Dog Park Weekend

This weekend started off great because Chris and I did some apartment hunting! We expect to move in about a month and we are both really looking forward to it. :)

Ellie has been experiencing increasing separation anxiety lately and it is unfortunately accompanied by destructive behavior. So we have been stepping up our training to start working on manners.

She now has to wear a leash and walk right by my side everywhere we go, rather than being able to sprint down the hall unleashed when it's time for potty trips. She also has to sit and wait to go through doors, get on the elevator, etc. I'm hoping that tightening the reins will be a good first step towards teaching her that she doesn't run the show and always get her way!

The next step is desensitizing her to cues such as grabbing keys, zipping up a jacket or sweater, turning off the TV; all of which cause her to instantly shake like a leaf!

On the bright side, we made it back to the dog park this weekend! We haven't been there in a long time! My mom and step dad met us there with their three dogs (two Rat Terriers and one Beagle-Doxie mix). There were lots of dogs there and the weather was nice!

Panting from so much running!

Taking off to chase black dog. My mom's ratties Jackson and Dexter on the bottom.

Running back to mom after chasing black dog

Ellie kissed an alpaca

Yesterday Ellie and I went to Petapalooza at Marymoor park. It was a bit of a soggy day, but we made the best of it, got lots of free treats and food samples, and had a great time!

We saw some big Danes!

Ellie kissed an alpaca!

Ellie was very curious about these big animals. Ellie and Gigi sniffed each others noses a couple of times and at one point, Ellie licked her nose which really freaked Gigi out! She quickly pulled her head away and shook it, wondering what in the world just happened! Ellie has a tendency to offer kisses to all the new friends she meets. :)

Ellie crashed out

The sun peeked out and as soon as the ground dried up enough, Ellie crashed out. She was exhausted!

Weekend outdoor adventures

On Sunday I decided to get up and outside early before the day got too warm, so I took Ellie to Marymoor dog park bright and early in the morning.

When I first got Ellie, she loved to play with other dogs and go say hello to every dog and person she saw. These days, she seems more interested in claiming the entire 42 acre park by leaving her mark.
She marked...

Said hello...

And marked some more.

On the way back, we went to a blueberry farm where I picked around 2 pounds of blueberries to make some yummy treats! Ellie was very good and hung out in the grass while I picked.

We met 2 Ellies!

I took Ellie to the dog park today, and wouldn't you know, we saw not one but TWO dogs that looked so similar to Ellie! I got pictures of both, but unfortunately I didn't realize that my phone cover slid up so the second two pictures are a little fuzzy.

The first dog we saw had an identical body but slightly shorter/smaller. Her face was a little different, but still very alike!

Hey, you look like me!

We ate grass together

Then we saw another dog that looks like Ellie! She was a little bit bigger and much more muscular as she had about 30 pounds on Ellie! Fun times at the park running into twins. :)

Afterward, we went to Dairy Queen so I could pick up a couple of Blizzards for Jon and myself. I also grabbed a doggy cone for Ellie which she delightfully devoured.