hanging out with Jennifer. He LOVES Jennifer.
The afternoon group was happy to get to the park after many delays. The icy side streets, traffic and Wilbur locking me out of the truck caused many slow downs in an already busy day. Luckily I pay lots of money to OnStar and the doors were unlocked quite quickly via satellite.
We met up with Wilson and his gramma and they walked with us. The dogs wanted to play ball but there were several in the group that were too hyper for us to do that so we just walked and sniffed and played. Bo found all sorts of things to pack around and in the end settled for an enormous chunk of wood he found down by the river. It looked like a beaver had chewed it and I was surprised that he could actually carry it. All the water dogs like Owen, Bo, Nina, Shea, Wilbur, Sam and Olive enjoyed standing in the river. They were all encouraging me to throw a ball for them but I did not think that was a good idea as their coats would have taken forever to dry.
Grannie Annie was very strong today. She looked cute in her little red jacket and was able to keep up with the gang for quite a while. She got to rest when we were at the river and then she was ready to walk back to the truck (she only gets about half a walk because of her arthritis.) Cheetos, as usual, was not shy in hiding his disgust at being at the park.
All the dogs were still giddy and excited by the snow and the most unlikely combinations of dogs could be found frolicking together. Bella, who usually chases Everest and tries to throw him off his ball fetching, was actually playing with him. The two of them were out in the middle of the field pushing their noses through the snow and bumping into each other. It was so cute and unexpected that both Jennifer and I stopped to watch the interaction. Of course when they saw us looking at them they stopped. Bella was also wrestling with Ellie. Bella and Ellie act as each others wing-woman when they are coordinating an attack on either Wilbur or Marty or both. Wilbur was not with the morning group so Marty did not have a wing-man but as it turns out he did not need one. The girls mostly left him alone and he was free to tease Ryder. Ryder does not cotton to the young ones bothering him. He already felt nerdy because I dressed him in booties and a jacket. Secretly he likes wearing his duds but outwardly he has to deny it to the other dogs.
Original Copper and Oakley have settled into their truce and can be seen walking together in peace. Peace is the most important thing and they are handling themselves very well. Crazy Copper was a hyper hound again to day and bayed about every minute. When he bays he uses his whole body and gets up on his hind legs and lets loose a howl that can be heard across the park. Ziggy ignored his pack in favour of hanging out with Jennifer. He LOVES Jennifer.
The afternoon group was happy to get to the park after many delays. The icy side streets, traffic and Wilbur locking me out of the truck caused many slow downs in an already busy day. Luckily I pay lots of money to OnStar and the doors were unlocked quite quickly via satellite.
We met up with Wilson and his gramma and they walked with us. The dogs wanted to play ball but there were several in the group that were too hyper for us to do that so we just walked and sniffed and played. Bo found all sorts of things to pack around and in the end settled for an enormous chunk of wood he found down by the river. It looked like a beaver had chewed it and I was surprised that he could actually carry it. All the water dogs like Owen, Bo, Nina, Shea, Wilbur, Sam and Olive enjoyed standing in the river. They were all encouraging me to throw a ball for them but I did not think that was a good idea as their coats would have taken forever to dry.
Grannie Annie was very strong today. She looked cute in her little red jacket and was able to keep up with the gang for quite a while. She got to rest when we were at the river and then she was ready to walk back to the truck (she only gets about half a walk because of her arthritis.) Cheetos, as usual, was not shy in hiding his disgust at being at the park.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Snow Days
Well the white stuff has hit us and hit us hard. Well at least me! Sorry about yesterday. After waiting for three hours for a tow truck and then until mid morning today to get my truck back from the dealer we finally got on the road.
Today was a crazy busy day. Luckily we had Tim (a family friend) join us on the walk. Tim was very helpful and kept the dogs playing while I carried on the ``business end`` of the walk. I got the job of cleaning up after the dogs and making sure everyone was behaving appropriately. Luckily everyone was so good. The majority of the dogs were engrossed in playing fetch with Tim. Gabby, Pina, Olive, Rover, Joey, Oakley, Crazy Copper, Cash and Wilbur loved running in the snow and chasing the ball. When they finally lost both balls Tim was picking up snow in the chuck-it and throwing that for the dogs. They were just as excited as if it was a ball. Several groups of people stopped to watch them playing.
The non ball fetchers such as Josie, Max and J amused themselves by chasing each other a roaring around like crazy beasts. Usually these three are very reserved at the park but something wild came out of them today and it was game on. Taylor found a young male boxer to play with and they enjoyed boxing each other. Ryder was too cool as usual to playing so he hung out at the back of the pack and disciplined all the dogs that were not behaving to his high standards (like the male boxer because he jumped on me).
Original Copper was strutting and sniffing and making new friends along the path.
Going home everyone was tired and cooperative and easy to load. I wish we could have Tim with us everyday and so do the dogs!
Today was a crazy busy day. Luckily we had Tim (a family friend) join us on the walk. Tim was very helpful and kept the dogs playing while I carried on the ``business end`` of the walk. I got the job of cleaning up after the dogs and making sure everyone was behaving appropriately. Luckily everyone was so good. The majority of the dogs were engrossed in playing fetch with Tim. Gabby, Pina, Olive, Rover, Joey, Oakley, Crazy Copper, Cash and Wilbur loved running in the snow and chasing the ball. When they finally lost both balls Tim was picking up snow in the chuck-it and throwing that for the dogs. They were just as excited as if it was a ball. Several groups of people stopped to watch them playing.
The non ball fetchers such as Josie, Max and J amused themselves by chasing each other a roaring around like crazy beasts. Usually these three are very reserved at the park but something wild came out of them today and it was game on. Taylor found a young male boxer to play with and they enjoyed boxing each other. Ryder was too cool as usual to playing so he hung out at the back of the pack and disciplined all the dogs that were not behaving to his high standards (like the male boxer because he jumped on me).
Original Copper was strutting and sniffing and making new friends along the path.
Going home everyone was tired and cooperative and easy to load. I wish we could have Tim with us everyday and so do the dogs!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
We all felt the effects of the cold today! Snow and rain. YUCKY!
Meeko joined us today. He has been off on long term disability for most of the summer and is feeling much better now. He seemed to enjoy being at the park with his buddies and certainly loved connecting with all the people at the park.
Jen and her gang showed up just after us and we walked with them. We thought it might be less windy in trees so that is were we headed. The trees run mainly along the river and most of the dogs just tippy toed in to get a drink and then hightailed it out again except Crazy Copper the English Hound. He wanted to stay in the river and play with branches or just run up and down the banks. He had to be escorted out a couple times. What is funny is that he was shivering the entire time he was in the water because he is so skinny and has a very light coat. Crazy Copper!
The City has put up more fences in the main area of the park that extend almost the entire length of the south end of the park. Urckle got confused and ended up on the wrong side of the fence and had to be brought back to group by a very nice lady who thought he was "lovely". He is cute little guy.
The afternoon group was very well behaved. The ball dogs. Pina and Gabby, found a ball and brought it back for the group to share. Wilson found a ball too but he just wanted to tease the other dogs with it. Which was kind of good as it kept everybody moving. Even Max who is usually very serious was right into the play today. He tried a couple times to get the ball but his little legs were not fast enough so he decided that he was going to try to entice Josie and Olive into chasing him. They played along for a while and then went back to big girl stuff. Sidney just lapped us around the park.
We met a park newby today. He is a three month old coco lab and very cute. We ran into him a couple times and he seemed to love the attention of the bigger dogs. Everyone was very gentle with him. His owners received the deluxe Fun for Dogs welcome with a pack snuggle and snot. They were very pleased with the gesture.
For the first freezing cold day of the season all went extremely well.
Meeko joined us today. He has been off on long term disability for most of the summer and is feeling much better now. He seemed to enjoy being at the park with his buddies and certainly loved connecting with all the people at the park.
Jen and her gang showed up just after us and we walked with them. We thought it might be less windy in trees so that is were we headed. The trees run mainly along the river and most of the dogs just tippy toed in to get a drink and then hightailed it out again except Crazy Copper the English Hound. He wanted to stay in the river and play with branches or just run up and down the banks. He had to be escorted out a couple times. What is funny is that he was shivering the entire time he was in the water because he is so skinny and has a very light coat. Crazy Copper!
The City has put up more fences in the main area of the park that extend almost the entire length of the south end of the park. Urckle got confused and ended up on the wrong side of the fence and had to be brought back to group by a very nice lady who thought he was "lovely". He is cute little guy.
The afternoon group was very well behaved. The ball dogs. Pina and Gabby, found a ball and brought it back for the group to share. Wilson found a ball too but he just wanted to tease the other dogs with it. Which was kind of good as it kept everybody moving. Even Max who is usually very serious was right into the play today. He tried a couple times to get the ball but his little legs were not fast enough so he decided that he was going to try to entice Josie and Olive into chasing him. They played along for a while and then went back to big girl stuff. Sidney just lapped us around the park.
We met a park newby today. He is a three month old coco lab and very cute. We ran into him a couple times and he seemed to love the attention of the bigger dogs. Everyone was very gentle with him. His owners received the deluxe Fun for Dogs welcome with a pack snuggle and snot. They were very pleased with the gesture.
For the first freezing cold day of the season all went extremely well.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Sorry it has been a while since I last wrote about the dogs. Computer troubles. New week - new stories!
The day started out cold and dreary but we were ahead of schedule which is VERY rare lately. All the dogs were full of vim and vigor and ready to party when we landed.
Ellie was so excited to get going that when I let her out she practically knocked me over. Now I always think of Ellie as a sweet older dog - maybe even docile but after the way she tore out to the truck and hopped in without any help I may have to think again.
At the park the dogs were well behaved and eager to find others to play with. Bella (aka Hells Bells) was the most active in finding new friends. Unfortunately most of the dogs at the park this morning were not able to handle her ``in your face`` style of greeting. So she mainly stuck with Ellie. Ellie and Bella enjoy taking on the little guys Wilbur and Marty and at one point Wilbur and Marty had isolated Ellie from the pack and the two of them went after her. She was not phased and laid down to make it easier for the two of them to ``attack`` her. Wilbur is so cute he drops and rolls when the big girls are coming after him. It is funny to see him and Marty play like real little boys.
Bruin, Nicky, Guinness and Ryder were, as always, the most gentlemanly dogs in the pack. Copper and Everest were very happy to search out all the cool smells from the weekend.
The afternoon group was crazy rowdy as usual. We managed to get to the river to play. I thought that since it was cool that it would not be as crowded down there and thankfully I was correct. The dogs were very vocal and eager to get in the water. After about 30 minutes in the water my ears could not take the barking, howling and baying and all the dogs were shivering and it was time to get on dry land and warm up. Cheetos, Annie, Frank and Taylor were smart enough to stay out of the water and wait for us on the steps until it was time to walk back.
The day started out cold and dreary but we were ahead of schedule which is VERY rare lately. All the dogs were full of vim and vigor and ready to party when we landed.
Ellie was so excited to get going that when I let her out she practically knocked me over. Now I always think of Ellie as a sweet older dog - maybe even docile but after the way she tore out to the truck and hopped in without any help I may have to think again.
At the park the dogs were well behaved and eager to find others to play with. Bella (aka Hells Bells) was the most active in finding new friends. Unfortunately most of the dogs at the park this morning were not able to handle her ``in your face`` style of greeting. So she mainly stuck with Ellie. Ellie and Bella enjoy taking on the little guys Wilbur and Marty and at one point Wilbur and Marty had isolated Ellie from the pack and the two of them went after her. She was not phased and laid down to make it easier for the two of them to ``attack`` her. Wilbur is so cute he drops and rolls when the big girls are coming after him. It is funny to see him and Marty play like real little boys.
Bruin, Nicky, Guinness and Ryder were, as always, the most gentlemanly dogs in the pack. Copper and Everest were very happy to search out all the cool smells from the weekend.
The afternoon group was crazy rowdy as usual. We managed to get to the river to play. I thought that since it was cool that it would not be as crowded down there and thankfully I was correct. The dogs were very vocal and eager to get in the water. After about 30 minutes in the water my ears could not take the barking, howling and baying and all the dogs were shivering and it was time to get on dry land and warm up. Cheetos, Annie, Frank and Taylor were smart enough to stay out of the water and wait for us on the steps until it was time to walk back.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Happy Monday
Well we started another week with lots of fun at Southland Park. The weather was muggy and the temperature went from 9C when I left the house to 24C.
The morning group got to the park a little later than expected as we had to take OC - Original Copper - to see the vet as he had a sore on his head that he was scratching into a mighty hot spot. The vet techs shaved and cleaned it up and sent him home with a cone. He hates the cone and is VERY angry with me for leaving him with it on.
The sore on his head did not stop him from having fun at the park with Joey, Rover, Ryder, Whistler, Taylor, Wilbur and Everest. Because it was Monday morning and the dogs were so mellow I spent some time cleaning up after the weekend users and ended up carrying quite a load of poop. We went down to the river to cool off after making our way around the south end near the driving range. Joey got through a hole in the fence and into the swamp so he HAD to go to the river to wash off the stagnant water. At the river we played fetch for a while and visited with another dog walker and her gang and then it was time to head back to the truck for the ride home. No fuss. No fights. Just good dogs to start the week.
The afternoon gang was small and happy and relatively easy considering they mostly ball nuts. Wilson and his gramma, Lindsay, got to the park at the same time we did so they walked with us. Max seemed to be the leader today and decided that we would all go to the river to start. Gabby, Pina, Sam, Bruin and Everest were thrilled to play ball in the water while Max, Sidney and Frank explored the river bank, the grassy areas and other dogs. When we were finished in the water we strolled around the park and then loaded up with no incidents and headed out. No fuss. No fights. Just another pack of good dogs!
The morning group got to the park a little later than expected as we had to take OC - Original Copper - to see the vet as he had a sore on his head that he was scratching into a mighty hot spot. The vet techs shaved and cleaned it up and sent him home with a cone. He hates the cone and is VERY angry with me for leaving him with it on.
The sore on his head did not stop him from having fun at the park with Joey, Rover, Ryder, Whistler, Taylor, Wilbur and Everest. Because it was Monday morning and the dogs were so mellow I spent some time cleaning up after the weekend users and ended up carrying quite a load of poop. We went down to the river to cool off after making our way around the south end near the driving range. Joey got through a hole in the fence and into the swamp so he HAD to go to the river to wash off the stagnant water. At the river we played fetch for a while and visited with another dog walker and her gang and then it was time to head back to the truck for the ride home. No fuss. No fights. Just good dogs to start the week.
The afternoon gang was small and happy and relatively easy considering they mostly ball nuts. Wilson and his gramma, Lindsay, got to the park at the same time we did so they walked with us. Max seemed to be the leader today and decided that we would all go to the river to start. Gabby, Pina, Sam, Bruin and Everest were thrilled to play ball in the water while Max, Sidney and Frank explored the river bank, the grassy areas and other dogs. When we were finished in the water we strolled around the park and then loaded up with no incidents and headed out. No fuss. No fights. Just another pack of good dogs!
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