Storm prep

It looks like we are in for a wet and windy weekend. I'm hoping we don't get as much rain as I've heard mentioned, but I thought it prudent to make a few preparations. I stocked up on food for both us and the dogs. I put away machinery and anything else I didn't want getting wet. I've got fuel for the generator in case the power goes out. And I got in a three mile walk Friday morning before the rain started.

These pictures are from puttering around outside on Thursday putting stuff away, from our hike Friday morning, and from the final preparation, taking in a new foster dog, a golden retriever named Henry. Just in case we need something else to track in mud and water over the next couple days. 

Here's Cosmo, Max, Maya, Paisley, and Elvis out in the pasture as I was moving the mowers.

Elvis found a spot he wanted to roll in.

Everyone else checked it out too.

Maya was most interested.

Max found an old frisbee to carry. Della was off hunting bunnies.

Maya and Elvis both had a good roll.

Cosmo came out with us to the pasture at least.

Paisley loved coming out with us and she came back in the house this time too.

I have demolished the old dog yard fence, but haven't put up a new one yet.

Della and Elvis walking together Friday morning.

It was windy and it looked like it could start raining any time, 

but it held off until we were back home.

Five dogs on a small landing at the top of the stairs is not a recommended way to introduce a new foster dog. But my dogs are pretty used to this by now and I didn't expect any trouble from them or from the new golden boy, Henry.

I understand that this guy has an adopter lined up, as does our rottie, Rita, but I don't expect anything to happen until Ian drops its rain and then dissipates.

Maya, Della, and deer

I wasn't going to walk today, but I'm glad I did. Upcoming bad weather may keep me in for a few days if it materializes, so I knew I should get in as much exercise I can while the sun is still shining. And as I always do, I felt better afterwards. But I wasn't up for a big challenge so I took my two best girls and planned to do an easy two miler.

We covered familiar ground, but still had a very unique experience when we came upon at least three deer. It's not unusual to see deer on our walks, but usually all we see is the white tail above their butt as they are disappearing into the distance. We must have been particularly stealthy today because we surprised these deer as much as they surprised us. We were just walking down the trail when they seemed to spring up out of no where, not more than 15 feet away from us. They went in three different directions, but one of them didn't go very far at all. He just stood and stared at us with that "deer-in-the-headlights" look. He may have believed that we couldn't see him and he had a pretty solid basis for that belief. Their camouflage is damn near perfect in a wooded area. He stood so still for so long that I actually had the opportunity to zoom my camera in on him, but he's still difficult to see in the pictures.

Della was cool, thank goodness. Maya was standing on her hind legs at the end of her leash, unable to believe that Della and I weren't interested in pursing them. We went on our way and let the deer get back to their business.

Even knowing that it's there I have to look closely to pick out the deer.

Three miles at Max pace

Max was indoors as I was preparing for today's walk so I grabbed him, put a harness on and off we went. Della doesn't care who her plus one is. She assumes that she's always going and she's pretty much always right about that. Max seemed interested and seemed to enjoy it, though Max is rather difficult to read.

What was obvious, however, is that Max is slowing down. I've known that from the way he's taken to indoor life but it was even more obvious out on the trails. He got into the van on his own, but I almost had to help and it wasn't exactly a graceful jump. Della let him lead most of the way and he didn't waste any energy pulling me. He set a pace that was somewhat slower than our usual, but not by so much that I felt under worked. We were in the woods for the entire route and we saw no one, which is how I like it. We did spot a deer or two, which makes everyone happy. 

I love walking this time of year. It's cool enough that I never get uncomfortably hot and sweaty, but still warm enough that I can wear shorts and not freeze my hands and ears. I've said it before, autumn is my favorite season. 

Max got a good brushing when we got home, although there's still plenty of fur needing to be removed. He also got a pain pill with dinner and I'm making them part of his routine from now on. 

Max misses out

Nothing much to say. It was a nice day that featured a bit of wind, which is unusual for this area but it felt nice. I was buried in work most of the day but got out for a 2.5 mile hike with Della and Elvis. I was actually planning to take Max, but Max was outdoors when I was preparing to leave and he wouldn't come to me. Max follows his routine and none of his routine involves coming when called. I finally put food in his food dish in the shed, walked inside the house to get Elvis, and then shut Max in the shed where he stayed until we got home. You can't do anything out of the ordinary on the spur of the moment with Max, it requires planning. But Elvis enjoyed the walk. Elvis also enjoys sharing Max's big bed in the office during the day. Max isn't crazy about that but Elvis sometimes sneaks in when Max is sleeping.