Momsey's Doggie Boarding Camp

It would be the longest stretch in Momsey's doggie boarding camp history. Mall cop's mom and dad were going away on a much needed summer vacation, indulging in the culture and excitement of another country's majestic surroundings. They would be gone 9 days. The wedding at the end would punctuate the close of 10 days without the 'children.' 

Mall Cop and Ella arrived looking for a good time. They were still the same little ones I'd had the previous week, during their dad's day-long business trip. The terrier and the mini-schnauzer would join 'Sally' and Mr. Wiggles, their retriever cousins. The beds of these visiting 'dognitaries' had been mistakenly left behind. No problem. The human sofa was ready, covered in that ever so soft special blanket they all loved to sniff. These were adorable children. I did not mind changing up my routine to accommodate them. Comfort was always a primary concern for them. Dogs never complain like we do. They routinely suffer in silence. I would sit on the floor, if necessary, closer to the action and nuzzling, anyway! 

At doggie boarding camp, movement and chewing time are paramount daytime activities. Inactivity is the enemy for animals and people alike. Morning breakfast waits as the group begins its exercise routine after the morning ritual of body 'cleansing'. The intensive exercise begins with each group following a different movement protocol. ... Mall Cop and Ella love chasing each other, at speeds only seen in cartoons. It is indeed a funny performance. When Mall Cop ceases to comply, Ella barks in rapid succession as if to say, "Get moving, brother dear, this is not a rest stop.” His reluctance to move, on command, signals yet another round of chasing, barking and doggie threats made by his demanding little sister, Ella. ... And so he moves, ever so quickly, just in case. ... Mr. Wiggles and Sally tug tenaciously at their lattice silicone soccer ball with the two 'squeaky' tennis balls tucked inside, while running, in tandem, at top speed, too. The energy dissipates with a congenial connection amongst the furry cousins the result. 

A routine is established immediately. Ten days is a long time with no plan or direction. Periods of intense exercise, twice daily, are mandated. (We cannot have chunky working its way into the waistlines of these critters, I adore.) A morning appetizer of cucumber sticks, watermelon slices and other seasonal fruit seems to quell their urge to dine, too early, after working out. Once established, this boarding camp courtesy can never ever be forgotten. Mall Cop and Mr. Wiggles stand, like palace guards, ever so sternly, staring at Momsey till the fruit or veggie platter arrives. I know. I dare not disappoint! Their glares remind me of my on-going duty to provide these raw morsels of 'goodnesses', on-time and in quick fashion, as expected. They never forget. They are on holidays, too, I am reminded, steadily. ... At this time of year, summer's bounty is readily available so the exotic, for them, is anything fresh. Berries, apples, pineapple and cucumbers slices are on the menu. 

Working out on a full stomach is a dangerous habit to establish, however. I worry about torsion or bloat, even with small dogs like Ella and Mall Cop. Though bloat is a large dog, deep chested fatal condition, you just never never know. Momsey does not take chances. (Mr. Wiggles suddenly stopped running, late one afternoon, and lay down very slowly, outside. What had I done to cause this change in his demeanour? A last minute doctor's visit for this strange behaviour, mid-exercise, removed any cause for concern. He was fine. ... (Intense exercise, on a full stomach, is never a wise step for man or beast.) ... Separating each brother/sister duo for their allotted time outside, helps in giving them what their bodies and mind need. ... With mosquitoes in abundance, though, my time is cut short, outside. These miniature warriors seem to savour what my flesh seems to offer. As each four-footed fluffy group runs, sniffs and eats some grass through the chain link fence, I keep moving to keep those pesky air-born dive-bombers, at bay. (When will they move away and leave me alone, I am thinking?) They should have been gone by now but a lot of rain this summer has descended upon the province giving these insects the moisture required to thrive and survive. Other areas of the country were dealing with wild fires from a summer of drought. I do not complain.

Mall Cop's running prowess is well-known. Short spurts of this intense leg action is beyond belief! ... His ability to grab his sister's back leg in his mouth, while attempting to put her head in there, too, makes for an interesting physics experiment. "How does he do that"? I am puzzled, often. But Ella masters the whole event, like the gymnast she is, while engaging her brother, repeatedly. She is quick yet graceful as she bounces, like a gazelle, in mid-flight, then pounces over her brother, Mall Cop. Her barks tell him in no uncertain terms, “ You can't catch me and by the way, nibble me again and I will jump all over you and tackle you, quickly, without hesitation. ... I have tricks you rarely see, brother dear.” He ignores her as he ponders the universe. ...

Mall Cop loves the warmth of a summer's day beaming down on his jet black coat. With straw blanketing the area, he rolls around, in a world of his own, watching and waiting for mom and dad's return from their vacation shenanigans, in a far-off summer paradise . “Why couldn't they have taken me along, he wonders? I could easily have fit inside a duffle bag, dad!” "But that was not the point of the holiday," I would reply. Your holiday is here with your sister and cousins and a platter of yummy morsels." “Yes, you are right, he seems to say, begrudgingly.” Mr. Wiggles waits ever so patiently, to run and join the club. His larger than life antics and high energy still belies his gentle nature. But first he must chew some grass, then walk along side his cousins, with a gift, in his mouth, in case his cousins need him.

I manage to get them moving, exercising those nimble paws, legs and pumping blood throughout the body. I concern myself with clots if they are inactive too long. Sleeping long-term is no joke. ... There are antlers bones amidst the rubber balls and toys, inside, keeping their mouths in motion, gums massaged and the teeth cleaned. We all must move, not necessarily to the absurd, like our Mr. Wiggles, but move we must. Indoors, they all begin that telltale dance, again, that reminds me to open the doors for them to 'take it outside', one final time, as evening approaches. At the close of business day, all are exhausted and wait for the final trip outside for that long night ahead on the sofa. The platter of apple slices are soon forthcoming. It is an important part of their daily ritual, like exercise and sleep.

All four pups are well rehearsed in proper sleep time etiquette. Unlike the business of boarding pets for long stretches of time, while their owners are away, my little charges are not in cages, anymore. That containment policy was gone months ago. They proved themselves, beyond a shadow of doubt, that they could be trusted. The furniture is fine, so is the carpet and so are they. Good night my sweet puppies. See you in the morning.

Sourdough: The next frontier.....