The Dog Blog: Misc.: A rain-shortened day of getting things done

TOM AND LACY

MAY 10, 2018: I was going to take Dixie out after errands today, but the weather didn't cooperate. I was coming out of the bank when the rain began to fall.

Now, I'm home and Dixie's in the hall. And I can hear thunder not so far away.

OCT. 25, 2016: Dixie and I went to the park twice on Tuesday, to the dog park in the morning and to Covington Park in the afternoon.

We met a Cairn terrier that looked like Toto from "The Wizard of Oz," then met two little boys later. I taught the boys the correct way to meet a dog they didn't know, and they reminded me that I'm old.

Dixie and the little dog got along fairly well, although Dixie chased him away from me once or twice. He kept trying to jump on me.

OCT. 19, 2016: Dixie had an uneventful trip to the dog park today, although we did run into Ron, who works for the recreation department. He naturally asked about Lady (she passed on Sept. 17), then wanted to learn about Dixie, our new beagle.

I brought my own stool and sat in the shade (it was hot in the sun). Dixie laid down four feet away and rested, so we didn't stay a long time.

I stayed long enough to do a phone interview for a newspaper story. Then we came home.

OCT. 6, 2016: I took Dixie outside yesterday, hooked up to the cord we used to use with Lady. I sat with her, hoping she'd go out in the yard. Instead, she stayed with me.

We're outside again (I'm writing on the laptop Holly and I recently bought). Dixie spent some time rooting around the car, and now she's just sitting in the yard. It's progress; not much, but it's something.

OCT. 4, 2016: Until a few minutes ago, Dixie had spent most of her time in her crate. A few minutes ago, she came into the office where I was working. I petted her, and then she laid down to my left. She's there now.

Maybe she got lonely; or maybe she thinks that food will be involved at some point.

She just moved away. Sigh.

OCT. 1, 2016: Dixie and I have taken two walks this afternoon. The first time, we just walked into the cul-de-sac, then wandered around in the front yard.

The second time, we walked into the cul-de-sac, then spent the rest of the time in our driveway. I can't walk much in the yard.

She even had the chance to growl at the rottweiler next door. Oddly, the big dog didn't growl, or even bark, back.

Dixie doesn't need long walks. She's small, and she's missing a leg.

I'm hoping we can go to the dog park before it gets dark. There will be some shade then, and we'll be able to interact with other people and dogs.

SEPT. 30, 2016: Dixie and I made our third trip to the dog park today, and it was memorable.

The parking lot across the street at Horizons Park was full. Cars streamed in over there, then would come over to the Horizons Happy Hounds parking lot.

The dog park lot was about two-thirds full when we got there. Occasionally, someone would leave; then two cars would come in to take their place.

A young man in a pickup truck told me that Novant Health was holding a picnic across the street.

We, meanwhile, were alone again in the little-dog side, and no one came into the big-dog side. Dixie did spend some time looking around; the other two days, she just hung around me most of the time. Still, she sat down near the gate, and I knew it was time to go.

I'm hoping for better tomorrow.

SEPT. 29, 2016: I took Dixie to the dog park this morning, and the only other person there was a young man with a beautiful husky and a black dog. He said that Jim, my friendly acquaintance, and his husky Willow had just left.

He soon left, too, so we were alone almost the whole time we were there. And Dixie spent the whole time standing, lying or sitting at my feet.

I still can't give her water at the dog park. She ignores the fountain. I'll try again tomorrow, weather permitting.