Leader of the Pack

Adventure Pack

Today was Osito's last day out with the pack as he is on his way to Houston next week.  We're all going to miss our little bear.  Milo was in an exceptionally playful mood today and dropped into inviting play-bows for his packmate while the two of them were hanging out on a patch of snow by the side of the trail.  Oso responded with some playful leaps and poised stances of his own.  Meanwhile, Rucksack and Roger Roger negotiated terms for sharin...

Adventure Pack

Benny was in an especially playful mood today as he bounded alongside the trails through the snow.  Roger Roger and Sputnik wrestled around with each other a few different times during the hike.  They were very good about breaking it off and walking with their packmates when I asked at first, but then toward the end of the hike they stopped hearing me and were only interested in one another.  Rucksack was in a similar mood today as yesterday, eager t...

Adventure Pack

The snow and cold weather kept the trails pretty empty today but Milo, Benny, Mamacita, Rucksack, and Roger Roger were all happy to be out.  Roger Roger and Mamacita jumped around each other for a little while and then after Roger Roger was riled up he nibbled on Benny's ears as they hiked alongside one another.  Milo's leg was doing better since he pulled a muscle last week.  I didn't notice it shaking when he put his weight on it anymore.  Ruc...

Adventure Pack

Oliver was polite with all the dogs we greeted today, as were Benny, Rucksack, and Roger Roger.  A few groups of people stopped and asked if they could pet the pack, and were happy to find how friendly the whole group was.

Play Pack

Charlie was all over the park today, as usual, greeting dogs by lying on her back and then seeing if anyone wanted to play chase.  Thompson spent the beginning of our visit in the shade of the sh...

Adventure Pack

Sputnik growled at the first dog who passed us on the trails today, and Oliver barked as well.  Immediately afterward, I brought the pack to the side of the trail and had everyone sit to practice staying calm as more people and dogs passed by.  There weren't a lot of dogs on the trails today but a few did walk by before we moved on.  Sputnik watched very intently but he held back from growling at them.  Oliver didn't bark at all and didn't even ...

Adventure Pack

Oso was particularly obstinate on the trails today as he repeatedly tried to drag the pack off the side of the trail while he was on leash.  It was a bit of a struggle with the big guy at first but eventually he gave in and started walking together with the group.  Milo started off alongside Oso but migrated to my other side to hike alongside Rucksack and Roger Roger, for whom he seems to have developed an affinity.  Mamacita greeted some hikers with...

Adventure Pack

Roger Roger found a stick that interested him about halfway through the hike, when we were taking a brief respite at the side of the trail.  The pack was practicing their listening skills and attentiveness, so I had Roger Roger leave the stick at first.  When I picked it up and handed it to him, Rucksack and Sputnik both became intrigued so we practiced sharing as I passed the stick around to each of them.  I also passed it to Benny even though he di...

Adventure Pack

Rucksack and Roger Roger got haircuts Friday and I barely recognized them today!  I posted a photo of the pack in the back of the packmobile after today's hike to show how different our Labradoodle packmates look now with their new 'dos.  Rucksack hauled a small log for the duration of our hike.  Milo lingered behind a lot on the trails and had a tough time jumping in the car at the end of the hike.  Benny made a b-line to a spot far off the tra...

Adventure Pack

Sadie was a handful on the trails today.  She's not used to coming out on the hike and she was wary of every other dog we passed, which she expressed through repeated barking.  Benny, Stella, Milo, and Mamacita all stayed calm, though, so it was easy to address Sadie by having her sit and then interrupting her with a nudge every time she started to bark again.  Stella took advantage of the snow by rolling around in it on her back.  Mamacita bit ...

Adventure Pack

Roger Roger and Sputnik enjoyed a good romp in the snow together, with lots of leaps and tackles.  By the time they stopped playing, Roger Roger's legs were so caked with snowballs that he was tripping over himself.  Mamacita and Rucksack both jumped on their puppy packmates now and then when their wrestling and maneuvering brought them close to the rest of the pack.  Rucksack, Benny, and Sputnik all chomped on lots of snow as we hiked.  Rucksac...