Woofstock

Last Saturday the annual event put on by Canine Companions for Independence, Woofstock, took place in Balboa Park. I go to take photos of all the dogs, and see what vendors are there. I'm a bit ambiguous about CCI...obviously I think it's great to train dogs to help people with disabilities, but there's a few things that bother me about them. For instance, they breed a lot of dogs, of which a small minority actually make it through to working. They also don't use the most positive methods for training their dogs. Plus, they're so huge, many people perceive them as THE Service dog organization, and they get a lot of funding. Hence, many small Service dog orgs don't get that much. One that I volunteered for at one time went under, which is really a shame. They rescued dogs, and used positive reinforcement methods to train them. 

But anyway, this even is fun. Many dogs dressed up in 60s regalia. It's interesting to see the contrast between the pet dogs there, and the working dogs. I try not to be too critical, but it can be annoying when someone allows their dog to drag them, on a flexi, up to any other dog. Especially when the owner isn't even paying attention. There was one guy who was following behind his large dog that was rushing up to literally every dog quite aggressively. I said "you're just letting him go up to whatever dog he wants to," and he said "...yeah". Like, and? No clue. Not every dog enjoys a strange dog rushing up and getting in their face. It's just poor manners. 

There was a vendor admiring someone with a young puppy, and I heard them say that you shouldn't take them out anywhere and meet dogs until they get all their vaccinations. Just had to interject on that one. Socialization is of the utmost importance prior to a puppy being four months old. Sure it's not a good idea to take them to dog parks and such, but to meet other dogs with good temperaments, and get out and see LOTS of different things is critical. The way to build up immunity is to actually get exposed to things. If you keep a dog, or human for that matter, in a bubble, the immune system won't get a chance to build up and grow stronger. There's a lot of information out there about how vaccines are actually detrimental to a dog's health, too. But of course, that's quite controversial still. 

When Borias was a pup, I erred on the side of caution, and just did a couple more vaccines, instead of every 3 weeks. Still, one of them caused a reaction, and he got super itchy, his face swelled up like a balloon, and I had to rush him to the ER vet. Scary. With exception of one Rabies vaccine at 1 year old, I have not had any more given to him. 

I ran into some friends I haven't been in contact for awhile there, too. One is a super gal who has a few Malinois, and now a new Dutch Shepherd pup, who's a real pistol. She just loves the bad boys! I do, too...to a point. I like a little edge, she likes a whooole lot ha ha. She's a very skillful handler, that's for sure. This youngster is a major wild child, don't let the face fool ya..

Then I ran into Mark, who had Bandit the Biker Dog. He was the cutest Harley riding Boston Terrier, who sadly passed away last December, and left a huge whole in Mark's heart. It must be torture to go to these events without his sidekick! I hope he gets a new friend soon. I caught this photo of him getting some love from a Boston, which really touched me. I think he's about ready :)

And my vote for grooviest pup has to go to this guy! Isn't he adorable??

I was tired out after just two hours of photo taking, and pushing through the grass. Plus dealing with my boy, going through second adolescence LOL. He can be quite contrary sometimes. I think he's jealous of me taking photos, because I'm not giving my full attention to his Highness then. So he does stinker things to distract me, and hence get attention. What a fart. Wouldn't trade him for the world, though!