Dry Canyon Orem, Utah

A coworker suggested Dry Canyon for hiking. This was a striking canyon and although the trail looks steep it wasn't bad at all. We only ran into two people on the trail which was even better. I like being able to enjoy myself with out constantly pulling Rocky to the side and out of the way-and making sure he doesn't snag any fast people jogging by.

Utah landscape is really incredible and definitely a must see. Some of the most dramatic landscape is hidden in the neighborhoods and with out someone to tell you it's there you would never get to it. Today we hiked with a woman I work with that is here for a three month rotation in her training program. She's a dog lover so helped out and took the lead with Shika in tow. I was going to leave Rocky behind but he knew we were going out and was soooo excited I couldn't leave him behind.

By the way the last picture is looking straight down a cliff.

Timpanogos Cave

I had yet to hike to Timpanogos Caves since moving here three years ago. I finally had the opportunity to go with a hiking group this weekend. Unfortunately my camera battery died part way up the trail but here are a few of the pics I got before that. We took a bunch with my friends camera but will have to wait to post until she copies them for me.

Since this is a cave the trail and cave of course are dog free. So this was the first dog free hike I've done since moving here. Or for that matter in years!

The cave had unique formations not seen in other caves and was made a national monument as a result. Definitely worth the hike and a stop for anyone driving through Salt Lake City.

























About the middle of the photo you can see the entrance of the cave.



A little ways up the trail there was a solar powered emergency phone that my friend said was new since she'd been last year. Along the route there were numbered signs to tell you how to get help to that location. There are also bottle cap sized numbers on metal circles embedded into the pavement. There's been several people fall off this trail even though it is a wider paved trail. There are massive cliffs off each side but no handrails so if people get too close to the edge, or back up to look up, I can see how they would fall off.



And here's Rocky's new favorite place to snooze. He started this a few weeks ago after not getting on any of my furniture since he's been here. He'll only get on my bed with a lot of persuasion but prefers his spot on the doggy bed.

Therapy Animals of Utah

Rocky did great at his certification test. Of course as I suspected Shika had zero interest. She only wants to be around me and HATES the clinical crowded environment. She had to stay with my friend while I was testing with Rocky which threw her for a loop, and they didn't like the fact that she 'talks.' To me part of her personality is her chit chat that she does.

They also wanted me to talk more harsh to her when giving her commands she wouldn't do (she never was good at down.) She's always been sensitive and harsh voices only make her cower and act afraid. I know my dog and what works and what doesn't. She was just too stressed from being separated from me. I don't believe in making a dog do something they don't want to so I will not take her back for the re-cert.

I have to do a bunch of paperwork, get Rocky evaluated by a vet, and pay the fees then he will be ready to go. He may be working in Albuquerque depending on how my job interview goes this week. The certification is transferable which is one of the reasons I chose this organization over the Utah based one. They are affiliated with the Delta Society so all that paperwork will have to be filled out too.

Bark in the Park

We went to Park City for the Bark in the Park 5K fun run and 1K walk to benefit Friends of Animals in Park City. My friend and her standard poodle pup did the 5K and we did the 1K.

They had the Course A' Lure there which Shika absolutely loves to do. They have a lure on a wire and run it through an obstacle course. She wasn't quite sure the first time I took her to run it last year. She kept looking back to make sure I was still there. Now she gets excited and barks at the starting line then takes off after it.

Rocky being deaf I hadn't let him do it before. The last time we were at an event I just let Shika run it. I had a couple friends there from my meet up group though and they staged themselves on the outside of the course in case he hopped the fence. He was so funny to watch. He's still getting into shape so ran slower than Shika but did a fantastic job. He had soooo much fun! I'm going to have to figure out where they are going to be next so I can take him.

They got some awesome photo's of Shika running it. I didn't take the time to see if they got good ones of Rocky. They post them on the web site so I'm sure I'll be buying some once they get them posted.

I need to get a business going like this it seems like loads of fun!
http://www.coursealure.com/

I forgot my camera so pictures will have to come later.

Almost forgot. Rocky had a little admirer at the event today. We had met him at the grand opening of the Friends of Animals facility. He ran up to us to tell us he had met us at the opening and isn't this Rocky and Shika. I can't remember a name 5 seconds after you tell me but this little guy remembered Rocky. The kid looked around 9 to 11 or so. So Rocky has a Utah fan club now :o) The boy hung out at the lure course petting Rocky between runs and kept re-appearing.

Silver Lake Hike

We took a couple friends up to our absolute favorite hike yesterday. We being Shika and myself. Rocky would have never made it. Shika's friend Chui also came with her human.

Although I love this hike the forest service has aparently decided in the past several years not to maintain the dirt road leading to the trail. This was probably the last time I will torture my car to get to this trail. In Millcreek Canyon you fight the nut jobs that let their dogs off leash that should never be let off leash (humans and dogs) and the mountain bikers. In American Fork you fight the ATV's that tear up the dirt roads and some of the trails. But for the most part American Fork trails are pretty quiet, not to mention phenomenal, and every one I have run into has been very pleasant.

Jennifer and Shauna are part of my meetup group and took this hike with us (and Shika's friend Chui.) I'll be getting more photos from one of them later to post but here's a few of mine. I have better ones of the view from hiking this trail repeatedly two summers ago.

Millcreek Canyon Dog Lake hike

Well we didn't quite make it to the lake but it was a great early morning hike. Rocky's taken to the herding nipping at dogs when they zoom by so I'm hoping a vibrating training collar will help.

This is Shika's "will you two hurry up!" look:



And this is Rocky's "What are you two chics trying to do kill me with all your crazy hiking!?" Post hike flop.



And a couple of our beautiful wilderness...

This was posted on the Garden State German Shepherd Rescue page and I thought it was worth sharing.



HER EYES MET MINE AS SHE WALKED DOWN THE
CORRIDOR PEERING APPREHENSIVELY
INTO THE KENNELS.
I FELT HER NEED INSTANTLY AND KNEW
I HAD TO HELP HER.
I WAGGED MY TAIL, NOT TOO EXUBERANTLY,
SO SHE WOULDN'T BE AFRAID.

AS SHE STOPPED AT MY KENNEL, I BLOCKED
HER VIEW FROM THE LITTLE ACCIDENT I HAD IN
THE BACK OF MY CAGE. I DIDN'T WANT HER TO
KNOW THAT I HADN'T BEEN WALKED TODAY.
SOMETIMES THE SHELTER KEEPERS
JUST GET TOO
BUSY AND I DIDN'T WANT HER
TO THINK POORLY OF THEM.

AS SHE READ MY KENNEL CARD, I HOPED THAT
SHE WOULDN'T FEEL SAD ABOUT MY PAST.
I ONLY HAVE THE FUTURE TO LOOK
FORWARD TO
AND I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN SOMEONE'S LIFE.

SHE GOT DOWN ON HER KNEES AND MADE
LITTLE KISSY SOUNDS AT ME. I SHOVED MY
SHOULDER AND SIDE OF MY HEAD UP AGAINST
THE BARS TO COMFORT HER. GENTLE
FINGERTIPS CARESSED MY NECK; SHE WAS
DESPERATE FOR COMPANIONSHIP.

A TEAR FELL DOWN HER CHEEK AND I RAISED
MY PAW TO ASSURE HER ALL WOULD BE WELL.
SOON MY KENNEL DOOR OPENED AND HER
SMILE WAS SO BRIGHT THAT I INSTANTLY JUMPED
INTO HER ARMS.

I WOULD PROMISE TO KEEP HER SAFE.
I WOULD PROMISE TO ALWAYS BE BY HER SIDE.
I WOULD PROMISE TO DO EVERYTHING
I COULD TO SEE THAT RADIANT SMILE AND
SPARKLE IN HER EYES.

I WAS SO FORTUNATE
THAT SHE HAD COME DOWN MY CORRIDOR.
SO MANY MORE NEED TO BE SAVED.
BUT AT LEAST I COULD SAVE ONE.

LIFE IS GOOD BECAUSE TODAY I RESCUED A HUMAN!