park | Change Is Hard

April 6, 2014
by dawnkinster 19 Comments

Rewind

Katie here! Hey remember last weekend when my mama took me to my park for the first time since we got all this snow? And how much fun I had even though it was wet and cold? Well today my mama was sitting on the sofa and she told my dad that it was too bad she was so tired. Because if she wasn’t so tired she’d take me somewhere fun cause it was really pretty outside.

A trifle windy!

And do you know what my dad did? He said to me…..”I bet you want to go to the park don’t you Katie, go for a ride? Do you want go GO Katie?” Dad was pretending not to notice mama’s evil eye. Well! I got so wound up that I could hardly stand it! I began to bark and run to the front door and then run back and bark at my mama and then run to the door….you get the picture…right?

Mama yelled at my dad but she really didn’t have any choice. So she put me in the car and we went to the park! I knew that bribe I paid my dad would work and it sure did! And it was worth every bit of my allowance too!

This weekend there wasn’t any snow left over at my park. Well, a little bit, but I just kissed it goodbye!

Bye-bye snow!

We got to walk all the way around the park and my mama let me sniff wherever I wanted. Except she wouldn’t let me go down the hill to check out the railroad track, I don’t know why. Sometimes my mama isn’t very adventurous.

Can’t we go down there?

She took a lot of pictures of the grassy meadow and the back pond too. I don’t understand that, she should be focused on me! But she’s weird that way and I tolerate it because while she’s doing that I can wander around. I always come right back when she calls, though, because I love her. And because she has treats in her pocket.

Pretty country at my park.

We got to walk around my pond too. It still had some ice on it, but that just made it more pretty. Of course it’s not prettier than me, but it’s nice. In a chilly sort of way.

The water looks cold!

It smelled good too. But I didn’t get too close. I’m a princess you know.

Hello frogs!!!

I had a really nice time and even mama got over being mad at dad. She says she thinks she might have heard a frog which would mean spring really is here. There were definitely a lot of birds singing there, and ducks and geese too. I only chased one robin; mostly I was interested in all the great pee-mail that was left by all the dogs before me. I left quite a few messages myself.

So anyway, I wanted to say THANKS DAD for getting mama off the sofa. I don’t think you should do it again real soon though. You can trick a mama once, but twice in one weekend would probably be too much to hope for.

I’ve got other ways to get her to take me out for adventures, don’t you know.

We’ll talk later.

love, Katie-girl.

March 31, 2014
by dawnkinster 21 Comments

Katie’s park

Katie here. Have you missed me? Let me tell you, I’ve been through the wringer! Between my Dad being gone, and me being sick, it’s been really stressful here! And did I tell you that our winter was terrible?! I think my Mom showed you the picture of me in the snow with only my eyes and ears showing.

(Don’t worry, I was really standing in my path and my person was over in the driveway, they didn’t really bury me!)

Well I’m happy to tell you that most of that darn snow has melted, my Dad is home, I feel great, and this past weekend my Mama took me to my park! It’s been forever since I’ve had a real adventure. I don’t count that unfortunate trip to the pet food store a couple of weeks ago when I accidentally wet all over the floor. Mama doesn’t like to talk about that. It was her fault anyway, so best not bring it up, OK?

Sunday I got to go to my park for the first time since last fall! It was wonderful! I did make my Mama carry me around this one big puddle, but other than that I had fun sniffing and checking out all the pee-mail that had been left for me.

Big cold puddle!

It was wet and muddy, my feet got cold and I got a lot of stuff stuck to my furs, but it was still wonderful! We walked way back to this little deck at the very edge of the park.

Mama likes this deck!

Mama spent a long time watching the ducks and geese out on the little lake until I reminded her that we were supposed to be walking around my park!

On the way back to the car I got sort of tired. After all this was my first long walk of the season. But Mama had treats and we worked a little bit and that got me all excited again. I was happy to get back in the car though and when we got home Mama and I took a nice long afternoon nap.

I love weekends! I hope the snow is gone for good, because I think my Mama will take me back to the park next weekend if the weather is good! I can not wait!

January 18, 2014
by dawnkinster 11 Comments

Park days

Katie here. Last you heard from me school was cancelled and I was soooooo sad! My mama tried to make it up to me by hugging me in the rain but that really wasn’t enough. So last Sunday I made my mama take me to the park! I made her take me today too (cause we didn’t have school this weekend either!) but it was cold and windy today so we didn’t stay long. I’ll share some photos from our trip last weekend, cause I know you want to keep current with my princess activities.

We had such a good time! And guess what? We met a lady with two shelties!

Could have been new friends!

My mama and the lady stood around and talked and talked. I wanted to go on my walk so I wouldn’t sit next to her dogs, even though they were really nice. The tri was a guy and he was 15 years old! He was really friendly.

I think he liked me!

The blue merle was a girl and she was nine. She was friendly too, but she wanted to get going on her walk just I did.

She has a beautiful face!

We were going in opposite directions so after awhile I pulled my mama away. She said I was rude, but I didn’t care, I wanted to get going!

So off we went down the path. I was very good, but my mama said something about me walking twice as far because I kept zigzagging back and forth across the path. I couldn’t help it, there were good smells everywhere!

Mama thought the tree was cool.

Mama didn’t take a bunch of pictures of me this time. I thought that was good. More time to explore! She said I was acting crazy, all excited and not paying attention. So she took out the secret weapon. CHEESE.

Were you talking to ME mama?

I heeled all the way back to the car. I’m a good dog.

And smart too.

Hello park!

December 28, 2013
by dawnkinster 10 Comments

Relief from winter

Katie here. You know how I’ve been thinking that maybe my Mama didn’t love me anymore because she’s never around much? Well I was wrong! HA! Mama took me to the park today! It’s been forever since I’ve been at my favorite park and today Mama said that since it was so warm – 44 F (6.66 C) – and there was sunshine too that we just had to take advantage of the break from winter cold and go for a walk! WOW! Did she say GO FOR A WALK? I’m ready Mama! (Mama says click on any picture to see more detail.)

So off we went. I just love this park. And because it’s winter it’s not even officially open. We have to park in a different spot and walk in, but that’s OK, just means fewer doggies are there. Mama said there had been a big dog there earlier in the day because she saw these really big paw prints in the snow. But we didn’t see anyone while we were there.

Sometimes Mama let me be off leash, like when we were practicing my recall. Which, if I do say so myself, is pretty darn spectacular.

Other times I still had the leash but Mama got busy taking pictures of other stuff and I got to wander around a bit. In fact once when Mama was busy taking pictures of boring grass I wandered right off the path. She told me “NO! Katie come HERE!” and I told her that sometimes a girl just has to explore a little bit. Geesh.

Anyway, we had a wonderful time. I walked almost the whole way. It was harder to walk in the snow than on grass, and near the end I asked my Mama to pick me up. My Daddy says I’m a wimp. But I didn’t see him slogging around out there in the wet snow! When we got home I told him all about our adventure.

Then I sat on the sofa next to my Mama. I did not go to sleep. I was just resting my eyes.

Oh who am I kidding.

I needed a nap.

November 11, 2013
by dawnkinster 30 Comments

Giants

Sunday’s adventures revolved around big things. Really big trees, located in the Sequoia National Forest and really big mountains in Kings Canyon. And on our way out to the parks we stopped in Visalia, a small town known for it’s giant murals.

We couldn’t find a map that told us where they all were so we wandered the town and found a few of them.

Then we headed up into the mountains to find the trees for ourselves. It was a beautiful trip through farmland filled with orange groves and grapefruit trees and miles and miles of grapes.

But I digress. I’m sure what you really want to see are the trees – yes? You won’t be disappointed.

Aren’t they magnificent? There were lots of them, each beautiful. I wish I could live in a small house out in the middle of these trees. I loved them all.

I also wish I could show them all to you, but there were so many. You just have to add this park to your list of places to visit. After we toured the giant trees we headed over to the park right next door called Kings Canyon. The mountains were awe inspiring. Everywhere you looked was something stunningly beautiful.

We were lucky too that the parks were open for free this weekend in honor of Veteran’s Day. Can you believe it? All this splendor and no entrance fee!

I told my husband this was better than visiting Disney World. I could have stayed taking photos all day.

The good news is we stayed at a lodge right in the park Sunday night, so Monday we’ll get to explore some more. It’s all just amazing. I can’t wait to show you!

October 27, 2013
by dawnkinster 17 Comments

Yes I’m a pretty girl. I know.

New smells!

Katie here! Haven’t you missed reading about my adventures? Me too, cause I haven’t had any! I’ve been bugging and bugging my Mama but she says she’s working too hard to go adventuring with me. Huh. Seems an easy fix; just stop working Mama and hang out with me all the time! Problem solved!

So anyway, I’ve been working on her to take me to the park and she finally said yes, she could take me in between all her other commitments, if I was sure I wanted to go. Sure I wanted to go? Is she crazy? I’m always sure I want to go. Go ahead. Test me, say “Hey Katie, want to GO?” and see what happens.

I’m ready Mama!

Yep I’m always up for a jaunt in the park. This time we went to a park a little farther away with fresh smells. We went way in the back of the park where no one was and she let me run around off leash! That is so much fun! I always stay very close to her but it’s nice to be able to stop and sniff whenever I want.

Then suddenly she was clipping on my leash real fast and telling me to hurry up! And you know what came chugging across the field? THIS:

What the heck is that?

It was a tractor pulling kids on a hayride all around the park. I thought it was very interesting, but I don’t think I would have run after it. Well. Pretty sure.

After that we went to investigate the kids playground. Mama kept asking me to sit on these silly big dots of color. I told her I didn’t like the way it felt on my feet, and besides, I pointed out the sign said ‘NO PETS’ but apparently Mama can’t read. She did leave her glasses in the car, so maybe that was the problem.

I found a dot that matches me Mama!

At one of the dot places there was a drain and it had funny sounds coming out of it. I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

Scary! Can we go now Mama?

After that we walked past the climbing wall. I was pretty bored. Doesn’t Mama know that dogs don’t climb walls? What does she think I am, a cat??

Stupid climbing wall. Wonder what’s over THERE?

Mama kept asking me to pose in front of pretty trees and stuff.

Another red tree. Sigh.

That was boring too. I wanted to walk some more and we did end up walking a long way…but not 8 miles. She’ll tell you we did, but honestly? We didn’t.

Look! I went a long way! (kidding!)

We did some heeling practice too cause I have a trial coming up next weekend. Mama said looking down at me and my shadow it almost felt like she had two dogs.

Me and my shadow…

Daddy says I have enough personality for two dogs. And that’s why he won’t let Mama get me a brother or sister. He says I am enough. I don’t know. I might like a brother or a sister. But on the other hand I sort of like all the attention myself too.

It got kind of windy before we left. I like how the wind blows my fur around. Makes me very glamorous don’t you think?

Yes I know I’m beautiful.

My mama and I had a great time. I don’t know why I have to bug her so much to get her to take me to the park. She has just as much fun as I do. Maybe even more considering she’s always taking pictures. In fact the header up above, the one of the two leaves? She took that while we were at the kids playground. I pointed it out to her. My Mama. Always stopping and taking pictures.

Next weekend we have an Obedience Trial. I can tell she’s sort of nervous. She’s always spontaneously asking me to heel. Geeze. I get it Mama! Give me a break! I’ll be fine next weekend.

Will you be fine Mama?

Smiling at my Mama.

October 15, 2013
by dawnkinster 19 Comments

The big adventure

At a rest stop.

Katie here. I just have to tell you about my big adventure. I’d have told you while I was adventuring but I was having too much fun to blog. And then I was so exhausted that I had to sleep. A lot. Mama had to wake me up just to type this. She is wicked that Mama.

So anyway, you know how my Mama is always taking me on adventures? She gets me all excited and then we just go to my park (which I like and all, but it’s hardly an adventure!) or to the store, or worse, we tour the back yard. Well this time when she told me we were going on an adventure she wasn’t kidding around!

We drove and drove for about forty days and forty nights. (OK, it was 4 hours, maybe a little more.) We stopped at 3 rest stops along the way and I liked all the new smells a lot. But still it was a long car ride.

My chariot.

When I was just about to explode and tell her off we were there! Guess what? We went to visit Ricky! Yes, THAT Ricky!

Little Ricky!

And he has a cool fenced in back yard and we got to run through his tunnel and jump over his jumps and everything! (No pictures of that because we were all having too much fun to remember the camera.)

Ricky and I got along just fine. He showed me lots of stuff, like how to do stairs. He has a lot of stairs at his house. I don’t do stairs, unless I have to when Mama isn’t looking. But mostly I don’t have to because, as you all know, I am a princess. So my Mama carries me up and down them because I whine about it. It’s a skill.

Mama! Come get me!

But you know what the best part of the trip was? We went to Ricky’s park. It is sooooo wonderful! It has woods and a ravine and a creek and gardens! There are so many things to look at and sniff I could hardly stand it!

Me and Ricky.

Ricky and I and our Moms spent a long time there and I didn’t complain once about having to walk so far.

Pretty gardens!

And I sat in the back seat of Ricky’s Mom’s car without trying to crawl into my Mama’s lap! See? I can be a good girl.

We sat in the back seat. Together.

Ricky is a good influence on me. He’s also a good friend, and so is his Mom and Dad, cause they let me stay in his house and sleep in his room on his sofa! Well. He might not know I did that, so maybe we won’t tell him.

Our ride home was very long too…and I did not sleep not one bit. OK. maybe a little. But I didn’t put my head down until we were almost home!

Just resting my eyes.

It was a wonderful trip. Next time my Mama tells me we’re going on an adventure I hope it’s as exciting as this one. Though I don’t know how she could top it.

I don’t get my feet wet either. Just saying.

I’m off to take another nap now. Gonna have the best dreams ever!

Thanks Ricky!

October 11, 2013
by dawnkinster 11 Comments

Lucky girl

This is MY park!

Katie here. My Mama says she’s a lucky girl because she had today off! And what a beautiful day it was too! I am also a lucky girl cause my Mama took me to my favorite park and she wasn’t even in a hurry. She let me do lots of sniffings and waited patiently (somewhat) for me to move along. It was awesome!

OK. She made me sit and pose for her too. I don’t know why she wanted all those photos of the floaty fluffy white things. They are not as pretty as me!

Boring!

Mama says we are going on something called a ‘big adventure’ tomorrow. She says I have to be a good girl. Well. Whatever. I can be good if I want to be. Whether or not I will want to be we shall see.

Won’t we.

We’ll see.

October 9, 2013
by dawnkinster 9 Comments

Wordless Wednesday

Playing before…

…summer slid away!

October 7, 2013
by dawnkinster 11 Comments

Play date!

Peep and me working on some obedience.

Katie here. Some of you have already seen the pictures of my latest adventure. My mama is stepping up her efforts to make sure I have some fun and it’s about time if you ask me. Which you don’t have to ask me, cause I’ll just tell you. She owes me about a gazillion adventures but she says she can only take me on weekends. I personally think she should take me on an adventure every single day, don’t you? Sure she might have to quit her job, but it’s all about me anyway, so that should be no problem!

Hurry up mama!

So anyway, we went to the park that my friend Peep showed me last spring. And guess what? Peep was there! (OK, so my mama and her mom planned it that way.) Peep and I pretty much ignore each other but we get along fine. We’re about the same size and we don’t get in each others face’s and besides it’s not like I have time to play when I’m exploring! Peep feels the same way so it works out.

Pretty trail!

We walked on a trail along the lake. There were big frogs sunning themselves along the bank and they jumped into the lake in front of us. I thought about chasing one of them into the lake, but then I remembered that I got myself all pretty on Friday at the groomer and I didn’t want to get my feet wet.

Staying on the trail

We saw lots of pretty leaves though and had a fun time. I like going to the park with Peep and her mom. I go on new trails and I get to hang out with another cute dog! I’m hoping my mama takes me on another play date with Peep soon!

See ya soon Peep!

Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

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