Leader of the Pack

The Adventure Pack

Coco and Rucksack were both feeling a bit too independent today.  Each wandered off pretty far from the trail and ignored me when I called them to stop and come back.  When they finally did make their ways back, they had to stay on leash for the rest of the hike.  Benny didn't wander far when he was off leash, but he had an unfortunate encounter of his own.  There was a man and his 2 young daughters sitting on a rock right along the trail having a snack and Benny stepped up on the rock with his front paws and sniffed in the air toward them, about a foot  or two away.  The girls were apparently deathly afraid of dogs, of which there had been no indication as we approached along the trail - maybe they hadn't noticed us coming up - and the girls screamed and squealed when they saw Benny step up on the rock toward them, sniffing.  I held his collar and we moved up past them on the trail; he came along without resistance. Coco and Rucksack were on leash at the time and Mogul followed along right behind me (for which I was very thankful, because I know Mogul can be very curious when he smells food, and he's also fond of children).   The girl had dropped her bottle and was crying, and the man suggested in a harsh tone that I should have all of the dogs on leash.  Benny was right at my side when it happened (the trail was only about 4 feet wide) and he wasn't remotely aggressive - just sniffing with a gentle and curious demeanor.  I was shocked when the girls and their father reacted as they did.  I don't believe Benny behaved badly; it was just a really unfortunate set of circumstances.  All in all, today wasn't the smoothest hike we've had.  At least the weather was nice!

The Play Pack

Everyone was pretty mellow at the park today.  Coco and Brady chased each other around a little bit.  Later, Coco hung around me and found a spot to dig at.  Brady greeted other dogs and sniffed a lot of behinds.  Mogul alternately lied in the sun watching other dogs and came over to have his butt scratched.  Benny wandered around the park, sniffing and rubbing his face against things.  Brady and Coco chased a few tennis balls but neither were interested in bringing them back today.