Happy weekend everyone! So we're a little late this week: normally we do our tour on Wednesday afternoons, but I was busy helping my friends at Angel City Pit Bulls out with a special event- which we'll have to tell you about at a later date because I'm not sure if we're allowed to talk about it yet. Shhhhhh.
We did, however, pay a visit to the Laurel Canyon Dog Park on Wednesday afternoon, because I felt bad that I was gone during our prime walking hours and the pups were definitely a little stir crazy. It's not our usual park- I tend to do the dog park in the evening and usually am not in the mood to deal with rush hour traffic up the hill. But on Wednesday we went at 4 pm which was, in my opinion, PERFECT timing. There were a handful of people there, but by my count only one dog walker with a small pack of dogs who were mostly well-behaved. Here's the thing- yes, I am a dog walker, but I have over time grown to dislike being at the dog park with other dog walkers who *mostly* bring large packs of unruly dogs and sit around and gossip with other dog walkers while their dogs take over the park, stealing balls, starting fights, and just plain being obnoxious. And the Laurel Canyon Park is where you'll find the worst offenders most weekdays.
Anyway, back on track- Wednesday was glorious- mostly a bunch of owners there. Respectful dogs, Roo could chase her ball and not once did anyone try to steal it. Nor did she have me running around because she decided she wanted someone else to throw the ball ( a trick she loves to pull on me in North Hollywood). Maybe because we don't go to this park every day? It was nice to get to play with my own dog for a change.
The LC dog park is very large so there is usually one end where you can head to avoid chaos. However on one side of the park, behind the water, there is a slightly "wooded" area that I don't like. Duval is always trying to head up there and I worry about rattlesnakes and other things that he could get into while I can't see him- we are in the Hollywood Hills. Also a lovely musty puddle develops behind the watering station, and some dogs like to lay in it and get extra stinky- keep an eye on your water loving pups!
On Friday, we decided to stay local and walk to a couple of our favorite local hotspots- Maxwell Dog on Ventura Blvd, and Kriser's also on Ventura. Roo put on the charm at both stores as usual, and the store clerks all loved her. At Maxwell Dog we did see a little terrier mix come in, and while she was surprised, she did not react negatively. Instead, she really just wanted to play with this little wiry guy. His folks were busy trying to buy him one of Maxwell's gorgeous jeweled collars and so he was "naked" for a bit and trotted right up to Roo. They greeted each other and moved on. But Roo kept an eye on wherever he was in the store in hopes he'd come back and play. Later a mother and son came in and the son very respectfully asked if he could pet Roo. Of course she jumped on him (sigh) because she LOVES kids but he told me he had a golden retriever at home so he didn't mind. After a good tour of the store and all of it's fabulous goods, we purchased a Thundershirt (more on this on our next entry).
Back down the street to Kriser's- a place we frequent a lot because of their fantastic selection of food and treats. The Stella and Chewy's rep was right by the door and greeted Roo with treats and love. Then, a little long haired doxie came charging out at Roo, as doxies too, and she handled it like a champ. Good girl. Of course 5 minutes later she was starting to lose focus and everything was getting her wound up- from the dog in the grooming facility to the folks coming in to shop, so we decided to quit while we were ahead and start walking home.
Even on her walk she was quite good, though we did have a few moments of trying to "gallop with stick" (one of her favorite activities when she starts to lose focus on walking) on the way. We had wanted to pop into the Dog House on Moorpark, but we decided to save for another week when she could be fresh.
Later that evening we went to our regular dog park. Sadly she was disturbed by someone kicking a deflated basketball- she doesn't care for the loud "boof" sound it makes and this is two days in a row that she has freaked out and run off to the gate, refusing to continue her game of fetch. I think we're gonna have to buy a basketball and work on this at home. Or use the Thundershirt.....
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