Hiking mixed with a little training

I took the dogs over to Morgan Territory again for a hike after I left the Osteen Pumpkin Farm today. I decided to work a little on the commands for sledding/carting with them. Right now I'm getting them used to the words, "Gee" for right and "Ha" for left and "Hike" for them to "mush" so to speak.

Timber did most of the work when I had them help pull me up the hills, a few times Jade looked back to check something out but was jerked back to attention since they are attached together at their harnesses. I use one leash and then a "V" shaped attachment at the end that hooks to their collar or harness. I finally bought a new harness so they both have one now.

I also allowed them to run free off leash quite a bit. I'm really proud of how obedient they are when let off leash. They run far ahead of me, but when they loose sight of me, they turn around and run back to me to check in. If I whistle to them to return, they will come right back. I feel really fortunate to have such good dogs, many people with Huskies or Malamutes have trouble with recall and keeping their dogs from running off.

Since the rain last week, there was actually water in the ponds and creeks. They got so muddy and got right into the ponds in the dirty water! My car is filthy, well the blanket on the back seat mostly. I've been looking into getting a beat up truck or SUV for cheap to use when I take them out so I can save my little Civic from getting too much more beat up. Not to mention they are getting a little cramped in that backseat.

Jade is growing quickly and is about 47 pounds. She is almost as tall and long as Timber now. Timber is holding pretty steady and is about 69 pounds and he is pretty strong, yet still so gentle. I love my dogs, they are so much work, but give me so much in return.

A couple of dirty, wiped out dogs

The past revisited with new eyes

We went to the Osteen's pumpkin farm today to share a little bit of my brother and my youth with my nephews. My brother and I went to school with the Osteen kids and we used to go to their farm to pick pumpkins for Halloween growing up. Christian and Patryk had never been to the farm I suggested we go this year for them to see it. It was a zoo and we had to park pretty far away because there were so many people there. The line to purchase was so long, my mom and sister-in-law opted to skip buying a pumpkin there so we didn't stay long. The boys weren't too impressed...Well, I tried. It was nice to see the farm though, been a long time.

Happy Birthday, Timber!

My handsome, sweet boy Timber turned 1 year old today! I had planned on taking him somewhere special, like Point Isabel, the dog beach in SF or maybe a really long hike in Morgan Territory. However, as luck would have it, I have come down with a head cold accompanied by body aches and fever. Timber and Jade were stuck at home with me Friday and Saturday night since my friend who takes them out when I can't was working nights.

I felt so bad, I layered on the warm clothes and had my friend, Yuliana come out with me to the dog park in Brentwood. They got to play for a little over an hour and then after dropping their Auntie Yuliana off at her house, we went to "the treat store" aka Petco to get a special treat for Timber's special day.

It's nearly impossible to give one dog a treat and not the other, so I got them a special dinner that they could share; chicken with rice and vegetables from the cold section. Good Lord, I thought Jade was a pig about eating before! She ate that stuff up so fast, good thing I put her on one side of the baby gate and Timber on the other! She would have gotten her head bit off if she tried to get to his food, which he savored just a little more quickly than normal.

In addition, I saw an edible card at the check stand...wasn't sure what it was made of, but I figured, why not? He sure has no idea that it's his birthday, but who cares? I'm a silly mama of four-legged furry friends...so laugh all you want! I don't care! Ha ha! Timber had no idea what to do with the card, I figured out that it was made of rawhide...he had no interest at all....but Jade (as usual) was quick to steal it away!

Waiting for Auntie Yuliana to come out and hop in the car...

Are you winking at your mama?
Here, rip it open! (It's too much for him lol)
My boy and me (Papa had to hold the little brat back, she refused to give him any time with me alone!)

Patiently waiting for his special dinner to be prepared...

Timber is pouting...Jade is back there hogging his rawhide birthday card!

Do you think this is a look of guilt or ignorant bliss?

Finally, he stole it back!

Within about 30 minutes, he devoured it!

Sunsets....at a dog park

Every day I go to the dog park there seems to be such a beautiful display of clouds that just love to play with the colors in the sky. It seems I never bring my regular camera with me, so rarely do I ever have a decent picture of the dogs, but the cell phone does ok with the sunsets. I'm such a landscape photo junkie, I manage to take pictures of the sunset nearly every time.....but what to do with these random shots? I haven't been blogging lately, so why not put them here? Enjoy.

Playing with the color settings on my camera phone....aqua...

Black and white setting, forgot it was on, but I like it...