Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Dog Days


No matter where I go in life, I find dogs. Or, they find me, I'm not sure exactly which.

Maybe because I've always been around them, almost from the moment I was born, when my father, after taking me home from the hospital, dipped me down over the back of our landlord's magnificently amiable Great Dane in the first of many such encounters to ensure my comfort around animals. He said that even in my amorphous infant state, something in my eyes lit up whenever I saw that animal, and like a moth to a flame, I'd reach out my chubby infant arms to grab hold of the glossy grey fur and cling so tightly, he'd eventually have to pry my hands off the dog. Once I was able to walk, I could finally attach myself to the Dane at will, gripping the fur of his neck and babbling happily alongside him as he patiently allowed me to "walk" him in our yard.

Dogs remain one of my life's primary preoccupations. So much so, that I can't help but seek them out. Like this fella here. Boxer and I hadn't been at the spa for five minutes when I spotted him, and of course we had to instantly go over and say hello. His name is Quasar and he's a Leonberger, a breed I've never heard of but wow is it beautiful, and his owner, in her pride over owning such a beautiful creature, was marvelous about letting us ooh and aah over him. Quasar, whose mind you could tell was really on stalking the property's many cotton-tailed bunnies anyway, was equally fine with us ruffling his big ol' head and assaulting him with nonsensical baby-talk.

And if you've guessed from that point on, we spent a great deal of our time waiting for Quasar to grace us with his presence (and me figuring out how to bribe his owner into letting me take him home), you'd be right.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's a handsome dog and, if he's a Leonburger, a wonderful breed.

The ones I've seen are around 150 pounds and Quasar looks smaller.

moi said...

Troll: You have a very astute eye. His owner said he's smaller than the average Leonberger and also quite "feminine" for a male. I never heard of the breed. From a distance, I thought he was a Newffie mix.

Buzz Kill said...

You and Boxer go away on vacation to get away from your dogs - and this is what happens. It's a good thing you weren't trying to get away from your husbands.

LaDivaCucina said...

Haha to Buzzy! Why does this pup's face remind me of a St. Bernard? I always say hi to da doggies, hardly ever the people but they seem to understand that. I love when I see them in baskets on bikes around the beach.

chickory said...

I had never heard of that breed either. looks just right for that climate - in winter. Beautiful dog. youre right you do draw the dogs...I havent seen that pair that took up with you here since that weekend. weird. LOL @ buzz.

czar said...

sweet puppy . . .

Karl said...

Good afternoon Moi,

Nice looking Pup. Feminine for a male? Had he been neutered?

@Buzz: That's for another post, when you'll get the "rest of the story".

fishy said...

Wow, this dog has a really good face.
If the face is an indication of personality then I too would have watched for opportunities to visit.

@ Buzz,
you made my day!

Pam said...

Oooooh, what a beauty. I've never heard of the breed either. But that isn't surprising for me, but I am surprised that Troll is the only one who has heard of it (among all these doggy loving bloggers, that is) ...

I've had doggy fever since Petey, a neighbor's pudgy Jack Russell, got out of the gate and found his way into my arms during a recent power outage. I'm still thinking of getting a puppy for STerling to help keep him occupied.

But back to Quasar ... looks a little like a border collie to me? Do you suppose they are super smart but not very hyper?

moi said...

Buzz: I know, huh! But there are few men at this spa and all the ones in Vegas smell like stale beer.

La Diva: I think there's Bernard in this breed, actually. Good spotting!

Chickory: Quasar and his mom actually live in Park City, which is perfect. He got to have a romp in the reservoir while there, though.

Czar: Very sweet face, but a rather "alert" personality. Meaning, he was ignoring my baby talk and looking for rabbits.

Karl: Neutered male four year old. Oh, and what happens during the 2.5 seconds we're in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Fishy: Buzz gets Best Line of the Day Award!

Pam: Some Borders are big boned, but nothing like this guy. BIG dog, and yet small for his breed. Hmmm . . . I'm trying to think what kind of dog, exactly, would work with Sterling. A Rottweiler? :o)

Aunty Belle said...

Handsome fella!!

Ain't never seen this breed that I Recall--gorgeous.

Jenny said...

how'd I miss a post about Quasar? he was a beauty inside and out. Such a good boy and soooo important to his owner. But wow, I wouldn't want to deal with the hair that big boy could let go of.

I'm impressed with Troll knowing he was small for his breed. Impressive actually.

Jenny said...

@Buzz - bwaahahahahah.

moi said...

Boxer: That dog's a shedding nightmare! You'd need a step ladder to groom him. Also, bunny snacks to keep him still.

chickory said...

yeah, thats too much fur for me. I like slick seal like dog fur. but he needs that for winter! oh and congrats on ya haiku. yet. again. grherhaha

I just finished your haiku prize from the chicken challenge - i'll post it at chickory later today.

moi said...

Chickory: I can't wait to see what you came up with! I've already got a spot picked out to hang it. As for fur, strangely, long hair is not always sheddy hair. Ivan's got a short smooth coat and he sheds like crazy. I have to brush him daily. Fortunately, he likes it. Maddie on the other hand. Recently bit the groomer. Gah.