Walk the Dogs

These two really do have fun together. Dixie is the velcro dog which I find pretty funny. She generally will run a small distance to smell good smells and then she is instantly back to check me by touching my hands or knee with her large nose.

Charlie finds her to be a great playmate. And eventually she will give in to his puppyish behavior and wrestle with him.

Charlie takes the tumble, but rolls and gets right back up.

And Sweet Dixie doesn't seem to mind at all.

We headed down to the middle of the creek. I thought that I didn't dress warm enough as I was chilled. So I figured a fast hike would warm me up.

I wanted to grab a few quick shots of the creek. With the skies so dull I could quickly set up a long exposure quickly.

I was looking for ice fingers which I was able to find fairly quickly. These past few days we have broken records for cold temperatures and it shows in the creek.

There was a challenge though in having a little dog who wanted to sit on the very same rock I had my tripod on and a very big DOG that thought any time I squatted down ... she should SIT in my lap.

Here Dixie comes on the lope, leaving Charlie to a good smell. I steadied my camera and stood up just as Dixie poked that huge nose into my face. Oh for the love of a hound.

I set up another shot and fended off the dogs, then put everything away except the pocket camera.

Charlie was unfazed by the ice on his coat. He kept chasing Dixie and they kept playing. I checked to make sure he was warm enough. No...no shivering at all. He wiggled and ran after his Big Gal Pal.

I'd have to take another day this week between appointments and errands to take a solo walk to the creek to find more ice formations.

I sure do love winter and hunting for these little unique formations.

I may have to get out early tomorrow morning to hunt some more up we've had a small record cold spell and it looks like it may break tomorrow afternoon.

Come Saturday I won't be able to take the dogs for a walk for a few days.

It is opening weekend for the 9 day Deer Gun Season.
I am conflicted over these 9 days. Probably because on the one side of my property is many acres of land that is 'invaded' by weekend warriors who dress in orange and look for the BIG Monster Buck. They sometimes lose their sensibilities.
After opening weekend, the landowner disappears and the squatting brother will let anyone hunt who brings him beer.

I am always grateful on the last day when the sun sets and gun season is over.

The dogs and I can walk freely about without being mistaken for deer.

The Great Teddy Bear Rescue

So, do you remember the Thrift shop excursion I had in July with my friends?
We thought it would be funny to set my Thrifty Teddy Bears in down near the quiet little creek in a chair and see what occurred when wildlife walked by.

And we got some interesting results.

Alas.

The rain was predicted to go north and I'd been down to see the bears and the creepy doll we'd set up in the chairs that afternoon.

Then the storm shifted and ...

I kicked myself for not anticipating the waters and had left the toys on their own...

After the waters receded from our creek, I decided to take Dixie for a look see.
Most of the main roads in our area were closed because of high water anyway so I really couldn't go anywhere really.
Hiking seemed like a good idea.

Below is what the area looked like after the waters went through. I am shooting towards the top where I had stood the day before looking down.

Dixie was more than willing to go on an adventure.
I left Charlie at home because I didn't know how much mud, sticks, logs, and other items I'd have to climb over.

Dixie is a great hiker, she never goes far and I never have to wonder where she is off too.

This spot was choked with Jewel Weed and other plants just a few days before.

So on we went.

The water had laid down all of the tall grasses as it swept through the area. The creek changes with each flash flood. Sometimes the changes are large and sometimes very minimal.

This wasn't the worst flood, but it did change things drastically. Maybe not to the casual observer, but I have hike this route for 20 plus years and know each boulder, rock, and formation by heart.

This rock is gone...or it is covered...or turned over...but I miss 'him' I called it Old Man Rock.

A sandy 'beach' is new by the place where we have the Ice Wall each winter.

This was filled with so many rocks it was difficult to walk over...

Dixie and I kept our eyes peeled. Well, Dixie's nose was working over time. Both of us smelled a dead animal somewhere close by.

I spotted something that didn't look like sticks...

I saw the blue ribbon and was rather surprised.

I wonder if the Teddy Bear was as relieved as I was!

Actually I'd figured that I'd never find him/her in this long valley. I picked it up by the ear and kept heading downstream.
I found the Beach Chair just a bit further down. It seemed unharmed but stuck under a log.

I'd wait for the Gang to show up to help me dig it out.

Just prior to getting to the snowmobile trail, I saw a spot of blue. And I thought that NO way could this plastic chair be in one piece.

However.

It was. I plopped the Teddy Bear down on the chair and turned to leave. Dixie and I were going to walk to the end of the valley and I'd pick the chair and the bear up on my way back.

I don't think the Teddy Bear was too happy about that.

We found the snowmobile crossing. Hmm. They may have to re route this year.
I'm standing in the spot where the culvert is. I am about 5 feet below the crossing.

I found the culvert downstream.

Dixie and I walked alongside the creek and kept our eyes peeled.
We didn't find the other bear nor did we find the creepy looking doll.

We did find bottles, part of a plate, part of a bread wrapper, some dead trout, and a lighter.
Odd the things that show up after a flash flood.

We headed back home where I gave the Teddy Bear a nice bath in the creek.

I set him high on the bank in the sun to dry.

Smart Bear.

Do not sit in the creek or right on the edge ... even in a dry season!

It's all about Training.

I am getting this. Really I am!
She gets out the tiny black cord and attaches it to my collar. I run to the door and stare up at her.
It is Adventure Time!

If She walks towards Dixie's house, I run ahead and Dixie starts to bark. It means the both of us are going on Adventure! I like having Dixie along except when Dixie steps on me.

She mostly takes us to the creek bottom when we are together. I don't get the reason. She said something once about me learning to stay near her and the tall banks of the creek would keep me 'in' her ... eyesight.

I can't climb the tall banks like Dixie can. It must be the curse of the short legs. I mean come on. Short legs in the creek really can be a curse if one doesn't want to get wet!

How mean of Her and Dixie to walk across the creek and leave me on the other side! How rotten! How terrible! 

Dixie came back across several times as I cried in protest.

Dixie assured me that I would not drown and that it was a piece of cake. 

Just follow her, she said, just follow my footsteps Charlie!

OHHHH!

Right, well that worked! NOT!

Does no one get it that my legs are so short? I know I have great power and stamina and can dig like no one's business, but come on!

She finally took us onto some forest trails so she could find some spring plants. She knelt down and took some photos. She had to yell at Dixie because as soon as She was laying on the ground Dixie came and stood on the plant She was trying to photograph.
I stood on her back.

There is an advantage to weighing only 7 pounds as compared to 60 because She didn't call me any names at all!

I must be making progress, She took the cord off and left it off because I was coming properly when She called.

I look forward to our daily hikes and walks. Perhaps I can train Her to start picking me up and carrying me over the creek. 
It is worth a try.

I believe it is only fitting for such a noble little dog like myself to have a minion I can order around.

Maybe She is trainable. 
Dixie said no. 
I think otherwise.

Big Adventures

Charlie is becoming much more responsive to 'Come!' or a whistle now. Thank you Dixie for being such a good teacher!
Note, Charlie still does have his cord on while we are on the trails. The cord comes off when we get into the creek bottom as it can get stuck between boulders when he is running.

Charlie makes it nearly impossible now to go for a walk without Dixie. He waits until I am all ready and as I step off the porch to head north, he bounds to Dixie's house. They do a meet and greet and ... well, Charlie won't leave her unless I allow her to come.

Tsk, tsk. I think Charlie likes her company.

Here they are in the creek. I set my camera back pack down and took my camera out.

"Dixie, you got a bigger nose, smell the pack for treats. I know she brought treats. I saw her put them in a bag."

"No treats in the bag Charlie, where did she hid them?"

"Let me think."

"I have an idea!!!"

"Let's run!"

And it worked. After they ran down into the dry run and into a pile of debris, I did call them.

They both came on the run.

And yes, Dixie got a tiny treat and so did Charlie.

Charlie had his first swimming lesson. I dropped him into a knee deep trout pond and he calmly swam over to the rocks and climbed out.

The look he gave me was priceless.

Another treat and off we went after...I dried him off a bit.

...And suddenly crossing water was no longer a huge issue for him.

Dixie led Charlie up the ridge road towards home.

Life with dogs.
It is good.

Oh and life with treats is even better.

Training Her ~ By Dixie and Charlie

"What's this?"

"It is smells Charlie. A deer went through here. Smell it?"

"What's a deer?"

"It is a big thing that leaps and poops and is found in the woods. I would chase it ... but She won't let me."

"I don't think I could chase a deer, my legs are too short. I like eating poop though. It freaks Her out."

"Always has. I don't get that at all. She is kind of funny that way. Poop eating is a no-no, chasing is a no-no, and rolling in smelly stuff is a no-no."

"However do you learn all the rules Dixie?"

"Lots of hikes with Her and lots of time. Don't worry, you will learn."

"Oh my, that water is cold! My legs are so short!"

"Can't help you there kid!"

"Come on Charlie, let's run. Let's see what those short little legs can do!"

"NO Fair! Your legs are so long! But I can keep up, I can, I can, I can! OH NO Water! I am stuck. Help!"

"Come on whimp! Come on! She has treats in her pocket, I smell them!"

"Only if I can stand on her boots. I am not fond of this cold water."

"Charlie, if you can train Her to carry treats all of the time, that would be a fine thing, you know?"

"Let me work on that Dixie. I think I could work with Her. She is not as smart as She looks."