June 27, 2010

White Dog and Quinn were up early and helped Steve load up his bike and riding gear. We stopped and gathered Gregg, Candace, and Dragon (along with their bikes) as we headed for the Nature Center. As is our usual summer routine the riders head off for 20 miles or so of bicycling pleasure and exercise and the rest of us stay under the Cottonwoods to read, relax on the blanket with snacks...and most importantly, to stalk road runners and jack rabbits.

It is interesting how each of the pups has his or her own style. White Dog is on the hunt from the minute she gets out of the car. Before resting she must travel the entire perimeter of the open space pushing her nose into the tall weeds and focusing on her task. She is all business. And this morning flushed a rabbit. White Dog and the hare took off full-speed and ran as though it was truly a Wild Kingdom moment. The rabbit slipped under the gate at the property line and paused, looking back at the panting White Dog. Their exchanged glance acknowledged the skill and speed of the other.

The Other White Dog has an entirely different approach. He strolls around, watering trees and then comes back for a long drink...and possibly a nibble. Quinn plods at an even steady walk distracted by birds flying overhead or hikers passing; he sometimes just stands still and looks at the sky. There is no adventure of the hunt. He is our peace and love hippie pup. He, too encountered a bunny this morning. It took him nearly a minute to realize the little guy was nearly nose to nose with him in the weeds. When TOWD saw him, they both just looked at each other and blinked; then each turned and went off in different directions. Quinn went back to the blanket and went to sleep.

Dragon gets so excited about just being at the Nature Center that his back end outruns his front. He bounces all over and notices nothing. He runs joyfully between Gregg and Candace yipping and dancing. and when he is startled he scurries under my wheelchair or behind a human's legs where he is a ferocious force. In general, Dragon's concentration is more focused on little things (perhaps because he is so) like chewing twigs and stalking ants. He tries to keep watch for the return of the riders but inevitably falls asleep long before they return!

P.S. The Adoptathon that the Watermelon Ranch sponsored and Michael volunteer worked adopted 31 dogs today...a new record!