A 'RUNNING' COMMENTARY OF ACTIVITY WITH MY LOVABLE CHARGES

Welcome! Now and then, I will write a bit about my walks with the 'pack'. The group changes from time to time, but we always have fun!

March 22, 2010:

Yesterday’s early morning torrents of rain gave way to a day that reminded me of the tropics, without the warmth. Rain fell as the sun was shining. I didn’t know what to expect, but I picked up the kids as usual.

My next-door neighbor, Charlie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was my first stop. He’s been a regular since his mom went home to Australia for a visit over the Christmas holiday. After Charlie took his normal spot — riding shotgun — we began gathering up the rest of my powerful pack. Payton was next: As I entered the courtyard, I could hear his high-pitched whining, and as I turned the key to his front door, he began his usual licking and prancing as he greeted me. I maneuvered my way into the kitchen, grabbing his leash off the back of the door and sat on a nearby chair until his excitement waned. Our routine doesn’t vary much from day to day, for Payton Boy is a creature of habit, and full of it!!!

Jake, a sweet neighbor of Payton’s who is an occasional traveler with our pack, was next to join us, and once he awoke from his morning snooze, he was rarin’ to go. As we left Treasure Island, the energy in the car was humming. The next and final pick-up for the day was Akiva, my ball-crazed doggie. I now call Akiva “Mr. Hollywood,” because he was featured on Craig Herrera’s “Paws a Moment,” on CBS morning news.

While all of you were succeeding in the work-life balancing act, harassed by long hours, a punishing workload, and an atmosphere of near-constant tension, the pack and I were on our way to another hiking adventure.

We walked our usual route with Akiva leading the away. He always gets to the cairn at the split of the trail and waits for the stragglers. With Payton by my side, Jake in the grass nearby, and Charlie close by my feet, we caught up to Akiva. The forest echoed with scents and beauty that only rain can provide; the ground was covered with yellow flowers, green grasses, fallen branches, and decaying leaves: an excellent recipe for mulch and continuing good health for our sacred hiking grounds.

As the trail widened and we rounded a bend, we were in our first “stop, sniff, and play” area. Jake was off into the green grasses again. Akiva was searching for a ball, running up and down the hill getting in his morning aerobics, while Charlie and Payton chose to sit close together and enjoy the view, since from this very spot we can see the San Francisco Bay. For me it was almost dreamlike — that is until Payton snapped me out of it. I looked over my left side to find that he had rolled onto his back and started the “Bernese Mountain Dog Wiggle.” Imagine this: Payton is not a little dog, and when he wiggles like a slinky with all four paws dancing in the air, it is something to behold — endearing and hysterical at the same time.

Little Charlie was next to please. His idea of the perfect day is to walk and pee and walk and kick up dirt all over the place, and since I was close by and sitting on a favorite tree stump, Charlie decided to surprise me by kicking a leg full of dirt into my jeans. Charlie, one of the most affectionate doggies, loves people and loves to run and play with the big boys.

"WE PROMISE TO LOVE THEM AS IF THEY WERE OUR OWN"