{09may2012: wordless Wednesday}

Another day at the dog park edition:

Darwin & Monty

Maya Darwin & Monty

Darwin & Tessa

Darwin & Frodo


Darwin photobomed Frodo


Sisters, Tessa & Fiona




***BTW thanks for all the birthday wishes for both Jason and I! 

{31oct2011: Happy Halloween}

Since Halloween is on a Monday this year, I dressed Darwin up yesterday to go to the park. I really was hoping to find her a tutu at Goodwill, so when that didn't pan out I found a large dog princess costume and some wings instead (note to self, make Darwin's costume as large costumes aren't really large enough for her).

We headed to the park and as soon as we walked in she found a friend.

It actually came with a cone hat, but that fell off and into the mud as soon as she got out of the car. 

{oh man i hope none of my friends see me like this}

{ok hurry up and take the picture!}

{why am i the only one dressed up?!}

After posing for some pictures we took it all off so she could play. She had fun running with this mastiff puppy.

And then we ran into her friend Rooney and her new sister Hines!

Hines is 4.5months old and full European Dane which means she'll be a lot bigger than her older sister.

Darwin Rooney and Hines had a blast chasing each other.

It won't be long til Hines is towering over her sister and Darwin.

Hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween!

{07Oct2011: Dreams Come True}

Well, almost true.
As much as in love with Great Danes as I am, what I (not so) secretly wish for is an English Bulldog that Darwin would be bff's with. (Why do I have crushes on these health problematic dogs?!) The daycare that Darwin goes to has a few Bulldogs as clients and as I watch Darwin on the webcam I always hope that I'll catch Darwin and a Bulldog cuddled up for a nap together... I'd even settle for them playing together. So far no such luck.
But one day at Marymoor my dreams were THIS much closer to being realized. There must have been something in the air or water that day, but a couple bulldogs tried to get some play time in with Darwin and her other Dane friends.
The first one to check out Darwin was this French Bulldog (or is he a Boston Terrier?)

And then the friend he was with came over for a sniff.

EEEEEEEEEE!!!! Did you see his wrinkles and cute stubby legs?! Darwin of course paid no attention to him. But it was so cute!
We walked through the park and the big dogs got to enjoy themselves in the water.

Darwin's bud Frankie had a little convo with Dar. I think they were talking about how much cooler it was in the water than on the land.

Then as Darwin and Frankie got their play on a new little friend tried to get in on the action.

How cute is that?! I think Darwin was a little surprised at the little dude's "in your face" approach and she ran quickly over to Jason.
But that little dude just followed her around wanting to be friends and play.

Eventually the Bulldog's owner called him away (boooo) and the highlight of my day was over.

{07sept2011: wordless Wednesday}

fun at Marymoor Great Dane convention (aka Sunday's) edition:

{tessa and sebastian}

{delilah sebastian fiona (tessa's littermate) and dar}

{delilah sebastian and dar}

{delilah sebastian dar and winston}






Now that Darwin has remembered how to get in the water at Marymoor she's always in there. Even if we're by ourselves she'll walk right in. Success!

{05aug2011: woo hoo}

Thanks for the comments on our last wordless Wednesday post. Many of you asked about the mustached fellow. On all my trips I bring along a new toy to come on our adventure.
My red velvet cupcake came to Peru:

Bert the owl and Paddie the pickle came to Cambodia:

I've had a stuffed corn in Indiana, pineapple Pete in Hawaii, and other friends join us on our trips. This time it was Macho Ninja's turn. 

Anyway, back to the post at hand. When Darwin was under a year old and we went to Marymoor Park, she used to always go in the water on hot summer days. And not just go in, but actually play in the water.

Winter came and went and the next summer she would not go in. No matter if it was HOT HOT HOT out she wouldn't do it. Fair enough to say that the entry into the water at Marymoor isn't ideal. It's not a gradual slope in, but rocks or steps.
Darwin doesn't seem to like going in on the steps. Not being able to really see the next step down freaks her out.
The other weekend I took Dar to the park and it was HOT out. Not rest of the country hot, but  mid 70's Seattle hot. On Saturday my friend Susan came to the park with us and I tried going down into the water (it's shallow enough that it only comes up to mid thigh) and Darwin spent the 15 minutes I was in there trying to lure her in, standing on the steps barking at me. No go.
Sunday Darwin and I went back to the park and it was hotter than the day before. I got in the water again and again she barked at me. Marymoor has 4-5 different entry points into the water so I got out and we walked around and tried what I thought would be and easier spot. I stood there for about 20 minutes, this time two other strangers on the steps with their dog tried to help coax Dar in. She got close at one point as I lured her with treats and she took one step into the water, but then quickly backed out. By then some of our other Dane friends showed up so we did a few laps around the park with them.

We got back to the waterhole and this time all the Danes went straight in the water (Sirus, Georgia, Phoenix and Archimedes) and Darwin stayed on the side. I got back in the water along with Phoenix and Archimedes' mom and the other owners stayed on the step. Darwin barked at first, but I think convinced by all her friends being in the water, built up the courage and got in!

Georgia and Archimedes

Darwin and Georgia

Darwin and Winston

Once in the water Darwin was fine, even happy to be in.
We haven't been back to the park in a couple weekends and it's supposed to be hot again this weekend. I'm hoping Darwin will remember how easy it was to get in last time and do it again without all the drama!

{13july2011: wordless Wednesday}

Big Danes in tall grass edition:

{09march2011: mostly wordless Wednesday}

catch up at the park edition:

so ferocious!

Refereeing by the Malamute!

WINSTON!!!!!!!!!!

If you haven't entered our Fun With Friday Contest yet, head over to that post and take a guess!  Guessing will be open til we get Friday's results!