New Year's Eve Dog Park Visit

Over the break, the Dogs on Propps took a visit to the dog park north of their home. They wanted to ensure they celebrated the last day of 2008 in spectacular fashion, so off to the dog park it was.

To begin, it must be noted that only four of the dogs on Propps actually get to take the trip to the dog park. We have discovered, after several unsuccessful trips, that Ella hates the dog park. She loathes it with a passion that burns like a thousand suns. She is overwhelmed with all the smells, and feels like she needs to protect her family from the other dogs, and it wears her out. She gets an automatic pass to stay home.

So...Holly, Koko, Paolo, and Madden piled in the car with the girls and the grown-ups, and off we went.

Getting out of the car was half the battle when we arrived at our destination. Koko, as the largest, could see what was coming from a mile away. She saw the other dogs, and immediately began whining. Not a polite, 'aww...look at the cute other puppies' whine, but a 'OHMYGODGETMEOUTOFTHISCARTHISINSTANT' whine. She pulled and pushed and scratched legs (sorry M) in order to be the first one out of the car and into the park.

One adult got out of the car, blocking all other dogs except Koko.

Other adult held back two dogs while oldest girl child tried to get out with Holly (gotta go in size order to avoid injury). Then, adult grabbed Paolo's leash to try to help him out. Paolo, wild with anxiety and excitement at this point, was prancing about, attempting to get out to meet other new dogs. Madden was carried out by the youngest girl, knowing not what he would encounter upon entering the dog park.

It is a sight, I imagine, to see people arrive with four dogs (and one left at home), and the energy that they contain when they get into the ante area of the park. We entered, and were immediately greeted by a myriad of dogs.

Knowing that dogs are pack animals, and that they always figure out who's in charge, it's interesting to watch them work. Some like to go to play, some explore, some are shy. Our dogs at home, of course, have certain personalities that we see daily. Koko is in charge, and really not interested in much except being in charge. Paolo is anxious and cranky, and does not like new people. Holly is friendly and happy, and Madden is usually easygoing and laid back.

Upon our arrival at the dog park, however, we noticed significant changes in these behaviors. Koko gets nervous at the dog park, but will run around. Holly stays about the same, exploring different dog odors, (and the source of those odors, if you get my drift), and Madden and Paolo do a super doggie personality switch at the gate.

Paolo, who is not interested in anything else but his human dad and sleeping, declared himself Official Park Greeter. He waited by the gate for new dogs to enter, then wagged his tail and jumped and played with them. When not talking to new dogs, he would go to meet new people...jumping on their legs, asking them to play with him.

Madden, who never met a stranger, declared himself Protector of all things Dogs on Propps. He would not go far from us, but when he did, he was chasing other dogs away and yelling at them for approaching any of his family members. He was not letting anyone get near his family. GETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAY.

After thirty minutes of corraling and chastising and doing a constant head count, it was time to go. Madden and Koko had each been involved in minor scuffles, (one involving Koko chasing a screaming child...stop running away, Nathaniel!) and Holly and Paolo had made some new friends. We leashed everyone and headed out the gate, tired from the experience.

They can't wait to go back.Madden, ready to kick some ass. Look away lest you want your eyeballs ripped out.

Holly had already been for a run that morning. She was So Very Tired.

Paolo on the meet and greet track. Notice his sleek physique and friendly attitude.

Koko telling Other Dog who's boss. She then spit on him and kicked sand in his face.

No Photography Please

I just want to be left alone. Why can't you people understand that?

Mouse Killa

Sammie!  

I said it's Sammie!  S-A-M-M-I-E.  Not S-A-M-M-Y.  If you're going to hassle me, man, at least get my name right.  

Middle name?  Yeah, I got a middle name.  It's Louis. Why are you laughing?  Why the HELL are you laughing?  I'll mess you up.  

Look, I'll tell you again. I didn't hurt the mouse on purpose.  He was in my yard.  MY yard, dude.  What else was I supposed to do?  He walks onto my turf, I gotta protect it. Nothin' in the law against self-defense, is there?  I didn't think so.  

So, no - he walks into the yard, and I thought I'd have some fun with him.  You know, rough him up a little bit so the other mousies know to stay away.  So I chase him. He wasn't real fast, short legs and all...anyway, I caught him, obviously, and I pinned him down.  All I said was, "NEVER come back to the Dogs (and cats) on Propps house".  He started breathing fast, and looked at me, like he was going to say something.  That's when he got all still.  I batted him around a little. I'll admit it.  You know, just to see if he was alright.  I was trying to help was all. He twitched a couple of times, and then he just stopped moving.  I don't know, it all happened so fast.  

Yeah, I moved his body.  I didn't want that garbage dirtying up the sidewalk for my family.  I just dragged it up to the door, though.  I didn't want them to miss it when they walked out.  I wanted to make sure they gave him a proper burial.  Yeah, I guess I had something to do with it.  Sid, though, the cat from next door - he delivered the final blow. 

I promise I'll never do it again.  You tell the mousies, though, that if they come in this yard, I'll take care of 'em. I'll take care of 'em real good.

Paolo Alfredo, Badass

Paolo loves to be groomed.

Let me make myself clear. Paolo hates the actual grooming part. He enjoys himself tremendously when said grooming is over. In fact, he goes way nuts - running around the house, wagging his tail furiously, jumping all over the other dogs to tell them how lucky he is to have gotten a bath, or had his nails clipped, or whatever.

So on Saturday, during the ARI/ATL playoff game, I decided it would be a good idea to try out the newest addition to the Dogs on Propps accessories collection, a Pedi Paw. (it won't hurt my feelings that you didn't click on that link - I don't click on 'em either. However, for those who wanted more information, it was available. So there.)

Anyway, for the uninitiated, this Pedi Paw thing is essentially a mechanical rotating emery board (nail file, boys) for dog nails. As we have five sets of dog nails to tend to, (ten, counting the back feet) I thought it would be a grand idea. Nails are hard to clip, and I'm always nervous that I'm going to cut past the quick, and the idea of that makes me faint just to consider. Pedi Paws to the rescue!

Paolo was first. We knew that if he was able to handle it, the others surely would. He is anxious and we were hoping that if the other dogs saw it was no big deal, they would feel the same way. His nails were done quickly, but the emery portion, essentially cheap sandpaper, wore down fast, and took three times as long to do the actual job. I decided to try the Pedi Paw on Koko, but fifteen minutes into the job, I gave up and went back to the clippers. Everyone got their nails done, and when we let all the dogs back in, Paolo was overwhelmed with joy. He wanted to share his excitement with everyone...especially Koko. In his joy, he jumped on Koko, who in no uncertain terms then told him to back off. (in fact, I believe she dropped the f-bomb, but I can't be sure.) He wouldn't take no for an answer. He wanted to tell her how happy he was about his nails, and he went back for more. He jumped at her one time too many, and Koko, who has the opposite feeling about grooming, went nuts. She attacked Paolo, fitting his entire head into her mouth, and took a chunk out of his head in front of his left ear. He screamed like a little girl. (in fact, allow me to quote: YIPE YIPE YIPE)

He is fine. We cleaned him up, applied the appropriate meds, and let him rest for a day or so. Though he swelled up like Marlon Brando about 8 hours afterwards, the swelling is down now and he is back to his normal, prissy, dainty self.

And his fingernails? They look fabulous.

Paolo's nails, brought to you by the Dogs on Propps manicurist. Ignore the nail on the left that is longer than the others.