Portuguese Snow Dog?

We're on vacation in Salt Lake City, and we've discovered that Dessie likes snow even MORE than she likes water! Her favorite snow activities include kangaroo hopping through deep powder, nose diving into snow banks, and shoveling snow with her snout. The only thing she doesn't seem to enjoy is getting ice balls between the pads of her paws. We got her "muttluks" today - we'll see if we can get them on her tomorrow!

We got some great pictures and videos from a romp at the local middle school on Christmas!

PWDs everywhere!

So, would you believe that in the last ten days or so we've crossed paths with about 18+ PWDS????

If I were more on the ball with this blogger thing I would have taken tons of pictures, but since I'm new and not that on the ball - all I have is a list of encounters.

August 8 - we met a PWD at the Sausalito dog park - I think his name was Sailor
August 9 - Dessie went to Doggie daycare where she played with her PWD friend Rocco
August 10 - we had a playdate with Norman, an awesome curly PWD who lives in Los Altos
August 11 - PWD party on the delta - I didn't actually meet all the dogs, but the names I remember were: Rascal, KC (or maybe Casey), Maquah, Cocoa, George and at least 3 others whose names I can't remember.
August 14 - we went to the Russian River Getaways office in Guerneville especially to meet Cleo & Molly - two excellent Camlin PWDs. Cleo & Dessie looked so much alike!

So far, nothing is that weird. We knew all the dogs would be there, except for the chance meeting at the dog park.

THEN - August 18 - we drove to Sonoma Valley. After playing at the most excellent Perrone dog park near Glen Ellen, we headed into Sonoma for lunch. We wandered around the square and happened upon Sunflower Cafe - with a good patio for eating with the dog. We sit down with our food and up comes a PWD - Pearl - who had just participated in a dog show in Santa Rosa. We chatted, that was cool - they went on their way.

After lunch we headed around the plaza for a walk. When we got to the opposite side here come TWO more PWDS - Joaquin & Savana. They had just been groomed and were looking spectacular. Joaquin is probably the most handsome curly you could imagine - really a gorgeous dog! Their owner had another dog in the car waiting and as we talk to her about their groomer - another lady runs up and says "I have a PWD TOO!!"

After this encounter we head back to our car and... you guessed it... on our way we ran into ANOTHER PWD! (I didn't get this one's name, she was a service dog though)

And I'm thinking - is Sonoma County PWD mecca???

But wait, there's more.

On our way back to San Francisco this morning we stopped for lunch at a diner in Sebastopol. Nothing fancy, just a roadside diner on the way into town that had a big patio. We get out of the car, head to the patio, and another couple is pulling out with A PWD IN THE BACK SEAT! (A black wavy named Antonio)

Craziness.

I guess the secret is out - PWDs really are the best dogs ever.

So anyway, we're home now. Dessie had a bath and a nice long walk and is now sacked out on the couch, dreaming of the river.




August

riding the boat

Dessie learned to kayak!!! Well, at least to sit in a kayak - until the ducks proved to be too much of a distraction and she had to jump in to swim after them.

Underwater Retrieve

Dessie has also learned to retrieve her three handled toy from underwater. We think she doesn't open her eyes underwater though - she paws at it until she feels it, then picks it up.

Dummy Retrieve

Dessie loves to retrieve - especially in water. Here she retrieves her dummy out of the Russian River. She isn't 100% reliable at bringing the thing all the way back, and usually drops it before she shakes - and then picks it back up to put the rope in Mark's hand.

While on the river this week she really learned to swim - and is getting faster every day. She also figured out it is easier to swim with the rope in her mouth, rather than the dummy.

on the Russian River

We've spent the last week at a vacation house in Monte Rio. It has been really relaxing - and especially fun to spend time in the water with Dessie. This new blog is for Dessie's adventures - both aquatic and otherwise.