A Day With Bubba

It was a good day for Ralphie ... a day with his cousin Bubba ...

Ralphie and Bubba ... off to the dog park we go!!

Fun in the dog park tunnel!

Ahhh...found a place to cool off!!

Vizsla One-on-One Time

It was a quiet morning at the dog park ... just me and Ralphie.  What enjoyment we had being alone together in a big open area ... just me and my boy.  Don't get me wrong Ralphie truly enjoys all of his dog park friends, but this morning we enjoyed each other.  We played fetch with the ball as we always do ... but it was different this morning ... Ralphie seemed to want to perfect his catch.  He'd run after that ball and challenged himself to catch it on one bounce.  I was throwing high balls where he would need to leap and jump high off the ground to catch the ball.  I know he was proud of himself as he would come running back to me with ball in mouth with the expression, "look what I just did!".  And of course, he got his congratulations pat on the head, "good Ralphie good" from me.  After our game of fetch the ball,  Ralphie climbed the rocks as if he were the king of the world.  After rock climbing,  Ralphie and I were able to roam the whole park unleashed, exploring areas he's never been.  I can see the look of freedom on his cute mug saying, "I'm lovin' this seek and smell time!".

It was truly a great one-on-one time with my 4-legged best friend this morning!  LOVE.

Ralphie's First Fundraiser Walkathon

Ralphie and I are participating in our first fundraiser walkathon on March 1 to support a cause very dear to both our hearts...Southeastern Guide Dogs.  We are so excited for this opportunity to support such a great organization.   The short video below says it all.

Our goal is a very modest $100 to start.  If you would like to support this great cause and support Ralphie on his first walkathon, please visit:

http://guidedogswalkathon.org/vizslaralphie

The Frisbee Vizsla

I've always wanted a Frisbee dog.  I think there's just a special bond between owner and dog in a good game of Frisbee.  Perhaps it's that slow floating disc in the sky and watching your pup run, looking up at the Frisbee, jumping off the ground, to see him catch the round disc.  It's that look a dog gives his owner as to say proudly, "I did it!" Ohhh, to have a Frisbee dog!

Just recently the past few days Ralphie and I have been playing around with the Frisbee at the dog park.  I'm not the best Frisbee thrower with my weak arm from my pulled rotator cuff.  And Ralphie had a hard time catching it and was more interested in chewing the disc and playing keep away.   It's been a challenge for the both of us.

Today was a different ... my arm seemed a little stronger and I was able to somewhat throw it decently and Ralphie was right on.  We played and played, catch after catch.  He played hard and loved it!  He was so proud after each catch and I was even more proud to see him jump in air and land each Frisbee flight!

By golly... I have a Frisbee dog that I've always dreamed of!  I'm one lucky girl!

Run Ralphie Run!!

"I got it! I got it."

Woohoo...it's a catch!

Jump, Jump ... "It's another catch!"

All tired out!

Had To Share...

After writing my last post this morning, I went into my Facebook and saw this ... had to share....

What Would You Do?

The other evening Ralphie and I were driving home from the dog park.  It was a cold day by Florida standards, about 45-50 degrees.  As we were driving down the street, from a distance I see my neighbor all bundled up walking her rescue dog.  It made me so happy to know this dog is in a good, loving home and her owner caring for her so much to the extent of walking her in the not-so-nice weather...until what I witnessed.

It appeared my neighbor tripped on the dog or the leash or could of simply been a crack in the sidewalk.  She didn't fall, it was a simple stumble.  I saw my neighbor's expression turned into anger, actually I would say a very mean look.  Then she kicked her dog, once, twice, three times, yelling at this innocent dog that had no idea what she did wrong.  I remember her telling me one time if her dog doesn't start behaving she's going to take her back to the shelter!  To me, her dog sounds very disposable.

Needless to say I was in distraught the whole evening...thinking, what should I do?  I called my son to talk about it.  We both agreed she must care for this dog somewhat by taking her for a walk in the cold and I see her walking the dog in the early morning hours before going to work and I see her at the dog park exercising her dog.  But why kick your dog?   Maybe she was having a bad day? Sometimes I think this lady has a personality flaw...happy sometimes and total opposite other times.  Whatever the reasoning may be, the question is, "why take it out on your dog, why kick your innocent dog?"  Now every time I pass her house when walking Ralphie and Ollie, I wonder what's happening to this dog behind closed doors?

So, what should I do?  Mind my own business?  Leave her a note?  Address it face-to-face?  I'm just not too sure.  This has been on my mind for days now.  I just can't let it go.  I now know I need to talk to her.  So I do have a plan then next opportunity I'm talking to her.  I will tell her the story of what I've seen, but I will not accuse her of the act.  I'll simply say I saw a lady...blah, blah, blah...  She'll know exactly who I'm talking about and maybe she'll be nicer to her dog knowing there are people watching her.

Now it's time to give my Ralphie and Ollie a BIG hug.