Dog Park, Sandringham, Australia

October 10, 2014

Sandringham , Australia 

Espy and Macey on their way to the dog park.  Yes, it's true, we drive to the park.  They look so calm and quiet, just like angels.  They aren't...but we love them!

Russ is holding the magic ball.  Espy, the blue heeler, happily goes wherever the ball is.

You can see that Macey, the beagle, is on a leash.  She is one of the very few dogs at the park that stays on a leash.  She is a beagle.  She will chase a scent and be gone.  Malcolm told us she is totally controlled by her nose and we have learned that is so true!

The dog park is a social place for dogs and owners.  I'm pretty sure some dogs get no exercise at the park at all.  But everyone has a good time.

You can see by the variety of outfits that these photos were taken over an extended period of time.  Photographing moving targets is not easy and when dogs get to the park they like to move!

I should correct myself.  Some dogs like to move.  Macey like to wander and sniff, sniff and stop, or just sniff.  Russ is going for sainthood :). I do love my husband!

There are many breeds of dog at the park.

Here's Espy saying "Where is the ball?  I'm ready.  I'm ready."

The folks at the park call Espy the acrobat.  If you throw the ball and she can catch it in the air, she will.   She can jump unbelievable heights.  It is awesome to see.  Most of the time we throw grounders, but I haven't included any photos of those here.

Did I mention this is a social affair?  All the dogs like to chat and sniff each other.  Espy likes to run and catch the ball.  She is GREAT at it.  It is beautiful to see her run, as she is bred to herd sheep and goes from 0 to 60 mph in a flash.  She doe NOT like to retrieve the ball.

Russ has taken charge of Macey and I've taken charge of Espy while we are here.

This is Indie, Espy's friend.  She is a red heeler and is a beautiful runner just like Espy.

Espy catching the ball.  Wow!

So far 4 ball returns by Espy is the record.  She likes her humans to get a lot of exercise and I appreciate that :)

This guy is an 11 month old puppy!  I wouldn't want to pay his food bills.

Another adorable puppy, momentarily resting after chasing everyones' balls.  Owners bring red balls, orange balls, yellow tennis balls, footballs, every type of ball.  But sometimes a dog feels obligated to steal someone else's ball.

Everyone has cool ball throwers as well.  Maybe we have these at home, but I haven't seen them.  The best part is that you don't have to pick up the slobbery ball with your hands :)