An Honorary German Shepherd

Bunny here at the keyboard again, writing about a very exciting adventure we had on Sunday.

Mom and Dad surprised us and got up early Sunday morning, saying we were going on another hike.  This time, they told Blueberry she had to stay home, and after the whole hike, I have to say that it was for the best.  It was a very long hike with a lot of hills, creeks and bridges.  We also met a group of other dogs, mostly other German Shepherds.  There was also a Golden Retriever, two smaller mixed breeds and a Siberian puppy.  At the beginning of the hike, everyone was in love with Gunner, but by the end, he was a little mudball.  I have a feeling Rusty from The Thundering Herd might have looked a bit like Gunner when he was little. 

Morgan and I were the only ones there on leash, but I didn't mind.  I'm not sure how Morgan felt about it, but I am used to staying with Mom and we both agreed that it was safer for me that way.  Morgan has not earned off leash privileges and Mom says that it will be a long time before she ever does.

Our hike was at Black Partridge Park, which is pretty near where we live.  We hiked for over three hours, so it was a pretty long hike.  Even though all the leaves were off the trees, it was very pretty and fun.

Along the trail, we ran into several creeks.  A lot of dogs stopped for a water break, but we stayed out of the water because it was rather brisk.  One of the girls on the hike kept asking if we were almost done.  I am pleased to report that I had a spring in my step the whole way until we got to that last hill coming back to the parking lot.

One thing you have to watch out on when you're on the trails there is mountain bikers.  We all had to get together and get off the trail when we heard them coming.  Two of them stopped and warned us that they'd seen a guy with a gun on one of the trails.  Hunting isn't allowed there, but we saw a deer stand set up in the park and heard a lot of gun shots.  We're not sure if those came from inside the park or the farmland that's around the park.  We did see several deer.  I am proud to report that none of us dogs gave chase to any of them.  We like to have fun, but we're not crazy!

About halfway through our hike, it started to drizzle rain.  I was glad I had my jacket on then.  Mom had taken hers off, but she put it back on to try to stay dry.  The bridges got really slippery, too, but I never lost my footing, like a few other dogs.  Mom said I was fleet-footed.  I was proud that I maintained my dignity through the entire hike.

On the last stretch up the hill, Dad almost got a rude surprise.  A squirrel jumped out of a tree and almost got his head.  It landed in the leaves and took off running.  Morgan and I offered to teach him a lesson, but Mom and Dad said it wasn't necessary.  Another one of the dogs, Shiva, chased after it, but she came back to the trailhead empty-mouthed.

We had so much fun this time on our hike.  I really hope we get to go back.  Mom says she hopes to be a little more prepared, too.  Next time, Morgan and I will even have our own bells!  Oh, and one more thing -- please visit our friend Frankie Furter today.  He's set up an auction to help raise green papers for Blueberry's surgery, and the things that are going to be in the auction are SO nice!