August 6, 2011

White Dog and the rest of the WDA queued up to exit the van at the Park (OK, really, it was the usual mad scrambling push-shove contest to be first at the door). It was early enough that the heat was under control and many families were focused on maximizing their enjoyment before the weather intervened.

The White Dog Army is used to getting looks of admiration and stares as White Dog follows Steve out of the driver's seat to bring forth Quinn, then Puff, then YoYoMa, and finally Nuka through the sliding door. It IS an awesome cloud of white fluff surrounding Steve as they float toward the grassy knolls.

We have also grown accustomed to the requests to pet the pups. With the exception of Nuka, who is a nervous nippy girl, we generally respond that it is all right with us if it is OK with the particular White Dog. Then we supervise. If WD, TOWD, AWD, SAWD or YAWD stand still and look comfortable all proceeds; if they back away or seem anxious we apologize and step away.

Yesterday the White Dog Army was ON. They radiated soft fluffy love and were irresistible to all creatures in the Park. Quickly they drew a crowd of about 18 humans and pups who wanted to pet and sniff and say "hi." Steve answered questions and White Dog performed some of her best tricks (dead dog; polar bear dance). They actually received applause!

A young woman holding a skateboard under her arm, held out her camera to her boyfriend, "Take my picture with them!" she begged. The boyfriend looked at Steve; "Sure go ahead," he replied. Next thing the WDA knew several in the group were photographing them.

Steve indicated that our group had to finish their walk and a couple of other dog/human pairs asked if they could join in. White Dog led a small posse of other off-leash pups as she did zoomies. When it was time to leave, the WDA had a send-off committee that walked them to Pumpkin.

Steve loaded each pup into place and the crowd sighed. When White Dog turned before getting into the front and followed Steve's command to "say goodbye" she won hearts as she woofed. As we backed out of our parking spot, someone called, "when will you be here again?" "For certain every Saturday morning about this time," I called back. "Great!, we see you then. "