Tag Archives: dog park

The Cadillac of Dog Parks

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So, our regular dog park is near the bay, the trees inside are under a year old, and too sick and sparse to provide any shade. Sea oats line the inside of the fence. I guess a combination to make it look nice, keep the dogs off the fence, and to keep any port trash from sifting its way in.

The girls and I have fun there but it is nothing like the Cadillac of dogs parks I found in a neighboring city. It’s a 45 minute drive as long as it isn’t rush hour.  You almost can’t see this dog park from the road but it opens up into a huntress oasis in the back. When you walk in the front looks like a normal dog park. Some trees, some grass, some dirt. There is a separate fenced area off to one side that has some agility equipment to play on.  Then, you cross over a ravine on a wooden bridge into a back area that is about 10 acres.

There is a wide sand/crushed oyster shell path that meanders around the park. More importantly there is palmetto scrub all over and in several places there are large areas of this brush and pine and oak trees everywhere. They are dense enough that once your dog is a few feet in, you can no longer see them and once they near the other side you can no longer hear them running through the brush.

Bella, upon first sight of the woods took off running, leaping like a gazelle and darting into the brush. This of course made Daisy excited and she took off running only to stop as soon as she touched the bushes. She backed up looking and following the sounds Bella’s body was making and looking like “I don’t want to go into there!  Those plants are pokey and sharp!”  So, you tell me, who’s the real huntress?  LOL

The girls run and run and run at this dog park. There is something constantly new to smell and see.Daisy doesn’t care about balls that other dogs are playing with at all.

Of course, being hounds they don’t have the best recall-here I can use the excuse that when they dash into the woods they go out of earshot. I’m glad I found this park because of the woodsy experience they can have while still proving me with the piece of mind that they can only run so far.

 

The second time we went to this park I stopped at a Chik-Fil-A less than a mile away. The girls had their first dog treat through the drive thru experience! I rolled down the window and Daisy willingly stuck her head out and grabbed the milkbone (sweetly) from the lady. Bella was a bit more unsure so I took the treat then handed it to her myself. I hope they don’t think they get food every time I go through a drive through!  Daisy already wants to steal my fries.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0L26qOlFBU&hl=en&fs=1]

Daisy has worms….

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I guess it’s inevitable given our dog park frequency.  I was sooo excited yesterday becuase I took her outside for what I thought would be a pee break and she ended up pooping. Oh joyous day!  She actually pooped on a leash.  I had to go back home to get poop backs because I don’t carry them with Daisy. I was sooo happy and thinking my girl was growing up.

Well, I took them for a walk in the park and Daisy started having bloody diarrhea.  Poor girl. She acts fine-don’t tell her she’s sick cause she’s not going to believe you.

Went to the vet this morning and she has whipworms. They suggested switching from Heartguard to Interceptor. Right now, I have a lot of Heartguard left so we’ll stick with that for a bit.  I also worry about switching products. The only time I ever tried a different med with a dog it ended up with heartworms. I know I did what I was supposed to but it worries me that a drug I don’t trust or know might end up hurting the girls even if it prevents more types of worms.

 

Thanks Grannie for the eucalyptus and rosemary soap. The girls smell great and their coats are soft and shiny!

Halloween Weekend!

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Boy did we have a big day today!

It started with a morning in the dog park. The weather cooled off overnight so both girls were pretty frisky.  Daisy ran around the park a lot!  Someone brought a squeaky ball to the dog park.  Now, of course Daisy freaked out! She wanted to kill the ball.

Now, as a side note to all the dog owners out there. If you are going to bring a toy to the dog park you can not assume that your dog will be able to maintain control of it and it isn’t fair to assume that everyone’s dog plays fetch. Daisy loves to chase the ball, but bringing it back isn’t a concept she understands. So don’t get upset when that toy is in some other dogs mouth and they are having fun with it. I don’t allow my dog free access to squeaky toys at home because she becomes possessed and tried to keep them from me, so guess what happens when you bring them into the dog park?

When Daisy finally dropped the ball Bella was right there to try and pick it up. Luckily I caught her by her back legs as she tried to dash off. I walked it back to the owners who huffed out of the dog park.  Daisy looked for the new fun ball for a minute or two but went back to playing with the regular tennis balls.

I let her out on the balcony for a bit.  The downstairs cat was out. Daisy is so funny!  She is so focused on that cat but she doesn’t bay. She get so much energy and her muscles are so tight and her whole body just shakes while she watches it walk around.  Then I gave her a kong with some sticky dog food and dry treats to work on while I got ready for the party.

The party was a lot of fun; it was at a place that does doggy daycare and boarding.  They had snacks  and a costume contest. They also had kiddie pools set up with mini pumpkins floating for “bobbing for pumpkins” contest.  Daisy just looked at the dogs in the water like they were crazy. I think she looked super cute in her t-shirt, what do you think?  We came home and she walked right over to her favorite place and slept for hours!

Looking for a squirrel!

New Developments

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Shhh! I'm sleeping!

So, some will read this post in horror, others will be happy as am I.

I wanted a dog who would relax with me and lay on the couch.  Turns out, Bella is not that dog.  She is much happier with her feet on the ground.  I’m ok with that. She has on many occasions jumped up to ge a pet or maybe a treat but as soon as she realizes she isn’t on a firm surface, she jumps right back down.  The only exception to this is when she was sick. She came up cuddled with me, jumped off, threw up, collapsed and had to go to the ER.  So, Bella on the couch = scary.

Today Daisy Mae was  in a particularly cuddly, affectionate mood.  She jumped to put her front feet on my shoulders while I was sitting on the couch. So,  got a sheet to cover it and convinced her sitting next to me was cool.  She laid there until it was time to go to the dog park.  When we got home, after dinner, she came over and started sniffing her place on the couch so I told her “come on” and patted the cushion.  She jumped right up and has been next to me for the last few hours.

I love it!

MOM! The flash is too bright!

Fun Weekend!

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So yesterday Daisy and I went to Dogfest 2010.  I was pretty sure there would be a lot of people and it would be very crowded so I didn’t take Bella. I’m really glad I didn’t because she would have had a terrible time and probably would have pulled my arm off trying to get outta there. It was in a big open barn.  The weather is nice and not too hot here now.  It was a fundraiser for the Southeastern Guide Dogs.  There was raffles, agility demos, costume contests, BBQ, and lots to look at.  Many stores and animal related businesses had booths set up.  So many 50+ y.o. men just loved Daisy. Did every middle aged man have coonhounds growing up??  One guy from a pet supply store just loved Daisy up then gave me a sow’s ear for her for later.  LOL  Daisy is my man-charmer.

Having a great time in the crowd!

Today Daisy, Bella and I went to a new dog park.  They had a great time sniffing all around in the field.  We met someone there and her two dogs that the girls know and get along with. Overall the girls had fun, it was a nice park and we are having great weather. They love playing keep away with tennis balls. I wish there was some way to turn that into “fetch”.

Resting for just minute.