Wild Dogs in the Park

 When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?"

And the Woman said, 

"His name is not Wild Dog any more, 

but the First Friend, 

because he will be our friend 

for always and always and always."
— Rudyard Kipling, The Cat that Walked by Himself

We knew we had to take the opportunity to take the puppies to the park this morning. The weather reports have been warning us bad weather was coming and we figured this would be one of the only chances to walk this week.

We had a lovely hike. The girls ran around in the ball field. And we headed down the paths, finding the Great Blue Heron fishing at a spot where the creek narrows. My friend, VM, took all the photos as she remembered to bring her phone.

Check out these figures*...as the girls wait patiently.

Just after we finished watching the heron, Zelda slipped out of her collar. As I ran for her, she ran up to a man walking with two large dogs. Zelda wanted to play. The man, in full control of his animals, waiting until I was able to grab my girl and hold her until they could move down the path.  Unknown to me because my focus was getting Z under control, VM had been pulled toward the water by Keelyn.

So much for wearing them out before the walk - we know to run them a little longer. And we will be a little better prepared for these wild dogs in the future. First friends they may be, but wild they remain.

NOTES:

* I couldn't help myself after seeing this photo of the girls:

You either choose this method of passing the evening 

because you are in each other's confidence,

 and have secret affairs to discuss, 

or because you are conscious 

that your figures appear 

to the greatest advantage 

in walking....

~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice