Little dog, big walk
May. 21st, 2006 02:41 pmLittle dog took part in the RSPCA's Million Paws Walk today. This is an annual even where you pay $10 to take your dog for a long walk. Not sure how long. We started about 11 am and got back well after 12.
I was a bit concerned about "stupid people" being there with their dogs. These are people who lean over little dogs to pat them and when the dog backs away/snaps, they lean over further to "reassure them". These are people who let their dogs go up to other dogs even though the other dog is growling and snarling and lunging and its owner has it pulled back as far as it can go.
Sister took their Belgian Malinois as well. Dora was a bit on edge, at the noise, the strange dogs or something. She was very quiet, tail tucked in, trying to hide behind sister. When the crowd thinned out and we didn't have dogs all around us, she'd perk up.
It was noisy beforehand too. Dogs barking, dogs playing, dogs fighting. Our two were standing there, quietly, so I said, "Our dogs are quite well behaved." And Jaz started barking. Was half-hearted barking though. An occasional woof or two that she'd stop when I flicked the end of my scarf at her.
The walk was mostly flat, being at Inveresk (filled in rubbish dump) except the first bit were we had to walk along the flood levees. Well, the levees are flat but we walked down off them to join someone. That was a bit steep and slippery looking. I didn't want to get pulled down it by little dog. "Don't charge ahead," I said to her. She stood there, until I was about halfway down then trotted down. Smart dog :)
All the excitement at the start tired her out (even though she was just sitting around, all that hyperactivity takes effort you know) so I thought she'd take the walk slow. Ha. Little dog thought she should be in front of the other dogs, even if that front was about 10 mins up the path where we couldn't even see it. She pulled the whole way, until about 5 mins before the end when we had to walk back up onto the levee, and tried to run at times. The idea that, you know, she's getting on in years and should slow down a bit didn't occur to her.
She was quite ready to do again, if a little slower, a few minutes after we got back.
There was only one attempt to pat little dog too, and she actually allowed it, although the woman recognised the "I'm not sure about being touched by a stranger" signs too. She had a dog at home that was the same. She also commented on how healthy Jaz looked for a 13 year old dog.
Little dog is curled up her cushion asleep now. Seems like a good idea.
I was a bit concerned about "stupid people" being there with their dogs. These are people who lean over little dogs to pat them and when the dog backs away/snaps, they lean over further to "reassure them". These are people who let their dogs go up to other dogs even though the other dog is growling and snarling and lunging and its owner has it pulled back as far as it can go.
Sister took their Belgian Malinois as well. Dora was a bit on edge, at the noise, the strange dogs or something. She was very quiet, tail tucked in, trying to hide behind sister. When the crowd thinned out and we didn't have dogs all around us, she'd perk up.
It was noisy beforehand too. Dogs barking, dogs playing, dogs fighting. Our two were standing there, quietly, so I said, "Our dogs are quite well behaved." And Jaz started barking. Was half-hearted barking though. An occasional woof or two that she'd stop when I flicked the end of my scarf at her.
The walk was mostly flat, being at Inveresk (filled in rubbish dump) except the first bit were we had to walk along the flood levees. Well, the levees are flat but we walked down off them to join someone. That was a bit steep and slippery looking. I didn't want to get pulled down it by little dog. "Don't charge ahead," I said to her. She stood there, until I was about halfway down then trotted down. Smart dog :)
All the excitement at the start tired her out (even though she was just sitting around, all that hyperactivity takes effort you know) so I thought she'd take the walk slow. Ha. Little dog thought she should be in front of the other dogs, even if that front was about 10 mins up the path where we couldn't even see it. She pulled the whole way, until about 5 mins before the end when we had to walk back up onto the levee, and tried to run at times. The idea that, you know, she's getting on in years and should slow down a bit didn't occur to her.
She was quite ready to do again, if a little slower, a few minutes after we got back.
There was only one attempt to pat little dog too, and she actually allowed it, although the woman recognised the "I'm not sure about being touched by a stranger" signs too. She had a dog at home that was the same. She also commented on how healthy Jaz looked for a 13 year old dog.
Little dog is curled up her cushion asleep now. Seems like a good idea.
