Another Exciting Day for Dogs

The morning group went to Southland and had a good time together.  Maya, Vinnie blue eyes and Georgie were absolutely ecstatic to be together.  The only thing that could have made that bunch that much happier is if Sidney was a morning guy but alas he went the the afternoon group.  Those three dogs LOVE to wrestle and play rough so it was a good thing that the park was virtually empty and we had the north end to ourselves.  I should also note that they are all good dogs so nothing got out of hand.  Ryder and J enjoyed a more leisurely pace and either hung back away from the rowdies or they shot ahead for first pickings on new smells.  Bruin, Whistler, Penny and Rover.  What can I say?  I just love older dogs.  They are so settled and easy to take care of.  Not so old that I have to be on senior watch but old enough that I don't have to worry about fights or inappropriate behaviour with strangers.  Well except for Whistler.  She is known to try and shake people down for treats but she is always charming while she does it. 

The afternoon group was big and bouncy and lots of fun.  We went to Edworthy and there were quite  few more people at the park this afternoon.  When we got there Jennifer and her group had just arrived and we herded both packs into the wooded area to focus the dogs.  Bailey, Sidney, Destiny, Wilbur and Everest wanted to play fetch which was quite a sight to see a couple of labs, a boxer, and a pug play fetch.  Sidney just goes for the run part he is not that interested in the ball part.  A couple of Jen's labs kept stealing the ball and then teasing the rest of the dogs with it.  Mitch had an upset tummy on the way to the park but recoved quickly upon launching himself out of his crate and into the park.  Just like a little kid would "feel better" at 3:00 and his friends were home from school to play with.  Hollie was very spry and able to keep up with the youngins.  She even was trying to boss them around which is always really cute.  Poor little Wilbur was run over and in the course of the collision was scooted down a small incline at the park.  Not to worry though he still a fat, bouncy puppy and just stood up and shook the snow off his face and kept on going. 

All in all a busy day but a very smooth day.  Thanks to all my wonderful dog friends for making me feel better and for reminding me to live in the moment. 

It was a cold but pleasant day at the park.  Both groups went to Southland and enjoyed getting out and seeing people and dogs especially the morning group who were treated to treats by a nice older lady.  It took quite a lot to get them to carry on with the rest of the walk.  We explored placed down by the river.  I haven't wanted to take the dogs there due to the ice but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and they enjoyed (well Everest enjoyed) going in to see how cold it really was.  The rest of them smartly kept their paws out. Res and Guiness were having a great time running along the bank and behind the fences and we had to back track to show them how to get out.  Turns out Marty has a bit of a fan club and didn't even know it.  A group of women were at the gate when we arrived and asked if Marty was a Havapoo and of course he is so they start taking about how soft and silky they are and then mention Marty's name although they did not recognize him.  He is getting a popular as Ryder with the ladies at the park. 

It was much colder when the winds picked up.  We ran into our Tuesday friends Sylvia, Tag and Ace.  Tag who is still a pup ran off and found some friends he liked more so again we backed tracked to help find him.  He was blissfully unaware that anyone was looking for him and was quite indignant to be put on a leash.  Cheetos would not even acknowledge a fellow pug who was actually enjoying his walk (remember Cheetos believes that only the lower breed enjoy the park.)

Georgie is the happiest dog in Calgary because he got two walks and he LOVES just getting out for one so two was over the top exciting as was coming to my house for cookies and water at lunch time. 

Remember if schedules are going to change over Christmas please let me know as soon as possible.

I love my friends.

A cold but none the less nice day at the park.  Both groups went to Southland.  It was surprisingly busy for such a cold day.  This morning it was Res and the boys. Georgie, Frank, Copper, Everest, Guiness, Marty, Nicky, Ryder and Ziggy stormed the park and had a great time.  It is a different atmosphere when the majority of the pack is male.  Everyone stayed warm by keeping active and when anyone would stop I would get them moving again quickly but they were still happy to get to the rental van to warm up with car heat and blankets.  We walked with Jennifer and her group for a while and then Penny S and her mom, Trudy, joined us for the last half of the walk.   

The afternoon group was a bit more mixed and definitely more mellow than the morning group.  Copper and Everest came for their second walk of the day and were joined by Clover, Rover, Sam, Vinny L., Penny and Miles.  Vinny was dressed for the high arctic with boots and a fleece jacket on and was happy to saunter from person to person offering season's greetings.  When we got to the north end of the park Rover spotted something in the distance and took off like a shot after it.  When I glanced over to see what he was focussed on I was startled to see something big and black start moving on the side of Deerfooot.  Turns out it was just a black garbage bag being picked up by the wind.  As usual Sam and Clover enjoyed hanging out with me for some serious girl time which I did not mind because they didn't mind when I warmed my hands in their arm pits. 

I love my job and my fuzzy, silly, and sometimes strange friends.

PS Please forgive the spelling errors in the previous posts.    

We had kind of a backward day.  Four afternoon dogs went in the morning group and in the afternoon we picked up a couple of extras.  The day was actually boring - well as boring as a day with dogs can be and all went well except for Miles and Sidney having a bark-off in the back of the rental van.  That is the most deafening sound outside of a hard rock concert.  We will all be so happy to have the truck back and then everyone can sit in their rightful places and there will be no competing for prime seating. 

Pina and Gabby are off to visit their bio relatives as their mom gets to escape this horrible snow for Hawaii so we won't get to see them for 10 days.  Little Wilbur is growing more confident and strong each day.  For such a young and little dog is realy tough and ready to stand up for himself with the older dogs. 

The afternoon group was quite rowdy when we arrived at Edworthy.  I just opened the back doors and they all fell out in a big jumble of animal happiness.  They remained high energy until I took them into the woods.  There is something about the trees and bushes and all the wild animal smells that makes them stop acting crazy and just enjoy being outside.  The drive home was much more quiet as most of the dogs fell asleep. 

Ahhh peace.....until tomorrow.

Ten pounds of potatoes

Well it was another crazy day for Fun for Dogs.  They love it no matter what goes happens.  The morning group went to Southland and practically fell out of the van as soon as I stopped.  Eli and his mom where there and were trying to help me corral and direct all the dogs to the park.  It took the two of us severeal minutes to get everyone out of the van and into the park.  Then they scattered to all corners for "private time."  I get a lot of excercise picking up poop.  Maya, Rover, Vinnie-blue-eyes and Georgie had a blast chasing and knocking each other down.  It seemed like every 10- 15 mintues one or the other would start and then as quickly as it started it would end and they would all go their neutral corners.  I managed to get a sweater on CPC Cheetos today.  He looked like 10 pounds of potatoes in a five pound sac.  He neck rolls were peeking out the top of his turtle neck.  But at least he was warm.  Bruin was glad to get home and away from the noisy kids.

The afternoon group was a wild one as well.  They went to Edworthy and again fell out of the truck as soon as I opened the door.  Everyone was well behaved and enjoyed visiting all the dogs and people at the park.  A few minutes after we arrived we ran into a family with two little kids.  Well, little kids and retrievers were made for each other.  Gabby, Pina and Sam were especially affectionate with the boy and kept sitting at his feet and "pushing" the others away.  Bailey was OK with him but when he did not produce something for her to fetch she moved on.  Our new friend Mitch was not impressed by "those things" (children).  I guess it must a be a schnoodle thing because Ryder doesn't enjoy kids either.  Sidney was only interested in the dog that was with the kids and they had a good wrestle.  Little Wilbur has such a good time with the big guys.  He likes to pick up sticks and carry them around like his uncle Everest and Auntie Whistler.    

Ziggy and Destiny Sitting in a Tree

Another busy, beautiful and fun day for dogs.  Both groups went to Southland. 

The morning group was really active today and enjoyed running and playing in the snow.  Guiness and Res were leading the pack again today.  They both love to run.  Nicky and Whistler were battling it out for top dog in the van and almost made me crazy with the noise.  Little Marty was on the sidelines cheering for whoever was going to win.  I will be soooo happy when I get my truck back so I can isolate myself from their noisy battles.  (No actual contact was made in this battle.  It is all barking and Whistler is crated.)

There was a love connection in the afternoon group.  Ziggy met Destiny and fell in love.  He was following her around like a puppy.  I am not sure the feelings were mutual but he did not care.  Everyone else was well behaved and super easy to walk.  We even recieved a couple of compliments on their behaviour.  Vinny Link received the most compliments but that was because he was too darn cute with his booties and old man cardigan on.  He just shuffles along at his own pace stopping to say hello friends new and old alike.  Clover, Rover and Sam were taking advantage of the crunchy snow to get a back massage and were rolling all over the place. 

Another crazy day for dogs!  The morning group went to Southland and could barely contain themselves while I parked the truck.  Everyone was glad to see Meeko back with the pack and feeling fine.  He missed his walk last week due to medical problems (he is perfectly fine now.)  He was incredibly goofy and had to run up to every person in the park and say hello and lean on them.  People are always surprised by his friendly nature and exuberant personality.  The dogs love to roll in the snow and Rover and Christy were running and then sliding into a roll on the frozen sections.  They look like seals when they do it.  My little friend Yoko has been quite shy with the group since she started but today we turned the corner and she was running back to check in with me and prancing along with her sister Christy.  Ryder ran into probably 50 friends at the park.  They all know him by name and he seems to have a real relationships with  them. 

The afternoon group welcomed our new friend Mitch.  He is an 8-month old schnoodle.  He is black and and grayish/tan and really cute.  Now I have to cute schnoodle boys!  He made fast friends with J and they kinda stuck together.  He also seems to really like Wilbur (its probably a puppy thing.)  He was quite confident with the group but did not like when we walked a short way with another group.  I guess too many dogs to keep track of.  All the big guys welcomed him and because of his confidence they did not give him the traditional initiation into the pack.  Gabby and Pina kept to themselves today which is unusual for those two social butterflies.  Destiny and Taylor enjoyed playing with Sidney when they could catch up with him.  Sid was running so fast his hind legs were overtop of his head.  He must have greyhound in him.  A couple of times Bailey tried to catch Sid but she was smart about it.  She hunkered down and waited for him to run by then she sprung out at him.  Took him by surprise.  It takes a lab to think things through.  My old friend Hollie was so happy today.  She was yapping a the youngins and trying to keep them in line.  Then she got tired and was happy to just walk beside me. 

I love my dog friends!!  They make me happy.