Party poochie

Busy weekend for Lola and me – well, for me, actually.  By default then, it’s busy for Lola too.  Mommy’s on a schedule so Lola needs to fall in step.  This can be trying for a terrier with her own agenda.  Lola gets the residual attention, however, and this is highly in her favor.

Yesterday, my friend, Kathryn, was in town and I met her for lunch.  It was a gloomy, rainy morning, and Miss Thing doesn’t “do” rain.  She did her obligatory peep in the morning, but ran briskly back to the house until the drips stopped, and she could take a proper walk, just before I left the house.  Then, she got bizzy with her Kong as I slipped out for lunch. 

Afterwards, Kathryn and the others came back to the house to visit Miss Lola.  Then, the party started.  Of course, Lola was the center of attention, delighting the visitors with her ability to fetch and tug on her toys and then tease each person by dropping the little ball or teddy bear, but snatching it quickly as they reached for it.  Clever girl.

Lola did her circus act, jumping high, chasing invisible throws (not cool, Larry!), and rolling over on her back to allow her fans to rub her little belly.  Then, it was over, and Lola was stuck with Mommy – alone.  We took a nap.

Later, Mommy had to leave again for a concert at the Chicago Theater, so it was going to be a long, lonely night.  But Neighbors Cheryl and Vicky saved the day.  They generously came over just before 8 p.m. and took Lola on a long walk around the neighborhood.  Lola ran, and rolled down the grassy hills in the back, and then was treated to having the station changed so she could listen to Ke$ha (neighbor Cheryl said she prefers that music to what was playing).  I had a lovely note when I retuned giving me all this information and more – apparently Lola has peeped and pooped my name – that’s what Neighbor Cheryl wrote.

Now, THAT’s a party!

fight or flee

We used to love the dog park.  Lola is always the littlest dog with the biggest attitude and there really was never any question who was alpha – even running with the big dogs at the park.  The other dogs’ parents seem very responsible and actively oversee their canine behavior.  There have been scraps, but typically a human steps in and diffuses the potential dog fight.

Lola doesn’t like being sniffed by the bigger dogs, and she has made herself clear by growling and snapping at the offending intruder.  Sometimes that mere act of self-defense escalates into a scary sounding exchange, at which point, I swoop Lola up in my arms, away from the larger dogs.  Lola always seemed unfazed … until a couple weeks ago.

Lola and I went to the dog park with Ace and his daddy, neighbor Jack.  It’s a two gate entry system where you come through into a holding pen and unleash your dog before opening the inside gate to the park.  All the inside dogs run to welcome the newly arrived pooches, in this case, Lola and Ace.

There was only one dog inside on this day.  His owner stood watching from a distance as I slowly opened the inside gate.  Somehow, Lola felt threatened and began to growl and snap at the dog on the other side of the gate.  Ace was still on his leash behind us.  All of a sudden, that other dog’s mouth was around Lola’s little torso.  I don’t remember if I pulled the other dog away from her, but it eventually backed away and Lola ran back inside the holding pen.  She wanted no part of that venue, for sure.  Jack and Ace went inside and I tried to coax Lola to come, but no luck.

The dog’s owner – a burly looking man in overalls – just stood there.  He never came to attend to his dog; I never heard him call.  Later, Jack mentioned he didn’t say much to him either.

I leashed Lola again and we walked outside the dog park and I noticed that “Mr. Greenjeans” and his dog were leaving.  We went back inside, but Lola was a reluctant visitor.  Eventually, she peed everywhere, but seemed to hang back, closer to the gate.

Last weekend, I observed the same reluctant behavior in Lola.  Today, she hopped into the car and pawed the window as we got closer to the park.  Lols  couldn’t wait to get out of the car.  I leased her and she lept from my lap to the pavement, bolted for the grassy birm and pulled me towards the street. 

As we crossed over, Lola  stopped and sniffed the air. A man with two yellow labs came up behind and passed us.  Lola didn’t pay much attention to them, but I seemed to have to coax her towards the dog park.  Half way there, she stopped and sniffed again, then did an about face and headed back to the car. 

There was no hesitation on her part.  Lola meant business and the dog park was not in the cards today.

I’m really bummed.  The dog park’s the only place I’ve been able to let her off leash, but no more.  Lola’s safety is more important than anything and I trust her instinct.  How could I ever put this precious little munchkin in harm’s way and risk never waking up to this image again?