I wake up with a wag of my tail and a nice, long stretch. The sun is shining, and it’s the time of year I’ve heard my humans call “the dog days of summer,” which I am guessing is because they have more time to walk me when they get home from where they go during the day. It’s early morning outside, and right now they look busy, dressed up in the clothes they wear when they are leaving the house. Some dogs (friends of mine I’ve talked to) really hate when their humans leave them — me, not so much because I get to go to a super fun place until they come back. I’ve heard them call it “Camp Bow Wow,” which one of the older and wiser dogs has told me is supposed to sound like us when we bark or howl. Humans are so funny.
Anyway, like I said, it’s a sunny morning, and I’m scarfing my breakfast down as fast as I can without throwing up. Sure enough, Dad is getting out my leash so we can head to Camp Bow Wow. I’m so excited, I’m wagging and shaking all over, and Dad is telling me to stop so he can get my leash hooked to my collar. Then, we’re off!
In the car, I have my snout out the window the whole way there like I always do with Dad – Mom hates it, and she’s usually the one who drops me off. I think she thinks I’ll fall out of the car, but so far, I never have. When we pull up to Camp Bow Wow, Dad lets me out of the backseat, and I try not to knock him down with excitement. We walk to the front door, me trying to be on my best behavior— but when I see Lucy the Goldendoodle, I pretty much start running, and Dad is behind me, yelling and laughing, trying to keep up. I love when Lucy and I are both here on the same day; we’re best friends.
Once we’re inside, Mr. Greg, the owner, gives me a long belly rub and an affectionate pat on the head. He’s always so glad to see me. I can’t wait for Dad to leave so Lucy and I can go outside, but Mr. Greg is chatting with Dad about how the family is doing. Lucy and are both panting and whining to go in the yard, and finally, Mr Greg, my Dad and Lucy’s dad wrap up their conversation, and Mr. Greg opens the doors to the most magical place I’ve ever seen in my whole life: the yard.
Let me tell you what the yard is like. It’s not only enough space to run, jump and play, BUT all my friends are there, too. So even though some dogs have big yards at home, this yard is still better because we are all there together. Well . . . at least we are if we are around the same size. Tiny dogs like my friend Ellie Blair go to a different yard, so they don’t get hurt or feel scared when a bigger dog sniffs their butt. Plus, on hot days, we can go inside. The yard is indoors and outdoors!
Our humans in the yard are called camp counselors, and they make sure we follow the rules, stay safe and have fun. My favorite thing to do is climb up the ramp because it’s steep, and it reminds me of hiking on Red Mountain with my Mom and Dad. Our yard counselor for today, Maddy, tells me I’m a good girl like she always does, and I lick her hand to thank her.
By lunchtime, I am starving. I don’t get lunch at home, just breakfast and dinner, but Mom and Dad send me here with lunch because I burn so many calories. It’s not my fancy food that I get at home, but it’s still delicious. We have to rest and digest our food before we start playing again, so I rest my head on my paws and daydream about catching squirrels.
In the afternoons, after lunch and rest time are over, we go back to our yard. You would think we’d be tired — and to be doggone honest, some of us are — but we’re just so excited to keep playing until our families come and get us. Everyone’s human comes at a different time, and our other counselor, Morrighan, comes to get us from the yard to go home. It is so sad to say goodbye to my friends, but I’m also thrilled to see Dad and Mom both! They always ask me if I had fun and if I was a good girl, and I wag my tail in reply — plus Morrighan and Maddy tell them the same thing in human words.
After we leave, I climb into the car backseat and stretch out while my humans drive us home. This time, I don’t stick my snout out the window; I am way too tired from my busy day of playing at Camp Bow Wow. And I can’t wait until tomorrow.