Jack’s Walk

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The weather the past few days has been dreary. Temperatures have dropped into the teens and there’s been lots of rain. There’s also a lot of mud and it’s been challenging to keep Jack clean. Today, though, we found a nice dry path and we didn’t have to wrestle with cleaning his feet, although we still did our all over check for ticks. That’s really important at this time of year, especially if you and your dog go exploring country roads and forested places. Just take a minute when you get home to feel all over your dog’s coat for ticks. If you find one don’t try to pick it off. There are specialized tweezers available at most pharmacies and vet clinics that ensure the entire tick comes free. If you live in an area where lyme disease is common (we do) you can send the tick off to be tested. Just ask your vet. My brother-in-law’s dog contracted lyme disease last year and he was a very sick pup and needed antibiotics for a month. Our family now takes the risk very seriously and so we also give Jack oral tick prevention.

Jack’s Walk

©voyager, all rights reserved

©voyager, all rights reserved

These 2 small ponds belong to a sand and gravel company who have dug down far enough to hit the water table. The front pond’s been around for many years and has naturalized into the landscape. As well, the owners have stocked it with fish. The rear pond is only a few years old and is oddly lighter in colour than the one in front. I suspect this is because it doesn’t have either plants or fish yet.

Many years ago people used to bring their dogs to swim in the front pond. The water was always clean, fresh and cold and it was one of Jack’s favourite places. Then the owners began excavating here again and the gates were locked. Poor Jack lost the one swimming hole that always had good water quality. The caution sign is new this year and whether it’s true or not, it seems pretty effective.

 

Jack’s Walk

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People have started mowing their lawns and for the most part the dandelions will be kept cut down. Still, some dandelions will find places to live and thrive and secretly that pleases me. Mr. Voyager and I often wish that we could let our grass grown long and wild and full of colourful weeds, but that’s frowned upon when you live in the city so we comply and cut. Maybe someday people will realize that all that mowing and watering and tending to grass is unnatural and bad for us and the environment.

 

Jack’s Walk

 

©voyager, all rights reserved

It’s a hot cloudless day here with temperatures hovering around 28°. Lovely weather…for humans. Not so lovely if you’re a big brown dog who hasn’t lost his winter coat yet. Jack’s in the process of shedding and, even though his fur is coming out in bunches and bunches, he’s still a hairy beast. So to bypass the worst of the heat we set out early this morning and kept the walk short. Even then, Jack was unenthusiastic and plodded slowly most of the way. He did perk up once we were home though and is now happily sat in front of the air conditioning vent. The forget-me-nots in the photo are blooming madly beside my driveway. I have no idea how they got there, but they’re cheerful and I like them.

That’s my Buoy

©voyager, all rights reserved

©voyager, all rights reserved

Jack found this float at the beach about 6 years ago and it was love at first sight. He played with it all afternoon, in and out of the water and when it was time to leave he carried it to the car himself, stopping every few feet to try getting a better grip. Since then it’s become his most prized possession. His favourite game is soccer, but he’s also happy to play hockey, toss, chase, keep-away or any other game you can think up that involves his “ball.” I feel for the poor fisherman who lost it, but that’s Jack’s buoy.