Making new friends

The more we walk in north Marquette, our neighborhood (also called the Swamp, which makes it sound worse than it is), the more we meet other dogs. There's Joey, who lives in this cool house with a cool color scheme and a pretty garden, which he might not notice. We met a pitbull named Becky today. Now I'm guessing on their name spellings, but that's irrelevant. We like making dog friends, although with Digby he's still a wild card. He still prefers big black dogs. Yesterday at Mattson Park we came across a Finnish laphund Digby seemed to like. However, the owner warned he was an unneutered male, so we kept our distance. No matter. That's one of the dogs' favorite walks. We will visit soon as weather permits. Walking dogs and watch sailboats is a good combination.

Getting used to the neighborhood

We have our tried-and-true routes in the neighborhood down pat. There's South on Van Evera, which brings us past a field by a wooded area where Digby and Susie Q can do their business. There's the Summit route, which takes us along one of my favorite streets in the 'hood (it's very shaded). There's the Tourist Park trek, which is for longer walks but winds through woods and ends at a lake. The Beach walk is for sunny days when Mama has a lot of energy. Susie particularly likes to frolic on the sand. I just have to keep Digby on a short rope when there are kids and younger dogs around. They still haven't gotten used to surf yet. I wish they'd understand breaking waves aren't necessaily fatal to a dog.

Digby's new friend

Kitty-corner, or should I say doggy-corner, from our house is Zephyr's house. He's a black lab whose a big galoomp and friendly. Digby took to him right away and whimpers when the Big Z is outside on his porch. I have no great clue as to why Digby likes some dogs right away and others not so much. He does seem to have a preference for black dogs, as well as old and infirmed ones (not a threat). Susie, of course, is fine with the whole setup, because she likes just about everybody.

It's Always Sad When a Bulldog Dies

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/howard-sterns-bulldog-bianca-dies-2012187

Choices

Where to take the dogs today? Tourist Park? The beach? Founder's Landing? So many choices. I think the beach might be out because it's only going to be in the 50s, quite chilly after the 80-degree weather we've been having.

Where are all the brachycephalic breeds?

Lots of huskies here in the Great White North, but not too many bulldogs, pugs, etc. I must admit, though, that a sled dog team composed of bulldogs isn't going to compete in the U.P. 200, much less the Iditarod. If they did, it'd be the mini-mini-Iditarod.

Angel getting adopted

My last foster dog, Angel, is finally being adopted. Makes all those months of muddy cars, running away from me and chewing worthwhile. I miss her jumping in the Northern Tail Dog Park pond and swimming carefree.

Getting entrenched in Marquette

Digby, SusieQ and I are getting used to being Yoopers, although I've been told if you're not born here, you're never a Yooper. Anyway, we are developing favorite haunts, including the Lake Superior shoreline by the Dead River. Could Digby and SusieQ become wilderness dogs? Doubt it. I'll settle for them getting less afraid of the shoreline waves.

Soon a farewell

Digby, SusieQ and I are moving to Marquette on Sept. 16. So it's good-bye to the Northern Tail Dog Park, which I will miss dearly. In fact, when I make a list of the things I'll miss in mid-Michigan, that's at the top of the list. Angel is in a good new foster home now, but I'll take the little ones in the car. They like it with Dave and me!

The Return of Hamlet Part II

Hambone still has that Hereford-cow look, with the brown body and white head. He really scoots fast, too, for a Hereford imitation. Brother Bruce wasn't at the park, but Hammy's mom and dad brought a beagle, Copper, that they were babysitting. I want another bulldog...someday. No exclamation mark needed.

Let sleeping dogs lie

Angel and SusieQ (on top) lounge after a very full Sunday. Digby is in another room. I love scenes like this...placid, satisfying and low-maintenance (for me).

Half Frenchie/half bulldog!

Two of my favorite breeds, a French bulldog and a "regular" (English) bulldog, have been mixed in the form of Jigsaw, a white hybrid who showed up at the park Sunday with his friend, Fiona the Presa Canario. Jiggie really flew, although his legs were a bit awkward, and played very hard until he finally pooped out and flattened out on the cool ground. Plus, he was all white! Hopefully I'll get a photo sometime soon.

New foster!

I am now the proud owner, or temporary guardian, of Angel, who happens to be one-third bulldog (the other ingredients are Boston terrier and pitbull terrier). It's quite the combo. She's a sweetie who loves to snuggle and rest her head on my head, sometimes simultaneously snoring. However, Angel's still a bit undisciplined, so we're working on that. After great soul-searching, I decided to close the door of my spare room because it contains too many vulnerable stuffed animals.
Anyway, Angel, Digby, SusieQ and I had a very fun day at the dog park on May 19. They frolicked near the pond that's really full because of the recent heavy rains. Plus, many gray tree frogs and toads were out, spewing their spring songs. Angel played tug-of-war with a vine with another dog and showed great interest in other dogs' rough-housing. More fun to come, I'm sure.

Bulldog blue

I'm sorry Butler didn't win the NCAA men's hoops championship. Actually, "didn't win" is an understatement, considering the 18.8 percent shooting percentage. Yet, they made it that far. Besides, Blue the bulldog is its mascot. Speaking of blue, I'm really into Blue Buffalo dog food, providing I can find it someplace. It's coming to Soldan's in Charlotte soon, I'm told.