Leader of the Pack

Adventure Pack

Roger Roger grabbed up a stick as soon as we hit the trails today but only stuck with it for about 30 seconds before he decided it wasn't worth carrying, and then he didn't find any other sticks that caught his interest for the rest of the hike.  Thompson started off eager to head up the trail and pulling at the leash but he settled down before long and hiked along nicely, as did Milo and Mamacita.  One pup we crossed paths with walked right up into the middle of the pack, mid-stride, without hesitation, and everyone gave a friendly greeting as we washed over him like a wave and moved on.

Play Pack

Sputnik greeted a Bernese puppy at the park today while I stood close by.  They sniffed and greeted nicely enough but Sputnik tried a few times to lay his head over the pups shoulders and started getting a bit stiff, so I walked him away.  He gave a short growl just as I pulled him away but I moved him swiftly and he got over it quickly, and then we spent some time at the other end of the park.  Ruffers and Sputnik had a fun wrestle while Isaac played lots of fetch and Benny sniffed along the perimeter of the park.  Every now and then, Isaac took a break from his fetching to go address Sputnik if Sputnik started to get pushy with Ruffers.  Eventually, Benny came over and joined in the play but then he and Sputnik got to be too much, darting in at Ruffers from two directions, and I had them back off of their packmate.  Isaac lended a helping paw and ran in between Sputnik and Ruffers to help break things up.  Later on, we saw a dog who was being a bit of a bully while chasing another dog and Sputnik ran in and checked the pushy one, much as Isaac had done to him earlier; but the other dog didn't take kindly to being interrupted and the two of them exchanged some harsh growls.  I took Sputnik aside and the other dog backed away, and then I took a moment with Sputnik so he could cool down.  A little while later, we passed by that dog again and she and Sputnik kissed and made up.  Meanwhile, Ruffers was making friends and running and dodging around the park.  She led Isaac on a chase and I think the two of them ran faster than any other two dogs I've seen.