Outside Adventures

The past couple days have been fill with outdoor exploring and adventures! Paige has been filled withway too much energy lately, and at this point she has become to big to have the zoomies in the house because my couch can't take the beating anymore!

When Joel got home from work yesterday we harness the kids up and took them to the dog park. We are so very lucky to have a dog park literally a mile from our home! I hate to say it, but it's true.... some days you just don't wanna walk the dog! And the dog park gives me that option not to! At this point, it's hard to walk both dogs. Since Raiden is just 12 weeks, he is still getting used to the leash. In fact, he still flips out about the collar and his name tag from time to time! I'll have to catch it on video next time!

So, yesterday we headed to the dog park. The excitement starts before we get out the door. We put the leashes on and the dogs chase each other around the house trying to catch the leashes. And we must have spoiled them at some point becasue Paige, even at 6 months, doesn't even consider jumping into the car. she waits for one of us to lift her in. Raiden feels the need to climb into the front and sit on my lap. that will obviously have to stop sometime soon!

Backseat Driver to the Dog Park

When we get out of the car, Joel has to walk Paige into the park, becasue she has started a new habit of excitement... we call it "The Charge!"  She will walk normally about halfway to the dog park gate, then all of a sudden she stops dead inher tracks and lets out a very small whimper (a whimper of excitement she just can't contain). And then.. she charges to the gate! We hold the leash tight enough that she can't actually charge at the gate, but she is strong enought to pull me over! We even use a harness! So, until we can control her excitement.... Joel must walk her in.

The dog park has become harder to enjoy for the moment. Becasue Raiden is so young, and becasue Raiden is deaf we have to keep a constant eye on him. I feel like an over-protective parent....WAIT....I am!
I am very impressed by Raiden though! He play well with dog his size and he ventures out on his own, but makes sure to check in! Paige has even grown to show a little bit of motherly love toward Raiden! If too many dogs crowd Raiden she comes and pushes them away, she also checks on him from time to time!

Raiden and Paige at the Dog Park

Raiden is an explorer. He's rather sniff his way around the perimeter than chase a ball. He's found this one particular spot at the dog park that is on the concrete, but covered in dirt. He always finds his way to this spot and all he does is stand there and SNIFF it! We've tried to pour water in it, we've tried to put a water bowl over top of it... but nothing works. He loves that spot! He has also found a spot underneath the picnic table  where another dog has begun to dig a hole. Raiden wants to help dig that hole!

Sniffing out the dirt spot, and Paige came to investigate too!

DIG DIG DIG!

 Needless to say, the dog park wore them both out completely! Raiden fell asleep in my lap on the way home and Paige crashed as soon as we got in the house! It was a wonderful trip to the Dog Park, and I look forward to many more as Raiden grows! We plan on  giving Raiden a vibrating collar when he gets bigger, so he knows when to come since he can't hear us. Oh the adventures ahead!

Today, Joel had classes at Columbus State so Dog Park was not an option. I took the pups out back and played fetch with Paige while Raiden was content munching on a stick. I got some super cute pictures to share!

Happy with a stick!

 Stick chewing is fun for everyone!