Chica's Russian friends

My friends, Hal and Leena, have three dogs that Chica sometimes gets a chance to visit. Here is a lovely painting of the three.

http://209.160.12.243/cpg1410/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=10

Martha's dog (not really)

The time before last that Chica visited Auntie Martha, Martha's neighbours' dog came by. There is a large field between Martha and her neighbours, but Heidi, a black and white pitbull mix, loves bounding across it to visit. Sometimes, she is the guest who won't leave. She has, in the past, been able to sneak into the house, lie on a rug and refuse to budge.

We had some concerns that if Heidi came over while Chica was visiting, there might be some territoriality skirmishes. That was not the case (at least not this time).

Heidi followed Chica around, always a few steps behind. It was very cute.

I did not get any photos of Heidi that visit, so asked Martha to provide some. She is quite the photogenic pup.

Chica and the Cumberland Farmer's Market Dog Day

On Saturday, we had heard that the Cumberland Farmer's Market was having a special "Dog Day". We went out there (east of my old homestead of Orleans) around noon. There were, unfortunately, only a few booths, but we visited each one and bought things to contribute to B.A.R.K. and other charities. Chica was very growly, which was odd to me, since she had been so very playful at the Wiggle Waggle Walk, wanting to play with every dog she met. At the Market, she didn't seem to like any of the dogs she met. Unfortunate. We walked around the Market - disappointingly, there were not very many stalls, but we did buy some fresh produce. Then, I remembered that there was supposed to have been a dog agility demonstration and trial. We walked back along toward the dog booths and then saw that there was dog agility equipment set up in the field beyond. I had not noticed it before. We walked over and spoke to a woman who had an apron on that identified her as part of the Market. She said that the people were starting to close up but that I could still get a trial for my dog. I walked up to one of the women who was there, said a couple of words of greeting, then just stood there. She did not say anything more. I said, umm, what do we do? Meaning= what do I do to get my dog a chance to try agility or a trick or whatever. She said, oh, well, we're closing up. I told her I had given my donation. She *begrudingly* agreed to do a couple of things with me. We tried walking a plank (very swiftly) and going through a tunnel (3 x - took some time! yay!). Chica loved it! (again, since we had tried it at the Wiggle Waggle Walk as well).

After that, we took a drive around the countryside, stopped for a burger at Stagecoach Fries, on Stagecoach Rd. and Mitch Owens. We'd been there before; there is a big field out the back of the little fry trailer. I took Chica out there and we walked around.

Today, Sunday, we met Steve's brother David for breakfast, then went together and walked Chica and Spice at Bruce Pit. There were a lot of people and dogs there today, including some extremely cute German Shepherd puppies. We were getting close to the parking lot when we met up with them. One of them took a liking to Chica and started following her around. The more she walked away from him, the more he followed her. It was adorable. She looked as if she didn't know what to make of it.

Spice was limping a lot today and needed to go very slowly and stop often. Poor old thing. She is in pain, but so wants to sniff and see everything.

Chica at Sophie's Dog Adoption reunion

Chica, Steve, Elise & friends.

Milo, Chica's roommate while in foster care.

Photos by Erika Cassivi.

Sunday, Sept. 14, Chica attended the annual reunion of Sophie's Dog Adoption at Percy Walters Park. The day was overcast, but the rain held off. Chica was able to re-connect with Sophie; her foster mother, Erica; and her former dog room mate and good friend, Milo. She recognized them. She got a lot of attention at the reunion, many people commenting on her good looks and temperament. She met a lot of other dogs as well and Sophie gave her a squeaky toy. Percy Walters is a very nice fenced park with a water fountain for dogs as well as for humans.

See photos taken by Lou Musacchio.

Play "Where's Chica!" She appears in several of the photos.

Chica at the Wiggle Waggle Walk 2008

I tried to crop this photo a bit, but could not figure out the crop tool. Gave up after four tries. So, here it is. No, Steve and Elise are not choking Chica.

Chica at the Wiggle Waggle Walk

Chica had an excellent time at the Ottawa Humane Society's annual Wiggle Waggle Walkathon this past Sunday. She was eager to play with just about every dog she met. I paid a dollar to take her through an agility course with a trainer and she did wonderfully! She also really seemed to enjoy it, so I am hoping to sign us up for a course soon. There was a photographer again this year and the three of us - Steve, Chica and I - got our photo taken. I'll post it soon. It looks like we're strangling the dog. We ran into a lady and her dogs whom we know from Bruce Pit and my friend Nancy, who was there with a friend and the friend's adorable little wiener dog. There was every kind of dog there, from the tiniest tea-cup chihuahuas to a huge Great Dane. Chica got lots of pets and attention from many people. It's great to be around so many animal-lovers. The WWW is really a big fair for dogs. I love watching Chica have fun.

This year's WWW was more successful than ever. Read more...

Brave little Chica

Tonight, Steve and I had just pulled into the parking spot and I was taking Chica and Spice for a quick pee. All of a sudden, a golden pit bull came hurtling towards us. Steve yelled. Thoughts sped through his head of Spice getting attacked not all that long ago. Chica to the rescue! Chica snarled and snapped and lunged and scared the other dog. At the same time, the owners yelled for their dog and faced with Chica's terrifying stance, he went willingly. Now, we think of Chica as Spice's hero. However, Spice doesn't realize this and still growls and puts Chica in her place whenever Chica annoys her.