Saturday, August 7, 2010

A WALK TO LIFT ANY DOG...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

Hello there to all my friends around the world!

It is an absolutely heavenly day here in JOHANNESBURG today!

The sun is shining, the swallows are back, the Namaqualand daisies are blooming in all their glory and there is a definite atmosphere of Spring in the air! 
Some of the trees are starting to display their pale green shoots - a sure sign that summer is on the way...and I can't wait!
However you have to look carefully for these signs because the landscape itself is dry and dusty. 
Those of us who live in Africa will know what I mean...it's a red dust which covers the grass and invades our nostrils.

Anyway, I've been at my desk, writing all week, so I am sorry that I've not been able to visit all the blogs. I simply run out of time, but I do try my best. 
My head was spinning this morning after the hours at my laptop and I really needed to "get out" of the city.

Tammy-Girl..
has had a wonderful week with numerous outings and 'babysitting' expeditions with little ASTA, but I've still feel that I need to  do something extra-special for her. 
Max's absence has had a big impact on her life and I've had to focus on trying to develop her self esteem. I've been doing this with extra walks and some training, but I've got to remember that she is an old dog now and does suffer from Arthritis.

She's a generally contented dog however, but I think that the absence of other dogs, who romp and play around her, is affecting her, so I've been phoning around to see what I can set up for her.  A reputable trainer recommended that I take her to 'WALKHAVEN' - a dog park about 20kms outside our city where she can romp freely with socialised dogs.
 
So this morning, the "Boss" and I decided to give it a go and take her there.
 I think I'll let the pictures tell some of the story...


"Free"...no leads!
More than enough romping space!

Swimming opportunities galore!
Other well-socialised dogs to meet too...
Oh dear and then.....
Sticky slush and rotting fronds...!!!
...my absolute dread...but Tammy's dream...!
A Golden retriever's opportunity to romp in the muck!


 Who knows what is present in it...?
Yuck!
Hey, but they are reeds and Tam' loves reeds!
(She 'short circuits' when she sees reeds... Plenty of loud enticement is needed to extricate her!)

She'll spend hours in them if she is left to her own devices...!
Luckily the owners of this place are really dog-minded and have a hose pipe especially there to rince the pooches off. At least we didn't have to drive home with the sticky sludge too.
Instead we went up to the little restaurant and enjoyed a "cuppa".
(We ordered a breakfast sausage for Tam' too!)

Although Tam' doesn't mind any dog really, she really loves the little ones...
and this little one came to say hello...


Perhaps the outing was a little too much for her, because her arthritis seems to be ailing at the moment.
Nevertheless, she had enormous fun at WALKHAVEN and now she can rest...

I'd like to wish all my readers a wonderful weekend!
Monday is a public holiday for us here and my family is around.
- That always makes me happy! -
Sending lotsaluv to you all,

26 comments:

How Sam Sees It said...

She looks very happy in all the pictures. I know since we got Monty, Sam really seems to look forward to us taking him somewhere on his own. The park itself seems very nice too!

Sam

Unknown said...

That park should be WalkHeaven! What a wonderful excursion.

The picture of Tammy Girl nuzzling her little friend is beyond PRICELESS! It made my morning!

MinnaK

Heather and Kelly said...

She looks SO happy in her element! Water, mud, rotting reeds...what more could a Golden want??

Unknown said...

What a great place to bring Tammy girl to! I'm sure she's having a contented nap right now :) She looked so happy!

Angus said...

Heaven on earth - mud, reeds , rotting vegetation. Anything unmentionable to roll in to make the day absolutely perfect?

rottrover said...

What a wonderful place! Tammy-girl looks so beautiful and happy in every shot! Have a wonderful weekend with your family!

WFT Nobby said...

Oh Tammy I'm so pleased that you found such a lovely place to romp around and do all those nice doggie things. And to be provided with your own special showers too! (I just get dumped in a stream at the end of a walk if I'm muddy, and I can promise you, our streams in Scotland are not warm, even at the height of summer!)
Now you just rest awhile and let those aching joints calm down a bit, and I'm sure you'll soon be ready for a return visit.
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

Jacqueline said...

Great photos...It looks like Tammy had a wonderful adventure at the dog park; she looks so happy and relaxed after her swim...How fun to meet such sweet dog friends there!...Hope her arthitis clears up soon...Happy weekend, Caryl, enjoy your family time.

houndstooth said...

What an amazing dog park! The girls would love that place! I've learned that I have to be careful with my senior dogs, though, and not let them overdo it. It could just be that she used a lot of muscles that she hasn't been lately, too, though. We've had that happen plenty of times, both to dogs and humans! lol Tammy looks like one very happy girl!

Mrs. JP said...

I love the picture of her just out of the muck. She had so much fun. I know how she feels with the arthritis. Movement really helps lube those joints!

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

That looks like a heavenly place! We have no doubt that Tommy would have shared in the mud rolling. How clever to have hoses available!

Marg said...

Gosh what a great place to take your dog with other friendly dogs. Those are great pictures and too funny, Tammy getting all filthy. Looks like a really fun day for her even if she is a little sore. The little dog that came over to speak was really cute too. Have a great holiday.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

She sure looks like a happy girl! We don't remember how old Tammy is, but she looks very youthful to us. Ciara and Thunder would love to romp in the mud, but they would not be so happy about the bath.

Enjoy your holiday weekend.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Anonymous said...

Yeah Tammy Girl!!!! Woo Woo Woo looks like you had so very much fun, running and swimming and making new friends!

I know that you are going to be wonderul with your new little sibling.

woo woos, Tessa

sprinkles said...

How very thoughtful of you to do that just for Tammy! She looks so happy romping around.

Where was King Toffee?

As I read this post, there was a song on the radio about some girl being so amazing. Don't remember the name of it or the artist. But it seemed fitting to read about Tammy while this song played. Because she really is amazing!

Scout and Freyja said...

What a wonderful time for Miss Tammy. Caryl, have you thought of giving her glucosamine/chondroitin tablets? They really do a great job helping Scout get around like a little pup now that he's 10. I didn't notice much of a difference for about 3 weeks but if I forget to give them to him, I know it right away!

Another package went out today! Merry Spring☺

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Tammy
You look so happy. You look like a little pup at summer camp!
I love seeing you greet that little doggy. And swim with the big ones.!
What fun for you to be able to everything your heart desires!
Your family was so nice to take you to that fun park.
love
tweedles

KT and Easton said...

What a nice thing to do for Tammy. She looks like one happy, muddy girl - just how she likes it.

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! How FUN is that Tammy. Now you need a bath. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Golden Samantha said...

I got tingles up my spine watching Tammy have so much fun. And had to giggle too, for Sammie loves mud and icky places so much as well! (only she's not so white-furred, although Avalon is showing a penchant for dirty spots too!) The place looks like a dream and I hope that she's recovered a bit from the soreness.
Hugs xoxoxo
Sammie and the gang here and Mom

JacksDad said...

Well she makes me happy just looking at her!

♥I am Holly♥ said...

What a wonderful time for Tammy!! She looks so very happy! We love all of the pictures very much! Lots of love, Debbie and Holly

Lorenza said...

Tammy! Sure you had a pawesome time there!
Swimming, meeting friends, running around and getting dirty too!
Happy sunday to all of you!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

MySpecialDoggies said...

Neeli says she'd love to join Tammy in the park too! Wow, just the thought of running into water and getting dirty makes Neeli a happy Golden too.

Woofs from Apples & Neeli and greetings from Nadine

Scout and Freyja said...

Mr. Scout happened to be looking over my shoulder this morning and didn't want me to move on from this post until I had left a note for him to his Miss Tammy. Mr. Scout would like Miss Tammy to know that he is impressed with her ability to dirty herself so well in the muck and mud and wishes that he could have been at her side so they could roll in the dirt and mud and stink together!

labradorknitter said...

It's so good to see these pictures of Tammy girl... she seems so happy :)