November 29, 2009
Sometimes you get a hankerin’ for the ocean, especially when the sun is a-shinin’ and the wind isn’t a-blowin’, both rare things this time of year. Ramona ran free and served as the official State Park greeter, but Jones stayed on his leash tethered to L.’s belt so that his hands could stay free to take photos with the fancy new camera (L.’s hands, not Jones’).
Cat poop consumed: no
November 10, 2009
When I don’t get enough exercise I can be restless and irritable. When Jones doesn’t get enough, he pulls diaper covers out of the laundry basket and licks out the poop. That’s when it’s time for a good, long walk out to the Whilamut Natural Area. Walk down West D St. in Springfield to the bike path along the Willamette River where the path is called the West D Street Greenway. There is a sign that says so. Go past the canoe put-in and the marker for Prefontaine’s Trail, and a little further on slip under the underpass and you are now officially in Eugene. The twilight comes softly down over the muddy trail through the big field, but the jingling of the dog’s tags lets you know where he is. Watch for the twinkling of bike commuters’ lights in the distant trees. Circle back around on the bark path to the pavement, listening for runners behind you. Be glad it’s not raining this time.
Cat poop consumed: yes
November 2, 2009
I’ve been bugged about all the gimmicky books out there these days that are based around the idea of doing something for a year. It’s a tidy time period; long enough for a rigorous trial but not too long to create real suffering. The trick is to find something relatively banal that one can do each day, add a twist, and then blog about it. And it helps to have the endeavor lend itself to a book and movie tie-in. Rather than go without bottled water or toilet paper, or trying to incorporate peppercorns into every meal, I think a more interesting challenge would be to chronicle the truly mundane. There are lots of things one does every day year after year that could provide truckloads of insight and illumination that don’t involve heroic acts of sacrifice: flossing, putting on clothes, reading billboards, rolling cigarettes, managing the drifts of dog hair accumulating in the corners.
Cat poop consumed: no
October 24, 2009
The Ducks cross country team, both men’s and women’s squads, passed us with crisp efficiency on the bark path as they ran in tight formation–rain be damned!– and I gave thanks once again for young men in shorts and the benefits they provide to the landscape. I’m jealous and ready to run again, but a long walk through the field is the best I can hope for, at least for another week or two. To the field! To the field! Liberated dogs frolic! Be muddy! Postpartum women walk fast! Be overheated in rain gear!
Cat poop consumed: no
September 21, 2009
Still not sure what Jones thinks about E. She is a bundle of new delicious smells, so there’s that, but it’s as if he already knows she’s a core member of the pack. Because after we unstrapped the feedbag and made our tardy way into the dog park, Jones raced toward us and jumped his highest circus dog jumps to confirm she was there. Then he wouldn’t leave us despite the friendly beagle’s overtures, and kept looking up at her in L.’s arms. One slow trip around the perimeter was all I was good for, though, and the prospect of no real walks for about six weeks is a drag for all interested parties, alas.
Cat poop consumed: no
July 23, 2009
Hey kids! Want to make some extra money? Do you like dogs? Here’s an exciting opportunity with one of the most innovative and fun places to work in Oregon. We’re hiring a select team of highly motivated kids to chase Jones at the dog park. Bonus available for making him really tired. Set your own hours! Work as much as you want! Competitive rates. Must provide own sneakers.
Cat poop consumed: no
July 11, 2009
As Kenny Rogers said, there’s someone for everyone (and Tommy’s love was Becky). So I’m glad there seem to be plenty of people who appreciate the dachshund, which is a breed whose original function–hunting rodents in their holes–has overwhelmed its form–long & low. I find them unbeautiful and inconvenient. The poor guys need stairs to get up on the couch. And they can’t move all that fast on those short legs although Jones had a fairly satisfying romp with one today. Jones did most of the running.
Cat poop consumed: no
June 22, 2009
Once again, Ramona met the love of her life in a tiny Chihuahua job that willingly submitted to Ramona’s attentions. She likes to get them on the ground between her paws and just nose them around. It’s very gentle but she doesn’t let up. Eventually this guy tried to seek refuge between its person’s legs and Ramona sat there in front of them and barked: You. Must. Love. Me. Jones was jealous, used to having Ramona all to himself, and proceeded to hump her. She shook him off, besotted.
Cat poop consumed: no
March 29, 2009
Spring, lo! I brought my sunglasses and umbrella because it was that kind of morning, and sure enough, by B St. the maybe-sun had turned to an easy rain which quickly evolved into a torrential hail blown sideways by the wind. I scurried the dogs into a doorway to wait it out. Once it passed, I considered the dark cloud over our intended direction–Dorris Ranch–and reset the GPS for the river path which had actual blue sky over it. Good choice there. Midway through the field I was glad for the shades. Iffy weather also keeps the number of runners low on the paths out here, which means more off-leash time for the dogs. I try to be a good neighbor and make a show of putting on the leashes when we encounter other people. Plus there was a parks & rec truck patrolling this morning. I have heard tale of tickets for unleashed dogs, and they aren’t tickets to the dog show.
Cat poop consumed: no
March 28, 2009
I’m afraid all our weight loss success will be undone by the quantity of dog treats the vet and her assistant shoveled into Jones while he was in the exam room pressing his scared little body into mine. But he’s made it back under 26 pounds, down from a high of 27.4 last October, so yay. The dog park is on the way home so we stopped in for a little off-leash social time before the rain promised for the afternoon. Chasing after a basketball occurred, also some frolicking inspired by a twinset of whippets, those dogs that look as though they are constructed from paperclips.
Cat poop consumed: no
