Rain, rain and more rain - Part 2

We've had some much needed rain and D'light is not a fan of rain.  Unlike Catty,  he has zero interest in just going for a walk in the rain.  However, he doesn't let the rain get in the way of crittering.  This is excellent because if D'light doesn't get enough outside enrichment he becomes more anxious in the house. So as we enter the rainy winter months we will be doing lots of critter hunting.

 

We headed over to Mercer Island to check out Pioneer Park 

This is a 113 acre forest spread over 3 quadrants.  We explored the Northeast and Southeast section because when driving in, the Northwest section looked pretty crowded with people and dogs. 

"We are right here D'light"

The leaves were beautiful!

Look at all the holes! I'm assuming these are made by woodpeckers.

D'light on the move

Lots of colorful fallen leaves

It was raining but, D'light didn't care since he was crittering.

Again, my favorite season!  So much color and not too cold.

Ferns growing up the tree

On critter alert

Mushrooms growing up the tree

D'light is not impressed by the mushrooms

 "Thank you dad for telling mom to get moving!"

More lovey leaves

There were some very large leaves

Some were bigger than D'light!

"Where are the critters at this park!!"

Not a single critter to be found but, that doesn't stop D'light for hoping he will find one.

There was a guy with two very large dogs off leash that ran up on us (grrrr). Again, if you cannot recall your dog(s) they should not be off leash.

We also saw a lady walking her horse.  We saw her coming from a distance so, we moved off the trail and loudly let her know we were there with a dog.  She clearly appreciated this and it's good we did this as D'light did not like seeing the horse.

Horse and dogs are gone and we get moving

Fungus on a log and there's really a lot to see if you spend the time looking at what's around you.

Lots of stumps, logs and leaves to navigate.

Motor on!

Rain, rain and more rain - Part 1

 

Catty is one that doesn't care about the rain. She's happy to walk in the rain, in the dark or if it's light out.  This works out well since all three dogs have different outside needs.   The good thing about the dogs having different needs is that they each get a good amount of individual attention from us.    While Catty and D'light do just fine walking together, Catty enjoys being the only dog on a walk.  She gets to move at her pace which varies a lot on each walk!

Catty and I head out just as the sun is rising and the rain was coming down

Lots of leaves on the ground!

Catty enjoys sniffing up, down and all around!

"The rain doesn't bother me!"

We often play a game of find it. Which is me tossing treats in the grass or in this case a pile of leaves then she roots around to find the treat.  This is a nice enrichment game. 

She sees a squirrel and is deciding if it's worth chasing it.  Catty decides the squirrel is too far away and not worth the effort. 

 

Lots to smell and with the downpour of rain we don't see anyone else out walking.

"Let's go!"

And once we are home Catty shows of her rattie run!

After all that fun Catty gives me the stink eye for taking her picture.  Then she hunkers down for a good nap!

Box "sitting"

I do a lot of my shopping via Amazon.  I recently had a number of boxes arrive and we stacked them in our den until I could get to opening and unpacking them.

While all those boxes were sitting there we made dinner and then ate. During all that time Viva was not in her normal house locations.  I went looking for her and here's where I found her...

Viva patiently & quietly sat by the boxes for over 2 hours...

"Oh foster mom, are you ready to unpack the boxes?"

I moved the boxes around and found out why Viva was box "sitting"

"Look at the Beams!"

Viva loves Beams and she's very happy with our bulk order!

"I hope some of those are for me!"

Such a good girl, she goes back to patiently waiting.  

Sweet girl did get a beam which she was very pleased about!

Did you know that if you are an amazon shopper you can support New Rattitude by signing up for AmazonSmile It's easy, no cost to you and again it's a great way to support New Rattitude!

Viva says "What do you mean this isn't a toy?"

Viva loves toys as you can see in these past posts:

Viva finds out that playing can be fun!

Viva says "learning new games with toys is awesome!"

Viva and her mouse

I was folding laundry when I heard something hit the ground.  Next think I hear is a scurry of dog feet.   I follow the noise and here's what I find...

Viva saw the dryer ball fall and she clearly thinks it's a toy!  To Viva's credit it is a wool dryer ball so why wouldn't she think it's a toy? 

I ask her what she has and here's her response...  "Fun times with the ball!"

I don't trust that she won't chew it apart but, I'm not going to stick my hand in there to take it from her.  Viva is not a resource guarder which is excellent.  However, that doesn't mean the human should just take stuff from her.

While I go looking for an egg baby to "trade" with her. She continues to have lots of fun with the dryer ball. She's pretty silly as you can see.

Here we go with "trading" and Viva thought this was a good trade!

Viva loves egg babies

She loves them a little too much!

I let her destroy the egg baby since she was having such fun.  Once the egg baby was gutted it was time for another trade of a food treat for the egg baby!