Tales from the dog walk IT’S interesting how the small routines we develop in our day can come to mean so much to us. Oh naw, don’t panic, fm not going to talk about my laandry room again. I'm referring to my whole other life (as my kids refer to it} at the dougie park. You see, [take my dogs to the Ambleside doggie park every morning atier I drop the kids off at school. [ris a for dogs te run wild, socialize with other pups, and swim in the ocean. Plus I hoof around there ata good pace myself, and get a pretty good workout along with the dogs. Nor surprisingly, I see the same people every morning on my walk. We belong to a club of sorts, consisting of friendly folk, people who love ani- mals, peaple who love being outside; people who stick to their daily routines come hell or high water. Don’t ask me to tell vou the names of my doggie park brethren, I don't know them. But I do know their dogs. I'm barely out of the car and finding my stride when I come upon Miles, a beautiful, glossy, copper-colored pup who prances shyly about his master, always within a [5- -yard range. Miles is like a young colt on a leash except he’s not on a leash; doesn't need to be. e’s a nervous chap, and never strays. Up the road I spot Basil and Carlotta. Bas as we call him, is an enormous, speckled beast who is fond of carry’ around in his mouth. It makes him feel important. Carlotta is constantly yelling at passersby to watch their legs, for fear Bas will inadvertently wallop them in the knees with his cargo as he trots by, but he never docs. Then there is Mr. Close to home Morgan, a voung, mischie- vous, single- minded Welsh 4) who reminds me of has that short dog attitude we all recognize bur don’t talk about in front of the short dogs.) His ever-patient owner (4 senior) almost lost his life a “We're not such a bad lot, we dog owners. Most of us are law-abiding, turd-toting citizens.” couple of vears ago when Mr. Morgan wrapped his long leash around his legs and unwittingly toppled him (52 days in the hospital with a serious head injury requiring thiee brain operations, he was). Now all of us at the park keep an eye out for the wee rogue, and on any given day you can hear three or four different voices calling out ~Mir. Morgan, Mir. Morgan” at the same time. Mr. Morgan, for his part, rarely responds to any of our calls. In the grassy field by the river are Spud and » the chocolate lab pups, These big, clunisy, gorgeous adofes- cents romp together in the muddy grass, barking and tumbling am! chewing cach ather’s ears for the sheer joy of it, Out of nowhe : bounds up to me and spits a sogev old tennis ball at mv feet. This hue lab brings her elegant owner, Jean, to the doggie park every day, and never runs Out of gas, OF guts, or gob. On down the path [ hear Grady, 3 vouny ray Schnauzer who spends a fot of his time trying to run with the big dogs, but not quite making it. Spike the baby bulldog, on the other kand, could car: less about running with big dogs. ‘He is a short sausage of 4 peoch, with a snutt chording, wh hello that ma you are really spe Spike eats the eld at home when he doesn’t get enough attention (1 can’t imagine it} very well behaved at the dog- gie park. Except he doesn't like the rain, or walking too fast, or loud noi Other canine pals include © QUALTEY GAS FIREPLYCES Sale $968. reg. $1400. | D7 ROEK Shoxjudy xc". SaleS$398° rea $38 © 9g" Magura Hydraulic Brakes Racelinal Sale $368 p pair reg. sss (Manitou SuUSP. - Titanium Spring/ ;’ Sateioa98 « pair fea “sesa — ‘Limited Sutsply on alk stock? : ~ Spring: ‘Tune- -up Special 30" - your wheels are feeling hooped, then it's time-fora certified rim job from’ the best wheel builder in town! Contact your #1 Service shop Cove Bike Shop! Lower: Mainland’ so #1 Rated Sertice Shop~ Georgia Straight DEEP COVE BIKE SHOP AN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DEEP COVE WHERE). ASTBONOMICALLY: Tow PRICES ARE THE Law % AR GE s ONA Dearietea “< : Coe! 929-1918 0 von. . ” . Tota Wea, 10-7 pro : 43i0 Gallant Ave., North Van. www. covebike.com Noo bet 10 8pm . 2 RISE ane ~\ rn 7 Kona Kilauea . Hosta Hostas are among the most popular perennials, especially for shady gardens. They bloom with graceful stalks of lily-like flowers, but its their foliage that makes them so special. Several 9 9) vaneties from.. sitar PE “WITH ALL WE KNOW, IT HAS TO GROW.” MAPLE LEAF GARDE™ CENTRES BOTH LOCATIONS OPE) = =VEN DAYS A WEEK: 9AM TO 6PM NORTH VANCOUVEr 1343 LYNN VALLEY ROAD 985-1766 WEST VANCOUVER: 25898 HAYWOOO AVENUE non