Piedmont Park

I recently "discovered" Piedmont Park. I've always heard about it and finally decided to just go there. For those you unfamiliar with Piedmont, its this HUGE park right smack in downtown Atlanta. As well as being a beautifully put together place, you also run into all kinds of weird or interesting people. Like the random rapper who insisted on walking and rapping at the top of his lungs. Miho didn't quite know what to think of that one....and she ESPECIALLY didn't know what to think of the guy flying his big model plane! She barked at it, and stood up on her hind legs trying to catch it. Harry just kind of stared at it, not quite sure what was going on...


We ran into a wide variety of people. "What kind of dog is that?" "Is that a wolf?!" "Is that a huskey?" I was more than happy to stop and educate people about my wonderful breed, and there were plenty of curious people. But Miho and Harry's favorite by far was a group of kids picnicking with their parents.


Two of the kids were bold and excited, they couldn't wait to run up and pet the big fluffy puppies. The youngest one, though, cried and screamed and begged for her mom to pick her up. She was obviously terrified. Her mom told me that she had always been afraid of dogs, and had never come near one. Now, I can't leave this little girl with a fear of dogs now can I?? And there's no better dog that Harry to get a child to overcome their fears! Harry seems to have a knack for seeking out the timid kids and approaching them in a way that is inviting to them. Calie, the scared little girl, had a death grip on her mom's hand as I told her that Harry is very fluffy and really really loves kids. He came up and sat next to me and smiled his Harry smile. That didn't work. So he went to plan B and decided to "talk" to her. Sure enough, his funny Akita talking sounds broke the ice and the little girl was soon laughing at him. After about 10 minutes, she finally got the courage to walk up and slowly reached one hand out to Harry. He stretched his nose out and touched her hand and licked it. She giggled. And then came all the way up to Harry and pet him! Yay!! Harry licked her and leaned on her and just loved and loved on the little girl. She had never even touched a dog. :)
Next we ran into another young girl, who was the opposite of Calie...she was more than happy to pet the two "big wolf-dogs."



Our last adventure of the day, just as we were leaving, we got mobbed by a photography class! They were very taken with the dogs, and laughed at Harry's antics to get them to pet him and then Miho's jealousy of Harry getting all the attention. They took lots of pictures, I'm hoping to get them soon. Of course I'll post them :)

Yeah, its tiring work meeting adoring fans all day.