kittypaws

The air held so much moisture that you began perspiring within minutes, the sun was brutal and the only saving grace was that the sky was dotted with silver lined clouds that gave brief moments of relief from the beating rays; Saturday mid-morning at the Dpk.

You would be surprised how many Owners arrive to congregate down under the small cluster of trees and chairs seeking shade and chit-chat. The limited area becomes a packing ground for the dogs and their Owners and on occasion you will see someone throw a ball and perhaps two dogs will dart after it returning quickly to cool space.

I am walking the park looking for ‘dog mines’ as in this heat the Owners become neglectful. At least I get paid to be here and I wonder why they are here?

“Oh Pudding what are you doing… bad dog, nooooooooooo, stop, bad dog.” Lo and behold Pudding has found a ripe pipe of sun-baked BM and is rolling in it. Hey, dogs like to roll in smelly things. The Owner races over to pull Pudding off the crap but it is too late. This Old English Sheepdog (of all breeds with shaggy hair.) has rewarded itself with scenting, its a way an animal picks up a scent, and masks their own, unfortunately bringing the Owner to the point of almost vomiting.

We will call the Owner ~ Sally ~ who proceeds to relinquish the shade to drag her 75 pound dog up the park to the water pump with her husband trailing behind grumbling. Sally is not dressed in Dpk attire (IMHO) but that will be shared in another blog….anyway, she is trying to clean Pudding with the hose who is now all excited with the cold water and attention. Ta Da Dah! I assist. I got some paper towels from the shed and spent about 15 minutes helping Sally whose husband stood observing for future reference I guess. It was not pleasant but at the same time the water was refreshing. We had to actually remove Pudding’s collar as she did a very good job of gathering the smell and I found it funny that Sally handed it to her husband and told him to wash it off….(luved it)

Long story short….Pudding was clean enuf to ride home, Sally was grateful for my help and her husband with disgust placed the collar on their dog. I showed them the dispenser for the anti-bacterial lotion as I applied it to my hands and arms.

I have not seen them back at the park since then but Sally was kind enuf to send an Atta Boy phone call to my supervisor. Ahhh, life in the Dpk is not always a bed of roses.