After being away for most of the last 14 months, I'm lucky the dogs still recognize me. Well, 'lucky' is a relative term; accompanying their recognition is an expectation that I'll make good on all the time I haven't spent with them - so obviously I've got my hands full!

Elizabeth got caught up with work, so I got to be the surrogate weiner walker for this weekend's lap of Greenlake.  This was my first time around Greenlake (being a Washington 'transplant'), and it was a very pleasant experience.  Though there was a nice thick overcast, it didn't rain during the walk itself, which I'm sure all the dogs (and owners) appreciated.  

I found it very entertaining meeting dozens of doxies and their owners, though I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't feeling very social - and neither, apparently, was Penny, who repeatedly looked (and jumped) up at me as if to say, \"do I really have to play with the other dogs?\"  In light of our mutual desire for solitude, as well as Penny's sled-dog-pulling tendencies, we spent most of the 'walk' jogging to the head of the pack, then pausing to let others catch up, chat, and then launching off again to the front.

Penny did wonderfully, and it was very nice to 'bond' with her one-on-one for a bit. Thanks to Jessica for organizing the event, it was a pleasure meeting all of the people and pups, and I particularly appreciate the very cute photos that some of you were kind enough to take of us in those few moments when we weren't moving off at Penny-speed!

D here...

After being away for most of the last 14 months, I'm lucky the dogs still recognize me. Well, 'lucky' is a relative term; accompanying their recognition is an expectation that I'll make good on all the time I haven't spent with them - so obviously I've got my hands full!

Elizabeth got caught up with work, so I got to be the surrogate weiner walker for this weekend's lap of Greenlake.  This was my first time around Greenlake (being a Washington 'transplant'), and it was a very pleasant experience.  Though there was a nice thick overcast, it didn't rain during the walk itself, which I'm sure all the dogs (and owners) appreciated.  

I found it very entertaining meeting dozens of doxies and their owners, though I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't feeling very social - and neither, apparently, was Penny, who repeatedly looked (and jumped) up at me as if to say, \"do I really have to play with the other dogs?\"  In light of our mutual desire for solitude, as well as Penny's sled-dog-pulling tendencies, we spent most of the 'walk' jogging to the head of the pack, then pausing to let others catch up, chat, and then launching off again to the front.

Penny did wonderfully, and it was very nice to 'bond' with her one-on-one for a bit. Thanks to Jessica for organizing the event, it was a pleasure meeting all of the people and pups, and I particularly appreciate the very cute photos that some of you were kind enough to take of us in those few moments when we weren't moving off at Penny-speed!

(Photos courtesy of Elena from It's a Weinderful Life)