[Photos & videos at the end]
I absolutely LOVE our Barking Lot camp sessions. This session we had Pickles and Holly, and even though they had met and got along great before, we always start out sessions with (at least 1!) walk around the Common to let them settle down. We wait for them to focus on us rather than each other before asking them the magic words, “Wanna go for a ride?!” Holly went right to the car, and Pickles eagerly followed. Holly jumped right in and sat down while Lindsay helped Pickles into the car, since she’s not a big fan of getting in. But once she was on the seat next to Holly, both safely buckled in, heads happily sticking out the window, there was nothing but excitement for these 2. I think Pickles remembered the way to the Barking Lot from last time, and started to get more excited as we got closer. Holly caught on too.
The park was nearly empty – there was rain in the forecast – and the girls had a great time chasing each other around for a bit. But Holly couldn’t keep up with Pickles, who seemed to have boundless energy. She raced around the track, jumping and trying to get the other dog at the park to play with her. She got pretty insistent, and we finally had to separate her from the much smaller, less inclined to play dog. It wasn’t her fault she’s a puppy, but manners are important. And that’s when they heard a car door, and a cute 8 month old Shepherd puppy came in, who we were told delighted in tousling and playing rough. It was like Pickles prayers were answered. Not a moment after getting in the gate, these 2 began wrestling and they did not stop for the next 15 minutes until both were thoroughly exhausted. A few more dogs trickled in. By then Holly was ready to wrap it up. She cordially met every other dog there, exchanged interested sniffs, but I think she was feeling what was coming next.
No sooner did we get in the car than the sky darkened like night, and nearly torrential rain pelted us on the whole ride home. Eventually we even had to full close the back windows – the dogs were getting wet! When we got home we dried off the doggies and let them chill with some bones to help them settle down after all the excitement. The rain stopped, and I offered to take them on a last walk. Pickles readily agreed, but Holly (sprawled out exhausted on the couch) wasn’t interested. Pickles and I walked to the cemetery nearby and she finally sat and posed for a pic. When It was time to go home, she got into the car by herself, motivated by a couple of treats, first on the floor, and then on the seat.
It’s been amazing to have gotten to spend so much time with such awesome puppies this spring and summer. I can’t wait to see what we come up with next!