Always In Our Hearts

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Fuzzy Mermaid

A couple of days ago my girl told Stella & I to pack ourselves into the GoobMobile for a little ride.






We LOVE going mobile.





Stella even agreed to be the navigational co-pilot.





We hadn't been to this particular dog park since last October, so I wasted no time getting reacquainted with all of the amenities. The spa facilities are fabulous.




Come ON, Stella! We'll hike the perimeter then I'll show you the swimmin' hole!





Uh... listen, Stella. Since you can't be trusted and are tethered to the girl...






I'll just go ahead to scout things out.












Once we got to the pond, Stella jumped right in.








She's always been a big fan of water, but we'd never had her in water over her head before.






As a side note, doesn't it look like someone deflated her usually fluffy back legs?





She watched me splash around for a couple of minutes...






then decided to briefly test drive the deep water.






From that point on she was a SWIMMIN' FOOL!






I watched my fuzzy mermaid of a sissy try to drag our girl (who was holding on to Stella's 15 foot leash) out to sea and across the pond. Too bad our girl doesn't trust Stella to come when she's called. Given the freedom, that little ball of merfuzz would have been across the lake and back several times!







After our swim we headed up toward the main gates to see who else was parkin' it, and Stella met this sweet elderlab.






Stella and I hung out with the lab pups for a few minutes, until something a little disturbing happened. There was an older man close by who had another lab (not pictured) with him. I was hoping for a little playtime with her, and when she growled at me I started playing with her like I do with Stella. I used my usual strategy of keeping my booty and the rest of my body between her head and my head, talkin' trash and being loud. Before I knew it, the guy who owned the lab girl started screaming at my girl and then kicked me a few times in the ribs. I thought he wanted in on the wrasslin' action until my girl came over and took me by the collar and stepped back from the lab. My girl was confused and so was I.













We were just going to walk away until the lab owner yelled some HBO words at my girl and then said that he'd seen me out at the park a few weeks before and that I ALWAYS attack other dogs. My girl asked if his dog was okay and mentioned that we had not been out at that park for several months and that my mouth had been nowhere near his dog, and the lady who was with him kept saying, "He was biting her all over! He was BITING her!" (The few times I have put my mouth on another dog my girl has gone out of her way to apologize and take responsibility for the fact that it's her fault, not mine. But this was not that kind of situation.)














Well, my girl could tell there was no reasoning with these people and would have walked away and left it at that (even though this guy was maligning my character and Stella was now talkin' trash at him for all she was worth), until the guy called her another HBO word and told her that she needed to learn how to keep me under control and that I was going to get someone killed. He was walking away from her as he yelled all of these things, and my girl (who NEVER goes off on people in public) lost it. She told the guy that if he was going to be an ASS, then maybe HE should take his dog and go home. The guy then flipped her the bird, to which she replied, "VERY mature, grandpa," and walked away. (As another side note, we did notice a police vehicle pull up a few minutes after the exchange, but we were already hiking back around the park by then. There was noone waiting to talk to us when we went to the parking lot to leave so we figured that was that.)








Even though I could tell my girl and Stella were both keyed up, I was blissfully unaffected!






Stay cool,
Stanley





Pee S from my girl...


This is Stanley's girl. I do not advocate getting into an argument with ANYone in public for something so ridiculous as being called a name or because someone falsely accused my dog of something. There are some other things in my life right now that have me angry, I have been ignoring that anger, and this is an example of how misplaced anger can bubble up at an inappropriate time. The whole situation is too absurd to even be embarrassed about, but at least I've tapped into the anger and am starting to deal with it. I'm just glad the guy who kicked Stanley kicks like a wimp, and that Stanley wasn't hurt. If Stella spoke English I think all of our ears would have been burning, though. You should have HEARD her telling off that guy. Whew!

39 comments:

The Black and Tans. said...

Stanley

We were reading the beginning of this post and thought what a lovely day out you were all having. Watching Stella swim and Stanley running around was wonderful.

We nearly fell off our chairs when we reached the last bit!

What a horrid man! We do hope your girl is OK after such a nasty verbal assault and you are feeling OK after being kicked.

He cannot possibly understand dog's behaviour to be so vicious to you. You have to feel sorry for his own dog!

Hugs to you both.

Molly, Taffy and Monty

PS. Well done Stella for giving the guy so much verbal. I am so proud of you. Taffy. xxxxxxxx

Faya said...

...I wish I would have been there with you.....waaaahahahaha....I hate those people who think they are the best and their dogs are the best...
Stella, I am proud of you !!!
Kisses, VĂ©ronique, Faya & Dyos

Inky and Molly said...

Some people...How dare anyone to kick anydoggie, let alone you, Stanley. Some hoomans are just foul. We are very sorry you and your family had to deal with that and if we had been there, we'll we would have joined Stella and just blasted the guy one. We stand behind you and your girl!

Boo Casanova said...

hi everyone, i was with molly, taffy & monty. i was reading your fun opening then suddenly i have to drop my jaw.

ok, first off, grandpa shouldn't kick anydog. it reminds me of the incident i witness few weeks back. i always went to this place for a walkie off leash together with my lil brother dopey. i witness this playful basset hound was inviting this golden to play. the problem was, the owner of the golden were pretty up tide and didn't want their golden to play. the golden actually wanted to play and trying to run off from the leash.

the owner of the golden were pretty upset and scolded the owner of the basset hound "HEY HEY, THIS SHOULDN'T BE THE WAY, PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOG UNDER CONTROL" and blah blah blah.

from what i see it, the golden's owner were too up tide and think dogs should be behaving like human - polite and quiet. this is pretty funny and i think the owner should be relax. it's just a dog and they should behave like one too - playful.

tell your girl she shouldn't feel bad. some human, just too up tide! they should stay at home all day and don't come out.

cheers!

wet wet licks

Boo

Dexter said...

Sometimes a part of our brain takes over and says ENOUGH and then you just have to respond. Sounds like a totally messed up situation.

Stanny, I am actually, finally, grossed out. You are totally disgusting after your swim club time. Yuck! How did little Stella manage to stay so neat and clean? She is an amazing swimmer.

Slobbers,
Mango

Caz and Ludo the cool dude said...

Well poor you 3 I'm not surprised your girl was annoyed at how the man reacted.Obviously the man was truly mistaken about you and had you confused with another dog. Sorry you had a bad day. Well done Stella on your first swim you are a true mermaid . I on the other hand don't swim caz always hope i will but its up to my shoulders and no further. I would stay away from that walk for a while its not nice to be verbally attacked. Hope your girl is ok now.

Ludo the cool dude.

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

We were so glad to hear that you were having such a fantastic day. But hated to hear it got ruined by that weirdo. We simply can't imagine anyone kicking Stanley, but are glad Stella and your girl told the man a thing or two.

If you need to get away from it, just let us know. We live on 120 acre farm with an acre (soon to be)fenced in yard - you are welcome to come and visit. There are creeks for your swimming pleasure too.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

PS - Stella is a great little furrmaid!!

Mia said...

Poor Stanley!!! I can not believe that mean old grandpa man kicked you!! Who does he think he is?!?!?!? Your girl had every right to go off!!!! That mean man deserved it. I hope you are ok and I'm glad Stella came to your defense!!!

The Airechicks said...

Hey Guys -

What a wonderful start to a parkday... You guys looked like you were having a FUN time....WOO HOO Stella - water girl....

So sorry about later - "GRAMPS" was very disrespectful - under NO circumstances should you EVER EVER EVER kick someone else's dog at the DOG PARK - that is totally totally OUT OF LINE - maybe "GRAMPS" should learn how to defuse the situation instead of adding to the mix.

The girl had EVERY right to be upset regardless - we're sure she was frightened that "GRAMPS" was going to hurt you guys.....

We think the girl should report this incident because "GRAMPS" will do it again to someone else.

Today will be bigger & brighter & better.....

XXoooXXooooXXooooXXXoo

Kelly said...

Stanley! Stella!

First of all, I have been missin' you two! Stella I am so impressed with your swimmin' skills! You two are a couple of fish! I happen to think I am DROWNING when I get a bath... I don't think I'll be giving Michael Phelps a run for his money anytime soon.

Not much I can say about that jerk in the park that hasn't already been said. Misplaced anger or not, your Girl was well within reason. He was wrong in his accusations and even MORE wrong in the way he handled it. I have NEVER seen my Momma go off on anyone, except one time when it pertained to me. That motherly instinct, even about our pets, is fierce!

Hollie and Janie said...

OMG! What a day yall had! That pond looks like so much fun, and Stella looks like a mini-lochness floating around!
My mama and I have encountered a few people like the one you encountered. It's just so hard to understand people. The people overreact, then they start kicking and yelling....so ridiculous! Once at my park, I bounced up, like I usually do, to a little girl. I bumped her and she fell, but she was fine and laughing. Her human started kicking me and kicked me down a hill and was yelling at mama. She just ran and got me and we walked away. It was a rough day for us. I was fine! All that to say, we understand. Give your sweet girl a big, wet beard kiss from me!!!
Love,
Janie

Stanislaw said...

Mom has a few words for some of our dog park folks hidden inside as well. You know the type - they're on their cell phones allowing their cooped up pup to abuse the other dogs like a monster from hell and their people are too busy gossiping to notice or care. ICK! There are creeps that hang out in those parks, and I'm sorry to see that you've got some as well.

When it comes to our people protecting their babies (us, of course) they sure do take their jobs seriously!

And as a side note -
He flipped you a bird?? Did you catch it? Did you EAT IT?!!

Ruby Bleu said...

Thank dogness Stanny was OK. Me and Mom hates people like that!!! I'd like to give that man an HBO word or two!!! What a way to ruin an otherwise fun day! As my Mom would say, Breathe.....


Anyhowl...Stella you make a pawsome fuzzy mermaid!!!!

Lots of Licks, Ruby

PS from Mom - Hang in there Lisa!!!

Molly the Airedale said...

OMG, how can anyone even want to kick you, Stanley! You are so sweet! We hope an evil bicycle tire runs over gramps foot! grrrrrrrrrrrrr
And look at you swimming like a fishie, Miss Stella! You're a natural in the water!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Petra said...

It makes me sick to hear that people can be so hateful and obnoxious. Poor Stanley! I'm glad your mom stood up to him.

The first part of the story was so fun to watch! Stella, the little mermaid, is a joy to behold!

Meryl said...

Way to go Stella! You tell 'em!

(And, you make a lovely mermaid!)

--Moe the Welshie

Jake of Florida said...

People like that are the main reason our folks stopped taking us to the dog park.

You never know when someone is going to throw his misdirected anger and false accusations at you!!

Stanny, we're glad you and Stella talked plenty of trash -- and if your girl joined in, well that old no-gentleman deserved it. Not a good policy, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

Glad you're all OK.

Wirey calming vibes (Hah!!)

Jake and Just Harry

Deetz said...

Gosh, I am so sorry Stanley that that human kicked you in the ribs for no reason. I mean, you were just playing like an airedale always plays..bitey the legs first, then spin your butt to the other dog...its fair and fun.
My human would have went balistic on the old man and had him on his knees crying for his mamma, in a mature, mannerly way of course.
I think your mum did good not getting balistic and I wish my mum would learn to control her anger sometimes. Anywaz, The mud pond looked fantastic and mum said sometime soon on a weekend maybe we could all get together for a playdate?
Deetzy

Lacy said...

w00fs, what a bute ti ful day it started with..then u had to meet a stupid human...i thought that wuz why our pawents took us to doggy parks, to interact wiff other doggys..if he didnt want his dog to do that then he shooda stayed home..sticks and stones and names cant hurt us, but when he started kicking stanley, thats when it all changed...he didnt have any right to do that...ur girl was in the right...and i think she should have told those police too, how he acted...

b safe,
~rocky~

C.l.o.v.e.r. said...

OMG so sorry to hear about mean old grandpa - honestly, some people, they are just not worth your time.
I hope you are able to forget all about him and I did it by rewatching Stella's video and looking at your adorable pics!! Stella, I wish we could be mermaids together!
Love Gooberclove xo

Asta said...

My Sweetheawt Stanley
I'm still shacking wif angew at that *%($#(G Mr. Kicking you?????You the sweetest big Goob awound.
I wish I wewe thewe..he would have been toast!!!!
and Let me tell you, youw giwl was easy peasy calm compawed to what my Mommi would have been like undew the ciwcumstances.
Daddi says twy not to hold this against all old guys (like Daddi fow instance)
Stella I'm so impwessed by youw swimming style. I just wish we could have been all fwolicking in that spa togethew.
Dawling Stanley my Love I'm sending extwa smoochies fow youw wibses.
Youw Sweetpealovepup
Astawonifuzzbutt

Persephone and Buster said...

ms.stella.. you are a swimming maniac!!! way to go gurlie... swimming is most fun...we are sorry that the old coot made the day crumby for poor stanley and his girl..we hope all is well -- as for the HBO words..stella will take care of the bas´®†¥¨Ë†Ă¸´∆...just let her at him!
hope all is well..
theBUSTER, Ms.Persephone & Ms.Blue

TwoSpecialWires said...

Stanley, You had us holding our breath as we read further and further into your account of the altercation at the dog park. We’d started off fondly remembering our time with you and Stella a few weeks ago, then remembered Fergi lunging into the Spring River for her first swim, then thinking about the first (and only, so far) time she swam in water over her head – just like a graceful mermaid. We were all happy and reminiscent. And THEN! We were totally shaken up hearing about you (and your Girl) being misread and mistreated! It is so sad when one (crazy) person can be so “off”, so reactive and so out-of-control, off-the-charts mean to someone totally undeserving. And for them not to have the ability to recognize how wrong that behavior is. Like Jake (of south Florida) said, you never know when misdirected anger and false accusations might be tossed your way. Why YOUR way? You are so sweet, and so is your Girl. It is just so WRONG! We’re glad you didn’t let it ruin your day AND we’re glad you weren’t hurt. (If your Girl has any suggestions for our Moma how to let that stuff eventually roll off her shoulders, that would be a good thing to pass along.)

We’re happy all seems to be history. But we’re still angry that it happened to you.

Your sunbaked pals,
Jake and Fergi

Lorenza said...

Hi, Stan!
Tell your girl I know several bad words in spanish for that mean man!
Glad you are ok!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

the Corgi Girls said...

Oh Dears!

From Corgi Mum - I just can't get over how often it seems like stuff like this happens, I mean when it all comes down to it, we're all dog people, you'd think we'd all have enough in common to be realistic about our fur friends. So sorry you had to deal with all that. No one's dog is perfect, and dogs will always, above all else, act like dogs. It's who they are!

From Mox and Iz - Stell, I bet you would have made a sailor blush, so tough of you girl to stand up for your Mum and big bro. Atta' girl!

Stan, we all need a little more of your personality in us, never be bothered by insignificant stuff, right!?

And OMD, that mud hole looks FAB! Whatcha say we get a big group of the cool kids together to crowd out any of the bad eggs next time you hit the spa?!

;o)

Kirby said...

OK, seriously, WTF! What was wrong with that other dogs family? They practically ruined a great outing to the dog park. Other than that yucky incident, I hope both you and Stella had a good time swimming and enjoying yourself.

Your pal,
Kirby

Princess Patches said...

We can't believe that a** of a man kicked you Stanley! We hope you're okay and we hope the man gets kicked in HIS ribs! To your girl from our mom: I know exactly how you feel. It takes a lot for something or someone to light my fuse, but once it's lit, it burns very quickly! That situation would have made me explode! You handled it very well!

Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny, Patches and their mom

Patience-please said...

We are very, very sorry that happened. No one needs to be treated like that. Ever. Sounds like your girl has REALLY got her act together. All of our paws are way up for her!

wags from the whippets

Bogart H. Devil said...

Ah, we too have experienced such people - who do not understand dog-to-dog interactions and think that what can look and sound kind of vicious is actually playing or dogs figuring out who is the "top dog". They get their panties in a bunch and say nasty things.

Mama just said to tell your mama to picture that person with their panties literally in a bunch (go ahead, be creative here) and that should help.

Love,
Bogart

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Sounds like Stella told that mean man off good. We should ban all grouches from dog parks!! The nerve of that guy.
Smooches, BabyRD

Yo Stella! You are one super swimmer. Also glad you helped your mommy put that grouch in his place!
XXOO-Hootie

Agatha and Archie said...

SHAKING WE ARE SHAKING WITH ANGER....this EXACT same thing happened to Archie (someone kicked him and SCREAMED at all of us and like Jake and Harry we stopped going to dog parks becasue of STUPID people like that jerk...We are glad you mouthed off and even gladder that Stella trashed talk( well she did have an excellent teacher) grrrr how could anyone treat our main man like this...Love A+A ps tell esther williams she is a true swimming star...

Finni said...

Hi Stanley & Stella,
That's a great dog park with all the right amenities. Pity people like that old grandpa spoil it.
We've had a few run-ins ourselves unfortunately. Mum puts it down to people being ignorant of Airedale play behaviour and being afraid of them. We too have heard some STRANGE words!
Don't let it put you off going to that brilliant place though. We love Stella the Mermaid!
Headrubs
Finni & Nelly xx

Sophie Brador said...

Woah! My mom wants to get her butt down to Kansas and kick that old mean grandpa. They obviously have no idea about dogs. You were probably just trying to play and they don't get it. You're a big goob. That's all. I'm so glad you weren't hurt, but I love that Stella has been implementing her diva-ness in even these tough situations.

xo
SB

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Too bad that such a fun day at the park had to end like that. Next time we suggest you just pull out your cellphone and call the police. No human has the right to kick your dog.

Way to go, little Stella - you can swim!!!

Tail wags and hugs, the OP Pack

Sally said...

We were loving your blog - and think Stella is one proper mermaid indeed! And like the others - we were horrified to hear you had the misfortune of coming across 'mentally unstable' grandpa. You were very calm considering - and we are so glad the Goober is ok! When Mom has had challenging people - she uses 'Merlot' or 'Chardonnay' to help return her to a state of mental well being. She is willing to send her finest if you want...

We are sorry for the badness - but very happy to see Stella swimming!!!!! Paddy and I only go up to our chests - and then thats it! So well done her!

Lots of licks

Sally and Paddy

William Tell said...

How dare that fellow diss the Goob! No wonder Your Girl got upset. I think it was Woodrow Wilson who said, "I am accustomed to hearing malicious falsehoods about myself...but I think I have a right to resent, to object to libelous statements about my dog." Who wouldn't love Stanley? Something's wrong with that guy, for sure.

Well, Stanley and Stella, you can come romp with us anytime and we'll enjoy every moment of your Gooberness. :)

Happy Tails,
William Tell

Sherry said...

Oh my, I hope that encounter didn't ruin what started out as a wonderful day. It's depressing that so many dog owners don't know anything about dog behavior and the difference between normal "showing who's boss" and fighting.
Sherry
Alanis & Miro

Moco said...

Grammie says, "that old guy needs ECT."
Stella is a swimming fool. How could anyone think you would hurt them.

Oliver said...

Oh my goodness, how horrible! I would have been kicking that guy back! Poor Stanley, Poor you Lisa!