Today’s Dog Is Duncan

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Henry’s Mom

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Duncan at the gate

In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Duncan is the King of Scotland. In modern-day Essex County, however, Duncan is the self-appointed ambassador to Brookdale Park Dog Park, greeting visitors and playing liaison to all the dog park fun.

A long limbed and curly tailed Akita/Golden Retriever mix, two-year old Duncan was rescued by Joe, with help from daughter Jessica and girlfriend Gail, at a Pet Super Adoption event on Saturday, April 28, 2012. The event, sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society, was held at the Westchester County Center and featured over 500 dogs (plus hundreds of cats and a few rabbits).

Joe was looking for a specific sized dog, rather than a particular breed. “My ideal was a medium to large dog, around 50 pounds.”

Duncan is a real good lookin’ boy

Here’s how Duncan “rescued” Joe:

While walking up and down the many aisles, Joe saw about four dogs that interested him. As fate would have it, in the very last row he visited, he saw Duncan. “He was the perfect size and a good looking boy,” Joe remembers. They let him out and Duncan acted very friendly, not at all timid, and very well behaved. Joe took him outside on leash to make sure he wouldn’t tear his arm off on walks.

Jessica, Gail, Joe, and Duncan on adoption day

It obviously went very well. While Joe did go back to look at one of the other dogs that had interested him, it was just for show. Duncan was already decided upon. In the space of a half hour, Joe had filled out the paperwork, and Joe, Jessica, Gale and Duncan were back on the road home.

The following day, they made their first trip to Brookdale Dog Park, and Duncan began his ambassadorship.

Duncan gets his size and body shape from his Akita genes, and from his Golden retriever side, his goofiness and sweet temperament. Joe keeps a watchful eye on him, but Duncan gets along extremely well with the other dogs in the park, both large and small. He loves people, and of course, treats.

Joe and Duncan spend roughly five hours a day at the park, usually spread out between a morning and afternoon visit. If, according to Jeff, “there’s no such thing as a bad dog,” then according to Joe, “there’s no such thing as a bad day in the dog park.” Currently the winter sunsets cut their visits short, and Joe and Duncan are looking forward to spring and summer hours, when they can stay as late as 8 PM.

Duncan awaiting a trip to the park

Duncan has grown a bit since adoption day — 2 inches in height, 3 inches in length, and 25 pounds of muscle and fur. Even though he’s pushing 70 lbs., Duncan thinks he’s a lap dog (sound familiar?) “So much for my perfect size!” laments Joe.

If you stop by Brookdale Park Dog Park, chances are good you’ll be greeted by this friendly ambassador making the most of his play time.

Pongo in “Once Upon a Time”

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Henry’s Mom

Does anyone else out there watch ABC’s “Once Upon a Time (Sunday’s at 8)? It’s not the greatest show on TV, but they do have a great dog, a Dalmatian named “Pongo,” I assume named after Pongo in “101 Dalmatians.” Pongo’s owner is Archie Hopper, AKA Jiminy Cricket. So far Pongo hasn’t had much to do in the show except bark and whine. Let’s hope the writers don’t waste this obvious talent!

Pet Rider As Seen on TV Review

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Henry’s Mom

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In September we were forced to retire our beloved 1996 Subaru Outback and replace it with an economical, gently used sedan. Before long, this new cream puff car took on the look of a dog taxi, on the inside at least. Mud and dog hair inspired us to try the As Seen on TV Pet Rider, a simple and inexpensive cover meant to protect the back seat of your car from muddy paws and pet hair (or the occasional accident).

We purchased our Pet Rider at the Christmas Tree Shop in Paramus for $7.99 plus tax (don’t you just love a bargain?). Dog park friends assured me that this was a good price for a great product. A little skeptical, I searched for some on-line reviews. A few customers on Amazon were concerned about the chemical smell wafting off the Pet Rider, so I was attuned to this when I opened the package. The thing did give off a slightly chemical, moth-ball like odor, but I was determined to get my $7.99 plus tax worth, so after a lame attempt to get the existing dog hair off the seats, I “installed” it.

The cover simply loops over the rear headrests, and seat belt buckles push through a Velcro opening. The material is stiff and yes, has a chemical smell. I left the windows cracked, thinking that perhaps I should have purchased some car air fresheners at the Christmas Tree Shop as well (only $2.99 for a three pack!). But it’s easy enough to remove and throw in the trunk when transporting humans.

Of course, there’s no way to protect the car’s console from Henry’s muddy paws when he wants to help navigate (don’t tell the ASPCA). So if you’re willing to put up with the smell for a few days (or longer) the Pet Rider is certainly effective in keeping your seats clean.

Next up: Wacky walk’r leash (as seen in Real Simple magazine).

Dog Park Pyrenees

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Henry’s Mom

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This is what we meant in the last post by the dog park being “messy.” Bo, a Great Pyrenees, gave us a hairy eyeball and then proceeded to get all his hair dirty and wet. Sorry we don’t have any “before” pictures, but this normally fluffy pooch was unrecognizable after romping with friends this morning.

Melting snow and a lack of gravel in the dog park make for very muddy conditions. We are grateful for the leaf clean up, but now we need gravel replenishment. Oh, and some more waste bags, too.