The Dog Park

Since we live in this tiny apartment, we spend a lot of time at the dog park. Fortunately we only live two blocks from it, so it's an easy walk for all.

Bodie, our Collie, hates the dog park. He has no interest in playing with other dogs, sniffing other dogs or acknowledging other dogs. He certainly has no interest in chasing balls.

Mona is Miss Social. She loves the dog park. She starts straining on her leash as soon as it gets in sight. Mona loves the other dogs, she loves sniffing the other dogs and she especially loves chasing balls. She will exhaust herself chasing balls. She's the kind of dog that if she could speak she'd be yelling "Throw it again, throw it again, again, again." If Bodie could speak he'd say, "Are you kidding me, I'm not chasing the ball," and then he'd flop to the ground and ignore me and all other humans.

Just like dog owners,there are a variety of dogs and personalities at the park. There is always the Border Collie or two. Apparently they are one of the most intelligent dogs, but I can't see that-they spend a lot of time herding anything-people, ducks, chickens and other dogs. I'd concur that they are intelligent if they could herd cats. There is the guy that has three Great Danes-I think the only thing you can say about Great Danes is that they are big, because quite frankly, they aren't the brightest bulb in the bunch. One in particular still hasn't figured out that the gate has to open in order for him to continue walking - he presses his head against it and will stand there, head bowed, for as long as it takes for his owner to show up and open the gate, and then he acts rather surprised. Then there are the people who own Wiener Dogs. Again, they don't seem too intelligent, they aren't cute at all, and they yip incessantly. When one comes up to me in the park I am hard pressed to not step on them and crush their heads into the ground.

Mona plays with all the dogs. She is as happy as happy can be when she's running around, tongue lolling in the midst of a pack of previously unknown friends. She loves the Border Collie, the Great Danes, the Yellow Labs and yes, even the Wiener Dogs. Bodie is arrogant to all of them. He has no desire to be friends with them and he is continually bugging me to go home.

When we were in Colorado Bodie's job was to watch the horses. He was not allowed to go in the field with them so instead he stalked them up and down and around the fence lines. Chaco, my horse, soon figured out that Bodie couldn't come inside, and proceeded to antagonize him mercilessly. He'd reach over and bite him then hilariously run away knowing that Bodie was not allowed to nip at his heels.Now that we're in this apartment, he has no job so he has turned that energy into disdain.

He is disdainful of his food. He is disdainful of the leash. He is disdainful of going on walks and he is disdainful of me. I hope that when we finally get moved into our new place, I will regain my standing with him.

Mona's job here has not changed from the one she had in Colorado. She chases balls, she catches gophers, she sleeps and then she sleeps some more. She likes apartment living. She likes the dog park.
She likes going on walks because people stop and pet her. People pet Bodie too, he is a beautiful dog, but Bodie does not like to petted by people. Bodie pretends people don't exist. If he could figure out how to open a can of dog food, he'd finally be happy.

We should be moved in the next week or so. I hope that Mona can get used to being a dog again and I hope that Bodie finally forgives me.