This past weekend I was in need of something to do with “the kids.” I first thought of my favorite, nearby hike – The CCT – but it has water and with all the rain we have endured, I was just not in the mood for 2 wet Berners. Again.
Instead, we loaded up the SUV and accepted an invitation from an OBH friend, Pawgevity, to attend their Octoberfest out I-66 at The Plains exit. OBH is a BIG fan of Carol and her Pawgevity raw food and Pawgevity has long shared OBH’s blog with their fans so it was time to meet in person – finally!
The weather was perfect for fall and when we arrived the straw bale maze was already in place along with a few vendors and some farmers’ market yummies (of course we had a carmel apple!). While we did not partake in the costume contest and didn’t stay for the straw bale toss, the day was sprinkled with activities for dogs and their guardians.
Of course it wouldn’t be an OBH story without something mortifying – haha. Indie and Karma were naturally excited to be in a new place with so much going on. As predicted, on two 6′ leashes they always wanted to be 18′ apart and I had a few moments where I threatened like any mom would, “If you don’t behave, you’re going back in the car.” And so on. I was unreasonable (perhaps) about my expectations of my dogs who have earned a sum total of 20 titles and I later apologized to them. (And really, they weren’t so bad)
However … the mortifying part was when some nice, well-meaning woman with a 10-pound dog came up to me to suggest that if I used the harness she had in her hand perhaps my dogs would stop pulling. OMG. Deep breath. I reminded myself she meant well and I came up with some reason why they were pulling and how we were all set without the harness. After she left, I tuned to the dogs, “Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was?” Of course not. Heck, they probably were laughing their tails off!
I wised up and put Karma in the car while Indie played with her new friends and then switched them once Indie was tired and Karma had settled. A much happier experience for all of us.
Thanks again to Pawgevity for a great outing and for reminding me that dogs will be dogs and I love them no matter what.
