Monday, April 30, 2012

Monday Mischief: April 30 2012

The park that Elka and I visit the most often also boasts some tennis courts.

Elka finds this fascinating, of course, to see an object of her acute interest to be used in such a different manner from the one to which she is accustomed. It's especially amusing for me when summer is in full swing, as there are apparently group tennis lessons for children, so not only are there lots of tennis balls, but also lots of kids, some of whom are using comically large tennis balls, at least until they get the hang of it, I guess.

So, at the park, Elka stared like a creeper at a Japanese couple, who (to my relief) seemed amused by her, not intimidated or upset. In hindsight, it might have been cute if I had her "bow". Or maybe it would not have been and it's good I didn't. The world may never know. We also sometimes see a pair of Indian ladies who are literally swathed in white cloth and always walking. While they never want to pet Elka or actually interact with her, we've seen them enough that they smile and gesture hello, and this last time, one of them blew Elka a kiss and said hello to her too.

But, international relations aside, that wasn't the little bit of mischief. Or perhaps shenanigans? It was innocuous, certainly, just a bit of fun!




See, after we saw the couple, we proceeded merrily through the park, practicing recall and smelling trees. Well, Elka smelled the trees, intimately; I did not. Under one tree, what before our wondering eyes should appear? A new-looking, entirely unattended, tennis ball! Elka didn't even notice it at first, but boy, was she happy when she did!


She picked the ball up, bowing after all, and then the back end went down too.


There was some nosing to be had. And some pouncing and chewing.


Was that a bird? Will it take my tennis ball? 


More chewing.


We walked a little bit, with her carrying it, and then there was more chewing.

After we left the park, I ended up putting the ball in my pocket, because I didn't want her carrying it to a point and then dropping it on the sidewalk, where it would surely bounce into the road.

18 comments:

  1. Woof! Woof! Everyday I meet many people from different countries ... just Golden happy that they all like dogs. Happy Monday Mischief. Lots of Golden ALOHA n Woofs, Sugar

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    1. It does seem that almost everyboy likes dogs!

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  2. You just never know what you might find in the park. Tennis ball is a nice find!

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    1. Sometimes, I feel like we're going to be that intro to a show like Bones or CSI, when we find a sneaker that turns out to have a foot in it or something.

      Most of the time, it's nice things, like a tennis ball, or a deflated basketball.

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  3. Great find! There's always interesting things to find at the park!

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    1. I found a rock with a bunch of fossils in it once!

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  4. Great find Elka!!

    I love the Tennis court at our local park too, it's only small and if there's no-one in there sometimes Mum will let me run around off-leash as it's all fenced in!! Yay :)

    I hope you're having a fun day,

    Your pal Snoopy :)

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    1. I've wanted to do that with Elka, but there's a big "NO DOGS" etc. sign on the tennis court fence. Also, the one at this park doesn't close up entirely, for some reason!

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  5. Found tennis balls seem to have the best smells in the world.

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    1. Yes, the "stranger" bouquet is apparently an intoxicating one!

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  6. Sounds like a fun adventure. :)

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  7. I'm glad you found a tennis ball Elka. Apache would be jealous. As a guide dog puppy in training he's not allowed to play with tennis balls and frisbees :(

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    1. No tennis balls and frisbees ever at all, or just while wearing the training vest? Puppies need SOME fun, even working ones!

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  8. I am always curious as to how Mesa would react to a tennis court

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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    1. I think so many of the strange things that we people do are both exciting and confusing to dogs!

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  9. We would blow you a kiss too, Elka!
    We love the park too...we are most fascinated with golf and the people who hit balls with a stick!!

    Wyatt and Stanzie

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    1. Aww, thanks!

      Elka hasn't seen golf yet, I imagine she would be interested and concerned. Swingings sticks could be dangerous!

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