BOXER ADVENTURES

  Today is National Take a Hike Day. While I have been running a lot with the dogs, including another 10 miles yesterday, I decided to give us all a break today and just go for a relaxing hike. We headed to a nearby state park on this cold but sunny morning to get in a few miles. I’m not sure that they really needed them, but I threw on their sweatshirts to make sure they didn’t get cold as we were by he water and it was windy. We had a great day. Booker, as I know I have mentioned, is probably the toughest dog I have ever had to train. I have had a very hard time with him listening to me and staying with us instead of taking off and doing his own thing whenever he is off leash. He has very little self control in general, which is normal in a very young puppy, but now that he is over a year old I have been expecting a more from him. I have wondered if we don’t have the bond that I have had with my other dogs and have blamed and questioned myself and wondered if we would ever get

 I'm proud of all 3 of us today!  We hit double digits together!  

 Today we went for a run on the beach.  It was cold and the beach was pretty deserted.  Which the dogs loved because it meant they could run off leash, free, and at their own pace. They ran with me, chased each other, ran ahead, lagged behind... but then would come when I called. After we got home and had some lunch, they crashed. I used the computer and Facebook was kind enough to show me my memories from one year ago... OMG look at how little he was!  Time truly does fly...

For anyone who is reading this who is not from the northern states, let me tell you what it is like on Halloween.  As a kid, all my costumes had to be big enough that I could fit a large coat underneath.  Many times it has snowed on Halloween.  Not usually enough to stick, but making it for COLD trick or treating.  We live just a few miles outside of a village.  Usually we try to take the dogs out when everyone is Trick or Treating.  It's a lot of fun and a great training opportunity!   So imagine my happiness when the forecast called for what is normally unheard of here - a warm and windy Halloween!  After I got home from work, we packed up the dogs and headed over to the village - with their costumes on of course. We walked all around the streets as the the kids ran back and forth.  Since it was so warm, many people were outside handing out the candy rather than being inside waiting for the kids to come to the door as they normally do.   Sisko took it all pretty much in stride, b

 I know I've talked about this before, but I feel the need to comment again.  This wasn't said specifically to me, but it very well could have been.  Someone on social media posted a picture of their dog - a Doberman.  It was a side-ish pic and said something about he and his dog having completed a 10 mile run.   The Doberman's coat was a shiny black and you could see his muscles on his legs and chest.  You could also see his back 2-3 ribs a little bit.  And someone commented about "torturing" his dog (by running) when he should be feeding him. We have such a skewed perspective in this country of health - both in ourselves and our pets.  When I see a picture of a chunky dog, I feel sorry for him or her.  At least with people, we have choices.  Really, our dogs do not.  Too little exercise combined with too much food and/or unhealthy foods literally shortens their lives. Most vets consider obesity as the number one life threatening dog illness.  It effects every si

 Today was the 9th annual Paws 4 Potter event. The dogs were decked out in this year's costumes. They entered the costume contest but unfortunately due to stiff competition, including a French Bulldog in a hair in curlers wig, they did not win. They did enjoy seeing all the other dogs and their owners and visiting the vendors.  We didn't see any other Boxers, but there were many people who told us that they love Boxers and described Sisko and Booker as beautiful.  They happily accepted compliments and pets. They also enjoyed the large 2 mile pack walk through the park. Booker's leash manners are still not where I would like them to be, and he was completely over- stimulated.  I was a bit frustrated, I will admit.   But he was friendly to everyone and pretty much ignored the barking or aggressive dogs.  So I will choose to see the good in today, not the bad and I know what we need to work on. A fun day for a great cause!

 Returning to work after vacation sucks, right?  I was swamped and stressed at work and my mood made worse as the weather has been cold, dark and rainy.   I did manage to get the dogs out for a chilly run last night after work.  I am a fair weather (AKA wimpy) runner and would have preferred the treadmill and a baking show, but the boys made it clear they needed some exercise. Tonight it was sunny and a little warmer and I suggested to Marc that a quick drive to a nearby village for a walk to check out Halloween decorations would be a great way to decompress on a Friday night. So that's what we did.  Of course, not as many people decorate for Halloween as they do for Christmas, but there were still some spooky sights to see.  One family who lived close the the road had some decorations out and we paused to check them out. These big bad Boxers were SO SCARED. It was actually pretty funny.   They were much happier to see real people out and were happy to say HI to them!