I was walking with my dog yesterday, chatting with her as we walked, like I do. I often get caught talking to my dog in public. And frankly, it doesn't embarrass me at all. I figure if people think I'm a weirdo for having conversations with my dog, then they really don't get it. They don't understand dogs and people. And the bond. And that's sad for them.  My husband is currently finishing our basement and when it's done, we are putting our house up for sale. The reason I bring this up in a seemingly random way, is that it was the topic of my conversation with Betty. My dog. The one who ..read more

This is the very first dog park I visited with my Golden, Betty White, when she was just a wee Betty. We had no idea what we were getting into actually. We'd lived in town for a few years, but had no real need to visit a dog park. Bruce the Almighty is not in urgent need of dog play A walk around the block and he's good.   But Betty. Betty is in need of daily dog exercise, and more than just a walk around the block. Dog is a little loco if she doesn't get in a good romp a day.   So, on our first time, we parked and ventured up the hill, not quite sure what we would find at the top ..read more

I'm not perfect. In fact, I'm far from perfect. Maybe Perfectly Unperfect one might say. Who knows. That sounds like I'm being weird. Let's just say I have lots of faults. (Don't Tell My Dog) But it did hit me the other day that I have to be better about this one thing. Without fail. I have to be that person who picks up poop after her dog. Every time. I try to do it. But I decided that I have to. Every single time. Because I've decided I am a Dog Lady. Well. Betty has turned me into a dog lady. And as a dog lady, I have to be responsible and set a good example. To myself. So when I complain ..read more

If you want a dog walk with a view, Nose Hill is the place for you. Great views of  downtown Calgary's skyline on one side and mountain views on the other. Nose Hill Off Leash Park is located in NW Calgary, and is connected to 12 communities!  My husband's family grew up in North West Calgary, so I'm familiar with Nose Hill Park. I can tell you, it's a whole lot of rolling hills. It's very big. Many kilometres of bigness. When I looked it up, it says that it's 11 kilometres.That's a lot of walks.  I remember walking on Nose Hill once when my son was young. It was summer, we wer ..read more

Hard to imagine that this dog park wouldn’t be familiar to most dog people who live in South Calgary. It’s got to be one of the biggest fenced dog parks in town. It’s got swimming, trees, sticks, hills, dogs, training areas, picnic areas and paths for walking. It’s busy with a capital B. Everything a dog could want. Unless your dog is a dog who doesn't much like being around other dogs. Because there are a lot of dogs here.   In case you're not familiar with the dog park, it's visible on South Deerfoot Trail by the Southland Drive overpass. Click here for directions. Parts of ..read more

Welcome to Hell. I mean February 2021 in Calgary. I mean Pandemic living, trying to cope, dealing with it mainly by getting in daily long walks with my dog Betty White but can't even stay outside long or we will DIE, cold February. Hello Cold Snap. Like REAL cold snap.  Like not a day, but almost two weeks of temperatures that can literally kill us. How YOU DOING? I still take Betty out for short walks, I’m not a monster. (no offense to those who can’t hack the cold, but Betty is so conditioned to her daily walk, I don’t know what she’d do to our house and my sanity if she didn’t get out ..read more

I mean, do they? Do people really appreciate the beauty of your dog? Because if they do, shouldn't they always mention it to you? Have you ever felt a little offended when someone met your dog, and didn't even comment on their cuteness? I *may* be guilty of doing this. Maybe once or twice.  But sometimes, sometimes people do notice.   “That’s a beautiful looking dog,” a man riding a fat wheel bike said to me as we passed on a pathway in the trails in the forest, in the town, where Betty White lives. She was gleefully tearing around after sticks, off leash. (okay not ex ..read more

I have to say that the Deer Ridge Off Leash took me completely by surprise. I used Google Maps (click here for directions) on my car’s Blue Tooth to get me there, so map lady was telling me where to turn and when she said I’d reached my destination on my left, I was kind of puzzled. I’m suspicious of her on a good day, because she often takes me on wild rides, but this seemed odd.   Granted it was a VERY snowy day just after New Year’s 2021. I saw a man on the very snowy road, walking with his dog so I rolled down my window and asked, “Is this the Off Leash area for dogs?”   "Sure ..read more

I’m sorry, if you’re here looking for answers  about what to do about your dog's a-hole behavior. This is not that post.  This is more about commiserating. I love my dog, don't get me wrong. I love her SO much. (Too much some might say) But sometimes.... Every dog owner who’s had more than one dog, knows that all dogs have their own personality. If you have a dog from a certain breed, they have similar characteristics of course, but they have their own little quirks and things they love and things they hate or are afraid of.  Like Betty is afraid of Safeway Bags and blow up Chri ..read more

If you want a dog walk with a view, Nose Hill is the place for you. Great views of  downtown Calgary's skyline on one side and mountain views on the other. Nose Hill Off Leash Park is located in NW Calgary, and is connected to 12 communities!  My husband's family grew up in North West Calgary, so I'm familiar with Nose Hill Park. I can tell you, it's a whole lot of rolling hills. It's very big. Many kilometres of bigness. When I looked it up, it says that it's 11 kilometres.That's a lot of walks.  I remember walking on Nose Hill once when my son was young. It was summer, we wer ..read more