A postcard after sunrise
A trip to the doggie oasis
Posted Monday, February 6, 2006 - 6 comments
Around midnight, while Kansans are catching up on sleep, I'm gulping down my third cup of coffee. I have the police scanner cranked at full blast in the news room, so I don't miss any breaking news. And the lights are dim to give my eyes a rest from the glare of my computer monitor.
Such is the life of a morning producer. I work through the dawn hours and eventually I fall asleep in the afternoon.
However, I manage to squeeze in quality time with my husband and my new baby before I catch some shut-eye. I love to eat out and on the weekends I enjoy watching concerts with local bands. In this blog, I'll tell you more about my culinary and aural adventures in Kansas.
But back to my new baby. We adopted her from the Helping Hands Humane Society in Topeka. Her name is Daisy and she's five months old. There are times when this cocker spaniel enjoys curling up in my lap to watch CNN Headline News. But there are other times when she's loaded with a rocket tank of energy. Our dog trainers say dogs just need to be dogs - running out on a field and chewing on anything in sight. It's tough to do that inside our two-bedroom apartment.
So, I take Daisy to the Bark Park. She perks up when she figures out the car ride will take her to a doggie oasis in the heart of Gage Park. I remember how happy my puppy was when I let her off her leash for the first time inside the Bark Park. I imagine she felt a tumble of emotions - freedom from having to behave for her humans and primal joy at finally being able to express her doggie-self. I'm also tickled she gets to meet canine friends of all shapes and sizes. In fact, dog owners at the park tend to know each other by their dogs names' rather than by their human ones.
I'm grateful for all the advice Topekan dog owners have shared with me about training and doggie day care facilities. Every time I freak out about Daisy playing with a puppy twice her size, a sympathetic dog owner is by my side - reassuring me that it's only game...and that the puppies are not really upset with each other.
I know it's getting colder in the Capitol City, but I plan on taking my puppy out to the Bark Park as long as it's relatively dry out there. I think it's worth braving a few cold breezes for the chance to see my puppy enjoying herself.
Comments
Feb. 7, 2006 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)fruzik (Fally Afani Ruzik)
Sweet blog Kris! :)
I love Cocker Spaniels, and I remember when I used to take mine to the bark park. She didn't really take to other dogs too well so she spent most of her time with children in the park.
All of my experiences at the bark park were fantastic except for the ONE time when I turn my back for ONE minute and suddenly she's ENTIRELY covered in mud. Evidently, three larger dogs had jumped her when she wasn't looking. My tiny bathtub in my tiny apartment was no match for her cold, mud-caked body.
But the bark park is just great, everybody's always really laid back there. How can you not be? "Doggie Oasis" is a good description. :)
Can't wait to hear more dog stories!
Feb. 7, 2006 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)hope9999 (anonymous)
Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate what you did in adopting this adorable puppy from the humane society. Despite your busy schedule you still find time in caring for Daisy. What a good deed. Now I know she's in good hands. Good luck to you.
Feb. 8, 2006 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)overnighter (anonymous)
Greetings from your overnight producer buddy in Austin, MN. Nice blog. Keep the entries coming.
I've been pushing for blogs at my station, but that may take a while.
I'm jealous of the dimmable lights at 49. I don't have that in my newsroom.
I knew I should have stuck in out in Topeka :-)
Happy producing!
Feb. 8, 2006 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)rick49alumist (Rick Zinn)
Hi Kris,
I worked at 49 in the Mid 90's. My last months were spent at the morning show. For the production crew my alarm went off at 4:15 to be in by 5.Coffee was a must.It was a close knit group,2 Anchors(one produced),1 weatherman,a director,Assistant Director,A Tape op,a sound guy ,one camera guy and we always had trouble filling that second camera position.
My fondest memories of the morning show was one a month we went out for Breakfast.Also the absolute guilt I felt the day my alarm didn't go off, and the moral responsibilty I felt to bring in donuts the next morning.Any one who sleeps through the alarm better bring donuts.And that was the worst thing I did in 3 1/2 years at 49.
My farewell breakfast at IHOP was another special day.
It was a thrill to see the news on 49 Again.Good Luck and Good News.Can't wait to read the blog and see if much has changed in the news game.
I want to hear all the good stuff like if an Anchor walks under a ladder on the way to the set,claims not to be superstitous and well you can guess how the show went from there.......
Feb. 8, 2006 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)derekleeinkc (anonymous)
It is great to see 49 News back on-the-air. From what I've seen on the internet and pulling in with my rabbit ears in Lenexa (which is a challenge sometimes) I see nothing but good things on 49 and I think the other two stations should be put on notice!
Feb. 10, 2006 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)vonna (anonymous)
You finally adopted a dog. That's so great. I want to adopt a dog here in Naples but I'm afraid that I just won't have to time to look after it. Anyways, love the blog. Keep the entries coming ...
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