Getting the Job done

These two guys like each other very much. Even so the little guy can be intimidating at times. Specially to some owners, who worry about their babies, but his bark is louder then the bite. He seems to pick out the dogs, who are very well protected by their owners. I wonder why that is. Anyway, today Eric (Lab) chose to go after the sticks. It happened more towards the end of the walk, when their where no balls left. So Eric went into the water to fetch the stick, even so the little guy is more then capable to do it himself, but for some reason only known in the doggie world he decided not to do it. It was a bit windy and cool today. Instead he made a pact with Eric, if he would go into the water and get the stick, he will help him at the end to drag it out of the water. Every time Eric went in, the little guy was right there to help him. It was really funny, because it happened over and over again. Eric may not want to give the balls to us humans without a fight, but for sure he has no problem sharing things with his friends.


Woof, woof

Sabine

Hello Again Handsome

This big handsome fallow is a thief, he may not look like it, but never the less, looks can be deceiving. Even so he was not as bad as before, but he definitely can be.

He can carry two tennis balls (not to many can) in his mouth. He is fast and focused, runs for it, grabs it, one is not enough, where is the second ball i can fetch. After being successful he takes off and hides the balls in the grass somewhere, where we find them who knows when and how much later. Sometimes weeks later, we see two balls together and say, oh those are ....balls. This time was not to bad, because I have only a certain supply of balls, so we try to divert his attention. In action you see my little helpers, taking him on and he is running for his live.

Some dogs take some time to get used to walk and run on the beach, he is one of them. The beach is tough if you are not used to it. The sharp shells and pebbles can make some dogs limp. It does not stop them from wanting to come to the beach or running for balls, but it hurts the same. Usually it takes them a few days after they get home to get back to their normal self. This big handsome sweet boy, lost his half brother few month ago due to cancer. I think I can still see the loss in his eyes and that he misses his big brother. Walking back to the car proudly with a big stick in his mouth, I guess anything will do at the end.

Woof, woof

Sabine

This is Puppet's, Radar's and Scrappy's Story told by their beautiful owner

This is Patty telling the Story of Puppet, Radar and Scrappy. She is a great advocate for the animals, fabulous groomer, specially with larger dogs, trains dogs and loves to compete in Agilities.

Jumping Jack

I know this dog for almost 10 years. Everybody loves him. He is kind, sweet, sensitive and has somewhat a rock addiction. When he was a young pup, he was full of energy, how puppies are supposed to be. The owners used to be here on weekends and he went once in a while for some daycare in the city, but I could tell the difference. When they came back out and I took him to the beach, he was so wild, like he has learned every bad habit in the city. I used to call him (Halbstarker), he was definitely feeling his oats.

After a while they moved out here full time and he came everyday to the beach. He played very well with everybody and everybody loved to play with him. Then the first Baby was born and the balance tipped a little bit. Even so everybody still loved to play with him, but at the same time, the dogs noticed that something was different. They started picking on him, he had been nipped a few times. The bad part about that is, not only the vet bill, but also that he was not able to come to the beach, because he had to heal. Then it all stopped and went back to the way it was. The other dogs, must have picked up some insecurity he felt after the baby was born and the soonest he adjusted everything was fine. There is so much more to tell about this wonderful dog, but that will have to wait for some other time.

Woof, woof

Sabine

What is mine is yours and what is yours is mine

MINE

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3853809/mine_movie_trailer/

Hailed as "absorbing," "a must see," "Oscar material" and "the best movie at SXSW," Mine is a feature-length, independent documentary about the essential bond between humans and animals, set against the backdrop of one of the worst natural disasters in modern U.S. history: Hurricane Katrina. This gripping, character-driven story follows New Orleans residents as they attempt the daunting task of trying to reunite with their pets who have been adopted by families all over the country, and chronicles the custody battles that arise when two families love the same pet. Who determines the fate of the animals, and the people, involved? A compelling meditation on race, class and the power of compassion, Mine examines how we treat animals as an extension of how we view and treat each other.

Doggie Spa

It turned out to be such a beautiful day. It started out with a little overcast, raindrops you could count and then it just got better and better. The dogs and Shannon had so much fun, running up and down the hill. Jumping from high points, us worrying that nothing will happen to them. One dog experiencing the little swampy area for the first time. He learned fast and started running with the pack, in and out of the water, chasing each other, ganging up on others. Just being in the moment, not caring about anything. It is just, me, me, me, me. Going in for a mud bath, loosing a few pounds and coming out with a new pair of booties. What a great dog's life!!


PS. an update on the injured pup, he is doing much better, out of the hospital and home for the recovery. He still uses a patch for the pain, is a little stiff getting around, but both pup and owner are in good spirit.

Woof, Woof
Sabine

Clean up day on the beach

Picture taken by Shannon a young promising artist with great ideas and a very good eye.

Today was clean up day in our town and what a beautiful day it was. The sun was shining and it was very hot. So I guess we were lucky, because it could have rained all day. People all over town picked up town bags and started cleaning up, like an outdoor spring cleaning. We took care of our beach, were we walk the dogs. In general we have bags and bags lined up along the beach. To heavy to carry back to the parking lot. My friend, who organizes the event for us, usually comes down in her car, to pick up all the bags full of (plastic, metal glass, paper etc.). From their she will take them down to the dump. Thank you very much for all your help, especially Sue.

This year was a little different, because we pick up garbage through out the year. The bags were not as heavy and we only collected a few. Which was good, because the beach is not as drivable as it used to be.

Woof, woof

Sabine