I Love My Dog!

It has been many years since our family has been able to open our hearts to having a dog. Our beloved German Shephard had to be put to rest from a bout with cancer about 12 years ago. But as I walked through Petsmart one Saturday with my husband, who was only looking to buy fish, this big old love caught my eye. I kept telling myself I didn't need a dog. I especially didn't need this big old hyper dog, barking at everything that walked by. But every time I passed the aisle and caught a glimpse, I knew I couldn't leave without him.

Bojangles is his name. That's what he came with, and that's what it stayed. We cuddle and snuggle as if he is a big human baby. We have had him almost 2 years now.

We went on our first camping trip of the year on Memorial Day weekend. Living in the city there isn't much opportunity for Bo to get in a good run. It's no exception in a campground. I love a campground with a dog park because they get to run without leash and socialize. Holiday TraLPark in Virginia Beach has a very large open area for dogs. We got a puppy in April, and his name is Ricky. He is already half the size of Bo. We weren't sure how the boys were going to do with the other dogs, so we eased them into it before we took off the leashes. And that's when the fun started...

The boys did great playing and sniffing around with the other dogs. Then enters a lady holding the lease to a small, lean greyhound. She explained that she had never brought the dog to a park before and wasn't sure about it. Then she reached down to unhook the leash and said, "Here it goes..."

That greyhound looked like a streak of lightning, and Bojangles the "deer" was determined to catch it. The greyhound had no problem pulling away, and playfully slowed down every once in a while to let him get close, and then take off. Several times they flew by and we were sure they were going to take our legs out at the knees. All we could do was stand still and hope they missed. Bojangles started trying to take short cuts, and Ricky tried to cut her off for him a few times because there was no WAY he was keeping up. His tongue was hanging out and he had that big doggy grin on his face when the greyhound finally came to a halt beside its master. He stopped short behind her and gave her a good growl as if he'd finally caught his prey.

We all had a good laugh watching them, and it made my heart swell with joy and pride to see him be so free. I love my dogs!