I was getting dogs ready at a show in Sacramento a couple of years ago when a nicely dressed couple approached and asked if they could meet the black dog I was grooming.
It was a really bad time, I explained, “I have to leave for the ring in a couple of minutes, please come back later.”
There were a pair of raised eyebrows, but they respectfully walked on.
My friend Julio, who was getting his dog ready at the table beside me, grinned.
“You just threw Barry Bonds out of your set-up.”
(I showed Apollo to his Canadian championship title earlier this year.)
Actually a smart move Kate. You wouldn’t want anyone to think your dog was juiced by associating with Bonds. 😉
Good move Kate. Maybe he was attempting to try and put you off your game since he appears to be a competitor.
He bought the dog. Or one with the same name?
Kate! Did you give Apollo … “the cream” or “the clear”? Just kidding … that’s Barroids job. Yeah, yeah, I know that’s just the “pot calling the kettle black” coming from a lifelong Oakland A’s fan.
Seriously though … Barry is one of THE most-competitive humans to ever walk the planet. Most impressive that he put his trust in you. You must have Hall of Fame talent!
Great story, Kate.
mike DVW
I feel so humbled now that Kate allows me on her blog. My dog can’t win anything but my heart:-)))
And that’s all your dog wants!
CT and treats:-)))
As well as being frequently scratched behind the ears. I’ve never known a dog that didn’t like that.
That and stealing your flip flops.
Or other articles of clothing. The first dachshund that my parents had was still a puppy, she liked to run off with his socks if he happened to drop them on the floor while he was dressing. When he came home from work, he would throw his toque through the door to the back landing, much to her delight.
When their last dackel was less than 2 months old, he was already quite a mischievous imp. I remember him sitting on my lap and jumping up to try and steal the cap I was wearing.
My flatties always had a thing for flip flops. Apparently, there is nothing more funny than to steal one from guest’s feet while they are relaxing at the patio and then run with it in their mouth all over the backyard, jumping in and out of pool. And they will wait for the right time to do so. The resident humans will be inside, getting drinks and snacks while the unsuspecting guests will be admiring the friendly, tail wagging, mischievous, black devils. Yeah, we’re on it too. It is a good test to find out if the guests are worth inviting again.
I first met the last dachshund in the family when he was around 2 months old.
I was visiting my parents at the time, and my mother lent me a pair of my father’s bedroom slippers.
I remember sitting at the table in the dining room when the critter came along. Those slippers were like flip-flops and he managed to get his snout between the sole of one of my feet and the insole of the corresponding slipper. I started rubbing his snout gently with my foot and he quite enjoyed that.
He’s been doing stuff like that ever since.
Articles of clothing huh?
Old Yeller ate my dinner while I wasn’t looking once while I went to the refrigerator to get a drink. I guess that’s why they are aptly named.
I would not know Bonds if I fell over him. File under who cares. You are better than him.
Oh contraire ! Barroids HEAD is soooooo enlarged by years of steroid use that he presents as a circus freak. Oh yeah, you’d notice … then quickly avert your eyes for fear of staring at the human defect.
My dogs love the two handed deep massage where I more or less knead the ears and flesh on each side. One of them goes into a distinctive breathing state you don’t normally hear, and the other one groans. They come up and demand them at the same time, forcing me to one-hand each with their heads together.
The first dachshund my parents had would think nothing of rolling over on her back and sticking her legs up in the air, expecting all and sundry to scratch her belly. It didn’t matter when or where she did that.
I’ll bet $50 that Barry Bonds went home and said “guess who I ran into”.
Kate, send this to his twitter or some such.
You maybe pleasantly surprised.
Things like that happen.
I once commented to this guy on ESPN and he actually replied.
Not a big deal, though when you think how many people write to these people it is kind of surprising.
Sure, but how much did he lay out campaigning Apollo to that rank? No doubt easily into the 6 figures.
“Touched by Greatness.”
Yes, I suppose he was. Wonder if he realizes.
Lighten up on Barry Bonds. He’s a really nice guy, we see him a lot at the shows.
Haha
The 2 most influential people in Saskatchewan are John Gormley and Kate McMillan. (I don’t care what Lorne Calvert says)
When Kate says shut up, people listen.
Dog lovers are always nice people, I don’t care if he was juicing or not. Thanks to this story, he’s all right in my books.
I have no reason to think he isn’t, but you are quite remarkable in blogging and apparently for your dogs. Being accomplished in his own field he will naturally have noticed your standing in yours.
Then he must have received intense medical therapy to overcome his toxic masculinity made worse by years of hormone and steroid use. He was a nasty piece of work in his playing days. Glad to hear he’s relaxed while spending his $100’sM’s in assets.
The GIGANTES have severed all ties with Barroid … so I guess he has lots of free time to pursue the doggy champion world.
Truly would not know who he was, sorry. Don’t usually waste time following sports, unless it’s grey cup, or lord Stanley’s mug
In other words, you do follow sports, just not baseball.
Kate, you should send Bonds the link to this post, he’d love it for sure.