This is part one of a series of posts documenting our trip to Changi Beach and meeting the dogs Chloe, Ally and Mikki. This is the first time we brought Donna out to socialise with a visitor of our blog!
Can’t wait to get on the car
Our dog is very good at the automatic sit, but she does it more in the form of a protest to get her way. See her nose in the air?
She never had any problems riding in a car, but she was never so blatantly enthusiastic about it either. Not until the last few trips that is, having the time of her life at the dog runs and dog cafes must have whetted her appetite for car travel. Suddenly, a car ride is so extremely desirable that she must get on the car as the top priority. The grass can wait for her until she gets back.
It had never occurred to us to visit Changi Beach, if not for the fantastic suggestion from Ariane. She was going to meet us there with some friends and her two dogs, Ally and Chloe, for the first time.
I had originally intended a gradual meeting between the dogs so that we can be 100% sure that they would get on fabulously, rather than start off on the wrong “paw” as I have noted in my the previous post. But we were late to arrive (totally my fault), and Ally, Chloe and their friend Mikki* were already playing on the beach. Thankfully, this meeting went off well :D Phew!
New friends at Changi Beach!
So anyway, this very happy and absolutely adorable silky-maltese mix puppy is Ally.
Hello, I’m a dog, are you a dog too? |
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| Mikki, an older golden retriever, didn’t really like Donna the crazy dog, but she was very nice to give “respect my space” barks once in a while. | |
And Ally again, just passing through, while Donna the crazy dog spinned in circles.
Donna is not interested in Changi Beach. It’s just sand, she says.
When we first arrived, Ally, Chloe and Mikki appeared to be very good at staying close to the humans despite not being attached to their humans. But they were staying in the water and Donna was not too interested in the sea nor the beach, it seemed. Perhaps there was nothing very compelling to sniff, and the waves were unfamiliar. She preferred to wander further and further away from the group along the length of the beach.
We ran up the length of the beach and down again back to where the group was. Donna, leashed and attached to the human, again appeared very bored and uninterested. I’ve walked her for two hours in the morning, she was manageable off-leash at III cafe, we’ve just ran up and down the beach, perhaps she would not be so unmanageable off-leash? So in the end, I gave in and released her from her leash.
The minute she was released, she made her way to the back of the beach where the grass is – – And when I followed to try to get her back to the sand and re-join the group, she danced around just out of reach like it was a game – – (So guys, be warned. I am the object lesson here :P)
It took a bit of effort before we were finally able to get her back on the sand, and we were watchful to herd her away from the grass every time she started back in that direction, so the rest of the day went great :) But that is the story for the next post tomorrow. :P
Have to say though, letting Donna off-leash in an open space for the first time ever was a great experience. Can’t wait for the next time we visit Changi Beach again!
* I’m not sure the exact spelling of Mikki’s name :P
** Note: I do not advise letting the dog go off the leash if they don’t have the greatest recall. A better alternative may be to put the dog on a 50-foot leash as I have learnt from Zeke’s adventures.
Sunshine
:) i enjoyed your fun dog story.
weliveinaflat
I’m glad you did :)
weggieboy
Nothing like doggy enthusiasm when they meet another of their kind! I’m pleased Donna got to make friends with another dog. I hope Mikki becomes a buddy, too. I enjoy your use of photos to tell the story. Videos are fun, but editing out all the excess time is a pain.
weliveinaflat
I have observed that some older dogs may not like to play with younger, high energy dogs. Donna needs to respect Mikki’s space too, although have to say Donna can be a rascal at times. I did take an odious amount of time editing the photographs as the original capture from the mobile phone is meh :P Highly regret not bringing a proper camera!
Peppino
I love the picture of her sitting with her nose in the air!! The picture sure conveys her thoughts very clearly!!
weliveinaflat
The pointing of the nose… does get the point across :P Sorry for the lame joke :P Heehee. I bet you do it too! :P
hutchagoodlife
Wow! Looks like you had a great time. Our hoomans like to go to the beach sometimes but the sand goes efurrywhere are they smell all salty and strange when they get home
Happy Thursday
Nutty, Nacho, Buddy & Basil
xxx
weliveinaflat
Oh yes, one of the nasty things about going to the beach for Donna is the cold bath in the public shower afterwards… oh does she hate that :P Thank you for dropping by my yummy friends (we’ll pretty Buddy is short for Budweiser :P)
Roseylinn
Cute story. Sounds like everyone had a fun time. :) Another leash alternative is a retractable leash. They allow for easy length adjustment depending on location and circumstances.
weliveinaflat
I’ve never really had first hand experience with a retractable leash before. Think I need to root around and see if anyone has done a pros and cons study of both the retractable leash vs the 50 foot leash, but yes, agree that it could be an option depending on the location and circumstance :) Have you used it before and in what sort of circumstances?
Gretchen
I use a retractable leash in some circumstances also. The reason I use the 50ft is because I want to practice recall with him and it is better with a loose leash. The retractable allows the dog to always feel a bit of pressure on the neck so isn’t as good as a training aid. But should work fine if you just need some extra line for a romp in the waves (;
Roseylinn
I’ve used both a leash and a retractable leash. I use the retractable for my smaller dog and the regular leash for the larger one. I also use a harness to avoid putting pressure on the neck.
Due to various leash laws that also regulate the max leash length I don’t use a 50ft leash at all. 50 feet is a long way to go if something happened.
weliveinaflat
Good point to note about the 50ft leash.
What I am hearing in general is the the longer leashes are good for training recall, and if you want to give your dog a little freedom to run around in a generally open space that is not overcrowded.
Definitely not for dog walks in the city or crowded places, because some dogs need space and don’t do well when other dogs unleashed or on retractable leashes rush up to them.
Our leash laws over here are not that specific. It only requires all dogs to be leashed at all times, from what I have read so far. No prescription on length.
The Playground Dive Shop
I have a husky who is a huge Diva! We have a dog park and I love to take her there. The first time was nervous about the recall, but she didn’t disappoint or embarrass.
weliveinaflat
Your Diva husky is awesome and did you proud! She can’t be that much of a diva when she comes to you when called :P Good job. I need to do better *self reflection time!* Does a husky take to water? Have a pawsome day :)
ILoveDogs
Donna, you’re such a character! You’re also a good lesson for other dogs that don’t like to ride in the car. Just go somewhere fun and suddenly the car is you best friend. :)
weliveinaflat
It hadn’t occurred to me but yes, take them to fun places with the car could be one way to make dogs associate car with positive feelings, but first, one has got to be able to get that dog who may be particularly resistant into the car :P Thanks for the insight! :D
The Sundog Drift
Very cute!
weliveinaflat
Dogs can’t not be cute, not matter big or small right? :P
The Sundog Drift
VERY RIGHT! How can we not go wrong with a dog blog?
Sonel
Sounds like Donna enjoys the grass just as much as Simba does. :) Beautiful photo’s of a carefree Donna and friends. Simba would have done the same as the retriever…hehehe. He just growls and ignores furry friends that are so excited. Guess being an old man they tire him out just by looking at them..hahaha. We have 2 like that next door and because their yard is so small, I regularly open the small gate for them to come through and they would run all around the swimming pool and when I open the doors to the house they run through the house to the front yard and have the time of their lives. Simba would run after them but he tires quickly and he would then just sit and watch them play. Thanks for a lovely fun post as usual Mrs. P and for sharing. :D *big hugs*
weliveinaflat
Actually there was another silky terrier with us. But perhaps she was a little like Simba. Hung close to the human and was cautious of Donna. That’s why I didn’t have as many pictures of her as Ally. She is an older dog too so she was less active. After a while she warmed up and did run around with them but yes, she soon tire running after a larger dog with longer legs than her :P Sometimes, just sitting around and enjoying the atmosphere is good enough :) Do those two little dogs next door get to swim in the pool? :P
Sonel
Yes, when they do get older they don’t like the activity of the younger dogs around them too much. I see with Simba as well when the two little ones from next door comes for a visit and I think I would be the same with young kids around me..hahahahah.
Unfortunately not. They are Donna’s size and the one is even smaller so I would put them in and let them cool off but watch them when they’re here as they would drown if I just leave them in the pool. :D
weliveinaflat
They are lucky they have you to keep an eye on them then :) Have a great day!
rubytheblacklabrador
very well done! she looked like she had a ball. Don’t worry about her wandering off too much – she’s just checking things out. She must have had a great new experience – you too!
weliveinaflat
OK, I will try to be patient and let her check things out next time :P But yes, we had a great time!
2browndawgs
We used a 30 foot check cord when our dogs were young and did not have good recall. You can also use t to teach recall. The beach sounds like a fun place!
weliveinaflat
It was fun!!! Would love to go there once in a while. You guys are lucky where you live with all that open space! :D