Dog Friends

Last year, we were in the "no dogs" area at Fiesta Grande RV Park in Casa Grande.  I called it "The Dark Side."  Generally speaking, folks in the dog section are out and about more and seem much friendlier - every dog owner loves to talk about their special dog (or dogs).

This year, we were in the same park, but moved to a spot in the dog section even though we don't have a dog.  I just need to be around dogs, so I started a little dog-sitting enterprise.  I posted a notice on the bulletin board in each laundry room and began getting calls right away.  

People in houses might have a doggie door or leave their dog in the yard while away for a day, but in an RV, you don't have that option.  I met really nice people and such fun dogs that I thought I would share pictures of the dogs with you.

Tasha is a beautiful Samoyed.  She is so friendly and cries if you don’t stop and pet her as you go by.  She gets a bath every three weeks so she just sparkles.  A few years ago, she had a hip replacement and is as good as new now.  I didn't get to dogsit her, but she was just a few rigs away so I got to pet her often.

Annie, a sweet Boston Terrier, is not quite two, and her people have done a great job of training her.  She does get excited and hyper, but she calms down eventually!  She comes to stay at our house with “everything she owns” according to Alan – her bed, blanket, toys, food, treats, dishes and is almost always in an “outfit.”  No wonder she feels at home.  She will play fetch with her ball or one of her toys until we give up.  She never gives up!

From left to right - Molly, Maggie and Riley.  These three border collies are so beautiful.  Molly and Riley are Blue Merle Border collies.  They tried to herd every dog and person they could find.  Molly was just seven months old.

Max is a sturdy boy, such a contrast to the more delicate, typical RV dog.  He is a very good walker and lots of fun to pet.  I know where his treats are, so he always gets one when we get back from a walk.  When he pees he lifts one leg and then, keeping his front legs in place, lifts the other.  Probably TMI, but it is pretty cute.

 

Three more Boston Terriers, Bridgette, Sam and Max.  Bridgette is 15 years old and can still walk up and down the steps of the motorhome and even walks around the block once a day.  Sam and Max love to go to the dog park and play ball.  They are outstanding at catching the ball and always bring it back and drop it (Max) or roll it to you (Sam) since they want to have you throw it again.

Pal is a Chihuahua mix.  He is really a sweetheart with people but will fight with other dogs.  He spends much of his day cuddling on his dog dad's lap.

Jake, the Jack Russel Terrier, was also a neighbor.  He is high energy and will also play ball as long as you will throw it.  Alan liked him too - that is Alan scratching his chin in the picture above.  In the lower picture, I was fixing our dinner and Jake kept hoping he would get something to eat.

 

We had Lucy stay with us for eight nights over Christmas.  She is a Chihuahua who is a little pudgy and very loving.  Her favorite place was sitting next to us in our chairs like in the first picture.  In the final picture, Alan is trying to put on her coat so I could take her out to potty.  Kind of a major undertaking and she doesn't look all that happy, but it was really cold outside.  We had so much fun with her.

 



 Princess was our next door neighbor.  She is quite a barker and it took me weeks to even get to pet her.  You have to be careful of her because she will turn around and bite you even when you are petting her.

 

This is Izy, Princess's new sister.  Izy was rescued from the animal shelter the day before she was to be euthanized.  She was skinny, trembling and terrified when I first met her.  I have never seen a dog tuck her tail under her so far.  Now, a few weeks later, look at that tail!  I used to be able to pick her up but lately she is getting independent and even aggressive.  I don't know if that is good or not.

Tiny Holly and Abby, both Yorkies, are a little spoiled, as you might imagine.  Holly is so little that the vet thought she wouldn't live beyond 6 or 7.  She is now 11 and doing really well.  I took good care of them, but they both refused to walk with me.  They certainly have minds of their own.

Cali was also rescued this winter from the animal shelter.  She is a funny little terrier type dog who loves to be cuddled and played with.  She sits in the window of the motorhome and watches the world go by - at least when she isn't digging holes or throwing her toys into the air.

Oscar, another neighbor, sitting in the front window of the motorhome.  Not just small dogs do this.  A few years ago, I saw an Akita on the dashboard of a motorhome. 

I was thrilled to see Cher, this Keeshond.  She was very shy so I didn't get to pet her, but, of course, she brought back great memories of our sweet Shadow.

Sally is a little dachshund who is very shy.  She would immediately hide in the back corner of the dining room when I tried to pet her.  After crawling around under the table awhile, I finally did get her leash on.  She was fine then and even went for good walks with me.  My last time of keeping her, she came right up to get her leash.  I hope she remembers next year.

Sataya (the Collie) and Teanna (the Pomeranian) belong to Millie, my walking partner.  Millie feels Sataya may not make it through the winter – she is getting old and has lost her hearing, but she loves all people and all other dogs.  Teanna came from the animal shelter and is really a character – one of those sweet dogs that everybody loves.  I am so glad she found such a good home.