crissy friends

Last week Friday on Papa's day off from work, Papa and Dash took a trip to Crissy Field.  While I was busy at a client meeting the boys were having fun in the great outdoors.

Here are a couple of "friends" Dash made at the beach.  Papa says our mini Aussie had dug a hole to hide his ball in, and these bullies kept pinning him down in it.  He had it on video, but I asked him to edit out the fight scenes and just keep the happy moments.  :)

Just when Papa was about to leave, he came across our mini Aussie friend Geordie.  We can never remember his owner's name (sorry!) but we've met him a few times now.  Dash and Geordie had a quick romp before it was really time to head home.

I love how Geordie has a really full, round head and a very substantial looking build.  From the first time I met him I thought he looked just like a full sized Aussie... but mini.  Dash definitely has more of a petite frame.

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this picture.  On our computer it is saved as "bootylicious.jpg".  Those darn wigglebutts are just so irresistible.  Speaking of butts, Geordie's owner is actually the one who suggested I give Dash a puppy clip at the groomer to keep that crazy Aussie fur in check.  (He does it regularly and swears by it.)  As you know, I opted for the DIY version.

 Last time I saw Geordie's owner he told me he was getting a pretty little red merle girl to be Geordie's little sister.  Papa said she had stayed home during this particular outing, but hopefully we will get to meet her soon.  If she's anything like her big brother she will certainly be a head turner!

wordless wednesday

wordless wednesday

crissy field: part 2 of 2

"Maybe I could get used to this water thing..." 

"Excuse me miss.  I believe that is my orange and blue tennis ball you have there..."

 "I'll show her.  If I hide it then no one can play with it but me!"

"Come on Papa.  The ball is over here!  Shouldn't you be faster without your shoes on?"

"Aww.  Going home already?  What if I don't let the ball float all the way downstream into the ocean any more?  Then can we stay?  I will learn to grab it and not just bob it under water.  What if I say I like the water?  Will that let us stay longer?"

"Booooo...I give you my sour face."

crissy field: part 1 of 1

One sunny weekend in mid-March we decided to take our mini Aussie pup to Crissy Field for some ball time.  (Yes, I realize at this point, this outing was almost two months ago.  Like I said, tax season and upcoming wedding on 7/3.)

This time since Dash's recall has sort of improved, instead of sticking to the grassy field area we ventured over to the beach where there were several dogs and children playing in the shallow stream running into the ocean.  I could only imagine Dash was looking at all the other dogs and people splashing around in the water and thinking, "I dunno guys, this water looks awfully cold and wet..."

Little by little Papa tossed the tennis ball in and made our mini Aussie puppy get his paws wet.  It seems like herding dogs don't have the same affinity for water as some of the other breeds.  For example, I've seen a lab at Fort Funston love water so much that he'd stick his paw into the little water dishes and kick up the water just to try to get himself wet.  The owner said the dog would do it repeatedly whenever anything with water was available to spill.

One day soon Dash will have to learn to love the water, because when we eventually move back home to Hawaii there will certainly be many beach outings in store for him.  For now we'll let him continue to stick his little paws in the water and get adjusted.  Maybe this spaniel in the background will inspire our landlocked mini Aussie puppy to jump in.

As the play session moved on Dash progressively became braver and moved into deeper water.  By this point he's went in far enough to have to shake his coat out...  Perhaps we may have a swimmer in the family after all!  LOL... although it may not be Dash.  Note Papa's shoes are on in this picture and his pants are not rolled.

crissy field

One of our favorite dog friendly spots in all of San Francisco is Crissy Field.  Before I had a dog, this is where I would go to lovingly "dog stalk" people and their adorable companions.  Papa Dash and I would intentionally route our run along the coastline towards the Golden Gate Bridge just so I could see all the dogs playing on the beach and in the field.  It was heaven!  Even though I didn't own a dog it was almost like I was living vicariously through the joy of others.

Then when we got Dash, we transitioned into one of those couples who brings their puppy to Crissy Field!  It felt so awesome to share in the happiness this park brings to so many.

 

On a sunny day, being here is so picture perfect.  I mean, playing with your dog on the beach with a clear blue sky and the Golden Gate Bridge as your backdrop...  It's pretty awesome.  The only problem is that our mini Aussie puppy is still not 100% on his recall ability.  This means when there's another dog or other people around Dash sometimes gets distracted and runs off.  Then it becomes a dance to try to get his attention again.

 

 This is why I prefer to play fetch in the fields rather than the beach.  There is much more space per dog and I personally think the sight of Dash running through the green grass is so wonderful.