Another crazy busy day at Fun for Dogs. The nice weather has made the dogs a little silly and they are not always obeying me when I tell them it is time to go. I have been ruling with an iron pinky all winter as they usually could not wait to get in the truck but now its a different story. Gotta change tactics with some of them.
The morning group was basically good except my own dog Whistler. I had thought that at her advanced age I could trust her to listen, stay close and stay clean. I was very very wrong. She always has to make sure she is the first in the mud, first to roll in the dusty grass and the last to get in the truck. At least Everest is a little bit more compliant but not much. Riley and J sorta ran the walk today. They are so much like mischievous little boys when they get together. They take off and play by themselves and the rest of the group has to wait for them to catch up but on the way to catch up they have to stop and visit all the other dogs and then get distracted and then play with each other a little bit and then finally catch up with the group. They did this several times today and then they were surprised when I snatched up their leashes for the home stretch.
Nina and Shea (who are eagerly looking forward to seeing their mom tomorrow), Ryder, Rover, Bruin and Penny S where just good dogs and I enjoyed watching them enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.
Lunchtime was a busy time as well. Hollie, who has not been feeling well this week, needed to be checked on, Angus who is recovering from surgery needed to be let out to pee (he especially liked that I shared part of my lunch with him) and Viva needed to get out and walk around the neighbourhood for a few minutes. All this before I could get the second group to the park.
The afternoon group as usual was their wacky selves. Bailey, Sam, Pina, Gabby, Everest, Mitch, Wilbur, Taylor and Sidney all played fetch until (wait for it...) they lost all the balls. I still cannot figure out how all those retriever/hunting dogs and assorted others can lose so many balls. Frank chose not to participate in the ball chasing. After 30 minutes or so of fetch they were sufficiently drained enough to be calm enough to enjoy walking and socializing. Once we started walking I took a head count and did not see Frank ahead of me and when I turned around he was laying in the grass on his side. I immediately thought he had been hurt but as soon as he was called he jumped right up. He was just enjoying the feeling of laying in the grass.
On the way back to the truck I took a right turn away from where we normally walk and Wilbur did not see me. I had walked several feet before I realized he had gotten confused. When I turned around to call him all I could see was a little black blob running as fast as his little legs could take him the other way. He was so scared but must have realized that he should head for the truck. So the other dogs and I were running up a hill to try and cut him off. He had made it to the road and finally turned around and saw me jumping and yelling for him. He took off towards us and it look like a bowling ball being shot down an alley he was going to fast. Luckily, Amy (another dog walker) realized what was going on and was trying to get his attention as well. It is nice to know that there are people at the park who have your back when things like this happen. Needless to say he did not take his eyes off his "gramma" for the rest of the walk.
Ev and I are still taking our class and learning lots about doggy emotions and motivations. The instructor has indicated that she would not mind people coming to watch a class but would prefer you to come on a Saturday. So if anyone wants to come along and see what we are learning please let me know.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Mud Wrestling
Another weird and wonderful day at Fun for Dogs. The morning was horrific and Hollie the Collie was smart to stay in bed. Ryder tried to stay in bed and was not pleased when I pulled him from under the covers. Cheetos crawled into his crate as if that would stop the inevitable torturous trip to the dog park. I had to tip the crate to make him come out because no amount of sweet talking was going to do it.
Once we got to the park all was well and the snow stopped shortly after we arrived but the wind kept up and was quite brutal heading north. The dogs found a ball and played keep away. They were chasing each other up the grassy lumps at the park. This was great fun as they did not have to be reigned in and enjoyed almost the whole north field for themselves. They got noisy and rowdy and had fun just being dogs. Riley did not partake in the chasing games with the big dogs but preferred to smear his face in the wet grass and lay in the mud puddles. He had to ride home in a crate with a towel and that sopped up most of the muck and debris. Ryder and Cheetos were not happy campers and trailed behind the pack but they were the only ones to return to the truck with only the slightest bit of mud on their paws thereby winning a spot in the front seat of the truck.
On the way back to the truck we ran into Sysco and her "dad" Gary. Sisco loves the little boy dogs in the pack and was all gaga over Riley. They tried to sneak off but had to be dragged back in order for us to leave.
The afternoon was much nicer as it was sunny but still very windy. The walk started with a rousing game of fetch but as usual the dogs lost one of the two balls and then when Jen's group showed up there was no more sharing and the chuck-it went away. Luckily, Everest, Georgie, Bailey, Sam, Sidney, Gabby and Pina had a good opportunity to get some of the nuttiness out before we ventured into the park.
The truck ride was a bit tumultuous as Sidney and Georgie are big barkers and that gets Gabby and Pina riled up so the entire trip was barking and wrestling. I wasn't sure a couple of times if I had something or someone as they were rattling the truck so much.
Of course as soon as we began down the hill I could see all the retrievers in the puddle at the bottom. Pina, Gabby and Sam were laying down and Everest and Bailey were just standing in it. Meanwhile, Sidney and Cannon (a choco lab from Jen's group) were wrestling in the mud. As gross as it was I had to laugh. Sorry if they were a bit dirtier than normal but they were having so much FUN!!
Once underway the dogs were very well behaved and only got weirded out by a couple who should not have been in the park. Everest and Sid were very concerned about their behaviour and it took some time to coax them away.
And as always my little buddy Clover the sheltie provided non-stop commentary on all the events of the day.
Information provided below has come from: Impawsible Possible (the trainer Everest and I are working with.)
The following are common calming signals that dogs use to show they are under stress. They should be viewed in context and may mean that your your dog should be removed from the situation.
Blinking - to avoid direct eye contact which is viewed as aggressive
Curving - bodies to avoid a head on confrontation
Licking - more common in dark faced dogs
Looking away - whole head or just the eyes to avoid direct contact
Play bow - can be used to initiate play or be used as a calming signal
Sniffing/Lying down - done to show the other dog that they mean no harm
Turning away - moving the whole body away from a dog or object that is intimidating
Walking slowly - moving slower toward and uncertain dog or person
Yawning - exagerated yawning and not the result of physical or mental exertion
When your dogs are still in the phase of calming they can be taught to manage their stress. If they move into growling, barking, snapping or biting they have gone to far to be taught to manage the situation.
More on managing next time.
Once we got to the park all was well and the snow stopped shortly after we arrived but the wind kept up and was quite brutal heading north. The dogs found a ball and played keep away. They were chasing each other up the grassy lumps at the park. This was great fun as they did not have to be reigned in and enjoyed almost the whole north field for themselves. They got noisy and rowdy and had fun just being dogs. Riley did not partake in the chasing games with the big dogs but preferred to smear his face in the wet grass and lay in the mud puddles. He had to ride home in a crate with a towel and that sopped up most of the muck and debris. Ryder and Cheetos were not happy campers and trailed behind the pack but they were the only ones to return to the truck with only the slightest bit of mud on their paws thereby winning a spot in the front seat of the truck.
On the way back to the truck we ran into Sysco and her "dad" Gary. Sisco loves the little boy dogs in the pack and was all gaga over Riley. They tried to sneak off but had to be dragged back in order for us to leave.
The afternoon was much nicer as it was sunny but still very windy. The walk started with a rousing game of fetch but as usual the dogs lost one of the two balls and then when Jen's group showed up there was no more sharing and the chuck-it went away. Luckily, Everest, Georgie, Bailey, Sam, Sidney, Gabby and Pina had a good opportunity to get some of the nuttiness out before we ventured into the park.
The truck ride was a bit tumultuous as Sidney and Georgie are big barkers and that gets Gabby and Pina riled up so the entire trip was barking and wrestling. I wasn't sure a couple of times if I had something or someone as they were rattling the truck so much.
Of course as soon as we began down the hill I could see all the retrievers in the puddle at the bottom. Pina, Gabby and Sam were laying down and Everest and Bailey were just standing in it. Meanwhile, Sidney and Cannon (a choco lab from Jen's group) were wrestling in the mud. As gross as it was I had to laugh. Sorry if they were a bit dirtier than normal but they were having so much FUN!!
Once underway the dogs were very well behaved and only got weirded out by a couple who should not have been in the park. Everest and Sid were very concerned about their behaviour and it took some time to coax them away.
And as always my little buddy Clover the sheltie provided non-stop commentary on all the events of the day.
Information provided below has come from: Impawsible Possible (the trainer Everest and I are working with.)
The following are common calming signals that dogs use to show they are under stress. They should be viewed in context and may mean that your your dog should be removed from the situation.
Blinking - to avoid direct eye contact which is viewed as aggressive
Curving - bodies to avoid a head on confrontation
Licking - more common in dark faced dogs
Looking away - whole head or just the eyes to avoid direct contact
Play bow - can be used to initiate play or be used as a calming signal
Sniffing/Lying down - done to show the other dog that they mean no harm
Turning away - moving the whole body away from a dog or object that is intimidating
Walking slowly - moving slower toward and uncertain dog or person
Yawning - exagerated yawning and not the result of physical or mental exertion
When your dogs are still in the phase of calming they can be taught to manage their stress. If they move into growling, barking, snapping or biting they have gone to far to be taught to manage the situation.
More on managing next time.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Pooey Pugs and Gooey Goldens
Dare I say it? Spring seems to be finally here!! The morning group was as excited as ever to get to Southland and made quite an entrance. This group's joint mission was to out gross each other. Rover stuffed himself through a hole in the fence to get to the swamp and then he laid down in it. (Whistler did the same thing in the afternoon.) Bruin did not expend any extra effort going through the fence and went into the puddle by the parking lot instead and then rolled in the dried grass and dirt. That makes it stick better you know. I was surprised that Georgie did not try this wetting and rolling trick as that is his usual MO. We went to the river for a short dip in the hopes of getting some dirt off but alas that did not help much. Hollie was miffed that I would not let her go in the water and that she had to sit in the shade and watch. (It is unfair to grow old even in the dog world.)
Riley was not being social today and was wandering off to visit with other dogs for long periods of time so I tethered him to a Bernese mountain dog for the last part of the walk. Neither were thrilled at being paired up as buddies eventually got used to each other.
The afternoon group went to Southland as well. We started off the afternoon with a rousing game of fetch. All the dogs except Taylor and Frankie joined in. Lots of people stopped to watch as the dogs tried to out run each other for the ball. Some have tremendous speed like Shea, Everest, Sid and Bailey and others like Wilbur and Mitch just could not get their little bodies to compete with the long legged guys. Mitch is quite good at snatching the ball when the opportunity arises though.
Wilbur loves playing with his uncle Everest and was trying to body check him while running. It was hilarious to see the pug trying to run and then leap high enough and with the right timing to slam into a 90 pound lab. Needless to say Everest barely took notice of him.
The main thing is that all the dogs were tired and happy when I loaded them in the truck to go home and I did not hear a peep out of anyone.
PS Due to the gross behaviours such as sinking into swamps, standing in mud puddles with six of your buddies and then drinking the water and then the seventh buddy pees in the puddle and the grossest of all behaviours - eating poop - most of the dogs have a mild case of the runs (or in Wilbur's case a major one). An easy way to clean them up internally is to skip a couple of meals (yes, I said that and they will survive) and then feed plain rice for a couple of meals. Make sure they have lots of water and access to the yard. This usually clears it up for my dogs.
PPS I have been taking an obedience course with a new trainer for the last couple of weeks and will report of some of the tips and tricks Everest and I are learning. So please forgive me if I don't get to the blog everyday. Please feel free to call me if you have any specific questions or concerns about your dog.
Riley was not being social today and was wandering off to visit with other dogs for long periods of time so I tethered him to a Bernese mountain dog for the last part of the walk. Neither were thrilled at being paired up as buddies eventually got used to each other.
The afternoon group went to Southland as well. We started off the afternoon with a rousing game of fetch. All the dogs except Taylor and Frankie joined in. Lots of people stopped to watch as the dogs tried to out run each other for the ball. Some have tremendous speed like Shea, Everest, Sid and Bailey and others like Wilbur and Mitch just could not get their little bodies to compete with the long legged guys. Mitch is quite good at snatching the ball when the opportunity arises though.
Wilbur loves playing with his uncle Everest and was trying to body check him while running. It was hilarious to see the pug trying to run and then leap high enough and with the right timing to slam into a 90 pound lab. Needless to say Everest barely took notice of him.
The main thing is that all the dogs were tired and happy when I loaded them in the truck to go home and I did not hear a peep out of anyone.
PS Due to the gross behaviours such as sinking into swamps, standing in mud puddles with six of your buddies and then drinking the water and then the seventh buddy pees in the puddle and the grossest of all behaviours - eating poop - most of the dogs have a mild case of the runs (or in Wilbur's case a major one). An easy way to clean them up internally is to skip a couple of meals (yes, I said that and they will survive) and then feed plain rice for a couple of meals. Make sure they have lots of water and access to the yard. This usually clears it up for my dogs.
PPS I have been taking an obedience course with a new trainer for the last couple of weeks and will report of some of the tips and tricks Everest and I are learning. So please forgive me if I don't get to the blog everyday. Please feel free to call me if you have any specific questions or concerns about your dog.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Another crazy long day for the dogs. The morning group did not mind as they got the benefit of an extra ½ hour or so at the park. I forgot to set the timer and by the time I realized we had been at the park for far too long Everest and Rover had set up camp in the duck pond and were not coming out anytime soon. Oh to be a dog in the spring! Eventually I got all the dogs in the truck and settled. Then when I got Ryder and Erkle home they tracked their muddy paws all over the hard wood floor so it was bath time. They may hate me but at least I did not have to take them to the car wash. Riley still has not forgiven me for the time I had to take him there for a shower. Everyone else sloughed off the dirt in my truck which had to be swept out and all the towels and blankets washed.
The morning pack was mostly little boys: Riley, Frank, Erkle, Ryder, and Frank and then the big guys and one gal: Vinnie blue-eyes, Everest, Hollie, Bruin and Rover. Frank helped me with Erkle again today. He was a little impatient at times but Erkle's getting the hang of pack walks and seems to be benefiting from the exercise and socialization.
The afternoon group was large but very well behaved. We were very late getting to the park so the dogs were getting restless. When I opened up the back they all fell out and hit the ground running. We had our usual Wednesday afternoon group of Bailey, Frank, Nina, Shea, Sidney, Taylor, Wilbur, Georgie and as a special treat Vinny Link joined us. We haven't seen him in a while and we have missed him. He was very spry and happy to be with his friends although he usually just keeps to himself (like most of the old guys.)
We played ball with one ball that I brought and the dogs found a couple more but as usual we got back to the truck with only one ball. I am not sure how this happens but I guess what we lose another group finds and the circle is complete.
The morning pack was mostly little boys: Riley, Frank, Erkle, Ryder, and Frank and then the big guys and one gal: Vinnie blue-eyes, Everest, Hollie, Bruin and Rover. Frank helped me with Erkle again today. He was a little impatient at times but Erkle's getting the hang of pack walks and seems to be benefiting from the exercise and socialization.
The afternoon group was large but very well behaved. We were very late getting to the park so the dogs were getting restless. When I opened up the back they all fell out and hit the ground running. We had our usual Wednesday afternoon group of Bailey, Frank, Nina, Shea, Sidney, Taylor, Wilbur, Georgie and as a special treat Vinny Link joined us. We haven't seen him in a while and we have missed him. He was very spry and happy to be with his friends although he usually just keeps to himself (like most of the old guys.)
We played ball with one ball that I brought and the dogs found a couple more but as usual we got back to the truck with only one ball. I am not sure how this happens but I guess what we lose another group finds and the circle is complete.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Another beautiful day for dogs! Both groups went to Southland and thoroughly enjoyed the bits of crunchy snow and sloppy sections.
Vinnie blue-eyes, Everest, Guinness, Marty, Nicky, Ryder Frank, Erkle and Whistler made up the morning group. Frank usually is an afternoon guy but I was very glad that he came along in the morning as he helped me out a lot with Erkle. As you know Erkle is a bit of a softy so I tied him to Frank and Frank walked him around the park. Erkle got more exercise than if he walked with me plus he also got to experience the park from a dog's point of view. Thank you Frank for being such a good sport!! Just as an aside Frank tagged along in the afternoon too and by the time he hit the truck after the second walk he was exhausted. Poor little guy.
Vinnie, Guinness and Nicky got along really well and had lots of fun growling and play fighting with each other. Surprisingly they did not get too dirty and actually had clean feet when they got home. Ryder and Marty had their usual "spats". Marty wants to play and Ryder will have nothing to do with playing with a pup although Marty is a year old now. Marty's coat is like Velcro and everything sticks to it and in it. So when I got him home he was filthy and no amount of toweling would get all the dog park debris out so I put him in the laundry tub while you would think I was scalding the little thing with acid they way he reacted. It was OK to run through mud puddles, walk around a swamp but clean water is like acid to dogs.
Cheetos, Clover, Duchess, Owen, Rover, Mitch, Bruin, Wilbur, Frank and Everest made up the afternoon group of swamp rats. Like moths to a flame they all headed to the swampy section and began wading around and drinking the water (watch out for a bit of the runs). Everest was so happy he just stood in the water and looked at me like I was crazy for not joining him. Duchess and her new best buddy Owen splashed and turned circles while trying to run in the water that was up to their tummies. Clover and Cheetos were the classy ones - they stayed dry.
Rover is enjoying the bike riders that use the pathway through the park (I guess it was good for something). He just LOVES to chase the riders and bark at them. He must have lapped the park at least twice. When he made his way back to the group he was huffing and puffing and grinning from ear to ear. I let him do it because there is no way he can get to the riders and it seems that they expect it as no one has complained.
Mitch and Wilbur were like two little black blurs - I rarely see one without the other.
Vinnie blue-eyes, Everest, Guinness, Marty, Nicky, Ryder Frank, Erkle and Whistler made up the morning group. Frank usually is an afternoon guy but I was very glad that he came along in the morning as he helped me out a lot with Erkle. As you know Erkle is a bit of a softy so I tied him to Frank and Frank walked him around the park. Erkle got more exercise than if he walked with me plus he also got to experience the park from a dog's point of view. Thank you Frank for being such a good sport!! Just as an aside Frank tagged along in the afternoon too and by the time he hit the truck after the second walk he was exhausted. Poor little guy.
Vinnie, Guinness and Nicky got along really well and had lots of fun growling and play fighting with each other. Surprisingly they did not get too dirty and actually had clean feet when they got home. Ryder and Marty had their usual "spats". Marty wants to play and Ryder will have nothing to do with playing with a pup although Marty is a year old now. Marty's coat is like Velcro and everything sticks to it and in it. So when I got him home he was filthy and no amount of toweling would get all the dog park debris out so I put him in the laundry tub while you would think I was scalding the little thing with acid they way he reacted. It was OK to run through mud puddles, walk around a swamp but clean water is like acid to dogs.
Cheetos, Clover, Duchess, Owen, Rover, Mitch, Bruin, Wilbur, Frank and Everest made up the afternoon group of swamp rats. Like moths to a flame they all headed to the swampy section and began wading around and drinking the water (watch out for a bit of the runs). Everest was so happy he just stood in the water and looked at me like I was crazy for not joining him. Duchess and her new best buddy Owen splashed and turned circles while trying to run in the water that was up to their tummies. Clover and Cheetos were the classy ones - they stayed dry.
Rover is enjoying the bike riders that use the pathway through the park (I guess it was good for something). He just LOVES to chase the riders and bark at them. He must have lapped the park at least twice. When he made his way back to the group he was huffing and puffing and grinning from ear to ear. I let him do it because there is no way he can get to the riders and it seems that they expect it as no one has complained.
Mitch and Wilbur were like two little black blurs - I rarely see one without the other.
Monday, April 18, 2011
I am not even going to acknowledge the weather anymore. It has betrayed us for long enough!!
The morning group went to Southland. Nina, Shea, Hollie, Everest, Jin, Riley, Rover, Ryder, Erkle and Whistler did enjoy the snow although I have had enough. Erkle is staying with Ryder for a couple of weeks and he is not really a hearty little fella so after he emptied out he was ready to jump back in the truck. Much to his distaste he had to walk the north end of the park. I dragged that dog the entire way. He kept dawdling and making excuse why he could not keep up (he was waiting for Ryder to catch up, he was caught in the leash, etc.) And then when we turned to head back he booked it! He literally ran all the way back to gate. I did not think he had it in him but he did. Maybe he was running because Riley LOVES him and was chasing him?
The afternoon group went to Edworthy as is usual for a Monday afternoon. Bailey, Frank, Sam, Eli, Taylor, Wilbur, Vinnie blue-eyes, Everest and Bruin started the walk with a rousing game of fetch. I started with three balls (two of which I may have stolen from the homes and back yards of unsuspecting people) and came home with no balls. Just after we started playing Jen's showed up with her group. So in total there were 12 retriever or retriever-crosses (13 if you count Wilbur the unpug as a retriever) playing fetch and they managed to lose three balls??!! At least they lost them after we had played for about 30 minutes which gave them time to burn out the excess energy so they could focus on socializing and wrestling.
Vinnie and Eli who have never met before got along really well. Eli starts out as a shy guy but once wound up he is quite a feisty fella and Vinnie does not need any coaxing to be feisty himself. They enjoyed wrestling big-boy style. Taylor and Wilbur were waiting to take on the winner.
Several of the dog walkers and other people in the pet industry are participating in a "beta" test of the new trainer's program over the next several weeks. So look forward to some new tips and techniques as I will share the best with you.
The morning group went to Southland. Nina, Shea, Hollie, Everest, Jin, Riley, Rover, Ryder, Erkle and Whistler did enjoy the snow although I have had enough. Erkle is staying with Ryder for a couple of weeks and he is not really a hearty little fella so after he emptied out he was ready to jump back in the truck. Much to his distaste he had to walk the north end of the park. I dragged that dog the entire way. He kept dawdling and making excuse why he could not keep up (he was waiting for Ryder to catch up, he was caught in the leash, etc.) And then when we turned to head back he booked it! He literally ran all the way back to gate. I did not think he had it in him but he did. Maybe he was running because Riley LOVES him and was chasing him?
The afternoon group went to Edworthy as is usual for a Monday afternoon. Bailey, Frank, Sam, Eli, Taylor, Wilbur, Vinnie blue-eyes, Everest and Bruin started the walk with a rousing game of fetch. I started with three balls (two of which I may have stolen from the homes and back yards of unsuspecting people) and came home with no balls. Just after we started playing Jen's showed up with her group. So in total there were 12 retriever or retriever-crosses (13 if you count Wilbur the unpug as a retriever) playing fetch and they managed to lose three balls??!! At least they lost them after we had played for about 30 minutes which gave them time to burn out the excess energy so they could focus on socializing and wrestling.
Vinnie and Eli who have never met before got along really well. Eli starts out as a shy guy but once wound up he is quite a feisty fella and Vinnie does not need any coaxing to be feisty himself. They enjoyed wrestling big-boy style. Taylor and Wilbur were waiting to take on the winner.
Several of the dog walkers and other people in the pet industry are participating in a "beta" test of the new trainer's program over the next several weeks. So look forward to some new tips and techniques as I will share the best with you.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Another weird and wonderful spring day in Calgary. We experienced 13 degrees, snow, rain and something in between. Oh yeah, and lots of wind.
The morning group went to Southland. Jin was not feeling well today so he stayed home and Everest, Hollie, Nicky, Riley, Rover, Ryder, Guinness and Erkle went for a walk. Erkle is staying with Ryder for a couple of weeks. He is sweet little bijon-shitzu but he is not experienced in the dog park arts. He is still a bit nervous around the other dogs so he has to stay on a leash for most of the walk. I think he will get it by the time he has to go back home. He seemed to bond with the new girl in Jennifer's group and Riley REALLY loves him (unnaturally of course.) This group of dogs is always calm and happy so the walk this morning was calm and happy. Hollie and Nicky, who are both rough collies, attract a lot of attention as people seem to love them and always have stories about growing up with one.
The afternoon group went to Edworthy. Gabby and Pina are on vacation so it was the usual suspects - Bailey, Frank, Nina, Sam, Shea, Taylor, Wilbur and Mitch. Mitch usually does not come with us on Mondays but we got lucky today. Wilbur was pleased to have his partner along today. We started out playing fetch and all the dogs including Wilbur, Mitch and Taylor joined in. Well almost all, Frank does not fetch as he thinks it is beneath him. Shea is "greyhound" fast and put Bailey and Everest to the test with her speed. They enjoyed that game until it became a game of keep the ball away from Ellen. When that happens we put the chuck-it away and start walking. They were all huffing and puffing from all the running so of course they bee-line to the biggest, murkiest, muddiest puddle of them all and either have a drink, run through it or lay down in it or all three (Everest). Sorry about that. That mud has to be hosed off and wiping just does not do it.
Another fun day for dogs!
The morning group went to Southland. Jin was not feeling well today so he stayed home and Everest, Hollie, Nicky, Riley, Rover, Ryder, Guinness and Erkle went for a walk. Erkle is staying with Ryder for a couple of weeks. He is sweet little bijon-shitzu but he is not experienced in the dog park arts. He is still a bit nervous around the other dogs so he has to stay on a leash for most of the walk. I think he will get it by the time he has to go back home. He seemed to bond with the new girl in Jennifer's group and Riley REALLY loves him (unnaturally of course.) This group of dogs is always calm and happy so the walk this morning was calm and happy. Hollie and Nicky, who are both rough collies, attract a lot of attention as people seem to love them and always have stories about growing up with one.
The afternoon group went to Edworthy. Gabby and Pina are on vacation so it was the usual suspects - Bailey, Frank, Nina, Sam, Shea, Taylor, Wilbur and Mitch. Mitch usually does not come with us on Mondays but we got lucky today. Wilbur was pleased to have his partner along today. We started out playing fetch and all the dogs including Wilbur, Mitch and Taylor joined in. Well almost all, Frank does not fetch as he thinks it is beneath him. Shea is "greyhound" fast and put Bailey and Everest to the test with her speed. They enjoyed that game until it became a game of keep the ball away from Ellen. When that happens we put the chuck-it away and start walking. They were all huffing and puffing from all the running so of course they bee-line to the biggest, murkiest, muddiest puddle of them all and either have a drink, run through it or lay down in it or all three (Everest). Sorry about that. That mud has to be hosed off and wiping just does not do it.
Another fun day for dogs!
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