Bite-y dogs and KVR Trail Challenge

 Charlie and I at the Trail marker for Big Valley Trail head on Big Valley Road.

Courtesy of Bill L.

My hiking pal...Mr. Bill texted me with a weather report for this coming week. He asked if we could find a time on Monday for our weekly hike since the rest of the week would definitely not be good for adventures.

So I made arrangements to grocery-get at 7AM, handled hubby's virtual doctor appointment, set up his lunch and off we went.

It was a point to point hike. I parked at the Bridge 10 lot and he parked his truck on the gravel road access to Big Valley. We saw two ladies with a little dog on a leash ahead of us. From April 15th through July 15th all dogs have to be leashed otherwise there is no leash requirement. Charlie was wearing his electric collar as usual and I carried his leash.

Here's Bill inspecting some of the clean up on the trail after this winter's straight winds.

In the summer, this trail is heavily shaded by oaks, maples, and pines. We were able to see some incredible rock formations along the way. I didn't get photos of them. 

Remember the little dog? Well, the ladies let him off leash and when I saw them coming I reached down to hook up Charlie. Next thing I know there was a blur of the little wire haired terrier running right up to Charlie. They sniffed and immediately the other dog bit Charlie.

Charlie squealed bloody murder and the little shit tried to bite Charlie's butt as he scooted between my legs.

Mr. Bill pushed the little shit away with his boot while I scooped Charlie up. I didn't get bit, but the dog kept jumping on me trying to get at Charlie.

The two ladies walked up and one said as she passed us: "He likes humans but he really dislikes other dogs." She kept walking and the dog left with them.

Mr. Bill and I looked at each other: Dumbstruck.

So quick. I never saw it coming. So much for my pepper spray idea, right?

Really? Not even a 'Sorry, is your dog alright?' 

Charlie recovered quickly, obviously not very distressed and probably none the worse for wear. We humans were much more upset.

We enjoyed the amazing scenery and the rock formations that are generally hidden by leaves and underbrush. Both of us discussed climbing up to explore the rock shelters, but we had a time frame to adhere to. Bill had to be home when his grands get off the school bus and I have my own schedule to keep.

And you know it...guess who joined us?

He enjoys Squatching along just like anyone else!

Nearing the end of the trail.

We parted our ways and I set Charlie in his crate. He turned around 3 times and then fell promptly asleep.

Trail section #49 can be marked off. Onward!
Here's to no more bite-y dogs. I'll just pick him up if I spot another dog.

Most other dog owners are super polite and ask if it is okay for their dog to approach yours. I won't let one bad dog owner ruin it for us.

Gosh I miss him...

Mr. Morris was such a huge part of my late adult life. 14 years of everyday adventure. As a Jack Russell, he was always on the go. Go

go

go...was Morris's motto until the last year of his life.

His vet told me that a JRT will be like that. They'll go with boundless energy and then then stop. When they stop, then worry.

Yesterday morning I wasn't thinking of him at all. But when I opened my laptop and logged in. Facebook reminded me that Morris's birthday was today. Indeed it was and he would have been 16? Wow. 

I meant to take his page down but when I look at it, I just end up browsing his page and photos.

Crazy.

So I spent part of the day recalling our friendship and browsing all the Flickr photos of him all the way back to the day I brought him home.

It's true. Charlie is in our lives now and he has grabbed our hearts like no other. It was with great purpose that I chose a wonderfully different kind of dog. 

After all...how can you not love this face?

Yes, I miss Morris and nothing can replace him or his place in my heart.

Thank you Charlie for helping to fill that space that hurts and filling it with your silly ways and your pure unselfish devotion to Rich.

Your devil may care attitude and hunting instinct, and your ability to take over the whole couch with such a tiny body.

So life goes on. We miss those we love.

And we find reasons to carry on....

Laugh love

cry

and smile.

Snow dogs...

Snow swimming is fun...

Since the winds are supposed to pick up and the temperatures drop from 18 to -14 this afternoon, I took a short break after the cross country ski adventure with my neighbor and kids ...
and took the dogs for a walk to the creek.

Yesterday's warm sun thawed some of the iced over sections of the creek. I was amazed at how unfazed Charlie seemed to be while hiking through the creek. Dixie could care less, she is an outside dog but during the cold snaps she has a deep nest inside a stack of hay with blankets. She made the first nest and then I made it into an igloo. Charlie, Dixie, and I all fit inside it.
I feel like a kid again, making forts in a pile of hay.


Anyway...

Where one dog goes, the other likes to follow.

Here you can get an idea of exactly how small Charlie is compared to Dixie who is what we would call a medium to large dog. She is about as big as a large Labrador, weighing in at about 55 to 60 lbs.

They are pretty good together. Dixie puts up with his presence and pays extremely close attention to me.
I think she sees him like a pesky little gnat.

Then there are those times when I just smile and adore the two of them.

And then there are moments that I just can't help myself and I laugh...
and

laugh...

The temperatures have dropped 12 degrees in the last 3 hours and the winds are picking up.

I'm going to head out and settle everyone in for the night with plenty of feed and warm water.

Tomorrow may be a day to stay inside. Well, except for chores that is.

Doggone it.

It has been a bit since I felt like sitting down and doing this.
I started a blog a few times and then deleted it as there was always something else that needed doing.

Charlie and I went hunting earlier this week to find some ice caves.

We found them but with the strange weather we've been having, the formations were not exciting at all.

However, I do know where these caves are now and how to get to them should the weather begin to cooperate.
Tonight it is supposed to rain quite a bit. I suppose that is better than a snowstorm.
However, the driveway hill will become ice and well, that could be an issue for getting out and to Rich's next appointment at the VA.

Each day this week I've done a nice long walk or hike with Charlie. He loves and adores the snow.

Yesterday morning we walked out the croplands to watch the sun come up.
Charlie had more interest in deer poop and rabbit poop than the beautiful morning.

Yesterday afternoon was more dog day stuff.
Dixie joined us on a nice long walk.

Charlie was so happy to have his big gal pal to annoy.

We covered a few miles of creek and hillsides and then ended up on the porch to lounge in the sun while I got out the nail trimmers and did both dogs.

We sat in the sun and relaxed for a long time afterwards.

We listened to someone doing some squirrel hunting east of our place. The dogs were curious but decided the porch was a much nicer place to hang out.

I left my jacket on the porch when I went inside with Charlie to get some things ready for supper and chores.

Dixie pulled my jacket down and made a bed in front of the door.

Dixie was the chore helper last night. After she ate she crawled into her doghouse and went to sleep. She and Charlie will assist again this morning.

My life has gone to the dogs.
However they are good company.

And they rarely talk back to me!

Mini dogs

I've always loved BIG dogs. Nike was a cross between a Belgian Shephard and a Golden Retriever. Missy was a Samoyed/Lab. Nice and big.

I raised a litter of orphan hound dogs in our tiny kitchen of our tiny house and they did move outside and left our place to become working dogs. This was over 20 years ago.

However I yearned for a house dog after meeting Rich.
He found a tiny terrier mix dog and we had Xena. And she was a warrior. She was a Fiest Terrier and was very aggressive.

She only lived for 4 yrs. In the end it was her aggressive hunting and attitude that did her in.
I mourned her. She had been tough as nails and had more attitude than most any dog I'd ever known.

Sometimes she'd take off and come back exhausted.


Morris.
Well no explaining there. 14 years of an incredible friendship.
And he had a great job.

He helped train any hound dog puppies that came to our farm.

Dixie who was 'trained' by Morris has helped train Charlie.

And today it was Charlie's turn to help out with a puppy!

Meet Basil.
Our neighbor's new puppy. A Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu mix!

Not such a great photo, but you can see that Basil will be taller than Charlie, however...
Charlie is a tough little guy and ...

paid Basil no mind when she tried to 'lead' him.

Mini dogs.

Are we having fun yet?

I am.