Dog Park!!!!

Mom and Dad took me to the dog park for the first time on Sunday! They hadn't taken me before, because they wanted me to go to obedience classes first so I'd be better about listening to them. And, I have to say they were also being a little overprotective, because they worried about what might happen if there were irresponsible dog parents there with dogs that aren't as nice as I am. But, thankfully, the trainer at my classes helped calm their fears. Moms and Dads can be so high maintenance sometimes.

Anyway, I was so excited when we got there. I couldn't wait to get out of the car! I started to climb to the front seat to get out, which I never do, but then Mom told me I had to wait for them to open the back door. As soon as we got inside the gates we met another Golden. Her name was Bailey, and she was a very sweet girl. She was like me and was more interested in visiting all the humans in the park than playing with the dogs.

Here is a picture of me, Bailey's butt, and another dog.

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After I met Bailey, I decided to divide my time between sniffing the perimeter of the park and saying hi to the humans. It was only after I got all my initial sniffing in that I said some hellos to the other dogs.

You know what was the best thing about the park? All the balls! There were tennis balls scattered all over the ground. I went from one to the next, trading them out as I found new ones. And, you know what else was great? There were several dog parents there who were trying to get their dogs to play fetch, but they weren't interested. So guess who they played with... Me! I was so cute and so enthusiastic about their tennis balls that they just couldn't resist. One lady had a ball launcher and she threw her dog's ball for me over and over. Her lab would just look at the ball as it sailed away and then go on to do something else. How could he ignore a ball?! I just don't get that. Mom says I have no control over my urge to retrieve and that they could throw a ball for hours on end, and I'd still run after it no matter how tired I am. Anyway, the lab's Mom said she was glad at least someone was enjoying it.

I got kind of tired and hot after a while, so I took some short rests in the dirt in between getting up to chase more balls. Ha. And Mom thought the bath she'd given me on Friday night would last.

It was hard for a dog to take a break though. These guys came and visited me while I was resting. Check out the Great Dane. He's huge!

I was pretty pooped when we left and was ready to head home for a nap. I can't wait to go back though! Maybe next time they'll take me to Fort Woof.

Grass...

Right now the grass in my yard is perfect for camouflage. I like to roll in it really thoroughly and get it all over my fur so that I blend in with the lawn. I am stealth. I am one with the grass. I am Camo-dog.

First, you have to look around to make sure no one is watching before you start.

Then, you drop and roll. Make sure you get all sides and stretch out your body to acheive maximum coverage. It's hard to see in this picture, but I've got a really good first layer going.

Are you paying attention? As you can see, I am in the middle of a roll here and have only added the first layer on my face. Don't forget to get the grass on your nose and around your mouth.

Once you've got a pretty good layer, then you can take a break and lay there for a bit. You've got to get in the right frame of mind, you know? I like to take the opportunity to meditate.

I am one with the grass. I am one with the grass. I am the grass.

Once you have achieved your desired level of grassiness both inside and out, feel free to enjoy your accomplishment as you so choose. Depending on my mood I like to sit back and relax or feel the wind in my fur in a good run around the yard.

Of course, humans do not have the same appreciation for nature, and thereby grass, as us dogs. This is unfortunate, as it does not allow for the enjoyment of all your grassy efforts indoors. But, I suppose this is the price we pay for their treats, er, I mean companionship.

It's a Start

So even though I have not yet received a brand new bed or sofa, Mom and Dad did get me a new toy. I got to pick it out. We went to Petsmart on Saturday for my trick class (I'll have to write about that some time), and afterwards we went to the toy aisle to find me a new toy! Whoo hoo! Mom and Dad walked me down the aisle and I looked at everything. We narrowed it down to three toys. Unfortunately Mom and Dad did not have the forsight to bring the camera with them so I could capture the whole thing for my blog. Geez. Anyway, I was trying to decide between a great big moose, a squirrel, and a pheasant. I liked all of them and was excited when Mom squeaked them for me. It was too hard to decide! So they layed them down on the floor in a row in the middle of the aisle and when Dad said, "Okay," I went over and picked the one I wanted. I went right for the pheasant. Goldens are bird dogs afterall. Here's a picture of the bird and a couple of me playing with it. I'd include a video, but I haven't quite figured out how to put those on my blog yet. If only you could hear the beautiful squeakiness of my new toy. It's so looouuud!

(Thank you Mom!)

(What, are you still taking pictures? Can't a dog play in peace?)

(Mmm, this pheasant's pretty tasty. Can I get some au jus over here?)

(That bird wore me out. I'm ready for a nap.)

(Mr. Pheasant: "Trapped...can't escape...please heeeellp!")

A Note to Mom and Dad

Dear Mom and Dad,

I have done some online shopping since my last post and have come up with some dog beds that I would like (to make up for the cats having 5 and me having only 1!). First off, I am being quite considerate of the design aesthetic in our bedroom and have chosen a bed for myself that almost perfectly matches your own.

(Yes, this is really a dog bed.)

Now, I would also like my very own couch for the living room since you do not allow me on the human furniture and the cats have a comfy bed in there. This fellow looks particularly comfy on his own couch, complete with cozy blankie and pillows. I'll take mine in blue.

In addition, I think that I should also get some new toys. You know what I like...plushies with squeakers, balls, and perhaps a couple of new Kong toys (the kind you can put treats in for me, of course).

I would appreciate prompt action on your part in order to remedy this situation. Thank you.

Your dog,
Avery

Injustice!

After my last post I started thinking about some things. You know how I said I'm not allowed to play with their toys? I don't get that. How come they get toys with feathers and I don't? I like feathers! Their toys are so nice and bite-sized too. No fair. Not only do they have some cool toys I'm not allowed to play with, but they have more than me.

(The cats' toys. Look at how many they have!)

(My toys. See! I have way less than they do!)

And they have more beds to snooze on. Five actually. I only have one! What's up with that? I've tried sleeping on their beds before, but I don't fit very well.

(Take a hint Mom and Dad!)

You know, they also get to sleep on the human bed with Mom and Dad at night, while I'm relegated to my bed on the floor. I did sneak up there one night a couple of months after Mom and Dad got me. Heh heh. Mom woke up to roll over and Dad said to her, "Avery's up here." She thought he was talking in his sleep (he does that sometimes) and she had to reach over him to feel me before she believed him. I don't know how they slept through a 65 lb. dog getting into bed with them. Darn it if they didn't make me get down though. At least I got some hugs and petting out of it.

And another thing - when Mom and Dad go out those cats get the whole house to roam in, and I have to stay in one room all by myself. I mean, yeah, they turn on the radio to keep me company and I always get toys and a Kong with treats, but still. It's not fair that the cats get the rest of the entire house and I just get one room.

Hmphf. I'm going to have to have a little talk with Mom and Dad about all of this. It's just not right. I mean really, do the cats wiggle their whole butts with excitement when Mom and Dad come home? Do they bring them toys? Do they sit on their laps? Oh wait, they do actually do that. But do they do tricks on command? I think not. Injustice I tell you!