Doggie-Paddling Bliss

                Taking the puppies anywhere is always an adventure on its own.  This past week, JM and I decided it was time to take JD and P to one of JD’s favorite places, the lake.  I always have to pack a bag for them, just to make sure I have everything that they could possibly need; poop bags, toys, leashes, life vests, water bowl, clean water, snacks, towels, ear cleaner and medicine, cotton balls and q-tips in a zip lock bag, and so forth.  Sometimes I feel like a human mommy with a diaper bag, but instead I have my go to “doggie survival bag.” 

Trying on their life vests before we leave

                As we pull up to the state park to pay, the attendant reminded me, as he always does, that my fur children must remain on a leash at ALL times, ALL TIMES!  A little redundant, and he definitely didn’t have to repeat himself in a firmer fashion; mainly because I had no intentions of keeping them on a leash at all while we were there.  I know, I am a bit of a daring rule breaker, but how are JD and P supposed to play fetch while attached to a 6-8 ft. leash?  Besides playing fetch, my dogs are very well behaved and obedient.  Seeing another person or dog doesn’t bother them, in fact they show very little interest in playing with other dogs even though I socialized them and they frequent the bark park.

Anyways, it was an extremely quiet day at the lake, largely due to the fact it was a weekday, but the two had fun nonetheless.  We found a spot over off of the boating dock and posted up.  We audaciously disobeyed the park employee, and did what he adamantly told us not to do; we unleashed the pups, put on their floating gear (as a safety precaution), let them test the water out and sniff around, and then threw their toy out into the middle of the quiet water.  ANNNNNNNNNND they were off.  It was like watching the tortoise and the hare race after the much awaited prize floating in the water.  P was never a strong swimmer, but with his new life vest, he has a renewed sense of confidence when it comes to the water.  JD swam out, retrieved the floating toy, and brought it back, taunted P, and then dropped it at our feet for another toss.  You couldn’t keep these two out of the water. 

     

     

P was too tired at this point to swim that far out, but still excited!

                Soon two hours passed by with non-stop playing, and I figured enough was enough, especially since JD doesn’t know when to quit.  If she wasn’t wearing her life vest, I’m sure she would swim to the brink of no return and we would have to rescue her.  After drying off the dogs, and re-drying off the dogs (like I said, you couldn’t keep these two out of the water), cleaning JD’s ears (no ear infections here!), and packing up the doggie survival bag while trying to keep them out of the water we walked back to our car, of course with a few sniffs along the way, and soon enough we were home were bath time awaited them.  WHEW!  Who knew going to the lake with my two fur children would be so much work?

Romance at the Bark Park

                It’s always a good time when JD gets together with her stunning boyfriend, Rugie.  Rugie is a handsome, and very rare to find, all white German shepherd.  

Isn't he gorgeous???

Ever since the two laid nose on each other almost a year ago, it was love at first sniff.  

What a cute couple!

I feel bad leaving P behind, but I am unsure how Rugie and P would hit it off, especially since P is the type of dog who gets in the face of another dog and just barks and barks and barks.  I also know that Rugie is the sort that hates having small dogs in his face barking, as is any dog would, so better safe than sorry. 

                Anyways, back to JD and her date.  Rugie’s human, GG and I decided to take the two to a special place, a place where they had their first date, THE BARK PARK!  

Rugie kind of wanders around sniffing and marking territory, while keeping an eye on his human and his girlfriend; JD on the other hand, likes to play fetch with her bee, and even shares the extra one with other doggie friends that she just met (she’s such a good girl, and makes me so proud!).  At this particular Bark Park, there is even an agility course, so of course we had to test it out.  The tunnel was a bit of a struggle to get through, but once JD discovered that it was not going to eat her, you couldn’t keep her from going in it if I stood on the other side.  We even tackled the ramps, and jumping bars, however the weaving bars we’ll have to practice before we enter any competition…a lot of practice. 

Agility course.

Rugie showing JD how it's done.

JD giving it a try.

Showing off her hops.

Mastering the ramp.

                With all the training, exploring, running around, and playing fetch, the two love birds had to rehydrate.  We all went over to the watering hole, which consisted of huge buckets and kiddie swimming pools filled with water and even a water hose.  JD does her usual dunking her snout face first into the water and drank to her hearts content. 

Drinking or drowning?

She must have been hot, because she climbed into the tubs of water and when she was finished with that, she wandered over to the kiddie pools and laid her belly in it. 

Standing in the water tub.

Then all of a sudden, she got a call, the call of nature.  Rather than jumping out of the nice cool water, she decided to just let it go in the pool, which resulted in GG helping me dumping the pool, cleaning it, and refilling it with fresh pee-free water.

                 After all the fun and games and frolicking in the water, it was time for JD and Rugie to get a bath and wash off all the dirt and mud that they collected on their fur from playing in and around the watering hole.  Altogether, I think JD and Rugie had an exciting date.

Fun Under the Sun

                All fun and all play makes for a tired JD.  JD, Ro-Ro (KC’s beautiful sable German Shepherd), the boys, KC, and I took a fun trip to what one of my nephews like to call “the duck park.”  We loaded up the car with the dogs, the boys, and their toys and headed to the playground.  I felt a bit bad about leaving P behind, but with two dogs and two young boys, KC and I had our hands full, as well as, I don’t think I could have dealt with P’s constant barking.  While at the duck park JD and Ro-Ro played fetch, ran around on the playground with the boys and all the other kids there.  Luckily the other parents didn’t mind a friendly wet nose and a little lick on their youngsters from what probably seems like a horse to their kids.  Here are some pictures from that fun day.

Playing on the playground. 

The pound with all the geese and ducks.

JD playing fetch with her best friend Ro-Ro.

JD needed to rehydrate!

A momma goose protecting her unhatched babies.  Don't get too close, or else she'll nip you!

A birdie hotel I may build and put in my back yard, on a smaller level of course.