After we shockingly made it unscathed to the Dog Park (see yesterday's post about the car ride on the way there), we leashed the puggers up and brought them to the fenced area. This Dog Park is divided between a big dog side and a little dog side. If there are little dogs on the little dog side then we typically play there accordingly. However, there were no little dogs this day. So, off to the big dog side we went.
As soon as we got in there, there were many large breed dogs that sniffed us out and expected us to be the usual mellow pugs we usually are. Well, this is the case for 2 of the 3 of us. Benjamin & Luna follow the pug stereotype pretty much to a T. However, Henry can get a little ornery if not shown the respect he thinks he deserves.
Well, of course this was almost immediately the case. Henry got relentlessly sniffed from head to tail by a large shaggy hair mixed breed. Well, Henry replied in his most heinous gargoyle voice and a toothy attempt at shaggy dog's neck. There a brief tussle and it was over as quickly as it began.
Benjamin & Luna had their own experiences to share, as well. Benjamin, who, we believe is beginning to demonstrate some signs of dementia, simply wandered off following a scent and then became "lost". Once he found the source of the scent he was appeased but then looked up and realized that his pack leader was not right behind him. Fortunately, Benny still responds to my whistle so as soon as he could spot my location based on my whistle he came marching back to his pack. (Funny side note, Benjamin is like the very old man driver that should no longer be driving and in all of his near misses of his own accident causes streams of accidents in his wake. While plodding back to the sound of the whistle, Benny caused a serious of dogs to take wide turns, sharp veers and leap over him as they youthfully played. They tumbled around him like puppies as Benjamin walked towards me completely oblivious to the busyness that was going on around him.)
This is Luna's tale, in her words:
"Family, today was cold. So, I am not sure why you chose to bring us to the center of Antarctica. I was freezing. Don't you know that I can barely see? Especially in the wind? The wind makes me squint. I tried to find a patch of sun away from the shade the trees were casting. I could not. So, I went to hide under the picnic table away from all the hustle and bustle. It was no warmer there. So, I decided the next person that leaves I'm leaving with her! I almost got away with that, too but you were supervising me too well so I had to stay in that cold place even longer. Sophie, my friend from the park wasn't even there. Another disappointment. You call this a forever home? Good grief. I think I will have to make a Facebook page and see if I can find somewhere further south to move in with since I can't take it here when it drops below 70. Today it was like half that! What the paw?"
Well, if you Luna tell it, it wasn't the best time but you take a peek at the photos and see what you think.
We took a trip to the dog park this weekend. Since the weather was very cool (perfect pug weather) we decided to venture out to somewhere where we do not go that often. We had a nice time (and that will be a follow up post) but the drive on the way to there was a hot mess.
The dogs barked the whole way there! Whenever they get like that in the car it is extremely hard for me to retain my focus on the true mission of driving. My ears were bleeding from the decibel level and my blood pressure must have been through the roof because there was a point where I could have pulled a Thelma & Louise if I lived near a cliff! It was really unbearable.
I can understand when they get excited and they feel the need to let out a gleeful yip here and there but just incessant barking the whole ride there? Really? This time it was like the boys were just arguing between themselves in the back seat. It's like Henry told Ben that they were going to the dog park and Ben said it wasn't true that they were going on an errand instead. So they just bickered about who was right. It was the dog rendition of Grumpy Old Men. (Ok, so I guess it is time that I see a current movie, huh?)
* Anyway, when you watch this video short, if you dare, be sure that you are prepared for at least one of the following to happen:
Your boss will supply you with a written counseling since you are not completing your work (and are disrupting your co-workers)
Your own dogs will bark relentlessly
You will lose you hearing
You will go insane
OBP cannot take responsibility for any of this, as you were sufficiently warned.
The weather was perfect for pugs on Saturday, so we went for a nice long walk. It was a windy day and Benny was loving it. Windy days are his favorite because all kinds of smells just come to him. He will just sit with his nose up in the air smell, smell, smelling.
We walked for about a mile and when we got home Benjamin and Luna were ready for a nice long nap.
While Luna had fun mixing it up with all the dogs on the beach, the dog Luna wanted to play with the most was an adorable Dachshund named Oscar. Oscar, however, only had eyes for his tennis ball. But, that wasn't a problem for Luna. As he chased his ball all over the beach, Luna tagged right along with him. She followed him everywhere on the beach. I think that is the closest that Luna will ever come to playing a game of fetch!
There were lots of young pups at the beach last Saturday. The pugs made friends with 2 wiener dogs, a golden retriever, a husky and a black lab. The pugs were by far the oldest dogs on the beach. At almost 10 the boys were more than double the age of the oldest non pug on the beach. The husky was only 9 months old and after watching her run all over the beach I realize I have forgotten how much energy is crammed into a puppy body.
While the boys could not keep up with the husky or the golden, I was glad to see them get in the mix a few times. Henry used his smarts and pounced on the golden in one of their games of chase. After that victory, he was content to watch all the other dogs run around. I think he wanted to go out on top and just prove to himself that he still has it. Which is better than what Benny did. After chasing the husky and golden to no avail, Benny just stopped and whined at them.
But, Luna, at almost 8 was in the mix of everything. And this picture pretty much sums up her feisty personality. She loves nothing more than to play with the little dogs, but she isn't afraid to mix it up with the big dogs. And the thing that surprises everyone is how fast Luna is. She can really pour it on when she wants to.
Saturday was a perfect pug weather day, so we decided to take the pugs to the beach. It has been a while since we have been to the beach, so as soon as we turned into the parking lot the pugs started barking their heads off in excitement. Needless to say, we were not sneaking up on anyone.
Since it was a beautiful day the beach was packed! Lots of dogs and lots of people. The pugs made some new friends and made sure to get a sandy mess. Which to me, just means they had a good time!
I will be sure to share some pictures of the friends the pugs made, but here are a few of Benjamin, Henry and Luna in action.
To say the pugs had sand from head to tail would be and understatement. As you can see, Henry is not shy about plopping his keester right in the sand. And what is a story about a pug trip to the beach that does not include a picture of Benny mid shake.
Luna surprised us all by actually getting her paws wet this trip. She was in and out of the water and up and down the beach. I think she had the best time of them all.
I don't know what it is about G-Pa's pickup truck, but the pugs LOVE to ride in it. They can't walk by it without wanting to go for a ride. I think they feel like big dogs when they get to ride in the big truck.
