The morning group played ball with the Lets Get Walked gang until one of their dogs tore the ball in two.  Crazy Copper, Everest, Oakley and Wilbur were NOT happy about that but managed to find other things to entertain themselves.  Whistler is ether getting old or is mad at me for leaving her home two days in a row.  She kept wandering off and blending into her surroundings.  Even when she was close she pretended to not hear me calling her.  Just like a misbehaving pup I had to walk over to her and take her by the collar and escort her to the gate so we could leave. 

Original Copper was getting a lot of attention from two boys in Jen`s group.  He did not seem to mind as it lit a fire under him and he tucked his tail and ran around in circles like a crazy dog.  It is not often that Original Copper act silly but when he does it is fun to watch. 

The afternoon group was full of goofy dogs too.  After they managed to lose a couple balls we had free time.  Well, they had free time I was looking for the balls.  There is a burm beside the swamp and the tall dried out grass and small shrubs are still poking through the snow.  The goldens, Pina, Gabby and Sam were sliding down the hill on their sides and backs - scratching and enjoying the cold snow on their bodies.  They rolled through the shrubs and ended up at the bottom covered in snow.  Very cute!

Sierra did not roll down the hill she just walked to the bottom and rolled in the snow.  The rest of the dogs - Wilson, Sidney, Lulu, Taylor, Remy and Frank just enjoyed walking in the deep snow in an area that not too many people or dogs go into.  They played WWE with poor Remy taking the biggest hits from Lulu, Wilson and Sidney.  Good thing Remy is a big bouncy lab and can take all that is thrown at him even if it is a 100 pound dog! 

Another great week is over.  Thanks for having such good dogs!

If you get lost at the dog park...

What a great day!  Both groups blew me away with how well behaved they were. 

The morning group - Cash, Copper R., Frank, Joey, Rover, Whistler, Ryder, Bruin, Wilbur and Everest were so calm.  There were no squabbles, fights or disagreements from any of them.  Highly unusual as someone is always complaining about where they have to sit in the truck and who is beside them, who is touching them or looking at them.  You know, typical sibling stuff. 

Frank loved it when I picked up a pile of soft snow and tossed it at him.  He jumped to try and catch it but missed most of it or it landed on his head.  He got so excited and animated and kept coming back for more. 

Ryder had some wired behaviour today.  I caught him so jazzed up that he was running full speed in huge circles around the pack.  I think it may be because he saw his human "girl friends" and wanted to show off.  Either way it was pretty cute.  And the cuteness continued at home where he touched noses with the Rudolph on his porch. 

The afternoon group welcomed LuLu.  She is Sierra's new one-year-old sister.  She is Catahula Leopard dog and really sweet.  She listens very well and melted into the pack like she had been with us forever. 

LuLu is the type of dog that gets along with all the other dogs and that was no small feat as almost the entire pack was females today.  My girls all have strong personalities.  Gabby, Pina, Sam, Josie, Taylor and Olive all took turns wrestling and chasing her.  She could even handle Sidney who loves a good MMA inspired wrestling match.

My poor little emo Josie.  Some how she got separated from the pack for maybe five or six minutes.  I have to give her credit for her behaviour after the separation.  She, like all good hikers, knew to stay put until help came to her.  She played out this lesson so well that even when we all came around the corner and I was calling her she sat absolutely still and did not move a muscle until a nice man took hold of her leash and walked her to the pack.  Once reunited she was all wiggles and tail wags and they stuck to my leg like Velcro.

I love my funny, furry and oh, so sweet friends.

This week we say good bye to Max.  He will no longer be joining us on the walks.  Max was really coming out of his shell and being much more engaged and playful with the other dogs.  We will miss his funny little face.


Today was a very busy day for dogs and me!  When we arrived at the park there was a by-law officer there and of course that put me on edge.  The dogs were really good, stayed close and had fun and that is the main thing.

Most of the dogs and especially Guinness, Ellie and Ziggy loved flopping on their backs and wiggling around on the crusty snow.  It feels sooo good to scratch the back.

The afternoon group was nuts as usual.  Bo stole a ball and found a 4 foot stick and carried them both around the park for the entire walk.  He smacked Wilson's gramma and me a few times in the back of the legs and had some trouble getting himself through the gates.  Sam, Shea, Nina, Owen, Wilson and Olive really wanted to play ball but they were being too crazy and loud when I brought it out so they had to settle for sniffing, chasing each other and exploring the park.  We went down to the river today to get a change of scenery and the dogs bee-lined straight for the water.  I think Sam and Owen (both goldens) and Bo (lab) wanted to swim.  I did not think it would be a good idea.  Not because the water was too cold but because they would not dry quick enough.

At one point Wilson did something that Wilbur (20lb pug) did not like and Wilbur set to putting Wilson (about 100) in his place and Wilson listened.  Dogs do not equate size and power the same way we do.  Taylor, Josie, Cheetos and Frank were content to stay back and take in the park at a slower rate.

After a couple of crazy days last week - what with the weather and traffic and the cold we are all happy to be experiencing the milder weather.

The morning group consisted of Bruin, Bella, Everest, Guinness, Marty, Nicky, Ellie, Ryder,  Wilbur and Cash. 
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Ellie and Bella and Wilbur and Marty went right into BIG girl vs. little boy right away.  Sometimes I feel sorry for the little guys when Bella and Ellie play so rough with them.  But then again the little guys ask for it too.  After they paired off and then went at each other they then trained by taking on each other.  Bella and Ellie wrestling and sliding on the snow.  Wilbur and Marty practising their boxing moves on their hind legs. 

Ryder aka "too cool to be in a pack" sauntered behind us and took extra time and attention to greet all the other sweater and bootie wearing dogs at the park as his self-appointed mission.

Nicky and Guinness were good boys and played with each other.  They really are each other's best friend.  The only time they are apart is when Nicky finds someone to scratch his back and then it is "Guinny who?"

The afternoon group which I affectionately call the Advil group was so loud again today.  I kept trying to move them away from the other people and dogs because they were so barky and rowdy.  They were very good and stayed together and listened to me but holy cow can they make noise.  We got into playing fetch until the noise and excitement rose to a intolerable level and then we had to stop and cool down.  Which most of the dogs took literally and they laid down in the snow.  A man at the park did compliment them on how well they stayed together.  That makes me proud!

Wilson found us from across the park.  He was with his gramma and because of the sun she could not see me she had only seen him go bounding off to find us.  You always know when Wilson is coming as he gets so excited and noisy he fit right into this group.

More good fun today at the park.  The dogs were all very well behaved.  We walked with Jen's group today (we could not yesterday because the boys were not playing nice with each other).  One of her dogs found a ball and Everest and Bruin had some fun with the boys in Jen's group (they were playing nice today).  But true to form they lost the ball about half way around the north end of the park. 

Wilbur and Marty had a good time wrestling like they always do.  At one point Bella came charging at Wilbur and he hit the ground and rolled a couple times.  I am not sure if he rolled to protect himself from impact or if he rolled because she made impact.  Anyway it was funny to see him do this and then get up and shake his head and start right back into play. 

The morning group does not normally see Taylor and Frank.  They are not used to the bigger group and held to the back of the pack with Ryder.  Ryder is no dummy he knows if he gets too close he will have to get involved and if he gets involved he may get dirty.  OH NO!

Guinness rode home from the park in a Rubbermaid bin in the back seat of the truck. 

The afternoon group was rowdy when we hit the park.  There was CBC news crew there interviewing people about the name change for the park.  They took some footage of the dogs "playing".  The dogs were over the top loud, barky and demanding and to add to the chaos Wilson showed up at the gate howling to get in.  His gramma Lindsay was a few minutes behind him.  So he was jazzed up to see his buddies and jumped right into play.  So if you see your dog on the news tonight please know that they were only that crazy for the first 15 minutes or so and then they settled into fetch.

Remy, Rover, Owen, Nina, Olive and Shea were exhausted after playing fetch for over an hour.

Bo packed a log around the park stopping every few minutes to rest, and cool down on what is left of the snow.  He works so hard. 

Josie played by herself and Cheetos huffed and puffed his way around the park absolutely miserable the he has to walk on grass.   

YAY!! Fun Tim Was with us Today

The dogs were over the moon when they realized that Tim had come to play with them again!  They LOVE Tim. He is so much more fun that I am.  Well, at least more fun than I am when I am sick and have a damaged arm. 

Tim and I took both groups out together today.  When we hit the park the dogs were excited, barky and jumpy - 16 dogs in 32 different directions!  After the walk (I mean run) they let me load them in the truck without a word of protest.  

A lot of people stopped to watch us as the dogs were playing ball. Tim (being a 23 yr old guy) was able to throw the ball for the dogs for one hour and 45 minutes - almost nonstop.  It was quite a site to see 12 dogs chasing one ball.  Luckily, we came home with about the same number of balls that we left with. 

Thanks to Max for finding an orange ball for the group to use.  Orange balls are the best because the dogs cannot break them down as fast as the tennis balls. 

Little Wilbur played the roll of pack bouncer today.  Anytime a male dog came into the pack to play he would flex the muscles of his 21 pound body and chase the other dog out.  A couple of times Oakley backed him up - always good to have even bigger muscle behind you. 

Frank fell in love with Tim and if you look at the pictures posted today you will see Frank trying to make out with Tim.  Ryder tried to get in on some of the attention and affection while driving and Frank was NOT having any part of that.

I am so proud and happy with the way things turned out today.  Thanks to all my furry friends for cooperating and to Tim for being such a big help.