Unleash the Hounds!

Pippin and Steve truly enjoyed having us home for the Thanksgiving Break.  They proved this by murdering the rest of the throw pillows on the couch when we left them to go to my mom's for Thanksgiving dinner.  :/

We decided on Saturday to take them to the park.  The kids definitely needed some exercise and a way to release much pent-up energy.  Going to the dog park with Steve is always a crap shoot because he has a new "affinity" for small dogs and is such a nosy bastard that he has to get in to everyone's business (play fights, barking, etc.).  So . . . with trepidation, we headed into the dog park.  Because of past events at a smaller, laidback park closer to our home, we drove a bit further from home to the park that is typically full with lots of busy dogs.  Thankfully it was!

Pippin immediately took off running to go introduce herself to all of the humans and prove how unloved she is at home.  I always remember how timid and scared she was the first time we ever took her to the park.  She LOVES it now and plays so nicely with everyone.  Pippin did a playbow to another dog that was very tiny (keep reading to hear more about this dog) and they played together for a minute.  Pipp did have her first skirmish with another dog.  I think he wouldn't leave her alone & she really took up for herself.  I was proud.

Everyone always asks about Pippin & mentions how sweet she is!

Steve, on the other hand, is a different story.  Todd and I are very aware that some people might be hesitant around a large dog with his looks (aka pittie).  It's obvious they don't know what a chicken baby Steve can be.  Because of this, we always keep a close eye on him and stay within a reasonable proximity.  I charged Todd with the wrangling of big boy in hopes that he could move faster than me should the need arise.

You know . . . in a . . . hypothetical . . . situation . . . like . . . maybe . . . perhaps . . . if . . . when Steve might have found a little Pomeranian in a pink sweater. (Who became Pipp's future tiny playmate.)  He was all over that! He didn't hurt the dog & the owner didn't seem to care that her little girl got stepped on by our 122 lb. bone crusher.  In fact, she laughed it off while we internally freaked that our dog would kill her fluffy little dog.  WTH?



On the run.  Keep running!  Get tired!

I'm still not sure why people with small dogs think it's okay to take their little pups out of the small dog area and take them into the large dog area. The main reason I've heard is "my dog is used to big dogs!" Well, people, our dog isn't used to little dogs. In fact, he likes to step on them and carry them around in his large jaws!  It is because he is a DOG.  Wonder how the small dog owners would like it if I took my big dog in their side of the park.  Yep - that's what I thought.  Flame away if you like, but c'mon, really people!  (my blog - my opinion!)

All in all, the kids obviously had fun at the park, behaved fairly well, and were WORN OUT when it was time to leave.  Mission accomplished!  We will definitely have to return again soon as long as the weather allows.  Goodness knows the new throw pillows I plan to buy will need the break.  Here are a couple of more pics of them during the car ride home.



Tell-tale sign Steve is tired: wrinkly face, squinty eyes.



How funny & cute is this?!