Eventually…..the Schnoodle Sleeps……

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

This is something you don’t see often in the house……it’s a sight we look forward to…..one that we take photos of because it’s like the rare moment in a National Geographic special that a photographer waits a lifetime to capture on film.

 You don’t see THIS everyday!

Best friends Suryia the Orangutan and Roscoe the Blue Tick Hound

 She runs, she plays, she runs some more…..she destroys toys….she goes for walks, she demands tummy rubs, she follows you everywhere….she goes for walks….runs with the pack at the dog park….she plays fetch in the yard….runs up and down the stairs….she eats….she poops….she runs some more….and eventually…….god bless her…eventually….

She can barely keep her eyes open....

 

"Lobster still intact...must destroy...so sleepy..."

 

"Did someone just open my biscuit jar?"

FINALLY.....she sleeps!!!!! Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Stella at the Dog Park-Part II

Such a Happy Schnoodle!!!

As promised…..Part II of Stella’s Sunday Dog Park Adventures!!!!!

So I convince (whine) Rob to drive us over to the OTHER fenced in Dog Park in town.  It did take a little convincing….from first appearances….it’s not in one of the nicer areas of town?   Looks can be deceiving people!  Behold…..Valley Street Dog Park!!!!!

Maybe the Big Wooden Dogs could use a Smidge of Paint?

Kind of in a strange industrial/residential/surrounded by one way streets part of town…..BUT shares a parking lot with a Community Garden..very nice!  Also run by the City of Portland, and as is important for us….a fenced in park.  There is a supply of poop bags….and places to dispose of them…there IS water available and dishes if you don’t bring your own.  There are benches, chairs, trees for shade and the big wooden dogs at the entrance form a little HUT for people/dogs to hang out in.

It’s not nearly as big as the Quarry Run park….and only has 1 little walking trail, but it has lots of wonderful, flat surface for dogs to run, chase balls…or just hang out.   Again….very friendly Dog Mamas and Papas…..a nice mix of dogs.  Not too many at the time of day that we went.

A good sized park for being right in the city!!!

Stella was very calm when greeted by the beautiful Golden Retriever...

Although she did NOT seem happy about the same dog rubbing up against her Papa. HER Papa.

But...she went on a sniffing investigation with the pretty dog anyway...

She seemed to have a really good time and is she VERY fast….we need to sign her up for agility course classes ASAP!!  Maybe she’s part greyhound?  (Schnoodlehound?)  She seems to like it best when the other dogs chase her….she was happy to run after dogs that were chasing a tennis ball….and then running ahead of them back to their Mama or Papa.  She sniffed around……she watched other dogs…..she sniffed and was sniffed….was drooled on.

Dog Parks apparently are kind of controversial.  Some folks use them as the only means of exercise for their dogs.  Some folks like to sit, read a book, talk on the phone or smoke ciggie butts while their dogs run all over the place.  Some DON’T PICK UP THE FREAKIN POOP!   I’ve read online that people have had their dogs attacked by over aggressive dogs at parks….I’ve seen dogs climb all over the owners of the other dogs at a park.

There was one Dog Mama….who brought in what I guess would be a teacup chihuahua?  I have NEVER seen a smaller dog:

Is that a Real Dog?

It was like a bobble head….on little teeny spindly legs….couldn’t have weighed more than 2 lbs?  The Mama seemed shocked when every dog in the park from the St. Bernard on down to the Pit Bully puppy ran for it.  The poor little thing spent it’s whole visit shivering/shaking on Mama’s lap…while Mama….in her very stylish outfit was covered in dog paw prints and dog slobber from all the dogs investigating what to them appeared to be a toy!

We will keep bringing Stella to the parks…but we’ll keep a close eye on her…and the dogs around her….because she really does seem to enjoy it.  We enjoy seeing her run until she’s exhausted.  We enjoy talking to the other Dog Mama’s and Papa’s.  Everyone seems to love Stella….they all ask about her….and you know what question they ask….

If I had a dollar for everytime we were asked….”Is she a Portu-Blah-Water-Whatever Dog?”….we would have our own dog park….in the form of a private  island in the caribbean….where servants would bring Mama and Papa frosty drinks and Stella would have as many toys as she could destroy and we would fly in her dog friends from around the world…and I would be dictating this blog to my personal assistant/cabana boy.

Stella at the Dog Park Part I

Have I ever mentioned….just how much energy Stella has????  No?  She’s nuts!  She will grab one of her toys and race in circles through the house while making a cute little growling noise.  The only way to stop this….and have a calm dog in the house is to WEAR HER OUT! 

She goes for multiple walks a day….Papa plays fetch with her in the yard….so this past weekend Rob thought, “Why not try a dog park?”  We’ve also noticed she gets a little shy around dogs.  In an effort to socialize her more and wear her out we went to check out two local parks.  We have quite a few in Portland, but only a couple that are fenced in.

Our first stop:  Quarry Run Dog Park on Ocean Ave.  It’s run by the City of Portland and is fenced in.  We wanted a fenced in area because we don’t want her to take off on us.

She LOVES to Ride in the Car....and Loves to Sneak up on Papa from the Backseat and Lick his Ears. Papa is not so fond of this.

  

Quarry Run Dog Park---Lots of Rules...and as we found...not everyone follows them....

Lots of new smells for Stella

The park is huge.  They have two fenced in areas right in the front which are within the HUGE fenced in park.  We took Stella into one of the fenced in areas.  Although it REEKED of dog poo….it didn’t seem that many dogs actually hung out here. 

The big attraction of this park is the trails!  There are nice trails to walk your puppeh while not on a leash.  Or as in our case ON a leash.

We didn't want her to take off....leaving us to run through the park shrieking STTTEEEELLLLLAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

The popular “hang out” spot is at the top of one of the trails.  There is a little hut type thing for shade….there are water bowls…and the dogs can run, hang out…chase each other and socialize.  There were about 10 dogs there at the time we went.  Ranging in size from a Chocolate colored Newfoundland who looked to be the size of a water buffalo….down to a tiny King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

The Hut where all the Dog Mamas and Papas hang out.

The folks who were there that day were very friendly….one did ask us THE question…you know the one….the one that makes my head swivel around in circles….”Is your dog a Portu-blah-Water-whatever dog?”

It’s a huge park….almost too big for a dog like Stella….who’s still not too sure of herself.  A little overwhelming I think.  She seemed to have a good time….made some friends…sniffed inappropriately…and got drooled on.

I did notice….that not everyone who visits that park adheres to the rules….the biggest rule being PICK UP THE FREAKIN POOP!!!!!!!  I did notice the WaterBuffalo/Newfoundland pooping off in the weeds…and did not see it being picked up.  Gross.  Then there were the folks who scooped the poop up in the bags and just left the bag laying around.  The park has a good number of trash cans….and a big roll of poop bags…..there’s really no need not to pick up after your dog.  Bad Dog Mamas and Papas.

We loaded Miss Stella into the car:

 

She seemed sufficiently tired.....and happy!

So after that adventure we decided to take her to the OTHER fenced in Dog park in the area……..

I’ll leave you hanging on the edge of your seat until tomorrow.