I Made a Liar Outta Mama

For the past couple of months, mama had been talking about some plans for her co-workers to get together with their pets. They planned a "Pet Picnic" for a Saturday in March at a centrally located park. Mama had for a while debated about whether or not to take me. See, I'm not a big fan of big dogs, and I tend to get carsick. The park is about 20 miles from home, so naturally she was worried. But she decided to take me. She bought a patio chair cushion to raise me up a bit in the back seat, so I could see out the window. That's supposed to help dogs who get carsick not get carsick.

Well, today was the day. She went to the store, bought the cushion and a new leash. She packed a lunch and the macaroni salad she made yesterday. She put my crate in the back seat (the small one) so that if I got too stressed out I could go in there. She also packed up snacks for me and toys. Then she put me in the car (actually I jumped in on my own). Off we went.

The ride to the park was uneventful. We found the ramada easily. It was in the perfect spot: Close to parking, right next to the enclosed off-leash areas, and right behind a big marked off area where some group was doing dog agility! There were plenty of picnic tables. The Parks and Recreation workers even stopped by a few times to be sure we were the right people using the ramada (we reserved it about 2 months ago). The first people we saw were Gabe and his kids.

Gabe and his kids were nice. They helped carry the cooler and the crate back to the picnic area from the car. I was so grateful that not only did I let the kids pet me, I let them pet me all at once (I was too busy keeping a close eye on that ice cream cone).
That was one way I made a liar outta mama. She's been telling tales of me not being good with kids. I am TOO good with kids. As long as they let me approach them, and they aren't running at me!

I made a liar outta mama another way, too. She also was telling tales that I'm scared of big dogs. Mama took this picture a bit too early, but see me there in the bottom of the picture? I was walking toward that Newfoundland puppy there. Yes, he's a PUPPY. If she'd have waitied a second or two, you'd have been able to see that I got right up to that big puppy and sniffed him! For a little better view of how big this puppy is, take a look:Now, since I did actually approach this big dog on my own accord, do you really think I'm afraid of big dogs? HUH?Okay, maybe just a little bit sometimes.

Mama was really looking forward to meeting Mitzie, a Border Collie mix that belongs to her former co-worker, Sara. She said they were always talking about us and our antics. Yes, Mitzi has antics, too! Here's a picture of both of us with our mamas:Though I did notice she (Mitzi) also spent a lot of time looking away from me.

I thought maybe she didn't like me, but mama thinks she was just wanting to go join the agility games behind us.

I made a liar outta mama another way, too:

Notice that I don't have a leash on in these pictures? That's because I was in the enclosed off-leash area for small dogs! This park has the most amazing off leash areas, I couldn't help but go in! Mama did have to carry me past the big dog off-leash area next to this one, but I went in on my own and I didn't shiver and quake and I trotted along a little bit, too! Stay tuned. In a couple of days mama will post the video she has of me in the off-leash area with a cute little white dog.

Okay, I think I made my point about me making a liar outta my mama. Here are some pics of other dogs and people that joined us today.

Mama's a bit upset about that last picture of Eileen and Don. She realized when she got home that she didn't have a picture of Corina, their Yellow Lab mix they recently rescued and nursed back from Heartworm. She's a sweetie. Maybe Eileen will email her a picture and mama can post it.

A good time was had by all who went, and those who missed it were, well, missed.

There was one way in which I did not make mama a liar, though. Remember I mentioned that mama bought a cushion to put on the seat to raise me up? And the tales she tells of me getting carsick?

Don't worry, mama didn't take a picture of that. But let's just say the option to return the cushion to the store has been revoked.