Pleasant morning in the park...

[Pat and Traveler]

Nothing dramatic or really note-worthy, just fun.  There was a soft, misty rain, and we got to the nearby park by about 7 a.m.  First, Trav spotted Kaye, the cookie lady, who keeps the park neat and clean, and always has a pocket full of home-made dog treats.  Trav adores her, and recognizes her from all the way across the park.  I let him go, and he raced across the park to say hello and get his treat.  He knows he’s supposed to sit before he gets his treat, so he starts sitting when he’s about 20 feet away from her.  Then he bounces forward a few feet, sits again, etc.  It’s quite a performance, and always makes us laugh.   

We were soon joined by a young man named Tom, and his dog Oni.  Tom hasn’t had Oni for very long.  He rescued her in Arizona a couple of months ago, where she was found by an overpass with her muzzle taped closed.  She is a sweet, sweet dog, looks like she might be a mix of chow, collie and shepherd.  She doesn’t like to get too far away from Tom, unless she spots a squirrel, then she’s gone like a shot.  Unlike Trav, she isn’t very interested in chasing balls.

Trav has his own set agenda for these park visits.  First he gets his treat if we see Kaye.  Then he spends a little bit of time making sure she doesn’t want to give him another one, and is getting a bit tired of petting him.  Then he turns his undivided, intense attention to me, thus letting me know it’s time to play ball.  His favorite ball game is keep-away, so after I throw the ball he runs in big circles, dashing by closely enough to touch but not catch him.

While we were playing ball, another dog arrived for a treat and ball game.  Sequoia and Emerson, Sequoia being a black shepherd who is just as ball-obsessed as Trav.  The three dogs got along just fine, with two of them chasing balls and one just hanging out, keeping a keen eye out for squirrels.  Trav and Sequoia traded balls a few times, and we caught and leashed them whenever anybody else came along.  This isn’t a dog park, and most of the dogs entering the park are on leash.  Some are friendly and some aren’t.  Some people like dogs, some don’t–so I’m hyper-careful about not letting Trav intrude on anybody else’s territory.  Fortunately, he has good recall, and if there’s a ball involved he isn’t interested in anybody or anything else. 

That’s it.  Nothing dramatic.  Damp dogs playing ball or chasing squirrels.  Four new friends, two canine and two human.  A lovely beginning to the day.     

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Perfect!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Life really is full of "cookie ladies", friends, and fun games of "keep-away".  We just need to take the time to see what's right there before us.  Thanks for the reminder to enjoy life's little pleasures.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Park, Dogs, Lady w/treats and people who are like minded, whats not to like? Sounds perfect to me.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Sounds like a wonderful way to start the day and now you have left me with a wonderful image with which to end my day. Thank you!

P.S. I loved the part about Trav sitting for the cookie lady too. That is just plain adorable.

[Pat and Traveler]

Thanks!  I wasn't sure why I'd done this blog til I read comments.  It is good to reflect on the kindness and generosity of people you meet on an average morning.  It is good to see healthy, happy dogs playing. It is good to have such a nice place to go and then have a home at the end of the romp. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a lovely beginning to any day!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I love drama-free days!! Sounds like your morning started out just right...

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, What a great point and I needed that reminder today. Thanks, Pat and F :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Too often we concentrate on what's not going well or problems. We forget that far more often everyday events can be fun and pleasant. Glad your day went so well.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I find this very noteworthy! Dogs running and playing without conflict at the park, ball playing, squirrel chasing, nice people, a happy ending for an abused dog, cookies, new friends... what's not to love?