Thursday, September 8, 2011

Living European with Dogs: Old-fashioned Toys in Parks, Inspiration from Paris

 One of the best things we learned from our summer travels, was that even though it is fun to get away, we can still recreate some of our favorite aspects of our trip on an everyday level. And include the pooches. Our trip helped us recognize the importance of slowing down, and one of our favorite things to do in Paris was sit in the Luxembourg Gardens surrounded by gorgeous flowers, cheese and baguettes, and children playing with old-fashioned toy boats in the duck pond.
 They rented the boats by the hour and used a wooden stick to help it set sail. The excitement was being able to run to the other side to catch the boat and launch it again.
 We spent several hours enjoying the gorgeous park scenery and the nostalgia of the old-fashioned toy boats.
So we decided to try it at home. Even though we don't have cute little toy boats, we remembered the nostalgia of flying kites. So we picked up a brightly-colored kite from World Market and headed out with the pooches to the park.
The dogs were enamored with the kite, especially the tail. And it was fun watching their expressions whenever the kite came near them. Another fun part, the kite attracted a group of children who came to play with us and meet the pooches. The kids had fun playing with the kite and letting Miss M give them smooches, and our outing became a 'community' event.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

How fun! I love the fun ideas you come up with to involve the pooches!

Kate said...

I love the kite idea! I used to play with kites as a kid and remember it being so fun. What a great activity to do with the pups!

Mia said...

What a great outing!! So cool that the kids joined you to play with the kite AND the dogs.

Jess & Mia

PS - I added a couple of rescue tabs to Mia's blog and included New Leash on Life in honor of Miss M. I know there are many more rescues that we could add. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Anonymous said...

what a sweet idea. did any of the pooches try to catch the kite as though it were a squirrel or something?

Kari in Alaska said...

Im currently reading Ella in Europe and it makes me think of your blog :)

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Lagomorphmom said...

I just love the pic of you two from behind on a park bench. A little photoshop to add some blue in the sky and would would be an amazing pic to frame for the house. A truly lovely moment and one to keep.

Kerin
P.S. Thanks for all you do to make this blog, I enjoy it tremendously.

Tucker The Crestie said...

Love kite flying! What a fun outing!

brooke said...

What a fun outing! After our last park time with our friends (and people we randomly met at the park) flying each others BIG kites, I realized how fun it is and even Darwin had fun chasing it!

Two French Bulldogs said...

okay, now we really want to visit there
Benny & Lily

jet said...

What a lovely kite! I once lived with a big tuff dog who was petrified of kites.... poor fellow was beside himself when he saw a kite-surfer at the beach for the first time!

I found it hard to relax in Lux Gardens though - all those beggar people coming up to you and hassling you for 'donations' :/

Wyatt said...

I like your style :)
More fun, less stress and dogs at your side!

Wyatt and Stanzie

houndstooth said...

I still love flying kites, but don't get to do it much! I can imagine Morgan doing her best to either protect us from it or attack it!

Anonymous said...

Superb! Mom got a big smile at seeing the kites. She loves kites! Great idea :D

Waggin at ya,
Roo

PeeS: Saw a post today on theotherendoftheleash(dot)com about a less annoying (the air horn) way of stopping an approaching off leash dog before he/she reaches you. Thought you may want to visit this post. Could be helpful :) Will be trying it the next time we run into this situation.

parlance said...

Lovely to see how you have brought the spirit of your travels into your life back home. And a timely reminder for me that every walk doesn't have to be a get-fit sprint around the block! I'll try to slow down and smell the roses.

Corbin said...

That looks like a ton of fun! I have no clue what I'd do with a kite! But I'm sure my dad would have a whole lot of fun with it!
-Corbin

pibble said...

So much fun! The kite is a great idea!

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