Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Monday Mischief

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My heart was heavy when we left for our walk yesterday and I was looking forward to just enjoying the nice weather with Sampson and Delilah.

We started out in the field and they got some zoomies on, then the other side of the field was calling them so I headed off in the opposite direction.  They quickly joined me.

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I’ve been avoiding the back portion of the trails as some of them are fairly steep on their own and made even more treacherous with snow and ice on them.  It was a nice spring-like day though, so I opted for the steeper trails to give the dogs a change of smellery.

Delilah was doing super well off-leash until we came to the area close to the rail trail (a very popular walking/jogging/biking trail,) at that point she blew off her recall and ran out onto the trail.

I kept calling her and I started to head down when I realized she was going farther away.  She was very close to having access to 8.5 miles of blazed trails and so I turned around and headed back towards the field.  After about a minute or so (it seemed like 10) she ran back to me and then she was leashed for the rest of the walk.

As we got close to one of the two entrances to the trail, I noticed someone walking in with Tia the GSD on leash,  I called Sampson to me and leashed him up as well.

Delilah’s leash is 15 feet and Sampson’s is just a tad shorter, so maybe 13 feet.  I find it extremely difficult to walk two dogs on leash.

One heads this way, the other heads that way and then they switch. They did this just as we entered one of the trails.

I took my eyes off the trail to look at their leashes and in the process I missed seeing a branch that was sticking out.

I face planted.

Not like last year on New Year’s Eve where I lost my footing and scrambled to keep from falling.

Not like that at all.

One second my left foot hit the branch and the next second my face hit the ground.

It happened that fast.

My left knee, my right wrist and my mouth took the brunt of the fall.

Immediately I tasted blood and using my tongue inspected my teeth to insure I hadn’t loosened or broken any.  When my face displaced the snow, some of it splashed up on my glasses, and both gloves were wet so I couldn’t wipe them off.

When I fell I dropped Sampson’s leash.  The uncaring oaf Thankfully he just stood there staring out into the woods.  Delilah rushed to my side and stuck her face in mine.

Needless to say the walk didn’t accomplish what I’d set out to do, I cried all the way home and am now sporting a fat lip and a bruised wrist.

How was YOUR weekend? 🙂

This is the Monday Mischief Blog Hop, hosted by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopys’ Blog and My Brown Newfies and Luna a Dog’s Life.

Give Me Sanctuary

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Back before Delilah joined our pack, Hubby, Sampson and I hiked every weekend. With Delilah it was just too hard. She pulled and lunged and I basically gave it up.

I was determined though, to get back to hiking again because Sampson and I love it so.

When we moved to our current house one of the draws was the surrounding trails.

Just about two years ago, I started walking the dogs in the small park at the top of the street.

If you’re a long time follower, you know we’ve had some highs and lows up there, but for the most part Delilah has been doing well.

I must have been a pioneer in another life because I began to think it was time for a change of scenery.

Hubby and I discussed it and he agreed to hike with us last weekend.

I’d heard some nice things about a place called Belding Wildlife Management Area, a spot not too far from where we live. So Sunday afternoon we loaded the dogs in the car and off we went.

I was hoping there would be an area where I could let Delilah off leash for some run time, so I didn’t put her harness on her.

**Note to self, when taking your dog to a new area full of new smells, be sure she wears her harness.**

There were more people than I cared for, so she stayed on leash and dragged me all over creation.

Belding Wildlife Management Area

 

A marker with a little bit of history on it.

 

POND

Almost as soon as we entered the trailed area, we came upon a pond. There was a couple with a free running dog on the other side.  They grabbed the dog and said, “He’s friendly.”  I was more concerned with Delilah going for a swim so on we trudged.

Chimney

This fireplace is all that remains of a cabin the Belding family used on their trips to the property.  The cabin burned down in 2001.

Hubby saw a stream and wanted to check it out, I couldn’t get a picture because my hands were full of chocolate.  She was actually whining, she wanted in so bad.

Decorated Trees

We followed the trail and I noticed something in the trees off to my left.  I crossed the stream and found a small cluster of trees that someone had decorated festively.

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There was probably about ten decorated trees in all.  An unexpected holiday surprise in the middle of the woods.

Rivendale

We stayed on the main trail and walked clear to the other side of the sanctuary where we discovered a waterfall.

Looking

There was a random chunk of rock, it’s a bad positioning of Sampson because he’s in front of the piece of rock that’s colored similar to the way he is.

Mist

On the way back I had to get a picture of the fog that hung low over the ground, illuminated by the sun poking through the trees.

As we passed close to the stream, Delilah managed to jump in just long enough to get herself wet.  She was too quick for the camera.  When she came out I looked at her and asked, “Are you happy now?”

She was.

How do your dogs do when they are out exploring new places?  Are they tuggers?  How do you work a dog in a new area full of smells and still keep it enjoyable for both of you?

Still More Thoughts From a Walk

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Here is another post about thoughts that, Sampson, Delilah or I have on one of our walks.  You can find part one here and part two here.

This particular thought process would be thoughts we might have had on our Hunting Bigfoot Walk.

I pull up to the park, sling Sampson’s leash over my shoulder and jump out of the car.  I gingerly lift the back hatch, shouting “Wait!” as I do so.

Sampson darts out of the car.  I call him back, get him back inside the car and try again.  This time it takes.  They wait patiently, I unclip Delilah’s leash and say, “Okay, free dog.”

Both dogs race into the park, they are almost at the field by the time I push through the snow.

“Here” I shout.

They both run back to me, I treat them and give them the hunting Bigfoot spiel.

Someone with a big foot has been or is here.

Someone with a big foot has been or is here.

 

Sampson – Whatever mom, I’ll keep my eyes peeled, but I’ve got pee-mail to check.

Who is she kidding

Delilah – Bigfoot? What the woof is she smoking? That foot is barely bigger than hers.

Me – I have to pee.

We make our way to the back of the woods.

Me – I still have to pee.  We’re all alone up here, no-one would know.

More Sniff

Sampson –  This is definitely not eau de dog.

Delilah – Look at her over there, she can match her foot to every print in here, it isn’t going to change the fact that she has man-sized feet.  I think I saw a mouse using one of her old shoes for a boat.

We head down the hill towards the field.

Toilet

Sampson – I think Big Foot took a leak in our woods.

Delilah – There is NO Bigfoot, it’s just someone with a bigger foot than mom’s.

Me – But what would I wipe with?

Looks at hands.  Hey I’ve got gloves…

I really thought that, but no I did not use my gloves.  I did hurry home though. 🙂

Did you ever imagine what your pets are thinking?

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