Bonus

Yesterday my person had no car to take me to the dog park. I could have easily walked to the park, at the park and home from the park. My person, in part because of only having 2 legs, refuses to even try what would probably be around a 10 miles excursion. Wimpy, wimpy, wimpy.

So, my Bonus Person joined us today and that is always a good thing. On the way into the park we saw Pearl, Tango, A chocolate Lab I do not know, Clementine, Flannel and Luna. Sorry all of those dogs were leaving because I could use me a Pearl date. A little hair of the dog that bit you sort of thing. Not that Pearl actually bit me but ....well, never mind I am just going on and on like my person does. blah, blah, blah. Sometimes, you can pick up bad people habits. Be very, very careful of that. Those habits are hard to break.

So, off we went with my Person, Bonus Person, Ziggy and her Person.

Can someone please tell me who stole all the corn? It was there 2 days ago. I miss one day and the entire crop has vanished. This park has mystical powers I swear!

(missing corn?)

So, all was well and than Ziggy found a ball. I did not mind that she kept it the whole time. We saw Cody and he is just so beauttiful that the Merlin who lerks just below the surface reared his ugly head. I took Ziggy's ball and would not give it back. Ziggy got a little too close to me and my Bonus Person and I snapped out a large loud, No WAY!!! Cody tried to play with me but I had an attitude now. My person took the ball and put an end to the whole thing.

(Ziggy with Ball)(Merlin with Ball, Ziggy watching.)

We walked out peacefully but I got an attitude again when I went on lead first, knowing my person was concealing the ball, Ziggy came to try and get into the mix and I was mad. Ziggy and her person left. My person gave me the ball and I dropped it and got in my car. The ball was not the point. The point is that sometimes I want the ball and don't want anyone to get near my Bonus Person. Is that too much for a dog to ask for? Well, maybe it is.

Merlin the Miserly

Back to My Old Self

Today I was much more like my good 'ole Merlin self. I met some new friends and saw some old friends and I think the combination was just perfect for me. I saw Koda again and was actually able to capture him in a photos so you can you can actually see him instead of just a flash of dog like yesterday. I did give him a little growl but that was just to let him know that I am in charge. He didn't really seem to care.

(Koda)

One weird thing happened today that I still can not figure out. We saw a guy in the park today walking without a dog. He also had a walking stick like my person. So, I am usually very suspicious of peeps without dogs. I actually liked this guy and allowed me to pet my head. I surprised myself allowing that to happen. This is what I have figured out so far. My person and this guy spoke to each other in happy people voices. That helps for sure. The real reason I did not find him suspect is that he had what I think was a tail between his lip and his people nose. It was really beautiful and well groomed. I think I had tail bonding with him. Do other people have tails there? I am going to have to pay closer attention.

Down the hill we went and I saw Ziggy. It was not a surprise because I could hear her long before I saw her. BOL. Down at the river I got a quick drink and took off again. At the bottom of the hill with the bench I saw good 'ole Kirby.(Cocker Spaniel) Along came Tacoma (Portuguese, I forgot! not a Water dog though). She was a cool dog and even though she was new to me I really liked her.

(Tacoma, Merlkin, Kirby)

I really enjoyed my walk today and just as I thought it could not get any better I saw my boy Fergus coming toward me! HOORAY! He want off exploring in the woods and so did I. As my person was talking to Fergus' person, Amber and her person showed up. Soon the people barking was in full swing. I did not mind because it kept me in the park longer. Watson and Willie came by and there was more canine cronyism. It really is good that the peeps like the woods to. Maybe they can figure out what to do to get one of those beautiful tails on their faces.(Beautiful Amber)
(Fergus)
Merlin the Tail Lover.

weekend warriors

Well, I got in trouble right off the bat today. I yelled at a dog in the parking lot that was a puppy. He is a big puppy and he had a big ball and I wanted it. My person disciplined me by keeping me on lead for awhile. That really worked just fine. I cooled my paws and stopped acting like a geek.

We saw this great puppy named Koda. He is a Pointer. Right after that we saw Sadie the English Springer Spaniel. Let me tell you. I chased these two for a few minutes but as you can see by the photos they are so fast a big guy like me did not stand a chance. They are amazingly fast and they were instantly BDFF (best dog friends forever)

(Koda, Koda, Sadie Merlin's tail, Koda, Sadie, Koda)

Off we went to the beach and I saw Ziggy. I was so happy to see her because she and I "get" each other. We have history together and I do not have to prove myself to her not her to me. I finally relaxed a little bit. Thanks Ziggy!

Off we went and up on the big hill I saw the puppy from the parking lot. My person and her person had good people talk. I got put on lead and I did not behave badly. As we were leaving I saw Seamus, Sally, Tad and his posse and Tucker! Right there on the upper trail before that gate that is always open. Some other dogs came that I did not know and there was a lot of running up and down the hill, jumping on each other, butt sniffing and dogie fun.

When we got to the parking lot you could tell it was the weekend. There were a ton of cars, dogs,

peeps, little peeps and people puppies.

I am tired just thinking about what is happening right now at that park. I am off to the back porch with a marrow bone and my happy thoughts.

Merlin the Thoughtful

Working?

Autumn is the greatest time of the year. It is cool in the morning. Warm in the afternoon and cool at night. That means I get to stay outside all day long. I do come in for the comfort of a sofa (yes, we are allowed) or a dog bed versus the sunshine of the outdoors. You know making these decisions is a complicated process and I am only 3 years old. However, dogs are smart enough to know that comfort wins over logic every time.

I saw my old friend Maggie today. We had fun together as puppies but I do not see her at all anymore. I was happy to say hello. She was with Mel, Pearl, Lola and my buddy, Buddy. It was actually a little confusing when I saw them. we were early today but they were still all finishing their walk. I tried to use some of my herding expertise to get them to turn around but it did not work. There were too many peeps in the way. I even used my low growl like a bear voice. They just do not take me seriously.

(Maggie)

(Buddy)

Buddy's person can not do the walk in the mornings because of something the peeps call work. I am a working dog and I get to go to the park every day. I do not get why the peeps do work outside of the park. I have fun, play, heard etc all in the name of work. I just hope their kind of work never happens to me. Buddy's person gets Mel's person to walk him. He is one lucky little guy.

I met a puppy named Lucas. He is going to be built just like Bosco and Manny. I can see it in his broad chest. Right now he is just really cute but he is a future playmate for sure.(Lucas)

Down at the river we saw the people puppy that does not have a dog. My blog does not feature pictures of peeps at all. It is too bad in some photos with the people puppy are just great. Let me tell you this; This people puppy has been in the world for 18 months. I went up behind him and I am a foot taller than him while he is on 2 legs. I snuck up gave him a sniff and licked his ear. He was startled but swung around and made that people giggle noise. I really like that. I do not know what else to do to play with the guy so I went into the river and got a drink. I wish he could run because I would chase the little guy.

(Tango and Merlin)

Tango the Aussie greeted us at the river and we walked the whole rest of the park with her. She is such a herder. She runs and gets me to stay right behind my person. OK Tango, you are a good worker with the herding. See, we all work at the park!

Come on people now, work at the park like we do. It is a shame that some work takes you away.

Once again dogs trump peeps when it comes to understanding that comfort, fun and work can all happen at the same time and place!

Merlin the Worker Dog

Nature

(view from top of the hill near the bench)

Sorry I am blogging so late. My person was having technical difficulties so my blogging got delayed. My person and I walked today and really focused on the beauty of nature. It had rained during the night but the sun was bright and shining. We stopped at the hill to watch the sun coming rising in the East and allowing us all to be nice and warm as we venture into the depths of the dog park.

(trees around the bench)(trees changing colors)

It was serene and peaceful and my person and I had some good old fashion interspecies bonding. Aw Shucks! I really do like that. My person and I went down to the water and than up and over the big hill. The corn is still up and makes a great place to run and play. I did not have any other dogs around but I ran in it alone and that was fun.

Toward the end of the walk we saw Clem, Delhi,Flannel and Luna. It is always fun to see them. Right after that we saw Bella, Mel and Buddy. I was really glad to see them all. Bella is still looking really healthy. Mel is one of the fastest dogs I have ever met. Buddy has taught me the joy of small dogs. Each dog has a lesson to teach if we open ourselves up to the lessons they offer.

WoW! That was deeper than the hole I dug in my backyard to bury a bone.

(Buddy, Bella, Mel)

Merlin the Philosopher

Jessie Mc Pew Pew

(path at Dog Park)

Last night Jessie wanted to go outside really bad. My person got up and let her out in the back yard and Mimi went with her. A little while later my sisters barked in unison asking to be let back into the house. We have successfully trained our people to respond within 3 barks and that is pretty good. So, I was barking out load when my Bonus Person started yelling from the door "They got sprayed by a skunk!" This has not happened in a long time. As it turns out it was Jessie that got sprayed and Mimi only had a little bit of a scent of Eau d' Skunk. My person had just settled into a book and she jumped up picked up poor Jessie and into the bathtub she went. I really felt bad for the old girl but watching my peeps run around like crazy was a a dog gone riot I tell you.

So, I promised to be on my best behavior today and I kept my promise. I saw Maddy the German Shepherd/Sharpe mix. I only see her sometimes but the vibe I get from her lets me know she and I could be BDFFs. I hope I see more of her.

(Merlin, Maddy)

We went down past the beach and straight toward the big hill. At the foot of the hill we saw Delhi and Clementine. While the peeps talked I sniffed around the perimeter always protecting the helpless 2 legged. Bella passed us as we stood around with my person talking to her canine cronies.

(Clementine)

Up the big hill, through the top fields and toward the parking lot we went. the air is crisp and the birds sang away telling of their plans to winter in warmer weather.

Right as we where leaving a little rodent dashed into some grass right in front of me. I chased it and tried to get that little sucker because my feline family keeps telling me they are better hunters than us dogs. Well, I almost got that little thing. I do not think cats read the blog but if I get one I am going to make them read this!

(Merlin chasing the rodent)
I saw Clyde and than Daisy as we were leaving. I behaved like the "good boy" that I usually am today. The rewards came in the form of treats and pets. I think good behavior has many rewards and I will stay on this side of the behavior line!

Merlin the Good, Sweet Smellin' Boy

Moody

It is hard for me to say how I feel sometimes. The last few days I have been feeling very over protective of me person and well, jealous when she pets other dogs. Today we saw these two really cute Pugs named Chirpa and Wicked. Of course my person stopped to pet them. I got really mad and made loud noises and chased one of the Pugs away from us. My person got REALLY mad at me. Usually I am so nice to little dogs. Truth is, I was feeling like they were so cute and little that she might forget how much she loves me and I behaved badly.

(Chirpa and Wicked)

Off we went and soon we saw Ziggy. My person asked Ziggy to put me in line. We walked down to the beach with her. Soon, Reilly and Rascal showed up. I was still staying right with my person and not letting anyone near her. I was trying to impress my person by making these throaty sounds and chasing everyone away. I do not think it worked and she kept encouraging me to go play with the others. Ziggy convinced me that a good hide and go pee was in order and we ran in the field and into the water. Hadley, Gatsby and Liken came by and Liken's person has that ball chucker so I was happy again. Plus, Sally showed up and ran way out into the field and rolled in something, well, dead! So, off I went and did the nose dive and roll, followed by Ziggy, Liken and the rest. So, now I am smelling good and the ball was flying and dogs were running and I was away from my person having fun. OK, my person is OK alone.

I apologize to everyone that I have behaved badly with in the last few days. I was just having a little dogie insecurity. I realize again that my person can pet other dogs and still love me. It just took a dead thing and a little ball chasing to get me back on track.

Merlin the Repentant