Leader of the Pack

The Adventure Pack

Coco and Benny trotted along together contentedly today.  There was less playing than yesterday.  Everyone seemed pretty focused on just making our way along the trail.  Wesley followed Rucksack around again.  Rucksack wandered off less today than he has been doing lately.

The Play Pack

Charlie was really full of energy today.  He and Coco wrestled around a lot.  He met another dog named Charlie but t...

The Adventure Pack

Wesley normally follows behind me for most of his off-leash time on our hikes but today he spent most of his time following Rucksack around while Rucksack weaved in and out of the brush alongside the trail.  Coco and Benny had a burst of playful energy when we were heading back on the trail that runs parallel to baseline.  The two of them engaged in some roundabout chasing through the tall grass.

The Play Pack

Charlie an...

The Adventure Pack

Coco and Toskey explored side-by-side on the trails today.  At one point on the trail where there's a creek around the bend at Gregory Canyon, the dogs sometimes have a tendency to rush up ahead and splash around in the water.  I was impressed today when Coco and Toskey stopped and turned to look at me, and when I asked them to come over they did without hesitation.  They each got a treat for being so patient.  On the way back, Rucksack's en...

The Adventure Pack

I've been ery proud of Coco this past week for being totally friendly with the people we pass on the trails - we didn't have a single barking incident the entire week!  Rucksack found a hefty log to carry down from the top of the Amphitheatre trail and he brought it all the way back to the trailhead.  Wesley followed his typical routine of walking in line right behind me, though he did stop to sniff at a couple spots and ended up falling pretty far be...

The Adventure Pack

Rucksack and Benny had a lot of funny running in circles around bushes and trees, chasing one another back and forth on our way up the Amphitheatre Trail today.  Coco made her trilling whine noises and jumped up and down in place while watching them, trying to contain her excitement.  On the way back down, Mogul was feeling playful and Coco got her chance to have fun.  They played their game of Mogul guarding the trail and Coco trying to sneak up...

The Adventure Pack

We passed a couple Chihuahuas on the trails today.  When Coco sniffed one of them he spun around and barked in her face.  It gave her a spook and she hopped back warily.  A moment later, she tried to steal Rucksack's stick away from him.  I think she was trying to save face and show that she was tough even though the Chihuahua scared her.  I told her to leave Rucksack's stick alone and she listened and settled down.  Later on, Wesl...

The Adventure Pack

We've started hiking up the Amphitheatre Trail this month and we pass by the creek that runs by the Gregory Canyon trailhead both on our way up and on our way back.  On the way up, Rucksack and Wesley both rushed up ahead and around the corner to go splash in the water.  On the way back, it was Coco and Benny's turn.  Coco was totally well mannered when we passed other hikers today - not a hint of woofing or uncertainty about them.  Rucksack...

The Adventure Pack
There were a lot of panting tongues on the trails today.  We hiked up the Amphitheatre Trail, starting at the Chautauqua trailhead.  It was pretty easy going until the last stretch when it gets to be a fairly steep hike.  Coco and Toskey were taking turns leading the way.  When we got to the top, Coco, Toskey, Rucksack, and Mogul were all happy to have a drink of water (so was I).  The way down was much easier and Mogul and Rucksack had t...

The Adventure Pack

Wesley was very excited to greet a couple dogs passing by us on the trail.  He followed them back in the other direction for a ways before deciding to rejoin us.  Coco was energetic and did her usual scouting ahead on the trail.  She didn't have any issues with barking at anyone today.  She's been a lot better about that lately and it's been nice to be able to trust her again.  Benny followed Rucksack around when they were off leash tog...

The Adventure Pack

When we picked up Rucksack, his sister and brother (both human) were home and said hello to all of the pack members.  Benny was the first to poke his head out the car, sniff at the air, and lick the nearest face.  Wesley snuck his head up under Benny's and got an ear scratch.  Coco was a little nervous about being approached in the car by people she didn't know and stayed back inside.  On the trails, Rucksack found a stray tennis ball and carried i...