White Dog, The Other White Dog, Another White Dog, Still Another White Dog, the Honorary White Dog (aka Dragon) plus Gregg, Candace, Steve and myself put Pumpkin to the test as we all crowded into the van for a new adventure. Last weekend Steve and I had discovered a new dog park, deserted out on the Mesa with an off-leash area the size of a cow pasture AND a makeshift attempt at an agility playground.
The sky was blue, the temps (finally) a cooperative 50 degrees F, and all were itching for a good run. Since we were alone at the place, ALL of the White Dogs had a chance to go leashless and performed very well.
Quinn ambled around sniffing to his heart's content and watching the offroad ATMs off in the distance zooming around the sand dunes. He climbed the stairs, refused the catwalk but loved the tunnel pipes.
Nuka, the wobbly daredevil (whose impaired balance because of her scarred inner ears keeps her from being graceful) fearlessly climbed the stairs and tried the log but just could not keep balance. Undaunted she trotted through the tunnels and under the jumps.
Puff stayed by Steve's side like velcro. Her eyes were wide in fascination as she observed and took in our Sunday with the pups ritual for the first time.
Dragon, a member of White Dog's agility club, was a champ and breezed through everything twice and then set off exploring. He and Nuka had a great time together.
White Dog, little Miss Contrary, the local QUEEN of agility, could not be bothered to participate. She wandered off by herself and then sat stubbornly at the gate waiting to be released so that she could come back to the car. It is at these times that I hear Steve muttering, "I love Eskies for their independence and decisive ways...I love my stubborn Eskies...White Dog is my favorite pigheaded White Dog!"
On the way home after our play, we stopped for a cool down run at White Dog's favorite hilly, grassy Park. At the house, not a single pup complained when we handed out jerky and promised to be back after a late lunch...I am certain all were sound asleep before we hit the end of the block.