After a hectic school week, we decided this would be a good weekend for us to finally get them together. We have had the most beautiful fall that I can ever remember. It has been largely dry with mild temperatures for the past two months - extremely atypical for the Pacific Northwest. The past week, however, the fog rolled in and stayed and when I got up this morning, it was raining.
I feared Julia would cancel, but to my relief, she didn't. You can't be a fair-weather hiker in the Pacific Northwest, or you'll only get to hike a few weeks of the year. There were only a few cars in the parking lot when I arrived and to my surprise, Julia had not one but two dogs with her. She explained that the black one, Oso, belonged to friends and that she was dog-sitting for the weekend.
Pongo's motto is: "The more the merrier!"
Socialization is crucial for both humans and dogs. Can you imagine being completely isolated with another species, never getting to converse with another human like you? Knowing this, I have always tried to give Pongo opportunities to be with other dogs. Though it has been harder since moving to Washington state. It often takes planning. I live in a neighborhood where people who are walking their dogs cross the street when they see us. The majority will not stop to let their dog say hello. There are many dog owners in Washington state that believe leaving their dog in the backyard gives them what they need. Their dogs never leave the house or yard and only socialize with the family and whatever other pets are in the home.
Pongo, Zed and Oso bounded up the trail together. They were all about the same size and looked adorable together! As we hiked, I was struck by Zed and Oso's boundless energy. They chased each other back and forth while Pongo trotted sedately, most often by my side or only a few yards ahead of me. It is in these instances that I am reminded that Pongo is an old dog. He simply could not keep up with them. But he didn't care - he was happy to be outside in the cool, wet air.
Julia gives the dogs water at the summit.
The fog was thick, obscuring the view of Mt. Si.
We lingered at the summit, taking time to eat a snack and water the dogs before heading back down. While we had seen only a couple people as we neared the summit, on the way down we encountered many other hikers of all ages, as well as a fair number of dogs.
Eva poses with Zed, Pongo and Oso at the trailhead.
We finished the hike in 2 hours and 40 minutes. I love it that Pongo and I can disappear into the woods, climb a mountain and then still have the whole day ahead of us. After we said goodbye, I drove through North Bend and stopped to buy a big cup of green tea at a drive-through coffee stand. This has become another one of our rituals after cold, wet hikes in North Bend. After giving me my tea, the woman gave me a dog treat for Pongo. Instead of eating it, he began pushing it with his nose, burying it in the sheet I'd spread to cover the back seat. He lay down and went to sleep.
On the way home, we stopped at Mud Bay and bought him a bully stick. When we arrived, I unwrapped it for him. He lay down on the living room carpet and got right to chewing. I swear he had a smile on his face. Now that's a good day in the life of a dog . . .
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