New Shoes

Buddy's got himself some stylish new trainers courtesy of my seamstress mother. Thinking of the miles of inhospitable pavement, she'd recommended some protective wear a couple weeks ago. So, we found some heavy canvas material and copied a template for doggie shoes. After some modifications she finally came up with a design that works well. Although, it'll take some getting used to, Buddy will definitely be happy to have them on hot days.

Experimenting with a Surger

 

'Something feels a bit different.'



Not a very happy fellow

Poor guy! Buddy's had a little cut on his ear that's increasingly getting worse due to his violent head shaking. I sort of botched the bandage today in an attempt to keep the ear stationary long enough for the medicine to work and the ear to heal a bit. It seems he may also be suffering from some ear mites. I guess we'll have to make another trip to the vet. :(

On a brighter note, he's been really good about letting me clean his ears (something he absolutely hated when I first got him). Sometimes he actually seems to be enjoying it.

Elation found in scraps

And He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once.

This scene has troubled me for years. Given the context and the potentially derogatory implications which could have been perceived through the reference to 'dogs,' the picture painted in my mind had been one of a bigoted and harsh man whose heart was only toward his own people. However, in watching Buddy this morning as he devoured the T-bone saved from last night's dinner, it occurred to me that the scraps that fall from the Master's table are so far superior to a bone. And yet, Buddy may have demonstrated more alacrity and gratitude for an inferior blessing than I often do for the superior ones.

Another canyon, another camp

Monday morning we woke up early and welcomed the brisk air with enthusiasm as we walked north on 1st street. Upon reaching our favorite coffee house on the other side of town I felt a bit let down that my barista had evidently forgotten to set her clock ahead, but nevertheless, we continued to saunter down the road with a 'spring in our step' since today our destination would be the Yakima Canyon.

Buddy seemed elated to be (once again) out on the road where so many new scents are just waiting to be discovered--I wonder how the world is interpreted through a dog's olfactory system. Anyway, about 20 miles and we made it to our first spot, a BLM site called Roza Recreational Park. The camping was free and the area was clean and beautiful. I began by locating fire wood, a resource which was abundantly available quite nearby, while Buddy's priority (as always) was locating something interesting to eat. He scavenged for a while and eventually found what looked like the knee joint of a deer. We stayed up late around the fire, feasting upon donuts and drinking pine needle tea. The breeze brought to our ears the morose call of an old owl; every hoot seemed to bemoan its nocturnal lot.

The next day we went two miles further up the canyon to Big Pines BLM Recreation Area. This was a more spacious place with much larger pines under which to pitch tent. Again, the place was well-kept and rivaled any state park I've yet visited. On the eastern slope, a trail winds up between a ravine and goes quite high to the top of the canyon wall. Buddy brimmed with alacrity for the hike, stopping and pointing in a ridged fashion each time he encountered a new animal. He spotted a group of White Tail far before I ever laid eyes on them. That night the wind blew fiercely and saw the sides of the tent kiss the ground more than once. Buddy did well to stay calm, though later in the night, some obnoxious yelping from a pack of coyotes caused him to become a bit restless.

We broke camp around 6 am and made a quick 7 hour return to Yakima. Buddy hardly required a leash the whole time and stayed precisely where I want him to walk: just beyond the shoulder of the highway. I could see that my dog was worn out, so I left him at his place with a big bowl of kibble.

The big hike is fast approaching. But I'm becoming increasingly confident in Buddy's ability to handle it.