During our mountain vacation, I realized that K is hovering in that sweet spot in a dog's life where she has the vivacious energy of a young dog paired with the results of many years of training.
This wonderful combination means that we can have spectacular adventures together, as I pedal and K runs through aspen groves and up to high mountains.
I always watch for signs that our adventures are too physically demanding for K but I haven't seen any yet. On this trip, I smiled with contentment as we climbed high above treeline. If the trails were deserted, I'd let her lead the way and choose her path. She stopped at every snow bank to eat the frozen slush and roll on her back.
Having had my life graced with six Labradors over the years, I know to embrace these moments with my girl.
After our first big ride of the vacation, the whole pack relaxed in our campsite enjoying a spectacular sunset with the song of a Hermit Thrush wafting from the pointy tops of the spruce trees surrounding us.
This wonderful combination means that we can have spectacular adventures together, as I pedal and K runs through aspen groves and up to high mountains.
I always watch for signs that our adventures are too physically demanding for K but I haven't seen any yet. On this trip, I smiled with contentment as we climbed high above treeline. If the trails were deserted, I'd let her lead the way and choose her path. She stopped at every snow bank to eat the frozen slush and roll on her back.
Having had my life graced with six Labradors over the years, I know to embrace these moments with my girl.
After our first big ride of the vacation, the whole pack relaxed in our campsite enjoying a spectacular sunset with the song of a Hermit Thrush wafting from the pointy tops of the spruce trees surrounding us.
Dang!
ReplyDeleteThat is one awesome sunset!
Great photos, KB! You were on top of the world. K looks content to be on vacation! PS Don't try to comment on my blog tonight - problems with Blogger moderation, and they are not posting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to think of things - sweet spot does sound about right. I hope you enjoy her company on your adventures for MANY years to come.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about cherishing those golden moments! Beautiful pictures of the lovely K, but I knew they would be!
ReplyDeleteWOW... simply WOW!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this beauty with us.
I know what you mean about those moments. I steal them every chance that I can get now.
Lots of Luv & Kisses
Addie, Lucie and Hailey
Don't you wish you could just freeze time when they reach that point?
ReplyDeleteUntil I saw these pictures, I wasn't sure why you wanted "more mountains" for your vacation. Now I see, truly beautiful, and peaceful! The last picture is a showstopper!
ReplyDeleteCheers and hugs,
Jo, Stella and the Zkhat!
Truly a sweet spot! I just love when I recognize the places you photograph!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, addicting photos!
Glad the labs are handling this well, too. I've often wondered if they sense what you are going through.
Wow x 3! I just love the open landscape of high mountains. I always admire the work you do with K and like seeing/reading about how you get to enjoy the fruits of all that training and bonding. I don't think you could ask for a better partner.
ReplyDeleteK does look like she is having a fantastic time. And the scenery is stunning!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking!!! If it looks this good to us in photos, we can only imagine how spectacular it was in person.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos! What a way with words you choose to describe "that" delicious point of time in a dog's life that one enjoys so much! It's been heinously long since our last visit, but I scrolled through several June posts - so many bears, deer and sweet K, always! Loved your new cycling partner post too! I can't believe you found a 2nd bear den either! And I can't believe in the b&*%^s of the bear who visited your cool place! Man, what confidence! Yikes, I think I'd be quite scared. I've MISSED you - lil pupper has been keeping me very bizzy - hope I'll get to come back sooner this time!
ReplyDeleteHugs xoxo
Sammie and Ma
I love the sweet spot. Even when I'm sometimes pine away for the "promise" of a puppy, I revel in the comfort of having adult dogs in the house.
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered how many miles you think K covers in a day. Three is our norm, but something makes me think you girls do double, if not more.
Fantastic! Thanks for the reminder to savor those moments. We're going to take the boys to the beach and watch them romp in the sand.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I was out there in the same storm on the West Mongolia side of things. Hail and rain but the most lovely fog to ride through. Flowers stunning.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you know how rare it is to see a showshoe hare. I've seen many more bears and even mountain lions--but only one hare. Lucky you to have a photo! I love those bunnies!
And I almost always learn something from you. My fingers, too, were white and sticky upon my return from my ride yesterday. They always get that way in the cold--but especially in the wet cold. I didn't know there was a name for that. And a French-sounding one at that! Thanks for the info.!
Seems like your summer is happening and happy! Love the green, miss my sun, though.
take care,
Dawn
Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteI meant to answer your question yesterday, sorry. On a typical day at home, I ride about 7-8 miles with K (she travels further, I'm sure). We do one "long ride" together per week that might be twice that length to prepare her for our "vacation adventures". I pay close attention to carefully building K up to these levels each year... never suddenly taking her on these type of rides but started much shorter. Also, I pay a ton of attention to NOT going fast on downhills or on smooth level trails when she's with me. I let her go first and set the pace. I think that letting a dog pound too fast downhill is probably one of the worst things that a rider can do.
I realize that with K being 6 yrs old, we might have to start to curb her mileage soon. But, I just watch her for my cues.
Fantastic trip, rides, great times. K looks like she is having the time of her life. Love the altitude, so fresh and energizing.
ReplyDeleteHugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose