Spring is such a tease

girl petting dog, originally uploaded by phaird.

Last week was SO nice! The temperature was in the 70's and felt so good. It was short lived though and the cold, rain and even snow has returned. I can't really complain though. More warm weather is on the way and more dogs were out today because of spring. For most dogs, this is ideal. It's cool enough to run around an not get over heated but not too cold to keep them (or their owners) from going out. The pond has thawed out so those water dogs can run in and swim. The melting has passed so the mud is hardening up and little bits of green is popping though the hard ground.

I'm so looking forward to the trees turning green again though. With spring ramping up, I can shoot more and Toby can play more. I'm going to try to take every chance I get to take him to the park to calm his nerves. It won't be easy because the gun clubs are working too. Having two small boys at home that need attention often leaves Toby to get shorter walks but he has been really good. I hope to bring my oldest to the park on Sundays over the summer.

I hope to even have a photo event at the park this spring. I'm hoping in April to set up a portable studio and shoot dogs as a promo. Keep a look out because I'll be putting dates up soon.

Spring is coming

Toby BW, originally uploaded by phaird.

We've had a really nice stretch of weather here in New England. It's been sunny and warm for days. As it comes to a close and more normal weather starts moving in, I really wanted to get Toby to the park. We didn't get there till after 11 so most of the regulars I know were already gone.

The hard part for Toby is that with warmer weather comes loud noises from the local gun clubs and soon, thunder storms. I always feel bad for Toby when that happens. He just can't help himself. In this photo, his only thought is to get back to the car. We could hear the gun club from the moment we got to the park and he just wanted nothing of it. There was still a lot of dogs running and playing. The lake was thawed and the water dogs were all splashing around. Only a week or so ago, that was all frozen over and people were still skating on it.

We ended up leaving after only 20 minutes of walking up a trail and back. We didn't make it too far because of all the mud now that the snow has melted. On the upside, Toby was good. He didn't get into any fights even with all the big dogs were charging at him. Good boy Toby.

The Animal Odd Couple

This video is over a year old but I just found out about it today and had to share. I always enjoy these videos where love knows know bounds. There is a follow up to this story as well. After this story aired, the couple was inundated with book and movie offers. Not surprising. This youtube video has more then 3 million views.

another small step for dog rights

The Mass House has voted to ban the surgical "debarking" or silencing of dogs or cats unless a vet says it's needed for the health of the dog. These small steps help in reducing the amount of animal cruelty that happens. The vote was 150-1.

I just found out about this and was shocked to find a 15 year old from Needam high, Jordan Star, proposed this bill with the help of Scott Brown and backed by Democratic House Majority Whip Lida E. Harkins. This process is over a year in the making and seems to be one way of getting both parties to work together. Good work.

Bath day

Muddy feet 8/52, originally uploaded by phaird.

Everyone who brought the dog to the park this weekend either planned on giving there dog a bath or had to anyway. It's been raining in and around Mass for a few days and the temps have been staying above freezing. All this makes for some really messy parks. I bailed out on our walk in the woods today because there are too many mud traps on the path. A few weeks ago we had to abandon our walk because of the path being too icy. Today I didn't even try because of the mud.

I am excited that March is here. I've got plans for some spring photo shoots at the park in Acton, Waltham, Boston, and a few other places. I think it will be lots of fun. I'm going to set up a studio shoot and try to photograph as many dogs as I can. I'm hoping that will be a good promotion for my photography business. Still in the planning stages but more info will come soon.

For the dog that has everything

Dog toys as just toys are so old skool. Check out Nina Ottosson. She has created a whole set of dog PUZZLES. Yea, average chew toys with some food in it isn't enough for the serious dog owner anymore. You've got to get the puzzle to really keep your pet entertained. My mind thought that this might be a little odd for a dog. Almost mean because I would think the dog doesn't really care about the game, only about the treat. But in the article in the Bark magazine online, she points out dogs that are goal driven, like herding dogs, really enjoy and learn the process. I like the idea. I'm not sure my Toby would really be into it but I do know a few dogs at the park who would get a kick out of something like this to pass the time. If they couldn't make it to the park that is.

Aussies out in force

waiting for treats, originally uploaded by phaird.

It was another cold, windy day at the park. Toby and I tried to walk up the paths behind the open area where the dogs spend most of there time. We didn't get very far because the path was too icy. We came back down and hung out with the Aussies. There is always a few here at the park. There can be as many as 12 or more on a busy day but that is more in the summer.

There were some new dogs who found there way to the park this weekend too. Word of mouth is a powerful thing. One dog, Colby (like the cheese), just moved to the area and are really loving the open space. his owner heard about the Acton park from a neighbor and found her way here. It's always good to have more dogs playing. Colby met Ringo and played non-stop for almost an hour.