fun with dogs

“Some of my wife's clients have been talking about this dog park in my area called Misty Pines. I was curious about the place, so I figured I'd check it out. I looked 'em up on the web (http://mistypinesdogpark.com) and paid them a visit this afternoon.

This is what they offer:
Lodging for dogs, cats, and other small animals
Grooming
Training
Daycare
Pet supplies/outfitters (they sell Filson and Frogg Toggs gear)
25 acres of recreational space w/fenced agility playground, hiking trails and a pond
5000 sq ft indoor convention/training center
Behavior consultants/pet psychologists
Year round group classes
Private lessons
Agility training
Sporting and gun dog training
Training/socialization programs for lodged dogs

The main reason for my visit today was to find a good swimming hole for my dog. Being a black, double-coated northern breed mix, he has a hard time with the heat, and I want him to be able to exercise in the summertime without getting too warm to run after 5 minutes. This place was the closest with a dog-friendly swimming hole. I went into the building to check the interior and pay my use fee of $5. The training room is pretty impressive. There was some sort of class beginning when I got there, so there were quite a few dogs and people around. Mine was one of the better-behaved ones, it seemed. Possibly a basic training course or one of their speciality courses for problem dogs.

After paying my fee, I took my pup to the agility playground, because there were a couple other dogs there already for him to play with. After chasing a little Italian greyhound around for awhile, and running a few of the obstacles (he actually did a pretty good job on the teeter totter), I decided to take him to the pond via the hiking trails. Of course he loved being able to run off-leash on the hiking trails. He'd run ahead until I was out of sight and then stop and wait for me.

When we got to the pond, there were a couple people there already. One lady was there working with a couple of spaniels on water retrieval. There was another guy there who I had seen earlier at the playground and had a yellow lab fetching a ball on the other side of the pond. I kept to that end so as to not disturb the lady and her training. At first, Biner wouldn't go near the pond. He doesn't particularly enjoy being wet. It didn't take long for him to get mighty warm, though, and to venture up to his knees in the water to get a stick I threw for him. It was then that everything fell into place.

He finally realized how nice that cool water can feel on a toasty day (especially when you have a thick, dark coat). He was soon laying down in the water to get himself fully soaked. All the while, the guy with the lab was still tossing the ball for his dog, and it kept bringing it back. Biner started getting curious about what this dog was up to, and waded out until the water came to his belly to try to get the ball. Shortly, though, he got into the game and took a dive for his first swim to try to get the ball. He didn't reach it in time, though, and he turned back. I could see the big grin on his face, though. It wasn't long before he was actually getting to the ball before the yellow lab.

He eventually got tired (he hasn't had much exercise lately, so he's out of shape), so we hiked back to the truck where I had a towel to dry him off. Next time, I'm just going to put his crate back there so he doesn't soak my seats. I'm sure I'm going to have to do some heavy deodorizing to get the wet dog smell out of my upholstery.

Now, he's totally crashed out on the floor by the A/C vent. I'd say today was a pretty good day. I might have to buy an annual pass for this place. They also have some training programs that interest me, like Canine Good Citizen certification.”

“I love taking Khatru to the river on the weekends and letting him run and swim the 20 miles that I float. He eats voraciously and sleeps deeply. It takes him 2 days to recover after the weekends. It is a real joy to see him be a dog. The other dogs in the neighborhood look at us with envy. Its too bad that all dogs can't be real dogs.”

“Absolutely...too many irresponsible owners with dogs who cause trouble ruin it for the rest of us. Thank goodness there are places where people realize that dogs need places where they can just be dogs...and rather unfortunate that there are still places where people don't get it.”

“Jezz, write a freakin book already!”

“It's really cool you take the time to think of your pup's well being, both physically and mentally. I see too many dogs left on chains all day long. Too many people want the gratification of having a pet but have so little thought for the animals gratification.”

“HHH, that's what a TRIP REPORT looks like (troll).

I should have brought my camera. Oh well...guess that'll have to wait for next time.”

“the name calling thread is here, freak....

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/37225,3.php”

“just jealous. That's all.

I recently took Khatru to a park where it was "dogs day out". There were dogs everywhere. He's never been in a situation like that with lots of other dogs at play, and I was like a proud papa as he played and romped with the other dogs. He is a bit snobbish though and got bored at times and walked off on his own, but he was great and had a great time. I wish I could do that with him on a more regular basis...plus there were some real nice lookin women there too.”

“Dog parks are great places to pick up dates. However...beware...because really shady creepy people use them, too. Some creepy guy kept hitting on my wife at an "unofficial" dog park at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

I hear word that there's a park in Sewickley, PA where you can let your dog run off-leash in the whole park...not just a specific fenced area. I might have to check the place out.”

“Yes, by all means.

Use the dog parks.

And thus keep Fido off the trails in National Parks :)”

“#&%!$ you muther #&%!$er.”

“Stick...hmmmmm...these words (in quote below) do not exist at dictionary.com

"#&%!$" "muther #&%!$er"

Are you sure you spelled them right?”

“Here's what the Federal regulations say about dogs in national forests:


TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY

CHAPTER II--FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

PART 261_PROHIBITIONS--Table of Contents

Subpart A_General Prohibitions

Sec. 261.1 Scope.

(a) The prohibitions in this part apply, except as otherwise
provided, when:
(1) An act or omission occurs in the National Forest System or on a
National Forest System road or trail.
(2) An act or omission affects, threatens, or endangers property of
the United States administered by the Forest Service.
(3) An act or omission affects, threatens, or endangers a person
using, or engaged in the protection, improvement or administration of
the National Forest System or a National Forest System road or trail.
(4) An act or omission occurs within the designated boundaries of a
component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
(b) Nothing in this part shall preclude activities as authorized by
the Wilderness Act of 1964 or the U.S. Mining Laws Act of 1872 as
amended.


Sec. 261.1b Penalty.

Any violation of the prohibitions of this part (261) shall be
punished by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more
than six months or both pursuant to title 16 U.S.C., section 551, unless
otherwise provided.

[46 FR 33519, June 30, 1981]

Sec. 261.8 Fish and wildlife.

The following are prohibited to the extent Federal or State law is
violated:
(a) Hunting, trapping, fishing, catching, molesting, killing or
having in possession any kind of wild animal, bird, or fish, or taking
the eggs of any such bird.
(b) Possessing a firearm or other implement designed to discharge a
missile capable of destroying animal life.
(c) Possessing equipment which could be used for hunting, fishing,
or trapping.
(d) Possessing a dog not on a leash or otherwise confined.
(e) Curtail the free movement of any animal or plant life into or
out of a cave, except as authorized to protect a cave resource.”

“If I ever visit a national park, my dog will come with me, and he will come on the trails with me. He stays leashed when in areas that require it. He behaves, is friendly, and quiet. If that's too much for you, then you can bite me.

I made this post today because I had a good time this afternoon and I know my dog did, too. If that's too much for you, too, kiss my ass.”

“my dog always goes with me to the national forest if you cant take your dog out to nature there is something wrong here-”

“I know some dogs who shouldnt be out there. But thats due to poor training and obedience. I have no problem with dogs who obey their owners and who do no come charging at me barking. Having been attacked by two too many dogs, if I see a dog running towards me that I dont know I freak out. I will hit a dog with my hiking pole if the owners do not call it off or if it isnt listening to the owners to call off.”

“If it wasn't for irresponsible owners, dogs would be allowed on trails in National Parks in WA.”

“agreed...this past weekend on the river, I passed the river police who had 2 canoes pulled over and khatru walked right past them on the gravel bar and never even gave them a moments notice.

I was a proud papa. All I did was whistle him on.”

“that doesnt look fun at all”

“Why is everywhere I go people are talking about dogs today?

I have to put my dog to sleep tomorrow and it's "dogs dogs dogs" everywhere I turn!”

“Sarge, for real? Very sorry to hear....having gone through that once before myself, I know it's not easy.”

“Yes, for real. ThanksSvenGolly. My wife and I are each taking a 1/2 day tomorrow to be with him. (he can't stand by himself, plus we want to just hang out with him)

He got a new treat tonight. He loves Frosty Paws, but they came out with a new peanut-butter flavor, so he got that tonight and loved it.

http://www.frostypawstreats.com/FrostyPaws/”

“I'm sorry bout your doggy Sarge. : (”

“My sincerest sympathies, Sarge...”

“Sorry Sarge.
Been there. Terrible responsibility.”

“i'm sorry man”

“Be a man and kill your own dog. Don't traumatize it by bringing it to the vet to have it done.

edit: not that you indicated which you are going to do.....
last edited: 10/19/05 2:08:49 PM”

“Sorry to hear that. I know it's a difficult choice to make.”

“Having Claudell put down in '97 was an easy choice, but a gut-wrenching undertaking.”

“Thanks everybody. My wife and I each took a half day so somebody was home with him today. He's probably wondering why all the attention. He loved eating another Frosty Paws on a blanket in the back yard in the sun. The weather has been great today. I'll post a pic tonight.

Mutt, I would but where I live that isn't reasonable. He is drugged enough right now that he won't be traumatized. The vet is awesome.”

“I'm going to try and share a picture. Took my dog out to Powell Marsh this evening. Wow, it was beautiful. I think she enjoyed it too!”

“okay... I thought that would be a link.... oh well, that's my trail buddy.”

“Okay...we thinned out the herd a few weeks ago (adopted out a pup we had been fostering)

My Daughter decided a couple weeks ago I could have one of the two chessies she would let sleep with her.

I got Elizabeth...now I know why. This dog is not happy unless she has her head on the pillow looking you in the face (LOL)>

So she will doze off....I push her down the bed and wedge myself in...then sometime late in the night (or early in the morning depending on your point of view) I get that feeling "I am being watched"......if you open your eyes you will see this brown face staring at you from next to you....”

“I get that every night with one of my cats. I really hate it when she drools.”

“It amazes me how much room Duffy, our cockapoo takes up! He usually sleeps sideways on the end of the bed or curls up in between my legs.

When he has to go in the middle of the night I usually wake up to him panting heavily in my face!”

“lucky dog
last edited: 10/04/07 3:56:18 AM”

“I wondered who would comment on that post...should of known! LOL”

“of course, who else, lol”

“I have finally begun to accept that my beastie is not a trail dog. He does not like the doggie pack and will try to avoid putting it on. He will hike (pack or not) for about 1 mile and then decides it is time to back to the car. On that errand he is unstoppable. Until he is once again ensconced in the back seat, his throne of royalty, he will not even stop to drink out of a muddy stream. Alas... a trail dog he is not... but being a snuggle bum he excels at.”

“Dogs are not beasts of burdens, so it makes sense that a dog would not want to enjoy being a pack animal. When a dog is thirsty he will drink out of a mud hole, or lay down in one to cool off.
last edited: 10/04/07 9:02:32 AM”

“LOL...we can't all be good at everything Rev! Some just snuggle better than others! Duffy loves to go hike..he sees me get the pack out and is ready to go. However, he isn't a distance guy...he gets his sniffing and marking out of the way and he is ready to head for the house.”

“There is nothing like the look of your dog at the end of a hard day.”

“Davey Crockett likes to lump all dogs into the same pot. Usually comes up chop suey when you do that.

The previous dog I had was a real trail dog. She would go for hours with that pack on her back. She had the system down. Even after she got too old and sick to hit the trail any more she would quiver with excitement when she saw her dog pack and she was ready to go.”

“I wonder if that is what my dog does to the cat while we are at work!”

“I've read that the American Indians used to use their dogs as pack animals and for pulling sleds.”

“I've heard that no one ever used cats for anything.”