A First for Baxter
Took the boys to the dog park today. As customary, we started in the small dog pen so they could run around without being chased by bigger dogs. Bennie prefers this and will run to the far reaches of the pen. Both dogs notified me it was time to switch to the bigger dog pen by going to the gate and pawing at it. Baxter, of course, would do it right away but we wait till Bennie does it too so I know he is comfortable moving over.
Both dogs get in the pen and, surprisingly, don’t take off right away. Bennie never goes too far from me but Baxter usually takes off to go frolic with the biggest dogs he can find. It is so funny when he can run right under them without touching their under-bellies. They are faster than he is, of course, but he tries really hard to keep up. Bennie will run a little ways and then turns back around.
There were several little dogs in the big pen so Bennie usually plays with them as he isn’t comfortable with the really big ones. Baxter will run around for a bit before stopping to see where I am. Once he spies me, he will usually do a fly by so I can praise him for being a good dog. I can guarantee he will come to me if I go to the gate with the pond but I didn’t today because I wasn’t planning on letting him swim and it would be cruel to get his hopes up by seeing me at the gate. As I passed the gate he did go paw at it and then turn to me but I told him no and he seemed to accept that.
On our second time around, several big dogs got into fights that owners had to pull canines apart. Baxter and Bennie would go close enough to see what the ruckus was about but otherwise stayed away from the ill-tempered dogs. When I got around the curve going back toward the entrance/exit gates, Baxter surprised the heck out of me by running to the exit gate and pawing at it. He came running up to me and then back to the gate, I guess he decided he had run around enough.
Usually by the time I get around to that gate, he is as far from it as possible so we can stay longer. Today though he walked right into the secured area and waited for me to put his leash back on. We walked out to the water dish, they both got drinks and then Baxter headed for the car – another big surprise. I usually have to drag him to the car because he wants to stay but this time he went straight to it, waited till I opened the door, then jumped in. I would have gone another round in the big pen but who am I to argue?
They are both sacked out here at home now. I should start cleaning but don’t really feel like it at this moment. It sure is nice outside. 
November 7, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Guess I may have missed it but what breed are your dogs and do you have pictures. I had a Beagle and he was my buddy. I still miss him.