After having been so isolated in the cabin for eight months, I started to get a little worried about Oreo’s manners. I didn’t want her to forget how to have doggie friends. So, after a murder on the trail we usually walk (!) I decided to look for a dog-walking group, and found one on MeetUp.com. What a great bunch of people and dogs! We met once already, and Oreo made friends with Walter, a handsome young boxer/Lab-looking mix. All the other dogs were little so she really wasn’t that interested, but even when one went right up her butt (retractable leads really should be outlawed) she just gave a little warning growl and that was it. I, on the other hand, barked at the woman on the other end of the leash to lock that thing and get a real leash… 😉
Since I was nervous I put a yellow ribbon on Oreo’s leash, as in the Yellow Dog Project, but took it off after about five minutes.
We missed the next MeetUp at the quarry because I got lost. Every time I stopped for directions to the quarry, no one could understand me. Finally someone said, “Oh, the QUAIRY!” (like fairy). Yeah, that big rock hole filled with water. 😉 We went anyway, and there were four other dogs there. Oreo tried to make friends with two of them who didn’t want anything to do with her, and she ignored the other two, even when they came right up and smelled her. Isn’t it funny how they all have their own personalities, and they like some dogs but couldn’t be bothered giving the time of day to others.
We’re really looking forward to the next MeetUp!
Yay Oreo! That is great that she did well on your meet ups. I agree, flexi’s are the worst. There is nothing like someone who can’t control their dog properly when you have one that goes ballistic at the sight of another dog. Meeting Ms. Codie Rae up close and personal is just not something most pups would enjoy. Does the yellow ribbon work for you? I have thought about using one but figure a) people are often oblivious when walking their dogs and probably wouldn’t notice it until they were too close anyway, b) not many people know about the yellow dog project, and c) my reactive dogs tend to let people know way before they get too close that they should stay well away.
Anyway, glad Oreo had a good time!
Oreo, you’re a good girl!! And I applaud you for being selective in your friends!
And thanks for the “yellow ribbon” tutorial. I had NOT heard of it, believe it or not!
Enjoy your next MeetUp…and post pictures please!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
I agree about the retractable leashes, they are dumb. If you are going to allow your dog 10 feet then don’t even use a leash. I had never heard of the yellow leash project but I love the idea. In the horse world we put a red ribbon on our horse’s tail if they kick. I put one on anyway to keep rude people riding up on me and it works.
Penny
A murder? Eeeek! I’d go with a meet-up group too, great idea!
Love love love the yellow dog project. I went out and bought some for Wyatt. Perfect.
We agree, retractable leashes are idiotic. Most people who use them don’t pay a darn bit of attention to their dog when they’re on them. The other day at Petco a woman was on one end of the aisle while her 2# ChiDog was at the other on a flexi, came right up to Wyatt and of course you know what happened. That dog was lucky, we were on alert, but the woman was clueless and all she saw was our “bad dog,” at the other end of our controlled, 4′ leash. Grrrr.
As for QUAIRY..>>BHAHAHAHAHAHA! Too funny! Good description for sure.
Hey we are going to be in Nashville for the Blog Paws event, but before that we’ll be in VA… any chance you’re going up to Fredericksburg, Virginia for our Tripawds pawty on 5/23 & 5/24? Hope so!
Ooooh, I had only looked at the Boston Tripawds Pawty. Going to Fredericksburg will depend on how much editing I get done. My calendar is showing only two days off until the end of the month. I’ll get back to work right now. Mush! Mush, Editor. Mush!