Merry Christmas!

Here is our Christmas photo taken at the humane society. Technically it was 'photo's with Santa' but who wants some strange Santa in the photo. We kicked him to the curb and took this photo. The photographer was great at getting both dogs to at least look forward. He had a whistle so Shika was looking at the sound and Rocky was looking at the people knocking on the wall since he couldn't hear the whistle. I wish I could find where this guy works because he was really good.

Davis County Hike

I joined a couple hiking groups here in Utah and found some of them were too intense and had drama queen organizers. Save the drama please! So I started my own and met a lot of nice poeple that just like to get out with their dogs and enjoy a good walk.
Yesterday my friend and I hiked with the Davis county hikers, which by their member profile seemed like an older crowd. We really enjoyed it and had a great time even if we did end up having to do what I called mud ski down one section of the trail.
Today, since the snow had melted, we walked another trail in town and the dogs are now snoozing it off.
Someone else took these photos during out hike of the crew.

Wasatch Canyons

Rocky went for a trial visit at the Wasatch Canyons facility. The woman that organizes the dogs that come in likes to have dogs there so the kids have something to think about besides themselves. Good plan if you ask me. I believe they have 2 or 3 other dog teams that visit and she prefers the big dogs.

This is a behavioral health and substance abuse facility for teens from 13-18. Rocky did great and enjoyed playing in the gym with the kids. He's been snoozing since we got home. We will be going back every other week starting next week on Sundays. Hopefully the baths he has to get before he goes won't dry him out too much in this desert air.

I'm putting together a little photo album of his before and after photos to hopefully show the kids the reality of animal neglect and abuse. It's also good for them to see a handy capped dog who is very well adjusted and happy go lucky. Not just handy capped but a dog who overcame his neglect and despite it all loves anyone who will pet him and let him lick their face! That's my boy :o)

Humane Society of Utah's Photos with Santa

Today we went to the Humane Society of Utah's photos with Santa. Okay so we ditched Santa and just took a "family" shot. I'm not into strange Santa's in my photos. The photographer was great and they had lots of people helping. The guy nailed an awesome shot the first photo he took. Although I don't like the canned cheesy themed background the picture was good so we'll take it.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine was taking Halloween photos of people and their dogs for the Have Pittie Pit Bull rescue of Utah so we went and had this photo done. I had to crop out the edge where she overshot the curtain but it came out cute. Shika was in no way in the mood for photos in the center of a very crowded mall.



Shika decided to turn around and give me kisses instead of looking at the camera.

TAU 5K Fun Run/Walk

Rocky and I helped with the Therapy Animals of Utah's fund raiser. We helped set up, walked the 5K and hung out until the festivities were over at around 11:00. So with him being busy from 7am-11:00am and a 3-4 mile walk when we got home he's now a sleepy boy! We did the walk after because his sister Shika did not come with us on the 5K. It's hard enough to juggle 2 dogs but when you have so many unknown dogs around, and I was trying to assist in passing out shirts, I didn't want to take any chances.

I have an e-collar, which I know some people will think I'm horrible for having. Since Rocky is deaf I'm trying to use it like a clicker. It has a vibration mode so I'm trying to teach him when I hit the vibrate mode he needs to look at me. Nick mode is saved for his fixated behavior. We have broken him from his car mania now we are working on some of the dogs in the neighborhood that get him spun up. He was expecially interested in the rooster this morning at Wheeler Farms!

I have been bad about picture taking on hikes lately so here's a few random ones a friend of mine has taken on walks and at events we've attended.

There are some interesting signs as you hike to Timpanogos cave in American fork canyon. They also have good nature signs on the animals in the area. Thank goodness I haven't run into any cougars. I have had coworkers at IMFT who have had them in their neighborhoods before. That's one animal I'm content to see in the zoo!







One of the local pools allows people to come to the pool with their dogs before they close for the season. Rocky discovered deep water by accident. Then he decided he really enjoyed getting in the pool. When I first brought him home he wanted nothing of even getting his feet wet. Shika was the same way. After they hike a few times and discover the water is cooling they get in every puddle, creek, or deep water they see.

Bowman Trail-Millcreek Canyon SLC

My pictures seemed fuzzy today so after seeing how they came out I cleaned my camera lense. Better luck next time. The colors were fabulous!! The reds in Millcreek canyon were awesome. I'm so glad I hit both canyons this weekend. They are so different. My favorite is still American Fork.






We have recently picked up new members in our hiking group. One actually showed up today with her cutie Abbie (I think-I'm horrible with names.) Abbie is a little sassy Sharpei. Not the typical Sharpei size but the typical goofy Sharpei face. And good for Jill for adopting her from a shelter.





This is a frequent photo I get of Shika trotting back up the trail. This one and her laying in the water. I think some strangers have some of her laying in the water! I know some stranger in DC has a photo of her in her backpack. Apparently this was quite a site for this person. People are strange.

More Fall Colors Photos

Here's a few photo's my friend took on our hike today. Love the one she got of me and my two by the lake. It's hard enough to get a dog to look at the camera then throw a deafie in the picture! :o)

Just when you thought your car was dirty!
Outdoor gear sudo contained in the pink crate, doggy pack pack, human back pack, two German Shepherds, and probably 100 lbs of shedded doggy hair.



Me and the kids:



Shauna, Chui, and the tops of my two's heads:



Myself, Rocky, and Shika again-one of my favorite photo's of the day:



Shauna and Chui. Juno had to stay home :o(