Cold, early darkness, laziness, whatever...

...are the excuses I'm using for not having been to the dog park as much lately. The thing is, if there's snow on the ground and a full-stratus sky, you can see fairly well. And it hasn't been that cold lately. So, chalk it up to a bit of laziness (also, I've been out of town a lot lately). However, I did make it to the park Wednesday, and Digby and SusieQ seemed happy to be there. A black pug whose name escapes me also took a special liking to SusieQ, fellow smooshface.

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