Our Favorite Dog Park

Last Saturday, Logan, Heidi, and I met our friends, Mike, Kim and their dog, Friday out at Martin Dog Park. Martin Dog Park in Aberdeen, North Carolina is the most beautiful dog park we have ever been to. Granted, we have not been to all that many, three in total, but this park is by far a gem. Even though it takes us about 45 minutes to drive there, it is well worth it. To me, a tired Weimaraner is a good Weimaraner. When Heidi is able to run, sniff, and play until her four legs can barely hold her up any longer, that is a great day! It is also a great place to wear out an active 15 month old. More on that in a bit.

Success! Heidi is tired from our afternoon at the dog park!

The park is approximately 5 acres, with trails, and a cool, fresh water creek running through it. It is not entirely fenced so there are times when an owner doesn't feel confident enough in their dog's recall to let them off leash, especially if it is their first time at the park. Thankfully, Heidi's recall is pretty darn good. Much of the time, we don't need to call her back. She runs ahead to scope things out for us and then comes back around. Hey, the more energy she burns with the back and forth running, the better in my book. During the summer, the fresh water creek is the place to be. The dogs can cool off, get a drink, and run wild through the water. Heck, even on a cool January afternoon, they love it! It's great to see some of the shaggy breeds meander into the creek and just lay down in the middle of it. You can just hear their sigh of relief.

The paws are starting to drag a bit.

The people are all really nice, as well. Most people don't know each other's first names, only their dog's name. "Oh, you're Heidi's mom, right?" I get that a lot. Every now and then, Heidi is confused for another female Weim, named Mickey. We usually run in to many of the same people, which is great. However, there is one guy that I try to avoid if I can. He always asks me what our dog's name is. When I tell him, "Heidi", he always responds with, "You know Heidi wasn't from Germany, don't you?" He's referring to the movie, Heidi. Really? I had no idea! That's what I would like to tell him. Anyway...It is always nice to meet other Weim owners. They just seem to really GET us.

Logan, loves going to the dog park, too. It really is no wonder why his first word, other than Mama and Dada, was dog. Every dog that came by us, he would say, "Dog, Dog". Because the park wasn't too busy when we were there, I let Logan walk much of the time. He got a few noses to the face, a lick here and there, and knocked over once, but he loved every minute of it. Seriously, he giggled when he was knocked over. Silly kid. There was one dog, a Dachshund, that came within a few feet of Logan and just started barking at him. So, I picked Logan up right away. As I was doing so, the owner came over, grabbed his dog, apologized and told me that his dog wasn't good with kids. That is something I am completely aware of when we are at the dog park. Not all dogs do well with children. If Logan is walking, he is always within arms reach of me, otherwise, he is on my back in the Ergo Baby Carrier.

 Sorry for the lack of pictures in this post. It is a little difficult to manage a dog, toddler, and camera all at once. If you are ever around Aberdeen, NC with your pooch, check out Martin Dog Park. Feel free to leave a comment about a great dog park in your area or ways in which you burn your dog's energy. I love reading comments! :-)

A Boy and His Weim

Heidi getting a hug from Logan.

We have been asked a few times from random people how our crazy dog is with the baby. In all honesty, she is pretty good around him. When Logan was days old, whenever he would cry, Heidi would check on him, see that he was being taken care of and then go back to whatever she was doing. When Logan learned to laugh, Heidi got more laughs out of him than Jeff and I combined! Of course, she has her moments where her sights are set on something or she doesn't realize her wiggle butt is as big as it is and he inevitably gets knocked down. Those moments are not very often and when Heidi realizes she has knocked him over, she will go over to him and apologize by nudging him with her nose or giving him a small lick.

Checking each other out.

"Whatcha lookin' at?"

Heidi and Logan are beginning to be great buddies. Now that Logan is getting bigger, he is able to throw Heidi's toys for her, ride her like a small horse...even though that is "frowned upon" in our house, and she lets him give her hugs and kisses. It really is hysterical when Logan goes to give Heidi a kiss because he is still a wide open-mouth kisser and he always comes up with a few bits of dog hair around his mouth. Once he gets the pucker down, I think that will help. Every morning when Logan wakes up, he walks out into the living room waving and yelling "Ha-da". Right before bed each night, Logan waves good-night to Heidi, as well. Most of the time, she isn't paying attention to him waving good-night but it is really sweet to see him waving at her.

Heidi is very good about sharing her toys with Logan...most of the time.

Probably because she knows he will give them back.

Now she may just be incredibly patient with him because she knows he will give her his food. At each meal, Logan takes a bite, offers me a bite, and then throws a bite Heidi's way. Of course, he never has to throw it very far, as she is within inches of his high-chair. So annoying, to me at least. Logan doesn't seem to mind one bit. I'm not worried about Heidi gaining weight because of the table scraps she's been receiving from her little bro; however, the dog toots almost every time she sits down. Logan thinks it's funny. He recently heard one of her toots and started giggling. Well, how could I NOT laugh, then.

Not a recent photo but that's where Heidi is at meal-time.

Having a pet will help Logan learn responsibility, compassion, and how to pick up poop in the backyard. It's a skill, really...it is! I cannot wait to see how Logan and Heidi's relationship flourishes as he gets older.

Notice the bag of carrots in Logan's hand. He knows the way to her heart!

Please feel free to share a story about your childhood pet or your kids growing up with a pet! They really are great companions, don't you think?