Monday was a perfect day for walking. So much so that the ladies kept moving for almost two and a half hours—twice the usual run. At Pam’s suggestion, they first headed to the Trinity University track. Unfortunately there was a pack of barking dogs hanging around there.
Ever since I was attacked by a stray lab, my mistress had always carried pepper spray. But would it work with five dogs? We didn’t stick around to find out. Instead, the ladies struck out for the campus and exited at the other end near the Landa Library. When they got to the library, they learned something they had not known-- both about the library and one of the Brackenridge Belles.
After Harry Landa bequeathed his handsome home and grounds to the city in memory of his wife in 1946, a plaque was put at the entrance announcing it as the “Hannah Landa Memorial Library and Children’s Playground.”
Decades later, when Pam Howard and a friend brought their young children to the Landa, there was no playground. A law student, Pam did some research and found that the will stipulated a playground. She and friends approached the city and formed a group to erect a playground. It is now the jewel of Monte Vista—a shady oasis for parents and children to swing, climb, picnic and simply enjoy the outdoors.
Best of all, dogs are welcome, too.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Stepping out in the Swamp
You win some you lose some. Yesterday Chica and I lost, when our master and mistress opted not to take us with them to Palmetto State Park, named for the dwarf palmettos that inhabit its swampy self. Perhaps it’s for the best as the place is alive with reptiles, some being of the poisonous persuasion.
Today Chica and I won, when Mary took us to Brackenridge Park for our weekly walk with the ladies. There were seven again this week and they covered a lot of territory—and subjects—over an hour and a half. Topics ranged from the Pam's daughter’s graduation on skis at Middlebury College to the number of Phd candidates at Renee's nursing school graduation at the University of Texas (a lot—this is UT, right?). There was also talk of tributaries of the San Antonio River, which runs through the park, thanks to River Authority member Sally.
When it was over, Mary Lil checked her pedometer and announced that we had taken 6,199 steps, totaling 2,333 miles. Because less than a sixth of the steps were in the moderate range, indicating more energy expended, the calorie count was a mere 159 burned. As she put it: “have a blast with a piece of bread.”
In Mary's case, it was some flaming hot chips leftover from the park outing. In Chica's and mine, it was a couple of extra doggie treats.
Today Chica and I won, when Mary took us to Brackenridge Park for our weekly walk with the ladies. There were seven again this week and they covered a lot of territory—and subjects—over an hour and a half. Topics ranged from the Pam's daughter’s graduation on skis at Middlebury College to the number of Phd candidates at Renee's nursing school graduation at the University of Texas (a lot—this is UT, right?). There was also talk of tributaries of the San Antonio River, which runs through the park, thanks to River Authority member Sally.
When it was over, Mary Lil checked her pedometer and announced that we had taken 6,199 steps, totaling 2,333 miles. Because less than a sixth of the steps were in the moderate range, indicating more energy expended, the calorie count was a mere 159 burned. As she put it: “have a blast with a piece of bread.”
In Mary's case, it was some flaming hot chips leftover from the park outing. In Chica's and mine, it was a couple of extra doggie treats.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Of Hay and Spray
Seems like it’s either feast or famine with the Brackenridge Park walkers. Last week no one showed up but my mistress. This week, there were seven.
It was a misty morning and we had planned to head into the interior of the park. But a maintenance man warned us that there was a pack of wild dogs, so instead we walked around the periphery of the zoo to the so-called Donkey Barn, where two walkers who had gotten a late start met us.
The rock structure with an Alamo-like façade is so named because they used to store hay in it for the donkeys that were used for children’s rides in the 1920s. My mistress told the others her mother recalled the rides, but what Mary remembers is sitting on a huge stuffed jackrabbit at the Zoo entrance and having her picture taken as she sat in its saddle. From there we ambled back to the zoo. Three stalwarts mushed on to the Sunken Gardens, which looked and smelled glorious with all the blooming flowers.
Back home, Chica and I crashed for a while but now we’re pumped for the next adventure. Providing Mary brings pepper spray, that is.
It was a misty morning and we had planned to head into the interior of the park. But a maintenance man warned us that there was a pack of wild dogs, so instead we walked around the periphery of the zoo to the so-called Donkey Barn, where two walkers who had gotten a late start met us.
The rock structure with an Alamo-like façade is so named because they used to store hay in it for the donkeys that were used for children’s rides in the 1920s. My mistress told the others her mother recalled the rides, but what Mary remembers is sitting on a huge stuffed jackrabbit at the Zoo entrance and having her picture taken as she sat in its saddle. From there we ambled back to the zoo. Three stalwarts mushed on to the Sunken Gardens, which looked and smelled glorious with all the blooming flowers.
Back home, Chica and I crashed for a while but now we’re pumped for the next adventure. Providing Mary brings pepper spray, that is.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Was the White Shaman worth it?
When is this going to stop? Yet again my mistress has left me and Chica to languish at the vet’s. It was only for a weekend, but any time spent in those cages is too much. I’ll have to admit that they are clean and roomy and that the folks take us out every day to stretch our legs. But we want to be at home in our own bed--even if we do have to share it with our master and mistress.
So where did they go to justify leaving us like that? To see the White Shaman. In case you're wondering, he's a stick figure on the wall of a shelter near the Pecos River out of Del Rio. Don’t ask me why people hike down a slippery slope to see squiggly rock paintings. But they do. And after we got sprung from the vet’s, we had to hear our master and mistress natter on and on about what they thought the drawings meant.
Better they ponder what we dogs are thinking-- especially when they leave us behind. But never mind, we’re home again and enjoying the spring weather. On Monday, Mary had intended to walk without us in Brackenridge Park since the vet wasn’t open. Since every single member of the walking group had conflicts, ranging from emergency health crises to car repair issues, she sprung us early at the vet’s and we had an hourlong meander through the neighborhood. After that, all was forgotten--and forgiven.
So where did they go to justify leaving us like that? To see the White Shaman. In case you're wondering, he's a stick figure on the wall of a shelter near the Pecos River out of Del Rio. Don’t ask me why people hike down a slippery slope to see squiggly rock paintings. But they do. And after we got sprung from the vet’s, we had to hear our master and mistress natter on and on about what they thought the drawings meant.
Better they ponder what we dogs are thinking-- especially when they leave us behind. But never mind, we’re home again and enjoying the spring weather. On Monday, Mary had intended to walk without us in Brackenridge Park since the vet wasn’t open. Since every single member of the walking group had conflicts, ranging from emergency health crises to car repair issues, she sprung us early at the vet’s and we had an hourlong meander through the neighborhood. After that, all was forgotten--and forgiven.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Calorie Conundrum
They say the third time’s the charm. For the last two Mondays, bad weather has prevented the Brackenridge Belles and Bitches from doing their thing. Not today. Six ladies and two dogs clocked 2.48 miles, burning off some 168 calories each.
According to Belle Mary Lil Chappell’s pedometer, that totals more than 6,000 steps per person. Now I’m not a math whiz, but I figure since Chica and I are at least eight times shorter, that would make nearly 50,000 steps for us dogs. And that’s not taking into account that we have twice as many legs. Problem is I don’t know whether to divide or multiply by two to come with the correct number of steps for us. Any ideas?
We started our hour-plus walk at the home of Brackenridge Belle Sally Buchanan, whose home is more or less surrounded by the Park. After showing us her striking Turkish-tiled bath and kitchen, she led us across the BP golf course to the entrance of the massive underground tunnel that carries water under the city to prevent downtown flooding.
On the way back we walked along the Catalpa-Pershing ditch, passing the back of what was Butter Krust Bakery, soon to be the new headquarters of C. H. Guenther and Sons. There were enough construction workers renovating it to warrant a mobile food truck.
Sadly, the ladies didn’t patronize the traveling food truck so we didn’t get any leftovers. But looking on the bright side, given our size relative to the ladies, we must have burned more than 1,344 calories apiece. Or is it 2,688? Any ideas?
According to Belle Mary Lil Chappell’s pedometer, that totals more than 6,000 steps per person. Now I’m not a math whiz, but I figure since Chica and I are at least eight times shorter, that would make nearly 50,000 steps for us dogs. And that’s not taking into account that we have twice as many legs. Problem is I don’t know whether to divide or multiply by two to come with the correct number of steps for us. Any ideas?
We started our hour-plus walk at the home of Brackenridge Belle Sally Buchanan, whose home is more or less surrounded by the Park. After showing us her striking Turkish-tiled bath and kitchen, she led us across the BP golf course to the entrance of the massive underground tunnel that carries water under the city to prevent downtown flooding.
On the way back we walked along the Catalpa-Pershing ditch, passing the back of what was Butter Krust Bakery, soon to be the new headquarters of C. H. Guenther and Sons. There were enough construction workers renovating it to warrant a mobile food truck.
Sadly, the ladies didn’t patronize the traveling food truck so we didn’t get any leftovers. But looking on the bright side, given our size relative to the ladies, we must have burned more than 1,344 calories apiece. Or is it 2,688? Any ideas?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Back on Track--in the Park
On Monday four Brackenridge Belles and two bitches walked in the park. It was the first foray of the New Year, following a two-month holiday hiatus. The walk was long, from the Zoo to the golf bridge (Mary Lil clocked 2.2 miles), but conversation never lagged. Honestly I can’t imagine how the Belles can find so many things to yammer about.
But then the ladies probably can’t imagine why we dogs need to savor every scent that the park has to offer. Infuriatingly, we have to inhale quickly, since they are always urging us on. One of the ladies expressed wonder at how we never flagged. Well duh. We have twice as many legs, even if they are shorter. And, we don’t tire ourselves talking.
When we get home we can usually summon up the energy to have a fine fight, complete with growling and bared teeth. Of course it's only theater. But it seems to fascinate our mistress, who never tires of taking pictures of our skirmishes.
But then the ladies probably can’t imagine why we dogs need to savor every scent that the park has to offer. Infuriatingly, we have to inhale quickly, since they are always urging us on. One of the ladies expressed wonder at how we never flagged. Well duh. We have twice as many legs, even if they are shorter. And, we don’t tire ourselves talking.
When we get home we can usually summon up the energy to have a fine fight, complete with growling and bared teeth. Of course it's only theater. But it seems to fascinate our mistress, who never tires of taking pictures of our skirmishes.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Pura Vida: Keep it Going...
Now that Chica and I are back home I’m getting over my pique at being left at the vet’s. While master and mistress gadded about Costa Rica for a week, I had to endure both a cage and Chica's high pitched barks. When Mary finally came to pick us up, one of the keepers commented, “the little one sure does bark a lot.” Amen.
.
Meanwhile Mary and Lewis were living the good life in the country whose motto is "pure vida." They visited three volcanoes, rafted down the Sarapaqui River, camped in tents at the Hacienda Pozo Azul eco resort, and walked through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. My mistress wrote an article about the trip for the San Antonio Express-News. You can check out the story on the mysanantonio.com website or go to: http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/travel/article/COSTA-RICA-PuraVida-2494571.php
Chica and I are hoping some of the pura vida outlook has taken hold, since Lewis and Mary are paying more attention to us. Maybe I shouldn’t complain so much when they travel, assuming they go to a place that has the right motto.
.
Meanwhile Mary and Lewis were living the good life in the country whose motto is "pure vida." They visited three volcanoes, rafted down the Sarapaqui River, camped in tents at the Hacienda Pozo Azul eco resort, and walked through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. My mistress wrote an article about the trip for the San Antonio Express-News. You can check out the story on the mysanantonio.com website or go to: http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/travel/article/COSTA-RICA-PuraVida-2494571.php
Chica and I are hoping some of the pura vida outlook has taken hold, since Lewis and Mary are paying more attention to us. Maybe I shouldn’t complain so much when they travel, assuming they go to a place that has the right motto.
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