Some of you have commented on how lately this blog is less “Ramblings of a Ranger” and more “Ramblings of a Dog Owner.” Sorry but honestly nothing exciting has happened at the park worth mentioning There is an entry I am working on for tomorrow that is park related. I just have to get some pictures to go with it.

I know my postings have been few but we are approaching our year end closeout (yeah the govt year ends 30 Sep…odd I know). So I am up to my eyeballs in work. It was nice to have this weekend just to relax.

I got up Saturday morning and took Potter to the vet to get his stitches out. There were about 12 dogs in the waiting room and Potter had to go and greet every single one of them. His favorite was this Chow named Charlie who he played with until the vet called us in. Once we were cleared from the vet we headed to the lake. I had promised to take him swimming if he was good. For the past month or so “swimming” for him consisted of just standing in the water up to his belly. I took him down to the boat ramp where we met up with another Golden and a Black Lab. The owner was throwing a ball out into the water and Potter sat for awhile and just watched in awe as the two took turns bringing. Not being able to stand it another second longer, Potter headed down to the water’s edge and slowly entered. I have a 20 ft lead for his so he can swim around and I don’t have to worry about his getting too far. He sometimes has selective hearing and I didn’t want him to run off and have to go chasing after him. It took him awhile to get up his nerve but he finally went all the way in. He LOVED it. He would swim out a little ways then come back, then out a little further and back. The owner of the other two dogs asked if Potter would like to get the ball. It was certainly worth a try. The guy threw it out a little ways and Potter just stared at it, then at me until finally he got brave and swam out to get it. The only problem now would be getting the ball back from him. He was so proud of himself for getting the ball that he pranced around with it and refused to let go. LOL Finally the Black Lab had enough of chasing him around and barked loudly and Potter dropped the ball and ran behind me to hide. LOL It was cute. We finally said goodbye and headed home where the pup crashed all day. Normally he follows me around the house but he laid on the floor and refused to budge.

Sunday Morning I got up and called Maria to see if she and her dog Dempsey wanted to go swimming. We took the dogs down to this little cove away from everything. I took the leash off Potter who quickly ran to the water’s edge but seemed to forget how much fun he had had yesterday because he was a little hesitant to get in. Finally after seeing Dempsey get in he ventured further and swam until he exhausted himself. I brought a ball so that the two could play but I forgot that Dempsey has a ball obsession. Potter tried to play with him but Dempsey wouldn’t let me anywhere near the ball. So I finally took in and hide it in my backpack. Dempsey tried to dig into the pack so I ended up having to hang it in a tree. After that they finally started playing together and had a great time. I was surprised how well Potter did off his leash. When he would start to run off I would call for him and he came running back. He was such a happy dog…lovin life. We headed back to the house, said goodbye to Maria and Dempsey, and then I showered and changed so that I could run a few errands. Normally I put Potter in his crate but he was so tired that I just left him sleeping on the floor. I came back and expected something to be torn up but it appears all he did was sleep. LOL Good Dog. I am hoping this means that the crate time will end soon. He still likes to sleep in it. In the evenings he will go and lay in it to signal that it is time for everyone to go to bed. So cute.

Lennie is in FL visiting with his mom and brother who flew in from Scotland. He called last night to say they are having a great time. He and his brother will take taking surfing lessons today. I wish I could be there to film it. LOL

Next weekend is the Dog Day at the fair grounds and Bugfest so I should be pretty busy.

Hope everyone has a great week.