Kait and Sooki

 The other day after a rigorous session of Pokemon chasing on the Halifax waterfront Kaitlyn decided to put Sooki through her paces.

But first Sooki had to greet her public who are always drawn to her wiggling tail, bum and head.

Watching across the beach volleyball court.

The busy boardwalk presents a marvellous training opportunity, and a chance to show what a well-trained dog can do -- specifically what a well-trained pit-bull can do.

Sooki has mastered the "Stay".

It was fun watching passersby as they stared in amazement at her.

Sooki's gaze was focused on Kait.

Sooki backed up glued to Kait's side.  

Sooki was oblivious to the people around 
her as her gaze was fixed on Kait.






If Kait points to an object, Sooki will jump up on it.  Here she'has been waiting on top of a post and once called, she runs and sits in front of Kait.

"Spread 'em" means put your paws up high on something and then stay like that while Kait pats ya down.  

Look at the photo.  I love how Sooki is gazing up into Kaitlyn's face.

Hard to believe that these marvellous dogs have been banned in Ontario for ten years now.

In banning certain breeds they are focusing their attention on the wrong end of the leash.   

Meet me at "The Wave".

If you're down on the Halifax waterfront and want to meet up with someone, the go-to meet-up  place is "The Wave".

 The Wave is a popular iconic sculpture that has been a fixture on the waterfront for 28 years.

It's a piece of art that is treated more like a piece of play equipment.

The signage is totally ignored.

In fact some parents even climb up with their children.

A couple of years ago in acknowledgement of the siren song of The Wave, extra padding was added to the ground around the three and a half meter high sculpture.

it was probably a good idea.

Tall Ships come and Tall Ships go.

The Tall Ships brief visit was a very popular event in Halifax.  The unusually hot, sunny weather didn't hurt.  The food area, buskers, musicians and children's play areas added to the attraction.

Heck, even Santa stopped by to check out the ships.

Bands in period costume, added to the excitement, filling the air with the sound of flutes, drums and bagpipes.

I strolled up and down the boardwalk in the baking sun, sucking back on a thermos of water, and marvelling at the growing crowd.

The area was peppered with replica recruitment posters from the time.  If flattery, or the offer of excitement was not enough, "Prize Money", was offered to new recruits who were willing to sign on for seven years service

The Government of Canada is spending $28 million of our tax dollars to remind us that it is the Bi-Centennial of the War of 1812.  See the pretty red sign ?   Without checking with Google or Wikipedia, do you know who won the war of 1812?  or what it was all about ?

No, it was not the first war to use giant octopii to conquer enemy fleets.

And "no" that's not Kermit the Frog on the masthead below, though you could be forgiven for confusing the two.

Theodore Tugboat, a working tug, who delights cruise ship passengers, as he meets and assists them with their docking, popped over to Dartmouth to visit a couple of Tall Ships as well as some of his fans.

After their four-day visit, the Tall Ships left today, escorted by a flotilla of smaller craft, a naval escort and a fire boat shooting plumes of water high into the sky.

Canons fired from several locations along the shore saluted their departure, adding much drama and puffs of blue smoke.

I hope they come back soon.