Dark and stormy nights

The furballs and I haven't been to the East Lansing Northern Tail Dog Park as much lately for various lame reasons: vacation, laziness and it's dark and cold early now. We plan to make more trips soon, however. There usually are folks there after 5 p.m., which is about the earliest we can typically make it on a weekday.

Smoosh-mix makes an appearance

Earlier this week, Rocco (at least that's how I'm assuming it's spelled) the Boston terrier-French bulldog mix puppy, showed up. I think he's only three months, but he already has the French ears and the Boston body. The brindle coat makes him really intriguing. Digby, of course, gave him a bit of a hard time, but Rocco lived up to his name, not becoming too intimidated!

Where's Gramercy?

Where's that cute little French bulldog I met a few weeks back? And Hamlet? And Wilma? In other words, all the bulldogs? My life lacks as a result.

Big dog

Devin, a large if very shy female Irish wolfhound, came to the park today. She tried to hide behind her owner, but that was hard to do.

A Frenchie!

A cream-colored French bulldog, Gramercy, made it to the dog park tonight. That's what we get for going late (about 7:30 p.m.). Gramercy likes to chase tennis balls, a la SusieQ, and is about a year and a half old. The squishies are taking over!

A Boston bull

A Boston terrier/bulldog mix visited the park a few days ago. It was mostly white, and obviously a mix of squish-faces. Was a Boston bull once a breed? Interesting to see if it becomes another designer dog.

Blue pitties

Kimbo and Bella, two blue pitbull terriers, made an appearance at the dog park Sunday, July 18. The owner told me that blue is rare, and I believe it. Anyway, they were so cute, how can anyone not love a pit? We discussed the injustice of apartment complexes not allowing "bully breeds" just on reputation alone. I've been bitten by a German shepherd dog and an English mastiff, so there. As they say, it depends on the owner. Some people might believe pit aggressiveness is inbred now, but I've seen too many sweet ones. The blue pitties' "sister," Tiny the Chihuahua, had much more of an attitude!

Hamlet grows

I have not seen Hamlet (aka Hammy, Hambone, etc.) in a while, but those who have noted the bulldog's head is getting quite large. I always preferred this type of bulldog anatomy: big head, stout body. Hamlet probably looks like an forward-heavy Hereford cow (white head, brown body). I hope we see him soon! (And his "brother" Bruce.)

A herd of Danes

A Lansing area Meet-up Group with Great Danes descended upon the park this week. No one was injured. They seemed like great horses, I mean, dogs.

Pug/bulldog mix makes it to park

A puppy pug/bulldog mix, the name of which is Kiyah, I believe, made an appearance at the park. It will be interesting to see the full-grown version of this, the blending of my two favorite dog breeds!

A trio of bulldogs

Wilma was joined at the dog park today by two bigger bullies, Biggie and Abby, or Biggie and Abbie, or Biggy and Abbie, or Biggy and Abbey, or whatever. Biggie is about 60 pounds at 9 months of age, and I didn't ask how old Abbie is. Anyway, three bullies at once are great! Now all we need is Hamlet and Jack the Mack to make it a quintet!
Wilma, by the way, played with a submissive boxer named Bailey. Bailey was on her back, being playfully mauled by Wilma, when Bailey catapulted Wilma into the air. She had a bit of a time getting back on her feet, but it was very humorous.

PVMA dog wash set for April 24

When: Sunday April 25th from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center

Michigan State University

D202 Veterinary Medical Center

East Lansing, MI 48824

Why: To help raise funds for Pre-Veterinary Medical Association activities and veterinary-related opportunities
If you have never been to a dog wash before, go to our website, www.msu.edu/~pvma, and check out the page with answers to common dog wash questions.

On a personal note: I can vouch for these washes. The dogs have fun (except for my Digby, who resists these kinds of things), the owners get out and the PVMA benefits. What's not to like?

My latest tribute to Tugboat

This is a link to the memorial column on my boy:

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100402/INGHAM01/4040465/1215/INGHAM

New bulldog at park!

We met Wilma the female 4-month-old bulldog at the park today. Her brindle is darker than usual, but she still had the piglet walk. Now if we can get her, Jack the Mack and Hamlet together, we will have a bulldog herd! And Tugboat in spirit, of course.

New breed at park

A few days ago a female Dog de Bordeaux made it to the park. It's the "Hooch" kind of dog. Her name was Ruby, and didn't slobber as much as Hooch slobbered. Anyway, it's another kind of "smooshface" to add to Northern Tail's growing list of such canines.

The rainy season begins

I go to the dog park in the snow. I go to the dog park in the sun. I go to the dog park in the clouds. I tend not to go when it rains. It's not that I really mind getting wet, although I do, it's just that it's so very muddy.

The Great Unveiling

This is the portrait of Tugboat by Anne White Jones of Crown Point, Ind. When I receive it in the mail, I will have it framed and hang it in a place of honor in my living room. More immortalization for my Tugboat!

New bulldog!

There was another bulldog at the park this past weekend: Jack the Mack! He is a young bulldog with a lot of energy and a smaller head than Tugboat. It's good to see another squishface around!

Tugboat to be immortalized in art

I've commissioned an artist/friend from Crown Point, Ind., Anne White Jones, to make a portrait of my Tugboat. Can't wait to get it, and, of course, I'll take a photo of it and post it here!

Happy New Year

...belatedly. Tugboat's spirit still reigns throughout my kingdom, although I have Digby, SusieQ and foster Zoey to keep me company in a tangible -- and loving-- way.