The dogs were so good today that they were almost boring! 

The morning group consisted of Everest, Whistler, Riley and Rover.  I kept getting confused as I am not used to only walking four doggies - especially four mature dogs. 

The dogs trotted happily around the park looking for muddy puddles to lay down in and run through.  Then it was a quick trip down to the river to wash off and back to the truck.  Whistler wanted to stay at the river because there was a little boy she thought she could have fun with but did come along when she realized that he was probably too little for her anyway. 

The afternoon was a bit more unweildy but never the less just as well behaved.  This group got to go to Shouldice for an afternoon swim.  It seemed so hot in the morning but really wasn't when we got to the park.  This did not deter the hard core swimmers - Gabby, Pina, Bruin, Sammy, Bailey and Shea nor did it deter the not so hard core swimmers - Frank, Wilbur, Nina and Taylor who still enjoyed playing around the water and trying to steal balls.  

All in all not a bad Monday!

Today both groups went to Southland.

The morning group welcomed Toshka.  He is 3½ year old Schoodle and is a friend and neighbour of Ryder (who is also a schoodle - very handy for evening and weekend play!)  Toshka was a little nervous at first having never been out with the group  but seemed to relax into it as the walk went on.  By the time we jumped back into the truck for the ride home he was "chillin" in the back seat with Guinness and did not have a care in the world. 

Marty was thrilled to see Wilbur this morning.  As soon as Marty was put in the truck the two of them were at it and they did not stop until I dragged Marty out of the truck at his house.  It was challenging to get and keep the two of them in the crate as they were like two little greased piglets - wiggly and squirming around. 

Bruin came back from holidays today looking very relaxed and happy to see his friends again.  He along with Ziggy and Nicky kept a pretty low profile and just enjoyed going in the water and checking out all the smells and sights. 

One of the fantastic things discovered by Jen's group was a porcupine.  About six dogs scented the poor thing and were trying to get behind a tree to have closer inspection.  Sometimes dogs are so dumb.  We all hightailed it out of that area of the park.

The afternoon group was bit schizo.  There all seemed to want to go in different directions and do different things.  The only thing that they all had in common was their uncontrollable need to be in the mud puddles.  Will they ever GO AWAY???  The only one of the group that did not immerse herself was Bella.  YAY Bella!  Even Cheetos went in but only to his knees because a prince really should not get muddy in front of the lower breeds.  The mud stuck to Grannie Annie's coat like concrete as she laid herself in the mud bushy tail and all. 

Bella and Rover were palling around.  They both enjoy chasing the bikers down the path from inside the fence.  Occasionally you will see a small black streak (Wilbur pumping hard to keep up) behind them.  They both come back grinning like fools and quite proud of their efforts to keep the park safe from bikes. 

Clover's mom left out a bottle of water and collapsible water dish to take on the walk and all the dogs declined the fresh water except for Owen who grabbed the dish after consuming the water and taking off with it like it was toy.

I love my furry friends. 

Well the day started off beautifully.  The morning group went to Southland and we met up with Jen's group and despite the fact we had over a dozen retrievers they managed to lose the only ball.

Copper, Everest and Whistler enjoyed the water and in fact Whistler would not leave the water when it was time to go home.  I had to take the dogs to the truck, load them up, turn on the air conditioning and then go back down to get her out of the river.  On the way down people were giving me status updates as to her whereabouts.  If you know of anyone who would like a (more than) slightly used golden please let me know.

Ryder was the bright one and stayed hunkered down in the dewy grass.  He is so small that I have lost site of  him only to find him by his big eyes sticking out between the blades of grass.  Urkle suffered at the hands of the overly "affectionate" Marty this morning.  Marty thought this was great fun!

Marty and Guiness got into a little chasing game.  I have never seen those two play before.  It was quite enjoyable and Guinness did not forget his older brother and BFF Nicky when he was playing with Marty either. 

The afternoon group went to Southland as well.  We met up with my friend Debra and the challenged adult she works with.  The young man was very shy around the dogs but also seemed to really enjoy throwing the Frisbee for them.  Owen and Wilbur especailly liked the extra attention.  They could only stay at the park for the first part of our walk and the second part of the walk seemed like a good idea but quickly turned mighty ugly.  Once we reached the northern most part of the park the thunder, lightening and pelting rain started.  By the time we had hustled back to the truck everyone was soaked right through and eager to jump in the truck except for Wilbur of course.  He wanted to play "catch me if you can".  I was glad that I had a soggy piece of kibble in my pocket to entice him to the truck or we would have drown playing that stupid game.  All the dogs were soaked and dirty and looking so miserable.  Grannie Annie, Cheetos and Clover took it the hardest and were shivering and not at all appreciative of my laughing at them.   Cheetos did however like that I said he looked rugged. 

It was a bit surprising (and very nice) that none of the dogs panicked at the thunder and lightening. 

A beautifully lazy, hot summer day.  Not a lot of dogs walking with us today due to holidays and moving. 

Today we said good-bye to long time friends and really my first customers Miles and Penny Barker.  Miles and Penny moved with their owners back to Texas.  Hopefully we will see them again.  I know I will miss them very much.

The morning group went to Southland and it was hot already.  The dogs were a little distracted when we first got to the park. After several attempts to leave the parking lot area I finally had everyone's attention and we were off. 

Riley, Everest, Rover, Whistler, Ryder and Copper tried to get some water time but since Rover thinks all the beach areas are his own private domain he was not pleased to share with the other dogs at the park.  He was OK with his pack being on his beach but no one else was welcome.  As you can imagine this did not go over very well with the river users and we had to move on frequently so as not to make enemies. 

The afternoon group ended up at Southland as well.  Gabby, Pina, Sam, Copper, Taylor, Wilbur and Everest got to enjoy more river time.  We still moved through the four main swimming holes just for variety not to avoid icy stares.  Everyone, except Taylor, got into swimming and fetching balls.  Even little Wilbur went after several balls all on his own.  It was so cute to see him try to stay afloat and pick up the ball in his mouth.  Several times he had to duck his end under water in order to get enough force to pop the ball in and then swim back.  Gramma was very proud!  Taylor doesn't know what she is missing.  She only went in up to her knees but managed to find others of like mind to stalk and chase along the river's edge.  The five retrievers obviously dominated the waterways.  Our group is definitely full of hearty swimmers. 

Seeing them all so happy, wet and excited is one of my favourite things in the world. 

Weird and wonderful Calgary weather again today.  Started out with sheets of rain and ended up hot and muggy. 

The morning group went to Southland.  Miles, Penny, Ryder, Copper, Everest, J, Riley, Rover and Wilbur enjoyed the walk despite the drastically changing weather.  Ace and Sylvia joined us about half way through which was very nice for Riley.  He really likes Ace and J wasn't in the mood to be playful today.  I think J is still reeling from being hosed down a couple weeks ago after he rolled around in a mud puddle.  Poor J - his memory is too long. 

The afternoon group, consisting of Bailey, Copper, Frank, Gabby, Pina, Nina, Shea, Sidney and Taylor, went to Edworthy and it was down right hot when we got there.  The puddles were big again but a little fancy dancing and running with a tennis ball over my head kept everyone focused on me and not the dirty water.  We walked with Jen's group for a while.  When we were coming down the hill we noticed that Sid and Cannon were MIA.  They like to play rough together so we thought they were just distracted at the top of the hill.  After about a minute or so of waiting we saw Sid coming barrelling down the hill.  He was just giving it all he had to catch up with us.  Luckily his brakes were working this time (sometimes his brakes fail him and he runs right into the other dogs.) 

I tired the dogs out with a "hill training" which involves throwing a ball down a steep hill and making them hustle up and down.  All dogs were hanging out after that exercise.

Another beautiful day for dogs.  Both groups went to Southland.

Eli, Bruin, Copper, Guinness, Everest, Nicky, Rez, Ziggy and  Riley spent most of the morning walk in the water, rolling in the dirt and making friends.  We started out the walk with Acara's group which was fun for Riley as she had lots of little guys he could play with.  I am still amazed that Riley likes to swim.  He doesn't go far out which is good because he is quite little and could get carried away.  At the river bank he was the boss of the apple sauce and all the dogs had to get by him before being able to get up the bank.  Ev, Bruin, Copper and Eli fetched a little bit and then they would squabble over who was going to bring the ball back up to me and it ended up that in the end no one did and we had to move on as the ball floated away.  Nicky, Rez and Guiny-pig (collectively known as the Pinkney kids) don't really dig swimming but did enjoy splashing around and getting dirty.  Rez went home with a crusty undercarriage from all the mud drying on her coat. 

The stars of the afternoon group were Wilbur, Onyx, Marty and Mitch.  Imagine four little gray/black pups (6 - 15 months old) playing together.  People were stopping to watch them roll on each other, fall down, chase and generally be too cute for words.  One couple told me that they could watch the little guys play all day.  I could too.  After all the other dogs practically knocked me down to get to the truck (I was just getting them some fresh water) I let the four cuties play some more. 

Rover, Cheetos, Clover and Frank were not bad dogs just hot dogs and they thought I was getting ready to leave and they wanted to secure their spot in the truck more than they wanted an extra 15 minutes to play.  Sam was just plain tired and was happy to rest in the grass and watch the little dogs play as well.

 

It was a HOT one today.  Not complaining at all. 

The morning group spent some time at the river and thoroughly enjoyed getting wet.  Riley was swimming in the shallow parts, Meeko was running up and down the bank, and everyone else was splashing around.  Bruin found a fantastic kong toy with tassels on it but quickly lost interest in it that is until Wilbur decided he wanted it.  It barely fit in his little mouth but he was strutting around with this thing.  The strutting made Bruin want it again and the fight was on.  There should not have been any competition as Wilbur is a 20 pound pug and Bruin is a 90 pound mix.  Bruin was dragging and trying to shake Wilbur off the toy but he was a determined littl guy.  At one point they were on the dirt path and Wilbur's feet looked liked they were smoking as he was being dragged along.  Neither would let go so the toy could be played with and eventually they both lost interest and it is laying in a field somewhere at Southland. 

Riley and J must have had a spat as they did not seem to be as into each other as they normally are.  I think that J was worried that if he got gross and dirty again I would hose him down and he did not want that to happen.  Riley just doesn't care and will have a good time and consequences be damned. 

Some of the dogs got into the swampy water on the way back to the truck so I took them on a zig-zag through the tall grass.  In some places it is as high as my waist.  It is funny to see them bounding and scurrying through the field.  Lots of bugs which is only slightly better than the potential of 8 stinky dogs. 

The afternoon group went to Southland as well and it was even hotter by then.  The gang was able to go to the river and spend all our time there.  I forgot to set the timer when I got to the park to remind us to start back to the truck so the guys got about an hour and 45 minutes.  

Gabby, Bailey, Pina and Everest played fetch in the water consistently from the moment we reached the shore until I dragged them out.  Wilbur and Mitch played with their own ball and Wilbur actually swam with the big guys (it wasn't a life saving manoeuvre this time.)  Mitch doesn't swim yet but maybe by the end of the summer he will be into it.  Mitch and Wilbur both love to steal balls and run like crazy with them.  Taylor was looking at the water and the water dogs like they were a lower life form and then the next minute she was wading in tentatively.  Too bad she got splashed and then dashed out or who knows how far she would have gone.  We were all grateful that Sidney went for a swim because he literally soaked himself in the slimy swamp water.  He was all slick and looked like he was covered in grease.  I did not get close enough to smell him but I know it would have been gross. 

Not a peep was heard on the ride home. 

Monday after a Long Weekend

The morning group went to Southland and was boringly well behaved except for one minor incident.  Everest, Copper, Jin, Riley, Rover, Whistler, Nina and  Shea were so good I could have stayed in the truck and called them after an hour.  They all b-lined to the special mud trough in the north field only to find it gloriously dry!!  I took pity on them and was walking them back to the truck to get a drink of fresh water and they found one last stagnant, extremely smelly wet spot and immersed themselves in it.  Oh well out to the long grass to try and dry them before loading up.  That was fun especially for Riley as he was the only little guy in the pack. 

The afternoon group went to Shouldice for a dip in the river.  It has come down quite a bit and the dogs weren't having any challenges navigating the current.  All the regular retriever girls - Bailey, Sam, Pina and Gabby plus our new guy Onyx competed hard for the balls but only G & P had staying power and sheer grit to keep it up as long as I would.  The non-swimmers such as Wilbur, Clover and Taylor waded in the water but preferred to play with each other on the shore.  Frank went in for a quick dip as well but is very cautious around the big dogs as he is afraid to get trampled so he preferred to snuffle in the grass and have a look around the area. 

On the way back to the truck we ran into some little boys and what dog doesn't love little boys (well except for Frank).  They were very firm with the dogs making them sit before they would pet.  G & P loved this attention and flanked one of the boys, leaned on him and made googly eyes.   After about 10 minutes their mom and I had to break up the love-feast and get a move on home.  I did not hear a peep the entire ride home.   

Can you believe it?  Another beautiful day for dogs!  Sunny and 26 - yeah.

The morning group went to Southland.  Guinness and Nicky stuck together as brothers typically do.  A couple of times people stopped to give me the eyeball of disapproval as they were "fighting" as only brothers can do - super noisy but nothing serious.  Marty was thrilled to have Riley join us on a Thursday as Ryder is usually to crusty &/or mature to play with him.  Riley (and I) were happy to have someone interesting enough for him to stick around with our group.  Unfortunately for there is not a lot of really playful little guys on Thursday mornings.  Riley (white) and Marty (black)  looked like yin and yan as they raced up and down the paths and in and out of the long grass.  All the dogs are enjoying the long grass but it is especially exciting for the short ones.  Ziggy and Copper enjoyed the walk but were really feeling the heat by the end so we ran down to the river for a quick dip and drink.  Of course they all bolted as soon as they were through the gate and by the time I got down there all but Ryder and Nicky were floating or lounging in the shallow water.  Bella was such a good girl!  She LOVES the little guys but they don't always love her and today she was able to control her affection and initiate play with the bigger dogs.  Go Bella!

The afternoon group went to Southland as well.  Today we welcomed a new little friend named Onyx.  He is a 5 month old boxador (boxer/lab cross) and is jet black and super cute.  He confidently got into the truck and into a crate for the ride to the park but was not as patient when it came time to get out.   At the park he was like a ping pong ball shot from a cannon and it took about 10 minutes to get him settled and focused on the pack.  After that he was content to stay with us.  He and Taylor (another older but still little boxer) were BFF by the time the walk was over.  Good thing Taylor was able to walk with us today.  He also liked Wilbur and was wrestling with him.  Wilbur is an older pup but Onyx was much larger. 

Mitch and Wilbur found some dusty holes and rolled around in them and both were a nice shade of gross  by the end of the walk.

CPC Cheetos was just exhausted (did you hear me EXHAUSTED) by the heat and the exertion of the walk and had to rest himself in the middle of the path while we were trying to get to the river.  He would not budge and had to be carried across the bike path. 

Owen was reluctant to leave the river as was Sam but both are such good dogs they brought up the rear of the group trudging back to the truck.