March 25, 2003
Making herself comfortable on the papasan chair
6:00 p.m.
Today was very exciting! It was a good day for walks. We walked in the morning before it started raining and again in the evening, after it had become unbearably sunny and beautiful out.
Walking is a pleasure in the spring. In fact, everything is just a bit easier now that the weather has warmed up. Standing out in the front yard in the dark means breathing in the cool air and looking up at the stars (instead of shifting from foot to foot to keep from freezing to death). In the morning, the dawn paints the sky a delicate pink and the birds sing and I don't mind as much if Dusty requires 20 minutes to locate the Perfect Spot.
Anyways, there were the walks. And Dusty went off-leash for the first time at the dog park. I was curious what she would do and was surprised. She didn't wander off or run around crazily with her freedom. Instead, she stayed by my side, barely moving 3 metres in any direction. When I put her back on her Flexi-lead, she was bold once more. I guess she likes to have the umbilical cord for security.
And finally, we received a big package in the mail from Grandma. It contained a schnauzer t-shirt, a schnauzer calander and a TOY! Yes, a brand-new toy for the already-spoiled pup. It's a blue lamb with Very Floppy arms, legs, ears and tail. Floppy is important because it's much more fun to shake and run around with Floppy Things. We've named the new toy 'Lambkins' and it's a new favourite.
The calander is a hoot. It features photographs of dogs taken with a wide angle lens, so their noses (or bums) appear extravegantly out of proportion to the rest of their bodies.
The literature and marketing materials have clearly been translated from Japanese. Here's a snippet:
- "One-way of life:
Everbody needs someone to share joy of his or her life.
If it happens to be dogs, it will make your life fulfilled.
If you are happy, dogs are happy.
If dogs are happy, you are happy.
This is the whole concept of the DOG CLUB."
Smelling a brand success, "The Dog" company has expanded its product line. You can also now buy 'The Dog' slippers, milk candy, mugs, stickers, trading cards, boxer shorts and even tissue.
My personal favourite? The Dog 'Mini Herb Garden,' perplexing as it is cute. But not surprising in a country where you can rent a dog for a day.