Dugan the Dog goes on a walk!

Dugan really likes to go on walks. It’s an adventure for him to smell things on the way, and he has some favorite spots he likes to check each time for messages left by other dogs. But the real thrill for him is being greeted by people he happens to meet on the way. He just loves it when people take a minute to speak to him and give him a friendly rub on the ears.

We usually take the same route each time and it is 1.8 miles long. Now that the weather is cool enough we will go about three times a week. He can’t take the heat, so he has missed out on walks until the last few weeks. I have seen the temperature at midnight still be around 100F during the hottest part of Summer. Dugan spends a lot of time on the cool kitchen floor in the summer and doesn’t stay outside for any length of time unless it is in the morning around sunrise.

Dugan has some favorite people he sees on occasion when walking, and they love to see him too. He likes the people that work in a dentist office close to our home and they are sometimes leaving work when we are walking through their parking lot. There is one little gal that works there that Dugan loves, and when he stands next to her he can almost reach up and sniff her chin. He loves to see “Big John” (who lives on the next street over) if he is outside when we go by. We call him “Big John” because he is a large athletic man who isn’t afraid to play a little rough with Dugan. Dugan also loves Melissa; she always loves him up too. And Dugan is always happy to see Mr. Cox and his dog Sage.

Earlier this year, around Easter time we were walking when Dugan met some little children for the first time. Even though they were only big enough to look Dugan square in the face, they were not afraid of him and within a few seconds they were hugging and kissing him. Dugan thought he was in heaven. He is truly a “Gentle Giant”. As I have said before, Dugan loves all people. It is beyond his understanding why everyone doesn’t want to make his acquaintance and love him up. But some people are afraid of any dog, and especially large ones. Not all dogs are as friendly as the Irish Wolfhound, so unless you are acquainted with a dog, it isn’t a good idea to expect that it will be nice like Dugan the Dog.

Here are some pictures of Dugan the Dog that we took today on our walk through the neighborhood. Because it is Thanksgiving Day, a lot of people were outside doing things. Dugan had a great time and showed his usual genteel manners.



Dugan is ready to go and gets a chin rub from Master.

Dugan likes these certain bushes outside the Dentists office, and he likes to run his open mouth over them. We like to say he is flossing his teeth.

Dugan the Dog has his favorite sniffing spots. He will never pass this spot without checking for messages!

Master stands Dugan up so the kids can see how tall he is. If he will stand up straight all the way, he is over six feet tall!

The walk is about overwith, and Dugan the Dog looks back longingly and with regret that he is leaving newfound friends behind!

Dugan the Dog goes to the Dog Park!

The cooler weather has finally arrived! Even though Dugan is a mighty hound, he is not the kind of dog that can handle hot weather. During those hottest months from the middle of May through the middle of October the high temperatures most often exceeds 100 degrees and sometimes will climb over 110. Low temps are around 90. If we did not have air conditioning so Dugan can hide inside from the heat, he could not survive. During these months Dugan does not get to do things outside except during the coolest mornings or evenings. So he misses out on walks through the neighborhood and trips to the Dog Park.

Now that things have cooled off a little, Dugan went back to the Dog Park after a long absence. Dugan likes to meet people and other dogs. Dugan loves every person in the whole world, and regrets that he cannot personally greet each one! Most other dogs like Dugan, but some of the little high strung breeds are nervous about his size and are sometimes mean to him. He always is gentle with all people and dogs, and if his friendly overture is rejected he just moves on to the next friend.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

"Penny, I will going to the Dog Park shortly, and I am leaving you in charge. Please, be a good guard cat!

Dugan waits anxiously while the truck is readied for loading up.


Dugan sez: "Hurry up Master, daylight is burning and I have the whole world to greet!"


Dugan likes riding in the truck. You can not see in this picture, but Dugan is secured by a chain from the truck bed to his harness. He is too precious a cargo to risk falling out. You can see that the side of the truck bed is not much of a barrier for the Prince of Irish Wolfhounds.


This place appears to be the community canine poop-fest. Too many owners do not clean up after their dogs.


"Hey Master, I am getting a little hot and thirsty!"


"Thanks Master, I needed that!"


"Hi Dugan, how is the weather up there?


Dugan sez to the new people: "Just in case you didn't know it, I love you!"


Dugan the Dog mingles with the other dogs.