Leader of the Pack

Adventure Pack

The trails were extra muddy today.  Oliver got the dirtiest out of the pack because his belly is so close to the ground.  Rucksack and Roger Roger required moderate toweling when we returned to the car.  Benny and Sputnik were mostly unaffected, given their short fur.  Sputnik was the most enthusiastic about being wrapped in a towel, leaning into it as I wiped the water off his coat.  Rucksack and Roger Roger were more hesitant and kept pul...

Adventure Pack

It was a pretty quiet day on the trail today.  About halfway through, however, Rucksack, Milo, Roger Roger, and Benny all perked up and stared off in the same direction.  I looked that way and saw a couple hikers headed up the trail, and I thought the pack was just interested in them since the trails were pretty empty otherwise.  But as the hikers came nearer it became clear that the dogs were staring off at something else.  There has been some ...

Adventure Pack

Rucksack investigated a lot of spots along the trail today and Sputnik checked them all out behind him.  Meanwhile, Oliver was off sniffing his own spots of interest.  Roger Roger found a thin, exposed length of tree root and tried to pick it up like a stick.  It took him a minute before he finally gave up.  Benny was content to just walk along the trail behind me.

Play Pack

Benny had a playful burst of energy...

Adventure Pack

Milo took his time on the trail today to enjoy the smells.  Rucksack and Roger Roger watched attentively as a black-coated squirrel crossed the trail up ahead of us at one point.  Milo, Mamacita, and Benny took no particular notice.  Mamacita is slowly getting more and more used to the Camelbak.  As the others drank, I saw her licking her lips and sniffing at the spout but when I turned it to her she still backed away.

Play ...

Adventure Pack

It wasn't nearly as hot today as yesterday and we forewent the detour to the stream at Gregory Canyon.  Roger Roger found a small chunk of wood and carried it along briefly but quickly lost interest as he often does.  When Roger Roger dropped it, Rucksack grabbed for it almost before it touched the ground.  Oliver barked at the first dog we passed - a very young Bernese Mountain Dog who had frozen in place along the trail, overwhelmed by the sight of...

Adventure Pack

It was a very hot day today.  The pack enjoyed a stop at the stream that runs through the Gregory Canyon trailhead early on in our hike.  Thompson was very eager to get into the water.  Surprisingly, Milo stayed on dry land for a minute and was the last to step into the stream; once in, however, he was the least amenable to moving on and out of the water.  Mamacita was much more agreeable than usual about drinking from the Camelbak spout during ...

Adventure Pack

The trails were much less crowded today.  Oliver and Benny took their time, following behind the pack at a leisurely pace together. Everyone was happy to have a drink from the Camelbak today and they all politely waited their turns, except Sputnik who tried to edge his way in when Benny was taking his turn.  Rucksack and Roger Roger hiked along at my side for the duration.

Play Pack

Sadie chased after the tennis balls t...

Adventure Pack

The Chautauqua was bustling today and we passed by many dogs and people on the trails.  One young dog was practicing staying calm by the side of the trail.  Isaac, Milo, Mamacita, and Benny all set a good example by giving a nice, calm, friendly greeting as we passed by and paused for a moment so everyone had a chance to sniff each other.  The pup's guardian praised the pack for being so well-mannered and I returned the kind word for his dog's calm a...

Adventure Pack

Roger Roger was the one to find a stick for himself on today's outing. Rucksack didn't notice when he dropped it and left it behind, or else I'm sure he would have grabbed it up.  Milo, Benny, and Mamacita didn't particularly care about Roger Roger's find and were content just to trot along and sniff the side of the path.

Play Pack

Charlie was quick to go wandering when we arrived at the park today, while Benny and Coco foll...

Adventure Pack

Rucksack grabbed up a stick along the trails today and eventually passed it on to Roger Roger.  Sputnik was very excited to hop into the stream on the return leg of our hike and splash his way up it as I walked with Benny, Oliver, and Roger Roger alongside him on the bank.  Rucksack was a little ways up ahead enjoying his own splashing about.

Play Pack

Ruffers and Sadie kicked off our park visit by running with each other fo...