So, this weekend in Toronto, the largest outdoor dog festival - Woofstock - has taken over the St. Lawrence Market district. Steve and I spent our whole day there yesterday and if it wasn't clear to me before, it is clear to me now. Steve is totally a city dog.
Woofstock is an amazing experience. Every different kind of dog is there with every different kind of owner. There are dogs in strollers, dogs in dresses, dogs wearing cowboy hats, soccer jerseys, and party collars. It is really an interesting study in the human psyche and the bond between person and dog.
Steve and I had a wonderful day at Woofstock. We started by visiting the rescue group tents and meeting some great people that do amazing work. Then we ran in to the booth run by the Beaches Animal Hospital. They were micro-chipping, with all proceeds going to a dog rescue group. I had never had Steve micro-chipped. As a country dog, before he came to me, there was never a need, but as a city dog, having a little chip to link him to me in case we get separated is a necessity. I am so glad that it's been done.
I have been to Woofstock every year since it started, actually since before I had Steve, so I know that there is a lot of paraphernalia that one picks up along the course of the day. We picked up our annual bag of pigs ears, boxes upon boxes of treats, free samples, and chewies. Steve also got a new leash and harness - just more necessities of a city dog.
For me the best part of the day was the fact that Steve got to have a little TLC. There was the booth where he got his nails done. Steve has very strict rules about people touching his paws. The doesn't want anyone near them and having his nails clipped has always been an issue. I've tried to do it myself in the past. Imagine me lying on top of the dog, him muzzled and me trying to cut his nails. It kind of looked like a wrestling match. Steve won! This fear he has about getting his nails clipped is very difficult for both of us. Well yesterday we met a great groomer who clipped his nails in minutes. There was no stress, no pulling away, no trying to nip the person with the clippers. It was over in a flash and I had a happy puppy afterward. AWESOME!
Ok, so this is where you are going to judge me. The end of the day brought the ultimate in city dog TLC. We met Dr. Leo. A Chiropractor...for dogs! That's right, Steve got his first adjustment!! EEEEK. For a donation to the OSPCA, Dr. Leo took a full history, did an exam and gave Steve a chiropractic treatment. His neck was a little locked up and his hips and mid to lower back needed some work. STEVE LOVED IT!! At one point during the exam he lay down, rolled over and asked for a belly rub.
So, our day at Woofstock was a huge success. We walked around for 6 hours and Steve got all the pampering, and treats, he needed. He didn't even need to be fed last night, he had a tummy full of cookies. At the end of the day he was asleep in the back seat of the car before we left he parking lot. He still hasn't really gotten up today.
New accessories, cookies, a mani and pedi, a microchip and an adjustment has made Steve the ultimate city dog.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Steve Out of the City - Camp Wannahugagrandma
Like any city dweller, Steve loves to get out of the city and get in touch with nature. For Steve, his favourite vacation spot is Camp Wannahugagrandma - my parents house. Ok, maybe the phrase "getting in touch with nature" is pushing it a bit; my parents live in the suburbs, but it is a nice change of scenery for both of us.
Our last visit was a little longer than the normal weekend away. We stayed for 2 weeks while my Aunt Eileen and Uncle Ernie came to visit from England. For Steve, this meant two whole weeks of squirrel chasing, bunny hunting and begging at the dining table. Usually the begging is targeted at my mother, or "Grandma", as Steve knows her, but these two weeks were different. Steve found himself a new target...Uncle Ernie; kind, loving, and basically a sucker for Steve's brown eyes and furrowed brow that just beg for that last sausage or piece of toast.
Steve worked Uncle Ernie like a pro. Every meal was a jackpot in Steve's world. There were pieces of steak, whole sausages, crackers, cheese, cheese and more cheese. Steve would place himself directly in Ernie's line of site or snuggle up against him and then wait. His plan always worked and Steve found himself with a delectable morsil of yumminess in his mouth and Ernie with a mischievous grin on his face..
Steve gained 2 pound during our two week vacation, but he also gained a new forever friend and both of us will never forget our visit with Uncle Ernie and Aunt Eileen.
Our last visit was a little longer than the normal weekend away. We stayed for 2 weeks while my Aunt Eileen and Uncle Ernie came to visit from England. For Steve, this meant two whole weeks of squirrel chasing, bunny hunting and begging at the dining table. Usually the begging is targeted at my mother, or "Grandma", as Steve knows her, but these two weeks were different. Steve found himself a new target...Uncle Ernie; kind, loving, and basically a sucker for Steve's brown eyes and furrowed brow that just beg for that last sausage or piece of toast.
Steve worked Uncle Ernie like a pro. Every meal was a jackpot in Steve's world. There were pieces of steak, whole sausages, crackers, cheese, cheese and more cheese. Steve would place himself directly in Ernie's line of site or snuggle up against him and then wait. His plan always worked and Steve found himself with a delectable morsil of yumminess in his mouth and Ernie with a mischievous grin on his face..
Steve gained 2 pound during our two week vacation, but he also gained a new forever friend and both of us will never forget our visit with Uncle Ernie and Aunt Eileen.
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