So on Wednesday, before the ground got too hot for tender paws, we took Boz to the Lower Arroyo to enjoy the shade and (yes!) the stream that trickles from north to south among the reeds. He got as muddy and stinky as a dog can get without immersing himself. The picture shows you how far under Boz will go. He doesn't swim. He likes to walk about and cool his belly. He loves to dip his muzzle and bite the water.
From parking lot to bridge and back was all he needed. He slept for the remainder of the day, and he was fine all day yesterday, too, until evening when he became restless again.
Last night it rained, a light rain borne of overwrought humidity and a stressful sky that just had to shake itself out. It didn't pour, but it refreshed the humans almost as much as a trickling stream does a dog.
23 comments:
Beautiful—keep it up. With language like that, there's an even better novel around your corner.
I'll second that.
And many thanks to Boz for making me grin like a fool this morning at the sight of him timidly enjoying the stream.
Wonderfully told.
That look said it all.. btw, the way he is looking, did you call his name?.. we too got some showers but it was early in the morning...
Poor Boz, its difficult with the heat. I see dogs in the river here most days I walk by, but they mostly swim because its too deep for a paddle.
Last night we went out and stood in the rain, which was nice But it is too hot and humid. Seems like we're somewhere else; not southern Cal.
Life is good when you get to cool your belly in a stream and get all muddy and stinky. Boz is a lucky dog. I need to get Tommy down to the Lower Arroyo.
I've been enjoying the humidity. Reminds me of the sultry summer days on Long Island.
Thank you, JS and Dina. And hey! There's rain in the novel! Big storm! Lightning!
"Timid" is a good word, Dive. In Van Nuys there's a wonderful dog park with a closed-off section for "small and timid dogs." Boz used to feel happy and free in that section, where he could be himself without fear. We can't take him to the dog park here because he's scared in the main part and not welcome in the "small dogs" section.
I don't remember if we called his name at that moment or not, KBF. He was looking and smelling and biting.
I'm remembering quite a river from your photos, Paul. Brave dogs!
Michael, I agree. The sky yesterday reminded me of a precursor to a Midwestern storm.
Tommy would love Lower Arroyo Park, Susan.
That pool has pretty stinky mud in it. I have to rinse Abby's paws off when we get home, but it clings to them. It's a great cooling down spot - I expect the casting pond is like a warm bath so not too refreshing for doggies.
The weather's like I remember from Singapore, and I'm rather enjoying it. It'll be hard to pack for England - I can't bear even to touch sweaters and can't imagine how cold I'm going to feel over there.
John's right. Lovely description of the rain last night.
I'm so glad Boz has a place to cool off. Dakota these days will go swimming and retrieving her tennis ball.Then when she runs out of energy, she comes to the shallows and lays down. I know all about wet, sandy, stinky pooches and doesn't that make them all the more endearing.
"...overwrought humidity and a stressful sky that just had to shake itself out."
Love it. And loved the rain this morning.
His face says it all!:)
Now Boz wants a trip to England. Now Singapore. Now Florida. Now Stavanger. (He visits Altadena regularly.) He wants to sample all the different weathers.
Boz we got all the cool water you want over here in the UK handsome fella! I think you might miss the California sun after a while though.
Sadie won't go near water, but her predecessor Beau loved to wade out like Boz and drink from the middle of the stream. Presumably the water in the middle is superior...
I would love to take Boz to Britain, Deb. My one and only trip was summer of 1999, which was sunny much of the time.
Diana, I'm sure Beau and Boz are correct about that.
There's no such thing as too many dog posts in this world - such a handsome pooch! And a dignified wader too. I love that you mentioned being sensitive to his paws on too-hot ground, I feel so badly for dogs when I see them subjected to that.
Boz looks so content -- and alert, as if he's heard a sound that may be worth investigating.
Wonderful post -- especially the last paragraph. :-)
Lulu, I try not to overdo the dog posts but truly I could post about Boz every day.
Thanks, Ms. M. Boz hears many things worth investigating and he's got the attention span of a kitten.
That last paragraph was perfection - really. And Boz, well, he's always perfect. So glad he got some relief and was able to shake himself out on such a generally unpleasant day.
We were down south for a quick turn around trip...long enough to get a feel for the humidity you've had and then to enjoy the thunderclouds all the way home!!!
Kelly loves to wade in the water and bite at it too!!! She loves to swim too!!! She'll play in the water non stop for as long as we'll let her...then completely poops out and sleeps for at least a day and a half!!!
Thank you, Adele. And you're right, Boz is perfect. He's perfectly Boz.
Chieftess, it's a wonderful thing when a dog is completely pooped out, isn't it? They are so happy.
Sounds Boz enjoyed the Lower Arroyo!
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