So, How is Morris?

I am happy to report that Mr. Morris has gained weight on his *new* diet of Kidney Food. He has regained strength and tail wagging strength.

He is bouncy and happy when anyone comes by to visit or we walk to the bus stop to get the kids.

He needs to be kept on a line of some sort while walking. It seems we go so far and he just turns around and heads home if we are near home. At a county park last week he turned and walked back the way we came.

Our 'free' hiking in the woods is no longer a thing we do. I used to take off a bit each day with Morris and check out certain areas. I choose a walk along the road or a well defined trail now so we can still make jaunts.

His mouth has a bad tooth and the vet had said it should be removed, however she didn't think he was healthy enough nor was his blood work good enough. She also explained that it was terribly expensive. The cost would nearly be what I pay in property taxes so I don't think that is going to happen.

I'll take him to the vet to weigh him tomorrow or Monday. But his improvement has been excellent.

It is hard knowing that at some point the other shoe will drop... so to speak. But for now, he is happy and wagging. I'll take it.

Walkies

Well I heard that description somewhere once upon a time.
My memory isn't as good as it used to be.

I do recall though the time I peed on a lady's shoes under the table. The shoes were so inviting. I was just a little puppy and well, I didn't know it would make her mad. Hopping mad too. I was told not to come back to her house. The older guy laughed and laughed until the Lenise lady gave him a stern look.

Anyway. She decided to go look at fall colors at Jersey Valley. I saw her getting ready and started to be a bit of a nag. I stood by the door and looked at her anxiously. I don't jump around much anymore.
Jumping around is not as fun as it used to be.

However, I knew it was a 'GO' when she got the blue lead line out.
Thank goodness she brings that now. I am pretty sure she wouldn't know her way around if I wasn't on the other end of the lead line.
Seems she needs this blue line more and more. Well, it is good to know that she needs me around still.

Even if She says I see monsters where there are no monsters. However, I know that that flower pot was really a huge threatening raccoon moments before it turned into a flower pot again. Those wild animals certainly are getting creative.

We settled into the Subaru and headed out. I navigated for a while then went to sleep. I was hoping she could find her way to the park. There are some nice trails there that She can follow pretty easily and doesn't seem to need my help.
I guess She has some concerns when she lets me loose. I head back towards the way we came.

She clips the blue line to her belt ...and off we go.

We have seemed to work out a way of walking that works with this method.

I'm glad because I sure would hate to have Her wander off where I couldn't find her.

Then where would we be? I know I'd spend the night lost with her in the woods and it wouldn't be so bad really. But I don't think She brought any of that really nifty dog food I like.

She was kneeling on the side of the trail while I sniffed up a tree. I'm sure a gorilla had just climbed this tree and was waiting to pounce on us. Perhaps it was a really huge Giraffe.

Anyway I kind of woofed a bit and then tried to climb it.

She called me a name, I think. She said "Come here Old Man," in a quiet voice. I looked around and didn't see Rich anywhere. I knew she must have been seeing things.

A really big dog came along the trail dragging a man. I gave that big dog a wink and a nod. "Train your human right off the bat! I wish I could drag mine around!"

Big Dog and Dragging Man stumbled down the snowmobile trail and off they went crashing.

She took more photos as I sat and watched.

I am pretty sure if I hadn't been along, She would have missed some of these glorious colors and photos.
After all, we've been partners for a very long time.

We went to the top of the dam and looked around. I got pretty bored. There were no people or monsters around.
In fact I was pretty tired.

Thank goodness She noticed and started to pack things up. Besides, I knew it was going to rain again.

We paused on the way back to take in the trail and the colors once more.
I do want to come back. It is nice taking her on this new trail.

Besides, I want to see if Big Dog and Dragging Man ever made it out safely.

I hope we get more 'Walkies' in before the temperature gets cold. I don't think I like cold stuff any more. I think She is okay with that. 
I talked to Dixie the other day to see if she'd pick up the slack.

After all, I really don't want Her to go out on her own. She needs a good dog to keep an eye on Her.