Wednesday, September 16, 2009

A Fall Favorite

Every September the dog park has a fundraiser called Dog Fest. There are demonstrations of obedience, agility and herding dogs. There are vendors selling collars and toys and homemade dog biscuits. There are pet photographers and representatives from some of the major dog food companies with samples. Several of the local vets set up stands to answer questions and offer nail clipping and micro chip checks. The year Fudge was a puppy we took him and Samba to Dog Fest.

All Creatures was there that year and as we approached we saw that Dr B had something fun planned. He had a bucket of water and he dropped cut up hot dogs in the bucket. They floated and the dogs could bob for hot dogs. Fudge was more interested in getting his feet in the water, but Samba saw those hot dogs, stuck her head in the water and when she came up she had all the hot dogs in her mouth. Today I decided to try the pack at bobbing for hot dogs.


Big problem. The hot dogs didn't float. They sank to the bottom.


We divided the dogs into two groups. Samba, Morgan, Fudge, Sky and Tsar tried first. Tsar didn't want to go near the water, but he kept nudging me to feed him hot dogs and I gave him several. Samba and Fudge went right for the water.


Samba wasn't as interested as I expected her to be, but Fudge wanted those hot dogs.


Of course, being Fudge he couldn't keep his feet out of the water.


It took quite an effort since he got a face full of water, but he ate a lot of hot dogs.


Morgan and Sky weren't going to let Fudge have all the fun.


Sky didn't like getting his face so wet, so he left them to Morgan. She was very good at this.


Here Samba grabs one.


She decided to get in a better position and it worked.


Next we let Noah, Tess, Lola, Bailey and Norma Jean try.


Noah thought this was a great game.


Norma Jean and Bailey were interested.


Norma Jean, that's cheating.


The whole group enjoyed this but there were some surprises.


Noah really wanted that last piece of hot dog.

I had expected Samba and Norma Jean to dominate in this game, but to my surprise they were not as interested as some of the others. Everyone got some hot dogs, but Fudge, Noah and Bailey were the big winners. Bailey was the biggest surprise, because she's never shown a lot of interest in water. She never plays in the wading pool. We're taking her to the lake soon and we'll see if she likes swimming, too.

Now I have to try to find something that floats. I'm going to experiment with apple chunks and carrots. Any other suggestions? And why didn't my hot dogs float anyway?

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't know why your hot dogs didn't float. Gotta think about what floats. I want retrieving dogs that love water - maybe next time.

I really do love your group. They are so lucky that they have such great humans to love. g

Sally Ann and Andy said...

I love those frozen apple slices that are already cut up. Mommy feeds me those as treats. Mommy said Milk bones might float. Could I come to your house for Milk bones?
Mack

Martha said...

Hi Sue, loved your post - am now pondering the questions 'why don't hotdogs float'.
Seems strange when the floated at the dog fest - we laughed at Samba getting all those hot dogs in her mouth - that is our kinda dog!
The dog fest sounds like a great idea and you lot clearly enjoy you returning with inspirational ideas!
Great photos - and what a lovely pink bucket!!!!

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

What a fun game - we play it in our swimming pool with dog biscuits that float. Lilly hates water and never gets one. Carrleigh tolerates water but loves food. Piper is the ultimate winner because he will dive right in and get them. Java doesn't know he's a water dog!

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

SissySees said...

Your gang is a hoot. You're great about entertaining them. Gretchen won't eat apples or carrots, so I'll be exploring other floating options. Blueberries, maybe?

Tobi said...

Sue - you have given me yet another idea. However, putting hot dogs at the bottom of their water bucket will most likely result in muddy pawprints in the house. Ah well - that's why I don't have carpet.

Lapdog Creations said...

You are so creative ... I love all the fun and games you have with your pack!

LizzieJane said...

Why don't hot dogs float! That sounds like a title to a funny book. Even if they didn't float it still was a lot of fun seeing all those great pic's. I guess you will have to ask Dr B what kind of hot dogs he used.
x

Scrabblequeen said...

Maybe only cheap hotdogs float and you didn't serve your gang cheap ones? It did look like fun, even without floaters!

the many Bs said...

totally yummy! we would love that fun game.

woofs.

dogquilter said...

That's too funny!! Cute pics!

Marjie said...

This is a funny game! I'm glad you learned about it. It's wonderful that your pack has other humans who can teach you fun things to do!

and I've never seen hot dogs not float. Could it be because they were cut into pieces?

Dianne said...

Hmmm, maybe throw some hot dogs into the lake for Bailey? LOL I'm surprised that the hot dogs at the dog park floated - it seems like they would be too dense. How about cheese curls? You know, the orange ones that get all over your fingers. They would float for sure! Not as healthy as apples and carrots, so forget I mentioned it. :-/

Anonymous said...

The festival sounds like so much fun! I wish we had something like that in our area. What a cute idea. All of your little ones look like they are having a good time. I don't think I could get Charli to go near the water.

Rose said...

Your dogs are so darn cute! I just love reading about the things you think up for them. Great reading!! :-)

Molly the Airedale said...

They play this game at our Airedale Barktoberfest next month and make a contest out of it! We've never tried it before but we'd sure love to practice it!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch