We headed to the park around noon and Jake went ahead while Shayne went to find the public toilets - aka bathrooms - (surprise, surprise). In an effort to avoid last week's inability to walk for 4 days, Jake had committed to arriving early to stretch. So Shayne found a restroom and was on her way over to the EY section on the grass. Up ahead she noticed a little girl (probably 10 or 11 years old) walking around hunched over and clicking her tongue. She looked around to see what the girl was doing and didn't see anyone. "Is the girl ok?" Shayne thought to herself. As she got closer, she realized the girl had bread in her hand and was looking into the bushes around the sidewalk. All of a sudden, a squirrel came out of the bushes and reared up on his hind legs. Shayne's eyes got wide, she did not want to associated with this scene! "Don't you know how crazy those little creatures are?" Shayne wanted to yell. She pictured the WORST! The girl proceeded to crouch down - almost eye level with the daemon squirrel - and fed the thing out of her hand! Shayne quietly scooted behind the girl and vacated the scene. Close call...close call.
Shayne made it to the grass and settled on the blankets next to the ladies. The boys had started their game and were in the first few minutes of play. All of a sudden, Jason starts yelling, "Stop the clock, stop the clock!" Jeff had tried to catch the ball and jammed his finger...really bad. They all ran over to help get his finger on ice, Shayne saw it, and almost fainted. It was one of those things that is so gross that you have to look away, but then can't force yourself to not look back. So, Jeff quickly grabbed a cab, headed to the hospital, and the game continued. Here's to free healthcare!
Kate and Erin each brought their pugs. Erin's is named D-Bo and he is the cutest thing you have ever seen. He is like 10 years old, has gray hair, and is a little pudgy. He has about 7 chins, buggy eyes, and has this face that just melts your heart. He does the funniest things. He will walk onto the football field and take just one tiny step farther each time Erin says, "D-Bo, you know you can't play football." He will turn around (cause he can't turn only his head very well) and glance at her with a face that just says, "What are you gonna do about it?" Kate's pug is named Zeus and he is young and fit. Two older ladies who were at the park made their way over to the picnic blanket to see the pug play-date and Zeus was wiggling and leaping to get a laugh out of the women. One of the ladies (who was not small herself!) looked at D-Bo and chuckled. She said, "Well you are just old and fat aren't you!" D-Bo looked at the lady and glared. When she tried to pat his head, he just growled at her and showed her his teeth (some missing of course!). It was priceless. High light of the afternoon was when Kate and Permeet when to pick up the food and Erin and Shayne stayed with the dogs. D-Bo was just laying in the sun next to Erin and Zeus bee-bopped over, lifted his leg, and peed right on Erin's picnic blanket. Shayne was rolling with laughter. D-Bo didn't even move. Erin jumped up and started screaming, Shayne grabbed the water to wash the blanket, and D-Bo just laid there and observed this whole thing. Zeus seemed quite pleased with himself.
So, after the game, we had amazing BBQ on the grass and some kind words were said about Jason and Stuart. No one was ready to call it quits so we all got cabs to Notting Hill. What a sight we were on the pub patio: 15 sweaty men in work out clothes, a few footballs, cones, and flags, 6 ladies, two dogs, and one guy with a huge cast. Yes, Jeff came from the hospital to meet us and, not only did he jam his finger, but badly broke it as well. It was a great afternoon filled with lots of laughs and very tired pugs. D-Bo fell asleep in Erin's arms like a little baby - he had a big day.
Lessons Learned: 1) NEVER feed a squirrel, 2) when you think a dog isn't listening...think again, 3) flag football is not for sissies, Jake is COVERED in bruises!
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