Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Week of September 28 - October 4 - Rain rain go away

Animal Adventures

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Service
Come on an urban adventure with us today!

Visit our website for more details about Animal Adventures and the services that we offer http://www.animaladventures.ca/

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Monday 28th


Today was a busy day! We have 3 walks and a bird sitting appointment.


I started out the day visiting my little friend Pumpkin the Quaker Parrot. She remembered me and I think she was happy to see me.
Once I had fed and watered her we had some play time... chase the sock, step up’s, sing along, dancing. I was so happy she didn’t bite me once! That’s huge for us.


Once I said my goodbyes I went home to get ready for the group walk. Today we had Tea Cup, Jaida, Casey and Riley on our walk. It was a drizzly cold nasty morning and I was hoping that the day would clear up before the kids and I hit the park.


We decided to go to Winston Churchill park in hopes that there would not be too much mud. Lucky for us by the time we got to the park the rain had passed and the sun was actually out. The only thing we had to contend with was the wind! Not strong enough to blow away a dog but it made for an interesting hair day.


Jaida and Riley were their usual selves. They chased each other around and around and around again. Then when they were done chasing they wrestled for another good part of the session. They would mix and mingle with the other dogs and let them join in on their games so everyone had a good workout.


Jaida mixed and mingled with the other dog walkers as she does, she is such a flirt.


Riley decided to follow some of the big dogs into the one giant puddle at the one end of the park. He jumped around like a bucking bronco in the mud and it was the funniest thing to watch. What a little bugger.


Tea Cup was so brave! I didn’t put her on leash at all during the session and she made her way between me and Henry actually playing tag with other dogs along the way. Mind you the dogs were chasing her but she let them do it which is a huge thing for her. She had a great time and was her usual cute self.


Once we were wrapped up and everyone was home safe and sound Henry picked up Belle and they headed to Sunnybrook for an afternoon play session. It was quiet at the park but Belle found lots of dogs to say hello to and run around with. After walking and running around the park a bunch of times they headed back home.


Last visit of the day was with Jaida again and the lovely Diva. Casey tagged along as well and we had a great walk. We strolled around the park, the school, the park again and sniffed and visited with all the doggies along the way.


Diva had a good time with Casey and Jaida, they make her feel young ;-) we had a fantastic walk until it started to rain on us so we wrapped it up and called it a day.


Hopefully the weather will be less crazy tomorrow.



Tuesday 29th


Today was another busy day. We had a pick up / drop off and 3 walks.


First I picked up the lovely KitCat (the kids kitty cat) to go to her grooming appointment then headed home to prepare for the group walk.



We had a fun walk today, we are happy to welcome a new dog to the Animal Adventures family a hound dog named Seamus. He is a sweet heart and we super happy to be tagging along. Along with Seamus we had Jaida, Riley, Pepper and Casey.


Everyone got along well and I was happy that we had a good first outing.


As we were making the rounds, the sky opened up and it started pouring rain. At the same time the phone rang and KitCat was done at the salon. We decided to switch up the pickup order and go get the kitty cat to take her home and settled in hopes that the rain would stop.


Well... Seamus has challenges with the car in that he has this very funny high pitched cry that he makes and he proceeded to cry the entire time in the car. Since we decided to go get the cat he was in the car for an EXTENDED amount of time which I kept promising him that it’s not always like this.


Once we had a car full of dogs we stopped and picked up the cat. Everyone was great no one got fussy with the kitty cat and away we went.


The best part of this was the rain had stopped and the sun was coming out again. Thank GOD.


We decided that since we had been on the road for so long and were mid town we would go to Winston Churchill again rather then head up north to Sunnybrook which was the plan.


I’m glad we stayed mid town. We had a great time at the park.


Seamus was very excited to be there, we played fetch with a Frisbee and he had a great time chasing it down and eating it up. He spent a lot of time getting to know the other dogs in the group and decided that he liked Riley. I can’t explain it, so many dogs love Riley! He is a magnet and it makes no sense to me – boys, girls, always the quiet ones they gravitate to him.


Pepper was having a great time playing fetch with our new flinger. She was totally pooped by the end of the session she was going nonstop! She is the funniest doggie, she would drop the ball in front of you then start barking “pick up the ball already, come on what are you new, throw the ball”. She had some words with dogs who got too close to the ball but she behaved herself.


Riley and Jaida... chase, wrestle etc.


Jaida spent a lot of time playing fetch with a knot that she loves! When she catches it we play tug-o-war until she gives up and lets me win. At one point I actually got her and a great Pyrenees puppy to play tug-o-war for about 30 seconds until she dropped her side. My stupid camera was stuck in my pocket so I didn’t get a picture it was so funny to watch! David vs. Goliath.


Riley spent a lot more time with Casey today wrestling and playing with her to give Jaida a mini break. He also made friends with a bunch of the other dogs in the park and ran in circles with them to give the girls a break.


When everyone was good and tired we dropped everyone off and made our way home.


The next walk of the day was with my chubby little friend Bobby. It was back to being cold, windy and nasty outside. Someone said it perfectly; it was like being at Niagara Falls with the mist blowing in your face!


Once we worked our way around the block to the school we played fetch for a while before heading home.


The last walk of the day was with the lovely and talented Diva, I’m taking her out for her bedtime pee break then we’re done for the day.


Talk to everyone tomorrow.



Wednesday 30th


Today was a BUSY day! We had 3 walks on the books then a last minute 4th walk was added to round out the day.


For our first walk of the day we had Tea Cup, Riley and Casey. Since we were downtown picking up Riley we decided to stretch our legs at Harbord park. It’s a nice wide open field for the kids to run around and chase each other.


Riley made friends with a beagle named Lou Lou, the two of them took turns chasing each other in giant circles, Lou Lou’s boyfriend a 6 month old Rottweiler would join in when Riley took a break (he’s a big boy you don’t want to get in his way).


Tea Cup was more reserved, she stayed on the side lines watching them play and running around by herself.


We did a lot of walking around the park. Riley and T would go off in running spurts chasing each other around. Every so often another dog would come into the park and everyone would head over and say hello (even Tea Cup).


It was a nice day; the weather wasn’t too cold and windy which was a nice break from the last few days.


When we packed up the kids we worked our way home. Riley was staying with us for the afternoon so we dropped off Tea cup and headed home for a quick nap before heading out again.


Our next walk included Belle, Gizmo, Riley and Casey. We headed to Sunnybrook so Gizmo could get familiar with the group as this was his first group outing rather than a solo walk.


When we got there it was nice and quiet so Gizmo worked his way around the park checking everything out while Belle teased Riley and Casey as they ran around.


We played a few rounds of fetch until more dogs started to come into the park. At that point Belle and Gizmo started to mingle with the other dogs and do some chasing and racing.


Gizmo had a blast, he did lots of running and wrestling and had a great time.


Belle was being silly today so she spent a portion of the trip on leash arrest so that we could spend some quality time together ;-)


At one point, Riley was tired (since it was his second outing) Casey was also pooped so I had Riley in one arm, Casey in the other and Belle on leash... boy that was a work out! Gizmo didn’t care he was bounding around having a great time which was great that I didn’t have to worry about him.


While we were at Sunnybrook, Henry was strolling around the block with the lovely and talented Diva. She was also a little pooped today so they stayed close to home and wandered around the park and the yard rather than doing a big walk.


Lastly today I got a couple calls to take out Bogart and Bobby for a last minute walk for the day. Since I had to take Riley home we decided to take the guys to the Riverdale Park at the foot of Carlton.


Casey went home for a nap, I dropped off Riley so that he could have a nap then double B and I headed to the park.


It was busy with the after work crowd and it was all new dogs for us. The park has a HUGE hill right when you walk in. I let Bobby off leash and tossed a ball down the hill. He tore off down the hill after the ball then proceeded to run back up the hill to where we were. Hard core Bobby!!


Half way down I let Bogart off leash so that he could go explore.


We headed for the pack of dogs in the middle of the park to mix and mingle.


Bogart made friends immediately with his super cute hair cut (reminder he has a full body Mohawk) He found a couple dogs to chase and they proceeded to run in giant circles around and through the group trying to catch each other.


Bobby and I were playing fetch when he would give up the ball ;-)


At a certain point little Bogart started to get the wandering eye and started straying away from the group to explore. Unfortunately with the layout of this park it’s dangerous to risk him taking off because there is no way I can catch him if he takes off up the hill!


I hooked him up to the leash and we walked around the park while we played fetch with Bobby. It’s a really large park, so we got a great work out making the rounds and exploring all the nooks and crannies.
From time to time I would let Bogart off to do some sprinting and mingling when there were dogs around.


It was REALLY chilly this evening and once we had made the rounds we decided to wrap it up for the evening. After being towed up the hill by me two trusty steeds, the kids crashed and slept the whole way home.


It was a very long but great day, I’ll talk to everyone tomorrow.



Thursday 1st


Today we had 3 walks.


Our first walk included Riley, Jaida, Seamus, Oscar and Casey. We decided to head to Sherwood Park for some fun and off-roading in the woods.


This was our second outing with Seamus. Since it was a quick car ride he didn’t have the chance to get really upset and cry in the car ;-)


When we arrived at the park we decided to pair Riley with Seamus and then the other 3 together. Between Riley and Oscar they like to push everyone’s buttons when you’re walking so they needed to be separated in order to maintain calm and order.


When we got to the off leash area the kids started to run around and play.


Oscar and Riley were off wrestling and running around like crazy people.


Jaida was lucky and got a break from the boys since the terrible 2 were together she could play and explore on her own without being harassed.


Seamus was hilarious! He would start out being all calm and quiet exploring the trails and sniffing everything then he would have sporadic spurts of high powered craziness. We ran into another big dog so they spent a lot of time together running around and every so often he would run through making this funny growling sound and going fast as lightning.


By the second half of the park Oscar was doing his frog pose taking a break from the fun. He’s so silly he’ll be running along and then just drop onto his belly with his back legs stretched out and a goofy smile on his face.


Once we got everyone back on leash and back in the car we were ready to get everyone home and prepare for our next walk.


That afternoon we had Riley and Oscar at our place until it was time to go home.


For our second walk we picked up Gizmo and headed to the Belt Line with Riley and Oscar. It was cool and windy but we made the best of it. After a nice stroll down the path and watching some trains rumble under the bridge at Yonge Street we ended up at Oriole Park to play.


Riley and Oscar continued with their day long wrestling match and continued to run around the park and chase each other in circles.
Gizmo played fetch and joined in the chase from time to time.


At one point all three of them found a tiny puddle just big enough for one dog to stand it very comfortably and they all too turns bouncing around getting messy. Oh dogs and dirty puddles what is the draw I’ll never understand!


After Gizmo ran around a bunch more times fetching balls and chasing Riley and Oscar we worked our way back down the path to the car.


The last walk of the day was with Diva, Henry played bus driver and took everyone home while I started out with the old gal.
It was really cold but luckily not raining. Diva was in fine spirits and we toddled around the block enjoying the fresh air then visiting with the local dogs at our dog park.


It was a good day but a cold day! Must bundle up for tomorrow, it’s going to be another chilly one. Talk to you tomorrow.



Friday 2nd


Today we had 3 walks


The first walk included Riley, Tea Cup, Pepper and Casey.


We decided that since we were downtown picking up Pepper and Riley that we would head to the Brickworks for our session. The weather was very dark and dreary so we made the best of it.


While we were on our walk of the park it was raining and chilly. The dogs were in good spirits, everyone was walking, no one was dragging behind or fighting against being on the walk. I was glad because it was too miserable to be carrying or pulling along a doggie ;-)


Once we hit the off leash park we made the best of it. It was quiet when we got there but picked up shortly after. I was laughing at this poor poor doggie wearing a little pink coat standing by the gate crying as the rest of her pack headed out around the park. Oh she was a poor pathetic sole. I wanted to go over and scoop her up and hold her under my umbrella.


My crew was good, we all made the rounds together each of them branching off to explore as we went along. Tea Cup and Riley ended up hanging out with Henry as Casey, Pepper and I did a couple more rounds.


Just before we left Casey saw a squirrel stupid enough to cross through the off leash park so she was on the hunt with Pepper. She was so dirty and muddy it was disgusting!


Everyone was cold and wet and ready to head home!
Riley hung out with us for the rest of the day and we all did our best to warm up before heading out again.


Henry did the next walk which was with Belle, they decided to go to Sherwood Park and do the loop because it was still fully raining and we weren’t sure how Belle likes the rain. He said she was great, walked at his pace and enjoyed their outing.


Lastly today, Henry went and hung out with Diva while I went and collected Gizmo.


Henry and Diva walked around the building lawn, Diva did not like the weather today and didn’t want to go on a big walk.
Gizmo and I headed to Sherwood in hopes that the off leash area would not be too terrible. When we got there he wasn’t too sure that he wanted to be there but we decided to give it a go.


It was so quiet today! Nothing like the rain to scare everyone away ;-)


When we hit the off leash area I decided to keep him on leash for fear that he was going to circle back and run to the car. We did the tour of the park and it wasn’t so bad. It was kind of nice being in there with the rain falling through the trees. It wasn’t very windy which was great.


We didn’t do the full hour because he was ready to go home and so was I. We made our way to the car and headed home.


Well as one of the other dog walkers said today “You’ll remember how nice rain is when you’re walking through 2 ft of snow” Ok I guess I see her point ;-)


I’m going to crawl into bed and try and warm up. Talk to everyone tomorrow.



Weekend 3rd, 4th


Saturday was a busy day we had 3 walks.


The first walk was a big one; we had Gizmo, Tea Cup, Missy, Sushi, Biggie and Casey. We decided to try and hit the beach before / after the rain came through.


It was a nice day down there, we were lucky the rain missed us!


Gizmo had a blast running around meeting all the dogs that came through. He did a bunch of fetching and hung out with Tea Cup.


Tea Cup hung out with Henry and went where ever he went. Every so often Gizmo would get her to run and they would tear around in big circles.


Missy was exploring on her own most of the time. She kept wandering off and trying to head back up the stairs to explore the street so she had to go on leash arrest and hang out with us down on the beach. She is so funny, the happy wanderer.


Sushi was being a little princess as only she can be. She didn’t want to get her feet dirty ;-) she hung out at the entrance to the beach for a while then ran over and sat on the folded umbrella’s and watched the going’s on. We got her out and moving enough so that she got her exercise but she was really cute.


Mr Big was his usual charming self and met lots of people passing by. When he wasn’t hanging out with me he was hanging with Sushi on the Umbrella’s. He is so funny whenever he would go back to her he would automatically lift his leg and “mark” her. What a little bugger ;-)


I took some pics of the kids in action:


http://picasaweb.google.com/contactme.animaladventures/ABeautifulFallDayAtTheBeach?authkey=Gv1sRgCIaA7or20-D5dg&feat=directlink


Once we got everyone packed up and dropped off we headed home to get going on our next walks.


We decided to divide and conquer. Henry walked the lovely and talented Diva and I walked my girl Belle.


Henry and Diva hung out around the building. She didn’t feel like walking today so they only had a short outing. The weather was so grey and yucky I don’t blame her for wanting to get back home to bed.


Belle and I headed for the Belt Line. We started at Mt. Pleasant and worked our way to Oriole Park then back. It is a nice walk plus we got to watch some trains along the way. Belle was not sure about those trains, she was very concerned when they came rolling through. We got spit on a bit but overall it was dry so we were lucky the whole day.


Sunday we only had one walk with the lovely Diva. Henry, Casey and I walked with her and we headed to Pet Cuisine to get some treats then visited our friends at the park before taking Diva home.


It was a good week, a LONG week, a wet week and a cold week! Talk to everyone tomorrow.

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