Yes, the dog days of summer are upon us. Perhaps more importantly, that means it is the height of the season for “the boys of summer” — major league baseball players. But really, baseball players in general. We yearn for the romanticized era when baseball truly was America’s game. When it was so central to our lives, we almost wept for the closing of the season, the fleetingness of summer, and the loss of youth in general. “I see the boys of summer in their ruin,” mused Dylan Thomas, before the term was ever applied to baseball.
But hold on. Summer isn’t quite over yet. The woozles are in the mood to leave behind lolling in the kiddie pool and reclining in the shady part of the garden. They want games. It’s time to have a ball. Nudge, nudge, cold wet nose nudge. Hey, get off the lawn chair. Let’s go. There’s no better way to celebrate these hazy languid days of waning summer than a trip to the ballpark!
There are lots of “take your dog to the ballpark” events across the country. These events are hosted by everyone from high school teams to community leagues right up to the Big Leagues. In fact, it is a regular feature for minor league teams. And why not? Woozles enjoying being on the go. They love meeting new folks. They love an outing. And an outing to the ballpark has ...well… BALLS. And HOTDOGS. A trip to the ballpark is a woozle dream come true.
For cats not so much. So it is intriguing that there is one, and only one, bring-your-cat baseball event. It took place in San Francisco: Take Meow to the Ballgame, where the cats and their hoomins were isolated treated to a private viewing area on a grassy knoll overlooking the field.
At first blush, the idea of taking your cat to the stadium seems misplaced. Not well thought out. Most cats don’t travel well. Most cats aren’t leash trained. Cats scratch when scared, or disoriented, or just plain pissed off. Perhaps this isn’t going to end well.
This is what cats do at the ball park:
This is what dogs do at the ball park (notice the difference?):
OK, maybe that comparison wasn’t exactly fair. But you get the drift.
Our tribute to the critter baseball fans continues after the seventh inning stretch (aka the fold), but first let’s pause for a brief word from the management with the rulz:
- Do not “Troll” the Pootie Peeps Diaries. If you don’t like animal diaries, there’s no need to tell us about it. Just go find some other diary more to your liking.
- Whatever happens in the outer blog STAYS in the outer blog. This is a place to relax and play; please treat it accordingly.
- If you would like a pic from the comment threads, please ask the poster. He/she may have a copyright to those pics. Many thanks!
- There are some pics we never post: snakes and creepy crawlies (some folks have phobias). Any and all photos that depict or encourage human cruelty toward animals are considered “out of bounds” and will not be tolerated.
- If you’re not sure about an issue...please ask. Someone is always glad to help.
Pooties and Pooches, and a Birdzee as well, on parade at their local stadiums. Play ball!
PWBPeeps is a group that posts a daily diary and nightly open thread for animal lovers. We share photos, seek & give advice about pet health and behavior issues, support each other in times of sadness and stress, celebrate together when times are good, and on most days have an inordinate amount of fun.
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