So Beautiful to Me

It's sometimes hard to think about the fact that I didn't like this dog very much. I never thought she would have my heart the way she does...she was such a naughty and frustrating puppy. I still remember giving her commands and her giving me that side-long glance that basically was her way of saying that no, she would be doing exactly as she damn well pleased. But we're both older and wiser now...

I'm always amazed at my own ability to communicate with animals. Maybe it's because I feel so lacking in my efforts at human interaction. I've impressed many a friend on the trail with my ability to know what Mabel is chasing based strictly on her body language. Tennis ball, golf ball, lizard, canine friends, unknown dogs, runny babbit, cat, rat, coyote or deer all have a different tell.

Two days ago, we went out a bit too early and had a rather hot hike. Mabel Lou and I had been hiking for an hour and were on the last hill top before the car. I saw our Rottie pup friend Otto entering from the levy and I could see our pals Hank & Sue had parked in front of us. There was a time we would have turned and went back for another round...just to be outside with friends. 

I told Mabel, "Otto, Hank and Sue are here... do you want to go back in??" 

She stood there looking around as if debating. I've never seen her do this. Normally, she would have simply trotted right back up the trail. 

So I asked her, "Do you want to go home?" 

She headed for the car.

 

But just yesterday, Hank & Sue decided we should pond... we haven't been going as it's cooler now. Plus we have to cross the stream up to knee deep in several places there and ... the water is cold to the two-leggers! And there is no close parking... we have to cross a busy four lane street with no crosswalk or park on the dark side, walk under the bridge and climb a steep hill to get in now. It makes for a long hike! Still Mabel was running and playing like a young pup!

We were finished with the pond when our pal Otto showed up.  His brother Bart had some medical tests done and we wanted to catch up on all the news. I asked Mabel if she wanted to loop with Otto on the dark side. She knows this is a long walk!  And she turned and trotted up the hill after him. A DOUBLE walkie!  She kept up, chased a coyote smell with Otto and was even in the lead a bit!

I just love this girl so. She makes me smile every day.

Good Cuddler

Mabel Lou has always been a good cuddler. This pic was taken weeks ago but it happens pretty much every evening. The girl requires a good cuddle, followed by a game of bitey face, ear scritches  and kisses before she would even think of her bedtime routine. Don't you just love the gray tip of her tail?

Just a Tired Old Dog

I'm having to learn so much about Senior Dogs now that Mabel is one. We are the oldest in our pack and too slow to hike with most of our friends now. And my girl sleeps... A LOT!  But she still wants to go go go. She's grown accustomed to her ramp in and out of the car. And she still has the most beautiful smile... when she's awake. Shhhhh! Let's not wake her!

Got Creek?

We had a gulley washer of a storm Wednesday. Our temps dropped seven degrees down into the 40s during the storm. As soon as there was a break, you know we had to dash out to see the creek. We ran into Chloe and her dad  just as we were trying to figure out our way over an impromptu stream bed cutting across our entry. We made our way over to the river bed and were all over joyed to find water!

Toward Mt. Lukens

Downstream view:

By the time we hiked out, that first stream had dried up. And today, there was nothing but mud puddles... Here's Hank and Sue in the same spot Thursday night. Ms. Mabel was in a "no photos please" mood with seeing no water in her stream...

 

Mystery Plant Photo Bomb

The other day, Mabel and I were most please to find the city had started their annual clean up of Dirty Creek! They do this to make the water flow in winter (cause they didn't for a few years and some houses got flooded and the city and golf course got sued!)

While they no longer remove all the North side vegetation (making Mallory and crew very happy!) there were so many partially felled branches from a spring wind...it was feeling rather perilous to hike there! There were so many areas to explore...places we simply couldn't get to for safety reasons for months... we were overjoyed. Our hiking buddy and her Hank and Sue Rhodesians joined us and we had a lovely easy hike!

As we started to leave, we noticed a rather strange plant we've never seen before. It had obviously gotten a fresh haircut, courtesy of the city. But, we have no idea what it is and there's nothing like this in the area!

I snapped off a few shots and realize that Miss-No-Photos-Please Mabel had photo bombed every shot!