Since returning home from the European adventure, I have developed a keen interest in dogs. I have always liked dogs, but I've never really been what I would call a dog person. It was after seeing all the sausage dogs in Germany and the lone Dalmatian on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia (took us ages to spot that one- mind the pun), that I have a new appreciation for the canines of the world.
Last weekend I was able to indulge this new found interest by attending the Dog's Day Out on the Eastern Shore. I was invited along by my sister's family and their black and white dog (not sure on the particulars of breed, but she's small, silky and cute) Fifi. The event basically seemed to be a venue for dog's and their owners to socialise around the sausage sizzle; watch dog's playing fly ball (apparently it's very complicated- looked a lot like fetch to me) and go through obstacle courses; and for the non-doggy sector to check out all the different types of mutt and dream of the day when we have a house with a backyard. As Arielle descr
ibed it: it was Hairy Maclary come to life. I now know what a labradoodle, miniature chihuahua (it was barely there) and Irish Wolfhound all look like and I feel I have a particular affinity with the miniature schnauzer. I fell in love with dachshunds in Germany, in spite, or even because of the Larsonesque pseudonym of weiner dog. They were everywhere and made me smile every time I saw one trotting along on their one inch legs (presumably good for stopping them jumping on the furniture). I can't help being impressed with an animal that stands four inches off the ground, yet still manages to look down its nose at you. It's my ambition to have a dachshund called Snags so we can go for walks together and sneer our indignance at the world.
As long as we don't have to go up any stairs...
