Leader of the Pack

The Adventure Pack

Coco has been wary of drinking from the Camelbak spout since her return.  She was finicky about it in the past but now she won't even go near it.  Benny, Wesley, and Rucksack are all happy to lap up as much water as I'll squirt their way.  Benny even tries to butt in when it's his packmates' turns.

The Play Pack

Benny and Oscar had a great time chewing on each other's ears at the park.  Meanwhile, Sage was fol...

The Adventure Pack

We've had a lot of days with less-than-full packs this summer, but with Coco back we had a full group of 4 and everyone walked together very well.  Rucksack tried to pull ahead now and then, and Benny occasionally stopped in place, but for the most part everybody stuck together as a pack and we walked along smoothly.  Oliver is always good about following right behind me.  Coco is trying out walking without a harness after her return and so far s...

The Adventure Pack

Coco's back!  Sage was the first to greet her today.  They met a couple times before Coco left for the summer.  They sniffed each other interestedly as we headed over to pick up Rucksack.  The recognition and excitement were much greater when he hopped into the car.  They've been going out together since they were both just pups and they were very happy to see each other and Coco was panting rapidly from all of the excitement.  Wes...

The Adventure Pack

We met with several squirrels today, including one who boldly waited by the path until we were only a couple yards away, at which point Wesley and Rucksack both leapt forward with high intensity.  Later on, even Benny was alerted by a squirrel hanging out in a tree that we passed.  Oliver didn't seem particularly agitated by the squirrels - maybe because they're just as big as him, though that doesn't stop him from wanting to run up to other dogs...

The Adventure Pack

It was a bit cooler today as we hiked up the Anemone Trail.  Despite the cooler weather, Benny was especially stubborn about coming along when he was on leash.  Rucksack was eager to forge ahead, as always.  His leg was fine throughout the hike, though he was limping briefly right when I first collected him.  Sage followed along dutifully at my side the entire hike.  Toskey was perpetually distracted by the many smells to be found just ...

The Adventure Pack

There were no deer or even squirrels to be spotted on today's hike.  Sage flopped down in the stream we passed and just lied in the middle of it, letting the current wash over her.  Meanwhile, Wesley stood still next to her.  Even though Wesley doesn't lie down, his belly still gets soaked because his long fur hangs in the water and sucks it right up.  I told Benny to sit while he was standing in the stream with his packmates and he began to...

The Adventure Pack

We took advantage of the cooler weather and Benny and Oliver hit the trails today for longer, more vigorous hike than we've had in a while.  Benny still stopped stubbornly several times when we first set out, but once he was off-leash on the trails he had no trouble keeping up with me and Oliver.  Oliver, as usual, led the way most of the time.

The Play Pack

The park was empty for most of our visit today.  Oscar ch...

The Adventure Pack

Wesley was on alert when he saw squirrels off the path a couple times as we walked, but that was nothing compared to his reaction when we came by a family of deer; Sage was equally wired.  The deer were hanging out just yards from the path and watched us intently as we passed.  Sage and Wesley both needed to stop and sit several times because they both wanted to bolt for the deer.  Meanwhile, the family just stared at us without flinching.

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The Adventure Pack

We came across a family who were enamored with Benny and Oliver today.  The little girl followed Oliver around with a camera for a couple minutes, trying to get a good picture of him, but Oliver kept walking away and dodging the photos.  When she gave up on Oliver and took one of Benny, Benny stood perfectly still and looked right at her with a panting smile on his face.  I guess Benny feels more comfortable about his photogenic qualities.

The Adventure Pack

Sage was super excited to see both Benny and Toskey today.  She doesn't know Toskey very well, having only gone out with her a couple times in recent weeks, but she was still very eager to say hello.  Toskey responded mostly playfully, though she did grumble a little when Sage kept licking her face.  It reminded me of when Benny used to greet her the same way when he was just a puppy.  Her patience has improved since (not that she wasn't fai...