Taking The Easy Road

Bunny here at the keyboard again to talk about our extra hike from this weekend.

Since Mom and Dad both overslept Sunday morning and it was a really beautiful day, we decided to go out hiking again.  Saturday they had talked about going to Moraine View State Recreation Area, but the trails were supposed to be really easy.  Since they wanted to wear Morgan out before the trick or treaters started showing up Saturday night at our house, we went to Starved Rock and hiked the canyons there Saturday, but they thought Moraine might be fun for an easy Sunday stroll, so we loaded our backpacks, put on our hiking collars, and Morgan, Blueberry and I all headed off in the van with Mom and Dad for a stroll through the woods.

The hiking trails there are pretty short, but after a while, we found a horse trail and decided to walk on that.  I'm not sure that was the best plan, since Blueberry got covered with mud, but we did get a nice leg stretch in.  The sun was shining and it lit up the leaves like they were magic.  It was definitely pretty there, and the walking wasn't hard at all.  Even Blueberry didn't break a sweat. 

Morgan and I were happy to have our bright backpacks on because there were a lot of hunters setting up deer stands with their bows and arrows.  We didn't see any deer, and I imagine they're too smart to be in that part of the park right now with all the hunters out there when across the street was the area with no hunting.  I know those deer get crazy this time of year with the rut, but I think they were probably all having a, um, party over on the other side where we couldn't see them.

There's a really pretty lake there where a lot of fishing goes on, too.  We went down to have a look at it after we got done on our walk.  Morgan and I wanted to get in, but Dad said not to even think about it.  I stuck my toe in anyway and it was COLD!  So, I didn't need any more reminders to stay out of it.

I do have to say, it was nice to have Blueberry along with us, and it was good that we found a place where she could walk with us pretty easy.  A lot of times she stays home to keep Lilac company, but she's not too  happy with that.  I imagine Lilac spends a lot of that time barking to herself like she is wont to do.  So, to have Blue with us was a nice change of pace for her and us both.  Mom says we'll have to plan more trips that Blue can go on.  I asked if that meant that Blueberry was getting a backpack too and Blueberry said there's no way she's carrying anything, so I guess that's a no.  It was still fun to have her along!

Some Crazy Week

The first week back to school is usually a tiring one for me, but it generally goes by really quickly.  Not so, this week.  It seems to be the week that keeps on giving!

I'm actually really happy with our new class this year.  We have a few things we'll need to iron out, but I think it will go much better than the last two years.  I'm hopeful anyway.  There is an adjustment that you have to go through when you go back, though.  I am up every morning at 5:30 when I go to work, but on breaks, well, it's nice to curl up in bed with a certain blue fawn snuggle puppy until about 7:00.

On top of that, the 4H class that we volunteer to teach has their show this week.  Monday night was dress rehearsal at our last practice and Wednesday night was their big finale.  There weren't a lot of kids who actually showed at the fair this year, but we had a young group and they all made huge gains.  It's more important to us that the kids have fun, learn about their dogs, and help to make their dogs good canine citizens than it is if they actually show at the fair or not.  It's a lot of fun and is its own reward, but it did take up a lot of our time, especially this week.  Imagine the looks on four dogs' faces when we were gone all day and night and came home smelling of other dogs!  There were enough hairy eyeballs to go around on Wednesday evening.

Tuesday night Mr. Taleteller had a meeting in the evening that kept him away from home most of the night.  So, the girls and I enjoyed a little time together, but we didn't get to enjoy our evening walk together, and honestly, I was so tired that I nearly fell into a coma at the computer that night.

So, I was very much looking forward to Thursday night when we'd all finally be able to be home together and enjoy each other's company.  I know a few Greyhounds had plans to spend some quality snuggle time on the couch and I'm sure a certain Shepherd had ideas about a rousing game of kitchen surfing, too.  It was not to be.  We got a phone call Thursday morning that Mr. Taleteller's younger sister, who is seventeen, quit taking her medication and had stolen some money and her parents Suburban to go out running around with her friends.  My husband took the day off to go out and help look for her. 

When I got home, he heard that she might be out in a small town some distance from our house.  It's true, I could have just stayed home and spent time with the dogs.  Heaven knows it's what I wanted to do!   Since we'd been away from the girls so much, we decided to load them up and let them go on a drive through the country with us.  It wasn't the evening I planned, but at least we were all together.  Please know that if we haven't made it around to visit or been able to leave comments, it wasn't because we didn't want to.  Things are just a bit out of our control right now.  I will say that I have plans to barricade myself in the house with the Greyhounds on Saturday and there's not much that will lure me out. 

Before I close, I'd like to remind everyone to please check out the Carpe Canem auction for the Houston Greyhounds who are desperately in need of medical care after being discovered in horrible conditions.  They estimate the costs for taking care of these dogs will be hundreds to thousands of dollars for each dog, and there were sixteen Greyhounds seized.  When I read about what these dogs had been through, I actually felt sick.  Anything that we can do to pass on the word about how much they need help is worth the effort!

Martin is one of the Greyhounds rescued from this situation.  A little TLC has taken him a long way already!  We hope to see a story about him being adopted soon!   Things like this make me want to stay home with my own dogs even more.