|

28 December ~2008

Mollie has been with us three months now, almost to the day.  Early on Maggie would play with her, but I haven't seen that happen in a while, now that Mollie is bigger and moving towards adolescence.

That's not the case with Ben.  He and Mollie play constantly.  The energy he used to expend tossing and chasing his ball  has been transferred to playing with his little black and white sidekick, who is thrilled with her big buddy in every way.

I can see that when we backpack in 2009 Mollie will be on Ben's heels, following him to the ridge and cliff faces he loves to stand and look out from.

I have been introducing Ben and Maggie to dog parks, and have found some excellent ones around Denver - Stapleton Dog Park, which is 5 acres of soft sand, complete with fire hydrants placed for the male dogs to relieve themselves on.  Cherry Creek has a large dog park to the east of the Dam.  The dog park covers both sides of the creek and in the summer the dogs can swim in it.

How did I get so lucky to end up in this city?  Denver not only is one of the most dog-friendly places, it also has the best network of bicycle paths of any large city.  A good day is to take the dogs for a walk in the morning, then head out on an hours long bicycle ride, ending up in downtown, where I can put my mountain bike on the bus if I don't feel like climbing the hill back home.

Yesterday at the dog park  I sat on the bench for a while, while Mollie played with the 30 or so dogs that were at the Stapleton park the Sunday after Christmas.  Ben got on the cement slab on the back of the bench and stood above me.  Maggie got on the bench and pressed up against me.  These two are still adjusting to the activity of all the dogs, but felt safe near me, and perhaps they were looking out for me some.

At Mollie's puppy obedience class, the instructor took Mollie about 100 feet away, and had me call her, teaching her to come when called.  Mollie did this twice, but on the third time she had enough, and refused to leave my side.

At the vet Mollie had to get an antibioitic shot a few days ago for a minor eye infection.  She whined/screamed when the vet put the needle in her leg, and it took two of us to hold her.  I rubbed her ears and talked her into being still.  When the vet was done Mollie buried her head under the sleeve of my coat.

There is not denying there is plenty of love in my home, in the devotion I have for my three border collies, and the bond they have for each other and me.  
 
  700px     1400px