Belly Deep

Ive never seen Taricha do the boing-hop-run-thing before today! 

BOING

And a little zoomie!

And a little potty time. First one today, I bet that was a relief.

A little throwing snow at her because its funny....

Ok, it's been ten min. 

DONE!

My Heart Dog

This Valentines day was spent just the two of us.

We went and got some pizzzzzzaaa.

Still Exciting

Even though Hank is gone, we've been staying busy and our house has been anything but quiet. A new kitty came to live with us!

This is Toodles, a two year old intelligent beast. Taricha first met this kitty when he was just a baby of 8 weeks old so it was an easy transition for him into our home. He is my sister's cat but for whatever reason he wasnt happy there, or they weren't happy with him. I offered to take him until we figure it out and we break some of his bad habits and he has some bad ones. (food begging mostly.... food crazy cat.)

I'm becoming attached to him... he is super smart, calm (compared to my skittish pussies, pun intended.) and entertaining  He will climb on a stranger's lap and happily purr like mad. He sleeps on the stairs curled in a ball! Toodles has been keeping us on our toes.

Then we finally had a little more snow! Needed an excuse to wear the hoodies.

  

The next day the snow was gone. 

I dont think Taricha liked the mud that was left. It was caking on our feet so bad it felt like wearing boots. We managed to log in 3 miles despite the terrain. (I didnt have her wear pack cause I didnt want it getting thatdirty.)

I hope everyone is still getting outside this winter! Cold or not! 

Now for some cuddle time.

Wordless Wednesday

Doing What We Do Best

What great weather for January. Early this morning we jumped in the car and headed for a trail we haven't been on before, another limestone glade, really good ups and downs and the rocky terrain makes Taricha slow down and watch her step. She was working hard, panting and we loved it.

While Taricha and I walk 2-4 miles on pavement every single day (but not always in one go), we aren't  in any shape for real hiking. And we need to be so since I have multiple camping/hiking trips planned this year.  This limestone glade is right around the corner from our house so we might start doing this run more often. The 3.75 miles today killed! (Our goal is 10 miles of rough terrain by spring.)

This random sign left me puzzled. I think the giant rock behind it is named Headache, as it was a truly giant chunk of earth kind of hanging off the edge of the hill. But then it could be the trail named Headache because it was so muddy.... it quickly became one.

Taricha really enjoyed herself, this is our zone and she seems to focus on the trail as if it were a job.  As we get home, I could tell in her face that she missed hiking and being exhausted feels good.

A Quick Foster

Its a fucking gorgeous day, for January, and I find myself driving good ol' Hank to his new home. You heard me correctly, Hank was adopted!!  It happened faster (and easier) than I ever imagined. A friend of a friend met Hank at my house by chance and the two were smitten. After a few play dates with the hopeful-home's other dog, it was clear that Hank was at quite happy and comfortable with the family. And the rest shall be history...

Coming home to Taricha was quite painful. The house was quiet. She looked at me when I walked in, looked at the door, looked at me, at the door.....  To distract her, I quickly took Taricha to the dog park and  we burned some steam together.

After that first few hours, Taricha is over Hank.  (I'm not.... ! )

They got along just fine but they certainly were not friends. I think a lot of this was because they just had different styles. Taricha is a wrestler, a mouth-er, a tug-er. Hank is a long distance runner, a fetcher, a ball-er (lol). Hank may be taller but Taricha has 50lb's on him and she knows how to throw her weight. I really dont think Hank appreciated being slammed into all the time in jest.

I am very happy that Hank will be happy but again, my house is just quiet and some energy seems to have left it. I put all the baby gates away and folded up the crate. Gathered a few toys that Hank liked, to bring him when I visit later this week. It really has been so sad that I don't know if I could do it again, or at least, not for a little while. I do miss my time of just Taricha and I, We haven't been really hiking together in what seems like forever because we always had to get home to Hank!

Good luck to you Hank. I knew you were a good boy and someone would see that!

Wordless Wednesday