People have been saying these are the "dog days" and the "dog days of summer". Well, today I spent my day involved in a literal interpretation of those phrases.
For close to three hours, I hung out at a dog daycare, where I was in the company of around 20 dogs. I had gone to watch my own dog swim (yes, that's right -- swim!), but he chickened out (he didn't want me to see him in his Speedo, I guess), so I just stuck around for a few hours and watched him and all the other dogs play.
It was the perfect antidote for whatever was ailing me. I hung out with many of the handlers, all of whom were wonderful, caring, and warm. But even better, I hung out with 20 amazing "guys" who wanted nothing more from me than attention and smiles. And also to have their pictures taken. I was more than happy to oblige. I may post some of the pictures in a separate album in "It Lasts Longer" (see my sidebar) later.
"The eyes of an animal have the power to speak a great language." -- Martin Berber
I couldn't have said it better (even if I'd wanted to) (which I didn't)!
fresh-baked at 05:21 PMI worked for a very short time at an upscale doggie daycare. You don't want to see the other side. Jodi: had you not been there to watch your dog swim, they would've spritzed him with water, sent him back crowing over his aquatic abilities and charged you for a good long swim.
At least that's what they did to poor ol' Freckles at the place I worked.
Offered by: Susie on August 30, 2002 6:56 PMI love going to the Aquarium at Penguin Feeding Time.
I guess that's kinda similar...
Offered by: aaron on August 29, 2002 8:53 AMI used to take my dog to doggy daycamp. She was so spoiled! She loved it though and she was a happy pup! They had "Yappy Hour" with "Pupsicles" every day. Eventually, I couldn't afford it anymore and they offered to have her there FREE because she was the FUN dog. I couldn't refuse! So, she was spoiled beyond belief. Now she lives with a family with two other dogs and a yard for them to destroy. Sigh....I miss her.
Offered by: Joan on August 29, 2002 12:09 AMIts always the thing to finish out my week... I'm usually to budy during the week. I have a small yard in the city, which I hate, and my girls can't play really well in it.
We have what I like to think of as Canine Cathedral. Its puppy park. anywhere from 10 to, on one day, 75 dogs running about out in the open in a part of the city park. Its great, they run and play and socialize... just don't stand next to a tree...
The city has this infernal interpretation of a leash law that equates to marriage. So on a regular basis we break the laws and go and play. Park Rangers show up and act like the severe ass boils that they are, and we leave and come back the next day.
This city thinks its so great, and they don't even have a dog park. They hound us constantly. No pun intended. So I finally got tired of it and called their bluff. Told em to write me a ticket. Then I told em I didn't have an ID on me. "How'd you get here?" "I walked." From the parking lot mind you. We had tried everything. City Council, Adermans, all the political bs.... and they would do nothing.
So... good old rebel with out a cause steps up and get a ticket. Went to court. And way laid the little fuckers. Violation of park ordinances for giving out pamphlets. (the ticket is actually called a pamphlet). Harassment. Oh, and Violation of American with Disablities Act. (Disabled vet and all. Blown knees, ankle, back, hips, etc.)
They say to keep my girls on leashes and jog them on the biking paths. Doc's say minimal light walking. So I present to the courts that the law is in contradiction of ADA, and hence illegal and invalid.
DA says, and I quote, "Your Honor, the city would like to move for a continuance on the basis that it was not prepared to argue a legal issue."
So now we play our little games so that are fubabies can play there games.
Yep, doggie park makes my week everytime.
When I was still working, I used to send Miles and my roomie's dog (Saoirse) to Doggy Daycare.
It was/is a superb place in Denver, not far from the house, called Camp Bow Wow.
If anyone's interested, they have a website, which includes a webcam, so you can watch your (or other people's) pooches, as they play.
On hot days, they have an oversized paddling pool.
On some days, they do paw painting. Yes, seriously, I've picked the dogs up, and been handed a painting they've done.
Offered by: Max on August 28, 2002 9:58 PMYep, being around animals is always just the thing to get me out of a funk. I hope to see your pictures soon.
Offered by: Tess on August 28, 2002 9:30 PM
