Park(ing)

Today the polar bear and I drove up to Campbell Valley Park in BC to the seasonal off leash dog park. The field there has bittersweet memories as it is where I first met PB and where he left his first true, loving home for his second. It was hard for him to leave his first family and hard for them to see him go. But I knew we would come back each year as long as we are able and I can't believe it's been a year already. I remember when I counted days with this dog! We think of his foster family, as well as Laurie and Dennis, as his extended family. We all have a part in who he is now and he belongs to all of us; he just lives with me but gets to visit the relatives as often as possible.

The weather was gorgeous once again and the fall foliage up north is quite stunning at this time of year. The dogs had a fabulous time chasing each other, watching the horses on the perimeter and grazing in the field.

PB's excited whining reached a fever pitch as I parked in front of this vista. Not a drop of water in sight!


His ambling pace as he made the rounds of treat pouches, perimeters and butt scratches.



He kept a close eye on the horses and the giant bales of hay that littered the field. The smile and the tail up say, "Thanks for finally reading up on what I was bred for mom!" i.e. NOT WATER!



Keeping up with Daisy was tiring!



PB took lessons from Zyra in mastering the "feed me, I'm starving and adorable" look. But he couldn't master the flying ears.




Darwin made PB dizzy as he kept up a 360 degree bird surveillance. He couldn't master Darwin's flying tongue anymore than he could master Zyra's ears.



His recall was less than impressive today. This was his usual response when I called. "Huh? You rang? This is your punishment for making me swim for the past two weeks. See ya..."



But even PB gets tired and has to take a rest from guarding his field.

He was even more relaxed today with his extended family and spent a great deal of time making the rounds between his adoring fans, begging in his subtle, polite way and taking the world in stride. It's remarkable to see how far a dog can come in the two years he has been in loving homes if just given a chance. PB is maturing into a secure, relaxed, loving and loved best friend to me as the months go by and every little step forward is a victory for all of us who have known him. I never saw him at his worst but Margaret, Dennis and Laurie have helped me to appreciate just how far he has come. We are so happy that they continue to be able to see him from time to time and stay in his life.

Back home, I threw him outside to sleep after his dinner and gave him his puzzle toy which he hasn't had in awhile. He seemed a little put out that he would actually have to work (gasp) for his food!

You want me to do what?



But I'll admit it sure smells good in there...!




It's all coming back to me now.




Shake, rattle and roll.




Or, in a fit of pique, kill.

Another day, another adventure. Life is good. It's even better when no water is involved! Oh to be a dog. PB is off to the grandparents' house while I am in San Francisco this weekend. He will be posting his next adventure soon!