[Naturella]

@Oleanderz and @Dog_Obsessed, I too am guilty of online window-shopping! I too put stuff in my cart and just stare wistfully at them, lol. Then I “X” out of the tab, till next time the urge hits, lol. I do need to get Bruno a new Kong, maybe I will for his Birthday. 🙂

@Oleanderz, antlers are either deer, elk, or mousse antlers that are cut up and sold as dog chews. There are varying opinions on them, some think the dog may break a tooth on them, some love them for the minerals they have and the hours of chewing pleasure they provide the dog, and I fall in the latter category. Bruno has been on antlers (and beefy/fishy goodies like bully sticks, fish skins, cow, pig, and lamb ears, pig snouts, etc.) since we got him basically, and although he also had a few Nylabone-type chews, we prefer the natural antlers. Of course, a dog needs to be supervised at all times when with an antler or any chew, so yeah. And how cool that March 1st is your cousin’s Birthday! 🙂
Yes, Bruno can swim, although he is not a huge fan of it, lol. I’m not worried about him – his paws are webbed and he does perfectly fine in the water, you just gotta distract him by playing fetch and tricking him to go in, and make sure he’s not on a leash, or else he freaks out. I can swim so-so, so I don’t go in more than chest-level of water, waist-level is more common, so that I can retrieve the dog just in case. 🙂

As for dog parks, we personally really like them – I like having an area where Bruno can be off-leash, run his terrier energy out, and be free and play with other dogs too. Our local parks don’t allow off-leash dogs unless in the dog area, so we don’t really have anywhere else to let him be free other than inside the little 2-bedroom apartment. So yeah. Dog parks rule! 🙂
As for Lucille, do you know if she freezes because she’s startled, anxious, angry, or just alert? Has she ever been socialized with other dogs? Dog parks are not necessarily socialization areas, they are run and play areas for dogs that choose to engage in it. But real socialization is done in a neutral place (a park is fine too), with little or no distractions, and with responsible owners who understand dog behavior, and can see when a dog is uncomfortable and needs to be isolated for a bit, or they know how to make the dogs associate good things with being good around other dogs. Some dogs naturally have “chemistry” and immediately become friends and engage in play. Some take more time to learn what they can and can’t do to other dogs. Normally they are good about letting each other know their boundaries and learn to respect them. Human supervision is always necessary though, as you never know. Anyway, sorry for the novel again. 🙂