Swimming with your Best Friend :D

On Sunday Ace met his *cousin* doggy Baxter! He is actually daddy's cousins' doggie! 

Baxter is a giant black lab and is about 3 years old!

We went over for a nice lunch and brought Ace along for some play time. Daddy's cousins house has a super cute pond that Baxter swims in so of course once we got there and Baxter and Ace met, Baxter immediately showed Ace his pond! It was so cute because at first you could tell Ace was a little bit nervous about the water but Baxter jumped right in! Sure enough Ace crept towards the edge and at first tried to climb on Baxter's back, but once that didn't work he went right in and swam around!

We were so proud!

After hours of running, playing chase, swimming, eating snacks, and climbing on everything you could tell the two pups were done-zo haha.

Sadly Baxter, at only 3 years old, has really bad hips. His family noticed just after they had brought him home and as he grew it got worse. There is a long and complicated series of surgeries that can be done, but they are not gauranteed to help and could cause him a lot of pain. With some different supplements and lots of swimming (low impact) he seems to be a very happy guy! Daddy's cousins said they have never seen him running so much. He and Ace are thick as thieves! We are already planning our next play time!

:D

Tummy Ache!

Uh-Oh!

So after our trip to the park last week Ace started having really bad gas...

and when I say bad gas...I mean BAD. Like nothing I have ever smelled before...haha

When we put our heads together and a little googling action, we remembered that Ace had drank out of the river that he was playing in. We had tried to stop him, but it was too late!

He was fine until the evening when the gas started.

*Ow Ma, my tummy hurts*

Poor little guy. He barely touched his dinner (which never happens) and he had a bit of the *runs*...eek!

It was a very different and unique experience when it was time for bed and I walked into our room and had to open a window it was so smelly! Aw Ace...

I figured if he seemed to be getting worse or it didn't clear up soon enough we would call the vet. Luckily it cleared up after just a day and a lot of CLEAN water drinking!

Online it said that if the water isn't moving (and even if it is) there can be bacteria that can make us sick! ;(

We will most Certainly be going back to the park, but we are going to be REALLY careful to not let Ace drink the water!

Ace is back in business!

*Ma, you better not blog about this...*

We also wanted to let you know about our newest blogger friend...another MINI AUSSIE! yay!!!

http://ohcharlietheminiaussie.blogspot.com/

Off Leash Dog Park Review-High Park, Toronto

So Thursday (Yesterday), we decided to head on over to High Park, which is a little oasis in the city of Toronto. I had heard a lot of good things about their Off Leash Dog Park from other pup parents around town! (Yes we are quite the socialites...)

No seriously, I have literally become obsessed with going to every dog related activity around the city...I just find this new and exciting *dog world* so amazing! I have met so many new & fun people who have the same love for their dogs!

Back to my original thought...so High Park...we ended up loving it SO much, we went back Today as well!

It had a really great vibe to it, a lot of friendly pet owners, a lot of dog walkers with their entire *pack*, and dogs of all ages and sizes!

Pros+

+Large running space with side trails

+Fenced in

+Watering Station with hose

+Tons of picnic benches in the sun & shade

+*Babbling* brooks for your pups to play in

Cons-

-Even though fenced, there are gaps and the gate could use a little TLC, your dog needs to have a good recall.

-Under construction in certain areas (so who knows how long that will last)

I think when it comes to Dog Parks, it is so important there are safe fences implemented. If a dog were to slip out they could easily get lost in the large park or worse, hit by a car.

I hope that during the construction a new fence is in the cards.

Overall Ace rates High Park Dog Park an A+!

He had his first non doggie pool water experience! 

He jumped right into the mini river and ran through like a mad man. He sure loved splashing & rolling in mud. He had a smile on his face the whole time.

Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure....

We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

WoofStock Dog Festival 2010 !

So this past weekend was Woofstock! The Largest Dog Festival in North America & it takes place right here in Toronto!!

We thought we might not be able to go when the weather turned sour and started raining Friday night. Luckily..like it was meant to be the rain stopped for Saturday and we decided to head into the city!

It stayed pretty grey out and I think that might have deterred some people, but even with the weather it was PACKED! I really love to see how many people are SO enthusiastic about their pets!

*Here is Ace at the festival, I am not sure I have ever seen him so happy*

*We met SO many other Aussie parents! Here are two Standards, but we met many other Mini's as well!! We had a lot of photographers stop us and ask to take photos of him for the event, our little guy is quite handsome!!*

*I registered for free for the VIP area a few weeks ago and we got in! I was so excited because it was limited and it was so cool! They were private air conditioned tents with couches, water, and swanky gift bags with free samples!....OH and this sweeeeet Bandana that says " I <3 Woofstock" Ace Loved it!* 

Here he is on the red carpet outside the VIP tent!

*Ace got SO many pets & pats! He was such a bit hit with humans & dogs alike!*

*Howling in the wind! Sporting his awesome bandana!*

*a 5 month old collie girl! She REALLY wanted Ace to play with her, he wasn't as interested... :(*

*Ace's First Agility Experience!! We have been wanting to head over to Pawsway, but just haven't had the chance! They had a booth and agility course set up! He did SO well! He was mighty proud of himself afterwards as well...*

*Grand Finale!*

*Here is a pic of some of the crowds at the Woofstock Festival!*

Besides a lot of free treat samples, shampoo samples, and all sorts of other knick knacks, we got Ace a super cool new leash! It was very unique and we just had to have it haha*

He was SO sleepy after our afternoon at Woofstock, he slept in the car! SO CUTE!*

I wonder if there are doggie festivals in other areas around North America...if there are any in your area I recommend you check them out! It was so much fun! It is SO popular here in Toronto they are having a *Winter Woofstock* in November! We will most certainly be going back!

Ace-Chan ;)

Here is Ace Chan sitting on the couch!

His latest thing is trying to climb up. It's funny because I know he is capable of jumping up no problem (I've seen him jump up on big rocks & benches), but he insists upon climbing up like a mountain climber. 

I just hope his nails don't snag the couch considering it is not ours...yikes!

The reason for this pic is that Ace met some new friends in Puppy Class on Tuesday night!

One that really stood out was a 3 legged mix who was SO cute and probably the happiest dog I have ever seen...next to Ace of course!!

I can't remember his name, but I think it might have been Max...

Well, when Max sits, he doesn't sit like an average doggie, he sits up totally flat on his bum with his 1 good front leg up in the air. His parents told me that it is his *party trick* haha

But honestly, they said they think he does it to take the pressure off of his front good leg!

It sure was cute though!!! ;)

Here is Ace's daddy trying to get Ace to sit upright on the couch. I feel like he looked at the camera and stuck his tongue out at me on purpose!!! Little Devil!

Overall puppy class could have gone better. Ace did a lot of looking right at me and barking, trying to demand my attention. The trainer, Dorothy, came right over and corrected it. She said not to even look at him when he does that! It ended up working! I was pleased...Ace wasn't.

We are very excited for next week though! I am not sure what we will work on!! This week was heel, which Ace does not like to do! In time...

He is quite a free spirit and likes running like a banshee around the yard playing tag and hide and go seek than walking on a leash.

I have been reading a really good book though recommended to me by a fellow blogger, mommy of Ninja & Penny, She told me to read *Be the Pack Leader* by Cesar Millan.

I must say, what a great book!!! I really recommend it to everyone!

I feel like I have learned so much!! No wonder Ace tries to be so dominate!!

Another thing I found interesting was that it is really hard to raise a dog when there are a lot of people around. I feel like Ace's training hasn't been progressing as well since we had to move back into Daddy's parents house. There is very little consistency. We are trying though and hope that it will get better! ;)

Work & Patience ;)