Treat time

Aussies wanting treats, originally uploaded by phaird.

How can such a sunny day feel so cold. Okay, I know. I'm a wimp but if I am, so is Toby. It's been really cold for the past few days and even with the sun out, I didn't last too long at the park.

Some dogs, like the Aussies don't care at all. They love being out in the snow, running around, chasing balls. It was great for them. The More the better.

Tikka, Jake, bella and others were all out today. There is a pretty large group of Aussies who come very weekend and they are always great to see. Very smart dogs, they love coming out, being around other dogs as well as good with people, you never have to worry about them getting out of hand. As herding dogs, I'd expect to see them chasing the other dogs around and try to keep an order but that isn't the case. They hang out, play ball, and check in with there owners most of the time. It does help that there owners love them dearly and treat them so well.

A popularity contest

It's nice to see that lots of good postings and keeping my blog active is slowly paying off. I've been asked by this dog training website (trainpetdog.com) to sign up for the 2010 Dog Blog Award Contest. This isn't based on the quality of the blog or even the content. I could put up my other blog about commuting which I abandoned a while back and if I could get enough people to vote for it, I could win. It's all about getting you, my readers to click on the link and sign in.

Now at first I was kinda excited but then was a bit skeptical. This is normally to get people to sign up to be on a mailing list. That is just what this is BUT, I went through the process, signed up, and voted for myself. It does take you to a "join our mailing list" but you don't have to fill that part out. All you have to do is put in a code on the main page and that's it. Once you submit that info, you don't have to join the mailing list. You can if you want but as long as it's an option, I figured, what could it hurt.

SO, if you'd like to help me receive the 2010 Dog Blog Award, Please go the the Trainpetdog.com website and put in this code. 6nfQA. Thanks everyone for being such great fans of my blog.

Henry checking in with dad

Henry checking in with dad, originally uploaded by phaird.

I got to meet Henry, the Chocolate Lab at the park this weekend. He was adopted from Buddy Dog and is such a great dog. He's super friendly and always happy. His dad was telling me about how he is all Lab except for one thing. He hates the water. They have a pool at there house and one even with lots of coaxing, Henry just won't get in. One time, running around the back yard, he misjudged a turn and he ended up in the pool. Henry's dad said he never saw a dog get out of water so fast. He can swim okay but just hates to get wet. Everything else though is all Lab. Friendly, happy and a lot of energy.

Take the dog for a walk and slow down

Jan 3, at 6:28pm, my second son, Isaac was born. He's a happy healthy baby boy. He's been home for just under a week now and my wife and I have been doing our best to adjust to the lack of sleep and keeping our first, Geoffrey, happy and on a schedule. It's been really good all things considered but one things that is really important is to get out and walk the dog.

Toby and I walk twice a day and those walks, even in this really cold January in New England, are times where I slow down and do the simplest of things. I put one foot in front of the other and walk. Toby and I are lucky to have the Assabet river walk right across from my house so during the day, Toby and I will walk along the train. I get to stop thinking about all the other things I have to do and reflect on those things the day often eats away. Between family demand, work, my photography, and trying to design new classes, I often feel overwhelmed. But went I walk Toby, I feel better; I slow down and can collect my thoughts so I can feel better about the mountain of stuff I have to do.

Rules for non-pet owners

My Friend, Adriene out in CA is a huge pet lover and has the most extensive online life of anyone I know. She posted a comment on one of her many sites about rules for non-pet owners. They seem like like rules out of frustration but worth the read and very funny ending. Check it out.

Off leash at the Fells

There is good talk about an official off leash area of the Fells. Thanks to Lisa of Maydog, I found this article about the positive work being done by Sommerville and the DCR to make the Fells even more dog friendly. Check out the Som|dog website.