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Wellington's Blog - March 2006

Duck, Duck, GOOOOSE!

I am writing this entry in a little bit of distress because something happened that I am not very proud of. However, Nancy gets such a chuckle out of it that she insists that I tell the story.

So, to make Nancy happy [and possibly score more treats] here goes!

It was one of those stunning late winter days that we all dream of while bundled in our beds listening to the sub-arctic wind howling through the trees. The sun was making its glorious reappearance against a clear blue sky. As an added bonus for us dogs, there was even the faint smell of spring in the air and the gentle oozing of mud in the paws.

It was not difficult for Foster and I to convince Nancy that such a wonderful day should not go by without a long walk [oops – “staff meeting”] at the local leash free park. This particular park is every dog’s dream. There are meadows to run in hills to climb and best of all a creek to splash in!

I was so excited when we got to the park that I could barely wait for Nancy to open my crate. Finally after what must have been at least three seconds of agonizing wait I was free of the crate, jumped out of the van and ran straight into the park!

I made a bee line down to the creek. Oh how I hoped that day will be the day I could actually find out what a duck smells like! They seem like such interesting creatures, but obviously very shy as they swim off or fly away whenever I get close.

Considering I live in a place where winter means snow and ice, it is understandable that there would be some ice on the creek. Having learned my lesson, I now try to wait for Nancy to come and check out the safety of the ice before I go running out on it. [You make one mistake and need to be rescued one time resulting in boots full of freezing water and they never let you forget it].

After I was given the all clear out I ran on the ice. Glory be! The ducks were there just off the edge of the ice! I casually strolled along the ice inching closer and closer to them. Then, just when I am in sniffing range overhead flies this huge winged animal honking and making an awful racket. Who know there were Canada Geese here too! Off I run down the ice chasing after the geese.

Well, truth be told, I tried to run, but I lacked a little thing called traction. Apparently, as Nancy tells it, my four little paws were moving ninety miles an hour but the rest of me was staying in one place. Finally, some of my claws made impact and off I shot down the river in pursuit of the geese!

I was in full stride with the wind blowing through my ears and the geese were coming within range when I saw it. The end of the ice. I tried to stop. I REALLY, REALLY tried. Unfortunately, all I did was well, slide. It was that silly slide where the back paws are mixed in with the front paws and nothing looks cool. All of this attempted back peddling was to no avail until the slide stopped. Because the ice had stopped.

Off I went in my ungraceful “slide stop” straight into the water. PERSHLOP! Not even a whiff of goose for all my efforts!

On the upside, the water was shallow so I could just walk to shore. Based on how hard Nancy was laughing she would not have been much help in the rescue department. Glad she got a good chuckle out of it because guess who I was standing beside when I gave my coat a good shake…!

Wellington is a real-life eleven year old Spaniel who enjoys finding new adventures with his best buddy Foster, a nine year old Australian Cattle Dog Mixed Breed, and his human companions, Gerry, Jeffrey and Nancy, who helps him document his latest exploits.