Today we went to a new dog park. This one is in Marana. We met some new friends, Sigma, Rufus, and Athena. At least, that is my best recollection now of the doggie names. The people names were Troy and Richard and some lady who left earlier and I didn't get to introduce myself.
Anyway, Sigma (probably not the right name, but what can I say?), is a boy toy dog, a kind of chocolate color.
His mom said the breeder told her he was a toy poodle, but mom has doubts and is sure he is mixed with something else. His tail isn't docked, he looks somewhat poodlely, but his face is squarer and not as lean as the usual little poodle face. Mom said he's shy. Sigma is probably around 10 pounds and a little shorter and smaller than Finnegan and they are the same age.
Finnegan absolutely loved Sigma. He likes poodles, Havanese, Westies and mixes of that type, particularly if they are smaller than him and he definitely prefers another boy to girls. He also likes quieter, more reticent dogs.
They played quite a bit. It was clear they are both the type to take relationships seriously and they each gave the other the time to get acquainted.
Sadly, Sigma and his mom had to leave within 15 minutes or so of our arrival, but I sure hope to see them both again.
Finnegan became very playful with Rufus, a rescue who is part Shizitzu and maybe terrier, according to his dad, Troy. He's also a young boy, about 1 1/2. I initiated the play by running around the dog park and throwing a ball so Rufus and Finn chased me. I do this a lot, with or without other dogs (I mean outside of my own); it is fun and my little bit of exercise.
Finn decided he loved Rufus too, who doesn't weigh much more but is a tad taller and longer. Rufus has a great personality and the two boys started to really get into it.
Finn was also comfortable with Rufus's dad, a big guy who looks like that guy who goes around the country checking out big food or unusual food, can't remember which and he readily took a treat from him and said hello.
The one girl in the group was definitely an Alpha girl and the tiniest of the three dogs. Now, Athena was very annoyed with my running and pretty much everything else and let me know. She was the old one of the group at age three and a female, so was pretty territorial and bossy. For a while she scolded me relentlessly, but eventually caved in, after she figured I wasn't going to stop and I gave her a treat.
Finn was initially afraid of Athena. Little woman scare him, like all men - he's no different. He hastened away so as not to be in her disfavor. As she calmed down, he approached and noticed, hot damn, she's a girl and he became very interested.
He followed her a bit sniffing and she straightened him right out. A girl has her limits. But she was warming to him and began sniffing him too.
So, today was loads of fun, but getting hot around 1 p.m. or so, and we all landed up leaving at once. Finnegan was so happy, tongue hanging out, and smiled all the way home. Life is good.