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Couch Potato Dory
2008-02-03 02:50:00
So I left my dog in my brother's care for a few days and got this email while my dog was at his place. "I felt morally mandated to inform you that your dog has adapted somewhat since you saw her last. Apparently, the temptation to conform has overtaken her. Enclosed is visual evidence not only of her recent transformation, but the insidious and irreversible effects of my tutelage. I only hope that you can find solace in the information that she has actualized her potential regardless of opposable thumbs and increased her Fine Motor Skills of the Paw (FMS-P) tenfold. My most sincere apologies, Your brother. P.S. (Translation): Yo puppy's lazy! Yo puppy's la-zy. I made her la-zy. She watches T.-V.!!!!  And I taught her to flip channels like a man!" So I left my dog in my brother's care for a few days and got this email while my dog was at his place. "I felt morally mandated to inform you that your dog has adapted somewhat since you saw her last. Apparently, the t...
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Delmas Dog Park
2008-02-01 19:39:00
The Delmas park is down town San Jose.  I stopped by here once, it was a long strip of dirt and trees with not a lot of parking and maybe not the safest place to be in the city if you don't know you way around.  I am sure the dogs love it and it gives the people of the neighborhood a place to exercise their dogs. Now that we have moved to Santa Cruz, we don't spend much time in San Jose dog parks, besides maybe Butcher Park and Fontana Park. The Delmas park is down town San Jose.  I stopped by here once, it was a long strip of dirt and trees with not a lot of parking and maybe not the safest place to be in the city if you don't know you way around.  I am sure the dogs love it and it gives the people of the neighborhood a place to exercise their dogs. Now that we have moved to Santa Cruz, we don't spend much time in San Jose dog parks, besides maybe Butcher Park and Fontana Park. read more

Dory Playing, Loves to Chew
2008-01-30 00:35:00
Dory at play.  She likes to bring us shoes, chew on shoes, and bite at heels sometimes.  She is a terrier and likes to play tug and hang from her rope toys. In the second picture she is a full two feet off the ground (she is not jumping, but hanging by her teeth). She could spend an hour playing chase and tug and so we frequent the dog park to wear her out.  A happy dog is a sleepy dog. Dory at play.  She likes to bring us shoes, chew on shoes, and bite at heels sometimes.  She is a terrier and likes to play tug and hang from her rope toys. In the second picture she is a full two feet off the ground (she is not jumping, but hanging by her teeth). She could spend an hour playing chase and tug and so we frequent the dog park to wear her out.  A happy dog is a sleepy dog. read more

Butcher Dog Park
2008-01-27 23:15:00
Butcher dog park in west San Jose opened in 2007 and features a new type of Astroturf.  It is beautiful and new and looks like a golf course.  I had to make a double take to tell if it was real sod or not.  Unfortunately my dog does not like to walk on it as much as real grass.  This park is smaller and tends to be full, people bring their lawn chairs and camp out for the day.  The small dog area may have up to 30 dogs all running around in the lawn area. There have been dog groups meetups at this park, and it can be packed at times. More parks like this one across the county would be great. Butcher dog park in west San Jose opened in 2007 and features a new type of Astroturf.  It is beautiful and new and looks like a golf course.  I had to make a double take to tell if it was real sod or not.  Unfortunately my dog does not like to walk on it as much as real grass.  This park is smaller and tends to be full, people bring their lawn ch...
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Noses
2008-01-23 18:11:00
Sometimes, we just have to be silly, and here is my effort at that. Cute shots of some noses: from left to right: Farley, Dory, and Gus-Gus. Sometimes, we just have to be silly, and here is my effort at that. Cute shots of some noses: from left to right: Farley, Dory, and Gus-Gus. read more

Farley Dress Up
2008-01-23 02:06:00
Farley looks a bit like snoopy when he dresses up.  He is ready to snowboard or go sledding.  Then he also wears a Christmas hat while lounging.  Farley is one a lazy hound. We love our old pal. Farley looks a bit like snoopy when he dresses up.  He is ready to snowboard or go sledding.  Then he also wears a Christmas hat while lounging.  Farley is one a lazy hound. We love our old pal. read more
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Fontana Dog Park
2008-01-20 00:06:00
The Fontana dog park is in the Almaden Valley district of San Jose, and is 100% dirt last I was there.  They have gone through several ideas for turf and tried to re-sod on several occasions.  It is one of the only dog parks down in this southern area of the city.  The dogs that come here are spoiled, usually very well behaved. It is a nice park.  Our dogs just love to go here to see their buddies and roll in the dirt. We will have more pictures once it warms up a bit more here. The Fontana dog park is in the Almaden Valley district of San Jose, and is 100% dirt last I was there.  They have gone through several ideas for turf and tried to re-sod on several occasions.  It is one of the only dog parks down in this southern area of the city.  The dogs that come here are spoiled, usually very well behaved. It is a nice park.  Our dogs just love to go here to see their buddies and roll in the dirt. We will have more pictures once it warms up a b...
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Dory Colored
2008-01-17 02:16:00
Dory does not get dyed well, the only white is her feet and tail tip and she tends to swim and dig the color right off her feet.  Dory had blue feet and she has had green feet.  And one Christmas she had alternating green and red feet.  Dory does muddy the best ? her favorite. When ever she gets a bath, digging is always her first activity (must want to get the dirty smell back on her). Dory does not get dyed well, the only white is her feet and tail tip and she tends to swim and dig the color right off her feet.  Dory had blue feet and she has had green feet.  And one Christmas she had alternating green and red feet.  Dory does muddy the best ? her favorite. When ever she gets a bath, digging is always her first activity (must want to get the dirty smell back on her). read more

Los Gatos Creek Dog Park
2008-01-14 18:59:00
The Los Gatos Creek dog park was built by the county and another small city in the area.  It was a big deal when it opened because it is along a walking and biking path so joggers and walkers can stop in with their dogs conveniently.  The cost of parking is high ($6 per visit), free parking many blocks away, and the dog park is the same as the city run parks that are free.  This dog park is mostly grass/dirt depending on the season. So far we don't go to this park much, since it is out of our way, and a little expensive due to the parking charge. The Los Gatos Creek dog park was built by the county and another small city in the area.  It was a big deal when it opened because it is along a walking and biking path so joggers and walkers can stop in with their dogs conveniently.  The cost of parking is high ($6 per visit), free parking many blocks away, and the dog park is the same as the city run parks that are free.  This dog park is mostly grass/dir...
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Gus-Gus
2008-01-12 19:53:00
Gus-Gus has gotten shaggy.  He is not the small little puppy we brought home.  He is now about 35-40 lb and much larger than we expected.  We have trimmed up his hair from covering his eyes so he can see better.  He is the sweetest dog we know. Gus-Gus has gotten shaggy.  He is not the small little puppy we brought home.  He is now about 35-40 lb and much larger than we expected.  We have trimmed up his hair from covering his eyes so he can see better.  He is the sweetest dog we know. read more

Yawning
2008-01-11 23:17:00
Gus-Gus starts yawning at 11pm.  I think we kept him up past his bedtime but he loved the attention. This was after a recent coloring job. But when you look this good, you need to be photographed more often. Gus-Gus starts yawning at 11pm.  I think we kept him up past his bedtime but he loved the attention. This was after a recent coloring job. But when you look this good, you need to be photographed more often. read more

Gus-Gus Red
2008-01-10 06:27:00
Digging up some old funny holiday pics. Gus-Gus was a candy cane for 2006 Christmas. The stripes are slightly faded but you should get the picture. Digging up some old funny holiday pics. Gus-Gus was a candy cane for 2006 Christmas. The stripes are slightly faded but you should get the picture. read more

Saratoga Creek Dog Park
2008-01-08 01:01:00
Saratoga Creek Dog Park is run by San Jose City and has just been updated.  It was previously all dirt but now has Astroturf and a watering system.  This park is great in the summer because it has mature trees for shade and the people are friendly.  Some of them bring lawn chairs to share.  We have visited here quite a few times.  Just beware of the rescued greyhounds, they tend to be rough with small dogs (see the greyhound rescue sites for more information about rescue greyhounds at dog parks).  Saratoga Creek Dog Park is run by San Jose City and has just been updated.  It was previously all dirt but now has Astroturf and a watering system.  This park is great in the summer because it has mature trees for shade and the people are friendly.  Some of them bring lawn chairs to share.  We have visited here quite a few times.  Just beware of the rescued greyhounds, they tend to be rough with small dogs (see the greyhound rescue...
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Dory
2008-01-06 18:09:00
She was in a rescue in Oklahoma and I was having a hard time finding a small dog in the city that wasn?t a yappy scared little thing.  I thought her handler was flying her out here but she ended up coming with the luggage.  I will never ever do that again to a dog- it tramatized her for weeks but she desperately needed rescuing.  She had parasites and several types of worms and self inflicted skin sores.  Her personality was great and that is why I got her, she loves dogs and people.  After a couple of months with us and quite a few vet trips, the vet gave her a clean bill of health and said she was a great dog and would not have any lasting effects of any of the time she had at the shelter and in the rescue facility.  A while later the rescue was shut down!  She is a smart beagle/border terrier mix, who knows a ton of tricks and commands but only does them when her stubborn self wants to.  She thankfully does not shed too much because of the ...

Las Palmas Dog Park
2008-01-04 21:38:00
The Las Palmas park is run by Sunnyvale, the dog park is rather large and 100% dirt.  It does not smell the best when entering and can get quite muddy.  The rest of Las Palmas park is beautiful and sometimes we just opt to walk on leash in the large grass fields outside the dog area.  I have had trouble with some of the dogs that visit this park being too aggressive (some type of husky mixes), also. These pictures are from this last summer. The Las Palmas park is run by Sunnyvale, the dog park is rather large and 100% dirt.  It does not smell the best when entering and can get quite muddy.  The rest of Las Palmas park is beautiful and sometimes we just opt to walk on leash in the large grass fields outside the dog area.  I have had trouble with some of the dogs that visit this park being too aggressive (some type of husky mixes), also. These pictures are from this last summer. read more
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Farley
2008-01-03 22:41:00
We got him from an acquaintance who had two other dogs and was just fostering him.  We got him before he had to go to the pound.  He is half basset hound and half golden retriever.  He has been a lot of fun since he swims in the pool with us.  He likes to swim for cucumbers and eats them as a treat.  He sheds a ton. He loves his pink bunny and he was very possess of Gus-Gus "his" puppy when we adopted Gussy. We got him from an acquaintance who had two other dogs and was just fostering him.  We got him before he had to go to the pound.  He is half basset hound and half golden retriever.  He has been a lot of fun since he swims in the pool with us.  He likes to swim for cucumbers and eats them as a treat.  He sheds a ton. He loves his pink bunny and he was very possess of Gus-Gus "his" puppy when we adopted Gussy. read more

Reed Street Dog Park
2008-01-02 07:56:00
The Reed Street park is one of our favorite dog parks and is run by the city of Santa Clara and was developed and opened in 2006. It took forever to gain county approval, conduct the soil samples and build the facility, but it is one of the areas best with its grassy hills and walking track. The Reed Street park is one of our favorite dog parks and is run by the city of Santa Clara and was developed and opened in 2006. It took forever to gain county approval, conduct the soil samples and build the facility, but it is one of the areas best with its grassy hills and walking track. read more
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Brookdale Dog Park
2007-12-30 01:26:00
The Brookdale Park was relocated to Reed Street, in our Santa Clara, CA area.  We use to visit this park often; it was 100% track gravel and pretty much useable year round.  The neighbors complained about the dogs barking too early on Saturday mornings. This is good lesson how community support can hurt or help dog park efforts in a local area. Soon after the closure, the city opened Reed Street Dog Park in an industrial portion of the city.  Some of the dog owners were concerned at first since the Reed street site is right next to the commuter train tracks and a busy street and had to be carefully checked for soil contaminants from years of industrial use. But now it has grown to be a favorite of many local residents. The Brookdale Park was relocated to Reed Street, in our Santa Clara, CA area.  We use to visit this park often; it was 100% track gravel and pretty much useable year round.  The neighbors complained about the dogs barking too early on Satur...
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Muffin and Winnie
2007-12-29 20:31:00
Our family's first dog, a Cockapoo named Muffin lived for 15 years and was a rescue. Her mama had gotten out and had pups by several different fathers.  Muf was a good family dog and did not shed at all. This was before digital cameras, so we don't have a picture of her. Our second pup was a Purebred Jack Russel, Winnie. She was genetically challenged with every type of weird narcoleptic and thyroid disease.  She was the runt of the litter and not terribly friendly.  A very smart little dog but not the best for the family. She was the only non-rescue we have had. Our family's first dog, a Cockapoo named Muffin lived for 15 years and was a rescue. Her mama had gotten out and had pups by several different fathers.  Muf was a good family dog and did not shed at all. This was before digital cameras, so we don't have a picture of her. Our second pup was a Purebred Jack Russel, Winnie. She was genetically challenged with every type of weird narcoleptic and thyroi...

Gus-Gus Green and Red
2007-12-28 20:44:00
For this Christmas, 2007 Gus-gus got red and green dots and then some blue and kind of looked like a Christmas tree (or a cupcake with sprinkles depending on how you looked at him). Either way, he was ready for presents. For this Christmas, 2007 Gus-gus got red and green dots and then some blue and kind of looked like a Christmas tree (or a cupcake with sprinkles depending on how you looked at him). Either way, he was ready for presents. read more
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Lighthouse Field and Beach
2007-12-27 19:22:00
One of our favorite places in Santa Cruz, California, Lighthouse Field and Beach were just repossessed by the State and are no longer allowing off leash dogs. The county is in discussions to have these areas re-opened to the dog loving public. One of our favorite places in Santa Cruz, California, Lighthouse Field and Beach were just repossessed by the State and are no longer allowing off leash dogs. The county is in discussions to have these areas re-opened to the dog loving public. read more
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Baby Gus-Gus
2007-12-24 07:50:00
He was a rescue of a different sort.  He is half basset and half lhasa apso.  He came from a basset breeder who also had a house pet lhasa apso.  She obviously was not spayed in time.  Gus does not shed much due to the lhasa mix.  He was named after the mouse in Cinderella because he was so fat as a pup and well he lacks intelligence.  He was a very hard puppy to potty train and learned his sit command very slowly.  But he is the sweetest dog we have ever had; not a mean bone in him and a complete push over to all other dogs.  He is 35lb and thinks he is 5lb.  He also swims. He was a rescue of a different sort.  He is half basset and half lhasa apso.  He came from a basset breeder who also had a house pet lhasa apso.  She obviously was not spayed in time.  Gus does not shed much due to the lhasa mix.  He was named after the mouse in Cinderella because he was so fat as a pup and well he lacks intelligence.&nb...
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Hide and Seek
2007-12-23 05:27:00
Dory thinks she is hiding from us. Sometimes when she is tired she will sleep under the bed, and other times when we either are leaving or want her to take a pill, she will try to hide. Many times this is a good as it gets, making it not too difficult to find her. Dory thinks she is hiding from us. Sometimes when she is tired she will sleep under the bed, and other times when we either are leaving or want her to take a pill, she will try to hide. Many times this is a good as it gets, making it not too difficult to find her. read more
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Swimming Time
2007-12-21 20:31:00
All three dogs love to swim.  Farley started it all.  We had two previous dogs that hated water.  Farley is half golden retriever and we could barely keep him out of the water.  He loves to have his ball thrown in the water and jump in after it.  Any kids that come over take him swimming; if no one will throw the ball he will drop the ball in the pool for himself.  Dory wass just learning to swim in these pictures but is much better now.  She likes to jump in on hot days and we even have trouble getting her to stay out in the winter.  She will come running in the house soaked and we have to chase her back out and towel her down.  Gus-Gus loves the pool and to chase the ball.  He probably spends the most time in the water.  We don't think his breed basset/lhasa apso has anything to do with it.  He probably learned this from the big dogs.  The swimming really helps keep the dogs trim, since they all have weight probl...
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Couch Potatoes
2007-12-21 06:52:00
All of our dogs are currently hound mixes.  They have their lazy moments and we are constantly watching their weight.  The males are both half basset hound and some of the laziest dogs we have had. Tired dogs can be the funniest to photograph. All of our dogs are currently hound mixes.  They have their lazy moments and we are constantly watching their weight.  The males are both half basset hound and some of the laziest dogs we have had. Tired dogs can be the funniest to photograph. read more
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Gus-Gus Blue
2007-12-19 23:42:00
As a pup Gus-gus got his first dying of a blue Mohawk (click the pictures to see larger versions).  Gus-gus went all blue several months later to look like ?Blue ? from blues clues (sorry can't find the picture).  This works well because he is half basset hound and half lahsa apso and has good floppy ears. He loves the attention and the head and back rubs he gets when colored. More pictures will follow for a colorful Gus-gus. As a pup Gus-gus got his first dying of a blue Mohawk (click the pictures to see larger versions).  Gus-gus went all blue several months later to look like ?Blue? from blues clues (sorry can't find the picture).  This works well because he is half basset hound and half lahsa apso and has good floppy ears. He loves the attention and the head and back rubs he gets when colored. More pictures will follow for a colorful Gus-gus. read more

Dory Dress Up
2007-12-18 17:49:00
Dory likes wearing sweaters in the winter; she gets cold easily and will gladly come and get a hot pink sweater.  She also does dress up without minding much at all. We think she looks like the dog from the Grinch that stole Christmas with the antlers on. Maybe she is just doing it for all the cookies she gets? Dory likes wearing sweaters in the winter; she gets cold easily and will gladly come and get a hot pink sweater.  She also does dress up without minding much at all. We think she looks like the dog from the Grinch that stole Christmas with the antlers on. Maybe she is just doing it for all the cookies she gets? read more
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Best Buds
2007-12-17 07:20:00
Gus-Gus and Dory are best buddies and are causing trouble when they are apart anymore.  Unfortunately, they do not live in the same home.  Dory misses her Gus-Gus and cries when left alone too often.  They play all the time when they are together even though they are very different.  Gus-Gus is lazier and Dory is a hyper terrier but they run laps around the pool and jump on the sofa while wrestling and biting and chewing on each other. Gus-Gus and Dory are best buddies and are causing trouble when they are apart anymore.  Unfortunately, they do not live in the same home.  Dory misses her Gus-Gus and cries when left alone too often.  They play all the time when they are together even though they are very different.  Gus-Gus is lazier and Dory is a hyper terrier but they run laps around the pool and jump on the sofa while wrestling and biting and chewing on each other. read more
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Dog parks
2007-12-17 04:04:00
I have found it difficult in my metropolitan area to find the dog parks.  Some are run by the city, others by the state or county departments, so there is no one website.  To add to the frustration the parks are regularly closed for maintenance or re-sodding around here.  And on several occasions I showed up to the dog park to find it closed for its weekly mowing or flea spraying.  So I started a website to catalog the dog parks near me.  I found about 20 in Santa Clara county.  I mapped them all and recorded the days and times they were open so I could go to the right park on the right days.  Mostly dog parks are found by word of mouth around here.  Everyone seems to know about two or three of them but no one is quite sure of their names and sometimes give different directions.  So I cataloged them with the park name but included the maps so I can find exactly the one I want. I have found it difficult in my metropolitan area to find...
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