Monday, November 13, 2006
Keeping it Local
This weekend the weather was beautiful here in sunny Florida. There was plenty of sun but not too hot. Perfect pug weather! We decided to try out the nearby dog park. Usually we make it a day and travel over an hour to the big fancy dog park in Jacksonville but there is a dog park much closer to home that we have never given a chance. So, we decided that this would be weekend that we gave it whirl. The park, called Riviera Oaks Park & Dog Park, has at least 3 unique areas. There is a space for big dogs, a small dog area and yet another enclosure where both big and small dogs can mingle. This part has a pavilion for large human gatherings, as well. There is also a lake there and perhaps a walking path but we did not venture to that section of the park on this trip. It was great that is only about 20 minutes from home and since it is a public park, it’s free! Sweet!
The pugs had a good time. They met a few other small dogs. Of course, the one that “stands out” is Pepe, the black poodle that tried to go from dog to dog to see who he could hump the longest. Pepe’s first attempt on our pack was on Benjamin. Well, if there is one thing that will turn sweet Baby Benny into a fighting machine, that’s humping him. At first, Benjamin just looked at us as Pepe tried to defile the poor boy. He gave us a look that seemed to say, “You gonna take care of this or you want me to do it for myself?” We told Benjamin to go ahead and tell Pepe about his lack of manners. So, sweet Baby Benny put on his Exorcist voice and told Pepe that he wasn’t a pug to be messed with.
From there, Pepe thought he’d better try the “little one.” He went straight for Luna. Luna just seemed to wiggle around and out maneuver Pepe’s advances. Luna seemed to pose to much of a challenge for ol’ Pepe. So of course, next in line was King Henry. Fortunately, as Pepe was making his way for the Doodle boy, Pepe spotted a quite lovely fluffy white poodle that suited his fancy much more. Off in a different direction Pepe pranced where he promptly went to town on the lovely little white fluffy pup until the owner of that dog interrupted Pepe’s affection. It was at this time that both the poodles exited the dog park.
Whew. It would not have been a pretty picture if Pepe had tried to go back to Henry who enjoys being humped less than Benjamin. Henry turns on his chimpanzee imitation whenever another dogs tries to make him succumb to being the bottom dog.
The next truly notable dog that the pugs met was Maxine, a Jack Russell Terrier. All the pugs were mesmerized by this quick little specimen. She was a fast one. Benjamin and Luna both wanted to chase her but they each realized that it was futile. So, they just decided to chase each other for a little while.
It was then time to head on home. However, we did stop for ice cream on the way. (You can read about that in the next blog!) What a bunch of spoiled puppies, huh? Don’t ya just love the weekends?
