Dogs

ZZZZ: Vancouver, BC

ZZZZ: Vancouver, BC

Bela is a 6 month old English Bulldog. She runs. She jumps (kind of). She bulldozes everything on her way. She will be the queen of destruction when she’ll grow up. For my benefit, she just shewed on an expensive leather couch and attacked a couple of toes, luckily not mine.

Crash: A Pomeranian/Chihuahua

Crash: A Pomeranian/Chihuahua

Crash is a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix that, according to Matt (his owner), never looks at the camera.

The theory about dog not looking at the camera, according to Turid Rugass, is that looking at each other in the eyes is a sign of aggression. Looking away is a calming down signal by dogs. On the other hand, dogs have no problem looking at somebody in the eyes to get a biscuit or another treat. Try that with a small peperoni or a small sausage…

Scottie vs. Cyclist: Vancouver, BC

Scottie vs. Cyclist: Vancouver, BC

I have seen a few people with their Chihuahua or their Yorkies in a pannier on the handle bar but a Scottish Terrier? Never.

Scotties have short legs but they are quite dense, this one looks like around 25/30 pounds Scottish Terrier. It’s not easy biking with such a heavy weight so high up from the wheel.

The Running Spirit: Vancouver, BC

The Running Spirit: Vancouver, BC

And yes, her name is Spirit. Spirit is a Long-Haired Collie, the Lassie type of Collie. Her owner gave her this name because she’s always running with her long flowing hairs.

Spirit loves to run. Did I say that she loves to run? She loves to chase her ball. According to her owner, she waits by the door with her leash so she can go to the park just across the street to run after her ball. The problem is when her owner has to go out without her and she left home to ‘hold the fort’.

Whippet: Vancouver, BC

Whippet: Vancouver, BC

Whippets are like smaller Greyhounds. I still have to see an aggressive Whippet and most of them are very gentle dogs.

Whippets are skinny and need to have extra layers of sweaters and coats, not just for the winter but also for the spring and the fall.

Henry at the Park: Vancouver, BC

Henry at the Park: Vancouver, BC

Henry is a 9 weeks old French Bulldog. His attention span is measured in tens of a second. Anybody makes an ‘Ooh’ or an ‘Aah’ and he thinks that it’s people that like him so he’s run there.

He’s stubborn, untrainable (almost). When he’s really happy, he can’t swallow his own saliva so he starts to drool, then he shakes and sends the drool flying… Luckily, he doesn’t fart too much.

Walking on the Leash: Vancouver, BC

Walking on the Leash: Vancouver, BC

There’s a big difference between a dog walking on a leash and heeling.

Heeling is a very specific exercise. It’s walking with the dog close to the handler’s left leg and the head turned toward the handler. It’s not walking, it’s hard work for a dog and for the handler.

What a Cuttie

What a Cuttie

Her name’s Lizzie, she’s only 7 month old. She looks so serious, that’s until she starts running around with other dogs. Then, she becomes exuberant and there’s no way to stop her until all the other dogs are gone.

With the other dogs gone, she stops immediately and becomes again the serious dog.

Another Amazing Dog: Vancouver, BC

Another Amazing Dog: Vancouver, BC

This dog, an Aussie aka an Australian Sheppard, is playing with a soccer ball. The amazing thing is not that he runs after it, but he also carries it.

He runs after the soccer ball and somehow manages to lift it can carry it in his mouth. He bites into it. The bite is strong enough to hold and lift the ball but not strong enough to puncture the ball. Amazing.