15 September 2011

{15sep2011: Discovery Park}

We spent another few hours after work at Discovery Park on our own this summer getting Darwin to run around*.

Darwin is very not tolerant of the "heat" (heat in Seattle is definitely not that same as the heat in other areas) and so we have to make sure we have a bottle of water for her or she's constantly panting and her tongue hangs down so low. If she's really hot she won't run back to you for a treat, but as soon as you take out the bottle of water, she's right by your side.

We don't often run into other dogs when we're at the park, but this time we met a few. Darwin's favorite part of the park is a little sandy area that she goes bonkers at. Zoomies, barking, jumping up on you... it's like catnip to her. We met these two collies and another mixed pup (not really a pup, I think she was 13 years old, but she was running around with the other's like she was 2).

Since Discovery Park is not an off-leash park we were worried about attracting too much attention so play time on the sand didn't last very long.
On our way back to the car we met a little puppy who was in love with Darwin.

I love how puppies are so fearless and don't notice that Darwin is 10 times their size. Even Darwin must think she's a lot smaller because she loves to get down and play with puppies.


*Darwin's very off and on at dog parks. Sometimes she'll play with other dogs but most of the time she'll just stand around. It takes a special dog to get Darwin to want to play, but the chances of that happening are slim. She doesn't get much stimulation/exercise when we go and she doesn't want to play so we like taking her to Discovery where at least we know she'll do some running around.

16 comments:

  1. Hi Darwin and B: We understand the issue with heat because we have dark furs too. My dad said to tell you that an XL version of my "cool coat" is about $80 Canadian. If your mom wants one, she can write to me. As for the playing, that's okay if Darwin just wants to take things in. She does get to go on some awesome hikes with you and J. so that might be something to continue. When I go for walkies, I usually don't play with anyone either, a quick sniff or two and I'm off rolling again. Maybe Darwin's like me.

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  2. We have a sandy spot on our regular hike and Bar becomes like a different dog there - he zooms and bounces and chases and runs in circles!! It's so cute. I think it must feel good on his paws.

    Have a fun weekend!!

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  3. Parks look so fun. I can't wait until I'm old enough to go! And I know how you feel about the heat. We're in Texas, so it gets super hot and humid; miserable. Mommy thinks that's why I don't like walks yet. Luckily it is starting to cool off, so we should get out more soon.

    Puppy Love,
    Jasmine

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  4. That is so cool that you have a park to go and play! Looks like you made a great new friend. I just know you and I would get along....

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  5. love that adventure...did you did a hole in the sand?
    Benny & Lily

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  6. We like Discovery Park too but haven't been there in a while. Will have to go again. Darwin and the puppy are so CUTE together.... Maybe Darwin needs a puppy pal;??
    My fur is black and I feel the heat too. We have a little kids pool that we can cool off in at home. Hard to do on walkies.
    Wags
    Ernie,Sasha,Chica,Lucas

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  7. Oh, Darwin! You look so sweet with that tiny puppy!!!
    Luv,
    Dave

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  8. Awww the puppy is so cute ! About the heat I'm just like you Darwin, always need a bottle of water when we go for a walk (and it's even more true since we've been living in Bordeaux ufff!).

    Love,
    Lincoln

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  9. that first picture is gorgeous!!!

    darwin and the puppy is so cute! i love that the puppy wasn't scared!

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  10. It does look really hot there, your tongue is all the way out!

    Hehe we could do with some of your energy at the park Darwin, we run around like crazy talking with all dogs - its a bit of a pain really especially when other dogs are scared of us!

    Looks lik eyou are enjoying playing with that little puppy!

    Licks and lots of slobber,
    Lexi and Jasper the Danes

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  11. Hi Darwin, what a neat blog, thanks for coming to see mine, Im pretty new to the blog world and its nice to have visiters, especially from other parts of the world, its nice to see what Danes get up to outside of New Zealand!! What cool photos, I love the way puppys are with us big dogs too, they just walk right up and say hi!
    Love Jaxson the Great Dane

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  12. Great you have park to play in.

    Love the photos of Darwin and the puppy!

    Big Nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

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  13. The sand looks very inviting. Your new friend is tiny and adorable. That's a cute photo.

    Emma

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  14. Puppies are my favorite, they love to play wif me and other dogs don't usually want to play.

    woof - Tucker

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  15. I'm finally here! My human is helping me do this comment using her new software that types for her as she speaks, so she can rest her arms from her RSI – it's not bad,huh?

    that looks like a great Park – what a shame that it's not of leash. Isn't that just typical? I know what you mean about not wanting to attract attention – we often go to places that are not officially dog parks but see lots of other dogs running around playing but my human knows that if she lets me off, chances are we are the ones that will be seen by Animal Control and fined, since we are the biggest dog and easy to see from far away and people always notice us!

    I'm like you too, Darwin, I can be quite fussy about which dogs I will play with. Well, not so much when I was younger – I would play with anything, even the rubbish bin! :-) But now that I'm older, I am very selective and often won't play with other dogs – in any case, not many dogs can take my rough play – ha ha!

    That tiny puppy was so cute!

    Slobbers,
    Honey the Great Dane

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