I've been meaning to share these pictures with you for more than a week now. We took Windsor to the Plaza for the first time, a week ago. "The Plaza" is the Country Club Plaza and I've shared with you several times about the shops and restaurants there, as well as the famous Christmas lights that are lit every Thanksgiving and make the Plaza the most festive place to visit at Christmas time in Kansas City. The Plaza has shopping and dining and lots of pedestrians walking from shop to shop and cars buzzing around.....it's a busy place. Some people even walk their dogs at the Plaza....and to say that Windsor was in his element would be an understatement! That puppy LOVES the Plaza. Hahaha! Perhaps it's because he was pretty much the most popular pooch at the Plaza.....he loved all the attention he got! He walks at the Plaza with his head held high, his tail wagging to beat the band, and he looks to make eye contact with people every step of the way. And the second their eyes meet, he knows he's got 'em! LOL. He hears them say, "Awwwwwww..." (in some cases, from half a block away) and he walks as fast as he can to get to them (without pulling on the leash (*too much) because that's not allowed), so they can pet him! ;) It happened again and again.....at almost every street corner.
By taking him to our elementary school twice a day (at parent drop-off and pick-up in the morning and afternoon) for a few weeks, he's totally gotten used to lots and lots of cars -- they don't even faze him now. So he sits and waits at each corner at the Plaza, waiting until we say, "All free" (in my best sing-songy voice) and then he crosses the street like a good little boy.
We've since taken him to the Plaza a second time and it was more of the same.....he was happy as a clam and was such a good boy. In fact, in the above photo, over on the right side, you can see a little fence with lots of tables/chairs just inside the fence. On our second trip to the Plaza, that sidewalk restaurant was packed with diners and Windsor was, again, the center of attention. He even had a lady lean out from her table, over the fence, just so she could pet him. Heee.
To say that I was proud would be a huge understatement. He did SOOOOO well.....on BOTH visits! He also loves the interaction he gets with the other dogs on the Plaza.....he's been so well-behaved. No barking or acting crazy. Just lots of sniffing and such. In one case, he even laid down on the pavement as a big dog approached, and waited patiently for the dog to greet him before he got up and started jumping around. Hee. So cute!
Above, is just one of the many people that stopped and asked to pet him! Just look at that sweet boy!
But there was a moment that actually made. my. day. on his second visit at the Plaza. There was this tiny little girl who was about 3 or 4 years old (with tiny little glasses and curly hair and a little cardigan over her dress -- what is it about a 3 year old with glasses that just makes me want to kiss their little cheeks???) and was there with her Grandma, pushing her stroller with her baby dolls in it. She looked up at me and said in the most precious little baby voice you can imagine, "Can I pet yoh dog?" GAHHHH. (She couldn't say her "r's" very well -- even cuter!) I nearly melted in a puddle of mush right on the spot. I can't even describe how adorable and sweet she was. She petted Win and he just stood there and licked her hand a little when she kept petting his head. And THEN? She asked what his name is and when we told her, she said, "Hi, Windsohhh" and she put her arms around him and hugged his neck!!! I looked up at her Grandma who had the same melty look on her face as I did......it was ridiculously precious. And Win was such a little gentleman. I was so proud. So proud. When she was done, she said, "Thank you" and went back to pushing her little stroller. Heehee.
With one other family, they had a little toddler who was about 2 and Win actually sat to let that baby pet him. ACK. Needless to say, we've had two great visits to the Plaza and can't wait to take him back again and again. All of this work with him now, makes me so grateful to know (and get glimpses of, even now) how good he's going to be when he's an adult (and possibly 100 lb!) dog. Watching him with those littles on the Plaza makes me super excited for him to meet our littles (my nieces and nephew). He's clearly figuring out that he needs to be more gentle with little people and I love that about him. Smart boy.
And this is what he did when we got him home. He curled up on his woobie and took a nice long nap. Another great reason to take him to the Plaza! Ha. It wears him out!
I hope you've enjoyed this pupdate! Can you believe how big he's getting? 50 lbs and counting! Sweet boy goes to the vet today for blood work and then Tuesday, he gets neutered. I'm thinking some extra puppy snuggles (and maybe even another trip to the Plaza) are in order in the next few days.
Happy Saturday, Dearies...
