I am not a person of the outdoors. Mosquitoes seem alarmingly attracted to my pasty limbs, when the humidity reaches a certain level my lungs refuse to cooperate, and I turn red on a moment's notice.
Sometimes, just sometimes, I have to lie to myself and say, "Self, you like being outside; you love taking in Vitamin D naturally. Of course, this is not true. Why else would the vitamins be readily available in capsule form?
I might not like being outside much, but Adley? He loves it. I decided that I could handle the hills above Austin (you know, hills, breezes? I can do this...) for a few hours so that he could let loose and do his wild dog thing as a reprieve from the apartment life we once lived.
My then-fiance and I bundled up with water bottles and got Adley crated and into the car, and made the drive out to the nature trail. Adley was so ready to get going once we got there--his tail was thumping against the sides of the crate and he was whining to be set free.
Luckily it was a fall day, so the humidity was low, and my lungs were more than pleased to be taking in such clean air in such a stunning location. We kept him on the leash for the first quarter mile just to see how he would do. He kept a steady pace, so we decided to take the risk of letting him go on his own. I was fully prepared to dash off to catch him, just in case he bolted.
Did he bolt?
Nope! I was shocked and oh-so-pleased as he stayed right with us. Every now and then he would stay behind a few feet to sniff and dig at something as dachshunds are wont to do, but with a gentle call of his name, he would come barreling toward us again.
The trail was full of rocks, streams, and steep hills, so I was a touch concerned that he might not be able to navigate very well. I did not need to be concerned at all; in fact, sometimes I had a hard time figuring out the best way to get around some obstacles, so I would follow his lead. I was most proud when I saw him crossing a pretty deep stream. He was hesitant at first, but when he realized that he would reach us on the other side, he made the jump and paddled over. He kept our little pack together, joined Eric as he splashed in the stream, and even alerted us when other dogs were approaching.
He skirted around all but one dog. There was another dachshund on the trail, and they exchanged the typical butt sniffing greeting. It is really something how they seem to know others of their kind.
We finished the trail, loaded back into the car and headed home for my favorite part of the afternoon--a nice long nap curled with with my Addles. I'd happily go on more hikes with him (provided that the weather suits me; all weather suits him!) just for that end benefit.
I do not know that I would have gone hiking without my dogs. What are some adventures you've gotten into because of your dogs? How have they driven you to do something you might not otherwise do?
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J and I walk Lila and Rusty almost every day and THAT is something I didn't think I'd like doing - but I do.
You see - I make no secret of the fact that I'd rather sit than stand or drive than walk. But their excited wags as we take out the leashes make it worth it. :)
This is absolutely precious! Lucy and I have never been on a nature walk, but whenever we do, I have a feeling she will kick my butt at it, and I'll be in awe of her skills.
I love how dogs can get you out of your comfort zone.
Part of the reason I wanted a dog was so that I'd have a reason to keep in shape because I tend to have lapses when I'm just doing it for me. But because Tofu NEEDS to go for walks and loves them we've been able to make use of a local nature trail (a five minute walk from home) several times a week. It really is just a win-win situation.
I was pretty into the daily walks even before dogdom - they're great for your health both mental and physical. Still, I've been pushed a lot by my pooches.
I think my dogs just put everything into perspective for me. They give me something to rely on even if it is just having to take them out or feed them. They've taught me to look at the bigger picture, be happy with what I've got, and realize that there's always love around me.
My dog is just like your dog, except when I call her name she runs AWAY from me yelling "FFRREEEDDOOMMM!!!!!"
So far, Bogey seems to like anything I like and hate the things I don't like, lol.
We normally take him camping with us once a year. This year we went and it was sooooo hot, he just layed around. He ended up getting a ton of bug bites (or hives, maybe?) and now I'm kind of nervous to brin him back out into nature. He handled it well (didn't scratch them) but I hated see him like that!
sleepyjane: The walking ritual is something we really enjoy also--it keeps them (and me) calm anyway.
ep: It will be fun! Try it!
Kimberly: They certainly are the best motivators/personal trainers in the world!
Ben: That's so sweet! I love mine for the same reasons!
Rachel! Hahaha! Ours will do that only if there are other dogs nearby. Well, or if there is another person, too. This trail was pretty isolated so we were lucky there.
Miss Burb: A comrade! They're loyal to the end in many ways, hmm?
Considering my dog is a 4 lb chihuahua who won't even pee outside when it is raining, i think the wildest adventure we have ever taken is to the mall. I carried him in my handbag (bad, I know!) but it was damn fun.
andrea: That's not so bad! I'd never be gutsy enough to take mine out--they would try to escape and lick everyone too death!
this is a great post. I always am saying that we do a lot of things that we wouldn't do without the dogs. Mainly walking around our neighborhood. And I don't mean just around the block, like we walk miles and miles in each and every direction. It really gives us a perspective of our city that I think a lot of people don't get since we live in such a car centric city.
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