Must Love Dogs

We had a friend over last night and witnessed one more time how affectionate our dogs are with new people. As soon as our guest took a seat on the couch, Heidi jumped up beside him, and flopped down so her head was resting in his lap.

There's always a moment of worry and apologies when you aren't sure whether your guest appreciates the gift of doggie cuddles.

In this case, our guest said he thought it was kind of cool so we left well enough alone. By the end of the night, even Reese had cuddled up to him for a scratch and a pat. No harm done I guess!

To walk or NOT?

So our big dilemma of the week is related to the fact that I'm travelling next week for work. My husband leaves the house around 7am to make it to work on time, and arrives home by 5pm. That's 10 hours alone for the girls. To me the solution is simple - hire a dog walker to come in and take the girls out some time near midday and have some peace of mind. To my husband, not so much. He thinks they'll be fine.

Although I agree that they won't die from being alone for that long. I do feel that it would be pretty uncomfortable to go without water, food or bathroom breaks for that long.

Opinions?

Barfy surprise!

This morning on our walk, when off leash in the park near our place, Heidi would not leave a trail of semi-composted waste alone...she grabbed a half corncob and started mowing down.

I finally pulled her away and all was well!

Came home, had breakfast, went to the gym, came back home to take a shower.

Upon exiting the bathroom, I hear my husband exclaim - EEEWWWW What's that?!!!

I unwillingly walk into the bedroom to see for myself - a large round spatter of black gunk was all over the floor. Heidi's breakfast buffet had obviously come back to haunt her.

I'm sure Reese tried to help her hide the evidence.

Hopefully this will be our only incident of the day!!!

Double Bubble

One of Heidi's quirks is that she enjoys a good pre-chewed bubble gum from time to time.

Today was one of those times.

She found someone's little gum wad, long ago spat out and forgotten, mint I would guess, since it was green. She chews, chews, spits. Picks it back up chews some more. Spits it out again, gives it a lick, picks it back up for a few more chews.

Before you know it, I'll be entering her in dog bubble-blowing contests!

Daily Routine

My dogs are so spoiled. The whole week, we've gone to the dog park for an off-leash romp every night this week!!

They love it and I have fun too. I've been a little more chatty with the people at the park - getting to know people is a good thing right!?

I find it soooo much easier to make small talk in my first language lemme tell ya! It's nice to know that my dogs can reap the rewards of that.

All by ourselves

Got up today at 7:37am dog standard wake up time (DSWUT).

Decided to take the dogs to the dog park, thinking that there would be other people there, it wasn't that early, after all!

Well, no such luck. We had the place to ourselves. But, I think it actually worked out for the best because the girls had a great time.

We walked the perimeter of the park and they got to sniff and dig and sniff as they enjoy doing.

A police officer parked on the other side of the fence, so the girls ran up to the fence to give him a warm welcome - licking his hand through the gaps. He laughed.

Then Heidi began her usual - stalking Reese out in the wide open. Not the most subtle...but it's what she does! It makes me think she must be part border collie, because her movements can be so typical behaviour wise. Then, since Reese wasn't reacting, Heidi bowed to her as if to say "COME ON! Run damn it...I want to chase you!" It's their usual routine of chase, wrestle, chase, wrestle, ignore.

A nice way to start the day.

Back to work

Well...the dogs survived their first day of actually spending some time in their kennels since the holidays...no big whoop.

Walked to the park for a short off-leash romp - surprise surprise, they ate food in the bushes...then we walked home.

One friendly guy was all smiles and wanted to pat them as we passed. Cute.

Got back to the building at the same time as Mike and Enzo so they had a little romp in the basement. They loved that!

Now they're chillin and waiting for me to get off the darned computer so they can cuddle up to me on the couch.

I'm coming....jeez!

Barfsicles

Our usual morning walk route is 2 blocks east, 2 blocks south, off-leash through the park, then 2 blocks north back home. I love this walk - it's just the right length in cold weather - short enough so that Reese doesn't start lifting her paws, but long enough to get a full house.

Lately though, we have had some issues with food eating in the park. I'm not sure what is going on in those darned bushes, but there is ALWAYS food in them. Sometimes, it looks like someone poured a pot of soup into the snow - or maybe barfed? Other times, it's full on vegetables - whole peppers, tomatoes, etc.

I don't get it.

Could the people who frequent Elgin Street really barf on a nightly basis?

Is someone in one of those houses thinking they are composting by throwing vegetables in the bushes?

It's very strange.

I've joked with friends that I'm going to erect a sign saying "You're not composting, you're giving my dog diarrhea!" Not sure if that would be effective though?

If the random veggie dropper/vomiter (that would be a good superhero non?) reads this...please STOP leaving food...cause really, you are giving my dogs the runs :)