Dog Park Blues

Thursday we visited Burlington's Starr Farm Dog Park. I have been there many times, and I usually serve as pack leader/park greeter. I go there and run and run and run and run... and when I'm not running, I'm dog-wrassling. It's a great time.

Except on Thursday, my attitude towards the park was a little different. I haven't visited all summer, and you know? At four years old -- almost five -- I sort of felt... over it. I didn't really run much. Yes, there were other dogs there. And yes, some wanted to play -- including a 1-year-old yellow lab that weighed like 80 pounds. At one point I did sort of chase two brown huskies -- but I admit it was half-hearted. I guess ever since Gladys joined the family, I can do all the dog-wrassling I want right in the living room. And with our almost-daily walks to the river, running around in an open space is really not a novelty. I'm not saying I'll never visit the park again -- and I may even run around next time. All I'm saying is that, for me, the luster has sort of worn off the dog park.

Am I spoiled? Do I have it made? I'm not going to say.

But I think you know the answer.

Back to School

I have to admit, I wondered if I really needed more school. Hadn't I already aced my way through "Think Like a Dog" Level 1? What was really left for me to learn in Level 2?

Meanwhile, I know my human had other concerns. He hasn't been satisfied with our progress since Level 1. Notice I didn't say "my" progress. That is because Mark believes that any achievement (or under-achievement) on my part is due in part to his abilities (or lack of abilities) as a dog trainer. If I don't come when I'm not on a leash, he thinks it's because his actions have shown me that I can get away with not coming when I'm not on my leash.

Which I can! So what were they going to do about it?

Anyway, I'm pretty sure Mark was worried they were going to send us back to Level 1. It turns out he had nothing to worry about. I have to say, once I get to school, my attitude changes. I find myself wanting to please everyone. We did an agility course where the owners have to get their dogs to go through a tunnel. I didn't want to at first, but once I did it once, I got a big kick about doing it over and over. I was one proud dog! Meanwhile, Mark asked straight up how to transform me into a dog who comes. April, the dog trainer, showed him how to use a long line (NOT a retractable leash, she emphasized) to train me. And I have to say, we've been on it this week since class. It's kind of cool because I can still run around a little bit (nothing like I usually do, of course), but the human still has control of his dog to make whatever corrections he wants. The weird part is I find myself wanting to be a good dog.! Like I said... it's very strange.

Meanwhile, up at school, Alison and Gladys were a team. While I walked around proudly acing all the tests and challenges, Gladys was the best "comer" in the group. Gee whiz, puppy, it's just a piece of cheese, for goodness sakes! It's not like they're giving you a steak. Get ahold of yourself!

Bottom line: Level 2 was a good time for everyone involved. So watch out -- I may become a well-behaved dog yet.

Dear Oscar, Were you and your new puppy able to go swimming over the holiday weekend? Lifeguard from Louisville

Dear Lifeguard,

We spent the entire holiday weekend at the Aiken camp in North Hero. It was HOT, and, yes, we did get to do some swimming... obviously!

I should clarify "hot" and mention that being on the lake does cool things down considerably. And the breeze coming out of the south all weekend was so refreshing! But Gladys and I made many forays down to the beach for swimming, sniffing, and exploring.

One difference between Gladys and me that has come to light since her arrival in the family is how she handles water. Clearly, we both have Lab in our ancestry: just look at our heads, fur, and noses. But where I have inherited the typical "water-dog" traits -- the webbed paws, the fur that, like Gore-tex, repels water, and a buoyancy that makes swimming easy -- Gladys is the opposite. First off, when she gets in over her head, her tendency is to sink. You should see her dog-paddling like crazy just to stay afloat! You have me, pretty much just paddling every now and then for steering purposes while she is cranking her front feet to keep her head above water! Then when we get out, I shake once, and I'm pretty much dry. Gladys is sopping wet for hours! She drips like a wet cat, for crying out loud! No matter how much she shakes, she keeps dripping. Alison sometimes has to wipe her down with a towel.

This isn't saying she doesn't like the beach. Gladys munched on several dead fish, sniffed all the smells, and wades in quite willingly. I don't doubt we'll log many more hours down there. But, for now, I'm thanking my lucky stars for my good swimmer's genes.

Oscar

Dear Oscar, I heard you went rock climbing Friday. How was the new puppy? -- Rocky

Dear Rocky, This is a good question because at the crag, a dog has to be particularly careful. This is probably why our humans have always kept me on the leash when they take me climbing. They don't want to have to deal with any dog-shenanigans when they are belaying each other, nor do they want me running off to bother another climbing party while they are trying to belay someone. Likewise, I don't usually go to the top of a crag; who knows what sticks or stones I might kick over the edge in my excitement?

To answer your question, Gladys was perfectly behaved... which doesn't say much, since there isn't much opportunity to do much wrong other than bark. Which we did at one point when someone else's dog (off the leash) came over to us. We pretty much went berserk -- can you blame us? A perfectly good opportunity for some rollicking good dog ruckus wasted. Oh well -- it's all in the name of safety.

One interesting fact about the leash at the climbing area is how we are fixed to the rock. Obviously if Mark is belaying Alison, he can't be holding me on my leash at the same time. So they have taken to attaching us to the crag using Camelots -- that is trad gear more commonly used as protection for a lead climber. But Friday they were top-roping, so the trad gear was available. Attached is a photo of a size 3 BD cam and a red Metolius cam attached to two nylon dog leashes. Excuse the tech-talk, but you know how climbers are. That's right, total gear nerds.

Your friend, Oscar

Dear Oscar, From your running log, I see that you did not run yesterday. Did you get any exercise? Sincerely, Dog Log-Watcher

Dear Log-Watcher,

In fact, I did go for a little walk yesterday -- up the Burrows Trail to the top of Camel's Hump. Things looked slightly unfamiliar to me as I traffic Burrows more often in the winter months. But we were looking for a short hike to a summit, and this is the quickest way up and down the Hump.

We were joined by John G, who came all the way from BC to make the hike. Johnny seems to have traveled east with his hometown hockey team, but I hope John's sojourn in New England has been more restful and hospitable than that of the Canucks. Nobody was very welcoming to them.

Meanwhile, it was also nice to go on a hike with Gladys the puppy. Being an older sibling, of course, is a big responsibility. She was excited, but I believe I showed her how to pace oneself and behave. I never run off on a hike; I don't want to give my humans any reason to consider not bringing me. Gladys did a great job, and I look forward to many more hikes with her in the future!

Oscar

Dear Oscar, This is a follow-up to the reader's question from yesterday, because I have a similar

problem. My boyfriend leaves his stuff -- cars, tools, gear, and equipment all over the driveway, lawn, and house. What should I do? -- Baffled in Boston

Dear Baffled,

He leaves his toys around, you say? Ahhh, a man after my own heart. I love rooting around in my toybox. And I never return anything.

Good luck, Oscar

Dear Oscar, My boyfriend doesn't shower, leaves his stuff everywhere, and doesn't do dishes. What should I do? -- In Need of Dating Advice

Dear Advice, You raise some complicated issues, so let's go through them one-by-one. You say he doesn't shower, eh? I can't say I'm too keen on baths either, so I can't really fault him for it. I guess I would ask: does he go in the water at all? I swim every chance I get, but add soap, and I'm not really interested. As for him leaving his stuff around, again, I'm going to answer your question with a question. The boy comes with stuff, okay? Do you want the boy? Or do you want your apartment clear of stuff? Only you can decide.

Regarding the dishes, this is a little more cut-and-dried. I have never left anything but a gleaming, completely clean dog dish. When I'm done eating, I lick it clean so that you'd never even know there had been food in it. I can't imagine leaving anything but a spotless dish. You say the boy leaves his dishes dirty? Tell the worthless, no-good bum to get out!

Hope this love advice helps.

Your friend, Oscar