"How come Oso gets to go?" WD whined. "I am the head of the White Dog Army and you are going to take the NEW guy?"
"As a leader you know that sometimes the best choices are not the most popular ones. Oso gets to go because he has not yet figured out how to use the dog door so he is not potty independent and we will be gone all day. OAWD will sit quietly in the little crate which we can make sure is not on hot asphalt and you do not like be confined...heck, you barely like wearing a leash!" Plus this will be a nice chance to see what Oso's level of socialization is...we are still learning abut him and knowing how he does around other people and pups other than the incredible WDA will help us make sure we all know what to expect and how to help him."
White Dog sighed. "Can't you take us both?" "And then what do I say to Quinn? and Nuka? and Puff? and YoYoMa? The entire Army cannot come, I have things to do to run the booth and talk to people about how they can help us fight the c monster. Today, the best thing the White Dog Warriors can do is be patient and understanding."
The baking sun turned out to be a deterrent for many and the turnout was slim; many of the rescues decided about 2 that the day was just too hot in the treeless sea of radiating blacktop and packed up early. By three, the organizer, a wonderful caring Great Dane rescue, came around to let those remaining know that they, too should tear down for the best interest of the dogs. We managed to hand out Save This Date Cards for our Walk and to talk with a few people about the amazing potential of comparative oncology so the day wasn't a total bust.
And Oso? He was a gentlemanly little ambassador in training who did White Dog and the WDA proud. He patiently stood to be petted and cuddled by children. He walked several circuits of the area with Steve to meet and greet. He made friends with some of the rescue pups in attendance. And he wore himself out.
The sweet woman running the food truck gave all of the groups free shaved ice cones and when she heard that I (as a diabetic) couldn't eat one brought over a diet Pepsi. I didn't have the heart to ruin her generous act by saying I do not drink soda so Oso got to enjoy the can's coldness as I rubbed his neck and belly with it.
Oso insisted that we stop in the pet store who was co-sponsoring the event to purchase a box of whitefish and sweet potato treats to take home to his siblings...a wise and diplomatic move.
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| Oso and Hank the Bloodhound spokesdog for the Southern Bloodhound Group |
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| Winter, the Great Dane puppy was a bit intimidating |
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| Everyone traveled from shade spot to shade spot |
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| Cooling belly rubs...another great use for aluminum cans! |