Pups Having a Ball

Pardon me if this post focuses on dogs.

Our beloveds getting together to play highlighted the day yesterday. 

They played at the dog park, and they played in the hay field. 

Besides the opportunity for them to have a good time together, the main purpose was to help Bridie develop her socialization skills with other dogs. 

She seemed to do okay on that count, especially with the grandpups, Joe and Kenny.  

When we went to the dog park, rather than interacting with strangers, she mainly concentrated on keeping those dogs on the other side of the fence in the big open space in line, just like she does with the horses here at home. 

Occasionally, in between chasing balls with Kenny and Joe, she would go over to the fence and remind the other dogs to behave. I don't think many of them noticed.  

She did, however, have a conversation with Birdie, a sleek and beautiful bird dog. Birdie seemed to be the alpha over next door. 

Bridie and Birdie "talked" for a short while and then went back to their respective groups. 

Yesterday was my first time at a dog park and Bridie's.  Joe had been there before, but it was a new experience for Kenny too. 

As for Foster, he simply sniffed around a lot and stayed out of fray. 

Later, we came back to the Lovestead, and the four dogs played some more in the hay field.

A pecking order evolved.  Joe is the head ball grabber, while the other two lend support. 

There was definitely a unspoken sense of someone missing from this happy, active group yesterday, but his spirit was there in all our hearts. 

After two sessions of active play, Joe and Kenny went on their way with their mom and dad, while Bridie and Foster came inside and crashed.  

It had been a good day with more than enough play, so it was time to rest up for a while.

Looking forward to more doggie social gatherings. 

Good dogs!

Happy Sunday.