Category: The Ravine

Little Sand creek area of West Michigan – where 99% of my adventures take place,

The Road Less Sniffed

Well friends, I did it. I went out on a limb and sniffed out a new adventure. I wasn’t sure at first. I double-backed a few times. The road less traveled can be uncertain. I’m used to going down my own path. I know all the twists and turns, where the roots are that have tripped me up. I know where the creek runs deep and where the current likes to tug at my paws. I’ve been taught to be careful, to stay on my side of the fence (unless no one’s watching, of course). So, the idea of stepping into the great unknown? A little scary… but also wildly exciting.

I felt like something was calling me—a bark in my heart that beckoned me to explore the unknown. So I started out slow. I kept looking over my shoulder to make sure the familiar wasn’t too far behind. In my head, I heard the voice of my hooman, cheering me on with that magical phrase she uses when I’m searching for my ball:
“Keep going!”

So I did.

Soon, I found myself alone in a whole new world. The creek began to change and looked drastically different. My belly was jumping like I’d swallowed a bowl of grasshoppers. What if I got lost? What if there were squirrels bigger than me? But curiosity tugged harder than fear. What if I discovered something brand new?

That’s when a flash of red zipped across my path—a scarlet tanager! I didn’t even know those birds lived around here. Its bright feathers were like a spark in the trees. Inspired, I forged ahead, tail high, paws steady.

Eventually, the forest opened up, and right before my eyes—was a luscious green meadow buzzing with dragonflies. My nose twitched, my tail wagged, and just as I ready to pounce on one of those ancient warriors… my ears perked. A sound. Could it be…?

Water.

I can never resist water.

I followed the squishy, muddy trail—my paws sinking deeper with each step—and that’s when I found it: a freshwater spring! Trickling down a slope of roots and rocks, cool and clear as a morning breeze. It was the best water I’ve ever tasted. No bowl could compare.

As I stood over the spring, my muzzle full of mud and belly full of refreshing water, I realized: if I hadn’t taken that first uncertain step… if I’d stayed in my comfort zone… I never would’ve found this delicious treasure.

Trying something new can be scary—but not trying? That’s even riskier. Because you’ll never know what’s out there unless you go sniff it out for yourself.

So friends, as we close out July and trot into August, let’s take the road less traveled. Try a new trail. Chase a new scent. Step beyond your fence line (only if no one’s watching, of course). You might discover something wonderful. You might even discover something in yourself.

And if you get a little lost? That’s okay. You can always find your way home.

I look forward to hearing about your new adventures. Stay cool, and I’ll bark at you soon.

Your friend,

Keeping Perspective

Hello friends!

Well, when the clock sprang forward into daylight saving time, my hoomans took the leap into springtime projects! They didn’t waste any time and got straight to it with family get-togethers, sporting events, and celebrations. The months of April and May whirled by in a cloud of pollen, baseball, and caps & gowns. This left a lot of time for me to get out exploring! I hosted celebrations of my own as the woods came back to life with frogs, ferns, and fawns!

As I sat creekside preparing to share my springtime adventures, it dawned on me that Spring is already over and we are full-on into Summer! I guess I must have lost the tracks of my time! I know I spent quite a bit of it inspecting wildflowers. Wildflower discovery is one of my ALL TIME favorite adventures. This Spring, the Trillium grew to be as big as my HEAD, and the violas were bursting with all kinds of colors. Heck even the Jack-in-the-pulpits were super-sized this year. Or where they….?

As I inspected these colorful newcomers to my woods, I checked them out from every angle. As I did, I learned sometimes you see what you expect to see. Sometimes, things look different up close, and sometimes, things can appear completely opposite. Even the Maidenhair ferns cast illusions. Are the stems black or invisible? I can almost trick my eyes into seeing the leaves floating on no stems at all. Are they magical? 

Of course ferns are not magical silly! And the trillium is not really the size of my head needer. Just because things are shown in a certain light, it doesn’t make it a reality. There are so many different ways to look at things. Oftentimes, we see things just a bit differently from each other. Sometimes things are cropped out so we don’t see the whole picture – and never really know what’s going on. Sure, we all like to angle things in our favor, but nobody has it exactly right all the time. 

So, friends, as we move into the season of summertime socializing, let’s remember to keep things in perspective. Be open to looking at things from each other’s point of view. If you do, you may be surprised how much better you understand your friends and how much bigger the world will become to explore! 

 I’ll bark at you next month.

Your friend,

If you’re interested in keeping up with me during the week – follow me on Facebook and Instagram! 🐾

Spring Breaks

Hello friends! 

It has been furever since my last adventure! My hooman had a setback a few months ago and needed some recovery time. So, my canine adventures were put on paws for a little while. When my hooman doesn’t feel well, it is my duty to sit by her side and supervise the healing process. My canine cure is to watch my hooman VERY closely and never let her out of my sight. So, to speed up the process, I sat ON her until she was well enough to go exploring. 

It wasn’t easy giving up my adventures and sticking by her side. I was tempted more than once to venture out without her, but I patiently waited (and waited and waited). Although it took longer than she originally promised, the day finally came when she got back on her feet, and I had the chance to get out exploring. I couldn’t wait to see what changes old man winter had made in my neck of the woods.  

As I trotted down my tree line trail for the first time in 3 months, my heart thumped with anticipation of what I would discover. I had forgotten how great it felt to have the cool mud squish between my toes and sniff the fresh smells of the pine and hemlock trees. Even though I’ve walked the path a thousand times before, the first hike of the season always fills me with wonder and excitement. Once I reached the bottom of the hill, the creek gurgled a familiar “hello” as the old oak trees seemed bowed down, welcoming me into the shadowy woods. I let out a breath that I didn’t realize I was holding. “Hello, creek”, I whispered. “It is good to see you again”. 

Isn’t it amazing how returning to a familiar place can bring you back to vivid memories with all the feelings to match? Every step I took echoed a memory of past adventures. Like the time when my nephew Disco saw the creek for the first time and the joy I felt that he liked my creek as much as I do. Or the day I discovered a red-tailed hawk’s feather, and the awe of knowing that such a cool bird lives in the same woods I get to explore. So many thoughts and emotions filled my heart. I really missed this place, and I could not believe I went so long without it. 

I wondered past my thinking log, where so many times I have contemplated many of life’s challenges. I trotted past the dog brushing station (still littered with my old dog hair), and warm thoughts of my hooman caring for me filled my heart. I ducked under the frog tree, now sloping into the water and groping at the river bank. The familiarity of knowing I will discover a tree frog clinging to it on summer days gives me hope for warmer days to come. I thought of my hoomans. The ones that are with me and those that have gone on to other adventures – and I thanked the woods for letting me enjoy all the time we had together there. As my mind continued to wander down memory lane, the sun began to set. I knew even daylight saving time couldn’t rescue me from the fact that my hiking time was up. So I bid good night to my woodland friends and turned my tail toward home, my heart full of hope for future memories I get to make.  

So friends, as spring breaks and we all get moving again – be sure to mark your adventures with memories. Take pictures in your mind. Then take some time to wander down your own memory lane and be grateful for all your adventures past.

Thank you for joining me on my Hiking Jack Canine Adventures. Please invite a friend to subscribe, and I will bark at you soon!

Your friend, 

P.S. Check me out on the social scene. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and see what I am up to throughout the week! If you missed any of my past adventures – you can find them on my homepage. Thanks for visiting!

L♥️ve Language

February is our month friends! ♥️

Canines are known for our powers of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, and I have learned that some super smart hoomans (called scientists) have been studying this for years! For example, did you know that just by petting my canine coat, I help my hoomans relax? Yup, I come fully equipped with calming powers. Apparently, another study showed that simply spending time with a dog like me can lower hooman blood pressure, slow their heart rate, and even improve heart health. I know. I’m impressive.♥️

Now I am not a scientist, but I too have tested all kinds of ways to show my hooman love. Since this is the “love month”, I thought I would share some of my favorite love languages. I use these daily to let my hooman know she is a very important person in my life. ♥️

I guess those scientists found that canine heartbeats can synchronize with our owners’, and create a “calming connection”. I am not sure if my heart beats the same as my hooman, but I do try my hardest to help her out by lying completely across her body. Kinda like a 60-pound weighted blanket. I think that by pressing close to her, I am helping her know she is safe with me (and not going anywhere). I like to think of this as my Physical Touch Love Language, also known as Full-Body Commitment. ♥️

Another easy way to show my love is to stare deeeeep into my hooman’s eyes. I guess those smarty science peeps did some research and discovered that a nice long canine-2-hooman stare releases oxytocin, which is the “love hormone” that reduces stress. So I try to stare at my hooman when she is in the kitchen so she is nice and relaxed while cooking up those tasty treats. This is my Quality Time Love Language, especially effective when food may be involved. ♥️

This last strategy can be a risky one. If you try this one, do your homework. I have found bringing my hooman a slipper usually gets her to smile. A couple of times, I brought her what she loudly told me was her “work shoe”, and she did not smile at all. So – proceed with caution! This is my Gift Giving Love Language, and like all gifts, presentation matters. ♥️

So friends, there you have it. A few simple ways I show my love. Most canines do this naturally, but if you are new to expressing affection, just start slow with a tail tap and work your way up to becoming a full-size weighted blanket. Seriously, though, it doesn’t matter HOW you show your love, only that you DO. February is a great reminder, but love is an everyday adventure. Now get out there and let those you love know how important they are to you! ♥️

Bark at you next month!

Your friend,

P.S. Check me out on the social scene. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and see what I am up to throughout the week! And if you missed any of my past adventures – you can find them on my homepage. Love ya!♥️

Lead Dog

Hello friends!

The calendar flipped a page to December and overnight winter arrived true to form. Old man winter blew into town and filled my woods with ice and snow. My world was repainted WHITE and I could not wait to go exploring!

Since I am a pretty social canine, I prefer exploring with my hooman. So as soon as she peeked an eye awake – I began my tap dance around her bed in effort to hussle her out the door. She was not as excited as I was to go out in the cold. As she pulled on extra layers and covered her paws, I kept up my enthusiasm. I added in some whining, wiggles and jumps in hopes to hurry her along. Once we finally got outside I bounced and burrowed through the fluff. I only had a few good zoomies around the yard before my hooman turned back toward the house. What the heck…this was not an all day winter adventure I had planned!

My hooman headed back indoors and peeled off all her layers. She then got herself a drink and settled in with her google machine. She was going to WORK! I knew that if that was the case…I had some work of my own to do. I positioned myself in front of her and began the DEATH STARE. I sent her telepathic messages with my eyes – “outside outside outside”. Only she didn’t budge.

After a while, I musta dozed off because the next thing I knew it was dark outside. It seems to be dark almost all the time now. This is a REAL problem for me since I like to do my exploring in the daylight. The next day brought more of the same. My hooman at the computer and me on the couch willing her to finish work and play outside with me. When the weather man announced the snow would be melting soon – I began to panic. The only way I’m going to enjoy the snow is if I take myself out. Time for me to take the lead! 

So, I shook off my anxiety and took matters into my own paws. Out I wandered alone into the forest. I was unsure at first. The snow covered trees cast new shadows and there was an eerie silence throughout the woods. As I turned down the path I scared up three whitetail deer (and they scared me too)! I watched their white tails bounce down the ravine and realized I was not the only explorer out today. There was a whole world of adventure awaiting me!  

I carefully hiked down the icy trail and began exploring. I wandered over to the creek and witnessed the current pushing its way through the ice. I stopped by my favorite thinking log and met a new family that moved in for the winter. And I poked my head in on some old friends, just to say hello.

By the time I returned to my yard it was getting dark again and rain was beginning to sprinkle. My hooman greeted me at the door and dried my paws. As I curled up on the couch and began to doze, I could hear my hooman tapping away on her google machine along with the rain tapping against the windows. 

So friends, as we turn the page to the last month of the year – it is time to take the lead. If there is something you want to accomplish before the year ends, the time is now!  Be brave, take the initiative and make it happen for yourself. Do not wait on others to do it for you, rather bring them along on your adventure – the more the merrier!

Bark at you in the New Year!

Your friend, 

P.S. Check me out on the social scene. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and see what I am up to throughout the week! And if you missed any of my past adventures – you can find them on my homepage. Thanks for visiting!

Coming Clean

Well friends we’ve made it to November! 

Fall festivities are winding down and we have some time to paws and reflect before turkey season is upon us. Since we have a minute to recover from pumpkin spice and tricks or treats – I’ve decided now is as good a time as any to fess up. Yes my friends, it is time for me to admit that I have been keeping secrets! I know – I know, friends should not keep things from each other, but I like my Canine Adventures to be full of danger and intrigue – nothing sad. Alas, it is time to come clean.

Truth is…I have not been feeling very well. It is nothing overly serious. Over the past month or so I have had to take a few trips to the dog doc. She checked me out and is not 100% sure what the problem is, but has me trying out various types of antibiotics. My hoomans became nervous about it and got out their google machines to try and diagnose me. That led to more supplements and vitamins. I do not think I am any better and I know I am not any worse. 

The upside to having to take all these medications is that my hoomans try to hide the pills in my treats. The even-better-than-that-side is that they are really good at it! So, I guess you could say – I have been getting a lot of extra goodies lately! Isn’t it interesting how that little change in perspective is already helping me to feel better? 

Since my normal hiking routine has been interrupted due to my health issues, my everyday busyness slowed waaay down. I had some extra time for “self-reflection”. I realized being happy or sad is a choice. I discovered that I have all the power over any situation to be cheerful, excited, angry, or offended. I can be joyful, bored or downright MAD! It is all up to me. It is a choice. I could lay around and whine about my situation – or I could look forward to those delicious pill pocket treats that smell like chicken and taste like BACON! 

The other thing up to me is if I share these feelings with my hoomans. We don’t always know what is going on with each other. My Gram used to say “lift the roof of any house and you would be surprised what you find inside”. I always wondered what she meant by that…now I think I FINALLY figured it out. I think she was saying that from the outside, a home might appear peaceful, orderly, or ideal. But beneath the surface, each family has its own unique struggles, routines, and untold stories. That is why it is so important to always be patient and kind. We never really know what is going on the inside of someone’s doghouse. 

So friends, as we move into the month of gratitude take a moment to come clean and share with others when things are bothering you. A lot will be going on this month. The weather is gonna get chilly, family will be gathering or traveling. It might get a little hectic. The good news is, when you are feeling some type of way – you have alllll the power over how you respond. And when in doubt, remember in a world where we can be anything…it is most important to bee kind. 

National Kindness Day is November 13, 2024

Bark at you in December! 

Your friend, 

Get Packing!

Hello friends!

Fall is in full bloom in my woods! The salmon will begin swimming upstream soon and the leaves are starting to turn all kinds of beautiful colors. Fall is the most exicitng of all seasons in my Great Lakes State! The only issue I have with this season is that you have to pay careful attention. This one zips by the fastest of all, and once those gorgeous leaves fall…they are gone for good until next spring. And we all know that Old Man Winter is lurking in night air, just waiting to swoop in and blow his snow-filled icy blasts in our direction. Brrrr…I shiver at the thought!

January 2024

Because this season moves so quickly, it is EXTRA important to surround yourself with those you love. Those who will celebrate the good times but also help you brace for whatever comes next. My pack does that for me. Last month we gathered together A LOT. Almost every week we were doing something. Sometimes we were celebrating and sometimes we were sad, but the best times were when we got together for no special reason at all.

My Pack: Disco, Abby, Wags and Me!

My pack has the best time just being together. We do the things that are familiar to us – like zoomies around the yard, a game of chase, or just cuddlin on the couch. Sometimes when our bellies are full, we lay around listening to our hoomans chatter and laugh. That’s the thing about being part of a pack. We can have fun doing nothing special. It is our instinct to want to band together. We know we can always count on each other. We lean in and protect each other from danger. We know our pack only gets stronger and better when we are together.

Me and my nephew Disco

Since we all live in different places, it can be tough to see each other – so we really have to make an effort. This month, my pack will split up and be far away from each other for awhile. Some will head South, others out West and my little nephew Disco lives a couple hours East of me. In the upcoming months, we may not see each other much, but when we do – I know it will be just like old times. I miss them when we are a part, but I know one day we will be together again. Just the idea of being reunited fills my heart with hope and joy.

So friends, it is time to get packing! Reach out to those you love and make an effort to spend time with each other – for no special reason at all. The leaves will be gone soon and winter will be barking at the door. So while the sun is still shining…spend time with those that love you the most. After all, we are all stronger and better together.

Bark at you in November!

Your friend,

P.S. In case you missed my September Canine Adventure check out Current Events. You can always subscribe to get my stories emailed everymonth too – that way you won’t miss a trick. 😉

Current Events

Hello friends!

Well it is happening…the first colorful leaves are beginning to fall and I could hardly believe my ears when I heard the first rumbles of the big yellow bus rolling down my road. I guess it is time to accept that summer 2024 is in the books. 

Since we are headed into a new month, I decided to change things up from my usual adventures and headed to the big river to visit my cousin Abby. It has been awhile since I’ve hightailed it over in Abby’s direction. As we made our way down the backroad, my dog hair whirled through the vehicle – mimicking the flutter of my tummy in anticipation. 

Once I got there and sniffed hello – Abby took me straight down her path to the river. I splashed in without a moment’s hesitation – my first mistake! Turns out Abby’s river is WAY different from my creek. It is deeper, wider and has a strong current. Since I jumped in with all four paws – I could not touch my toes on the bottom. I had to swim with all my might to battle the current and make my way to land. 

Abby, who is much taller and more experienced in fighting the current, didn’t realize how a smaller dogo like myself might struggle. I made it back up the river bank, and other than some water up my nose – I felt pretty good. It wasn’t long after I made it safely to shore when my other cousin, Wags splashed in. I tried to warn her about the current, only I was too late. She jumped right in without warning.

Sometimes that happens. We dive feet first into something without sniffing out whole situation. We can become distracted by our enthusiasm and take a leap without considering all that comes with the decisions we make. It all worked out for Wags and me. We both battled the current and made it out of the river. In fact, our timing could not have been better since the hoomans were just sitting down to eat! (Shout out to Uncle Chris for the scraps – thanks man!)

So friends, as we go into a fresh season that brings new opportunities, be sure not to get pulled under by all the current events. Take some time to inspect the situation before you commit yourself to taking a deep dive. It can be easy to get caught up in all the things our friends are doing and naturally want to do them too. We just need to make sure we have the time and talent to pull them off successfully. 

I hope you have a fantastic September. Take some time to enjoy the season and don’t let the current of the busy events pull you under.  I’ll bark atcha next month!

Your friend, 

Sit. Wait.

Hello friends!

Well August arrived right on time. It started out hot and steamy and is slowly cooling down as we prepare for fall. Funny how the weather affects the hoomans. They seem to be scurrying around – almost panicking as they work to squeeze the last few drops out of the summer. They do this in August. I have come to accept it. So while my hoomans race to pack my dog towels for our “last hoorah” – I decided to take myself for a little walk.

I took my usual route, trotting down my tree lined trail and into the ravine for a quick dip in the creek. Before I take any roadtrip (especially in the summertime), I like to sneak in a swim so my coat is nice and wet for the car ride. After I rolled around in the muddy water, I curled up in the ferns to rest for the upcoming weekend with my fun-determined hoomans.

Just as I settled in for a snooze, wouldn’t you know, a hawk began to screech. Now friends, I’m not sure if you are familiar with hawks but they are NOT quiet lovely song birds. They can be LOUD and annoying, and this particular hawk had a very irritating squawk. Since a snooze was now out of the question, I surrendered my nap and set out to investigate what the fuss was all about.

It was then, as I made my way toward the creek, when I saw her…the Great Blue Heron! She was at least three feet tall and majestic! I watched as she elegantly fished along the creek bank. She must have sensed me staring because in one loud WOOSH she jumped into the air and glided away – flying over my head and into the sky.

I could not believe my eyes! Her huge wings cast a shadow over me as she flew higher and higher – then disappeared into the trees. I sat for a long while after she left. A bit taken aback by what my eyes had witnessed. I replayed the scene over and over in my mind. Then I waited patiently for her to return. 

As I sat there waiting, I got to thinking…”sit” and “wait” can be two of THE HARDEST canine commands. Yet, more often than not, once mastered – they can be the most rewarding. I waited quite awhile for Big Blue to return. She never did. But now that I know she is out there –  just the possibilities of seeing her again make my hiking adventures even more exciting. 

So friends, as we scurry around this month, trying to soak up the last rays of the summer sun – let’s try to practice the art of patience. I know it’s hard to do, but give it a try. Take an extra moment to just “sit” and “wait” and you may just be surprised at what rewards are in store. 

I’ll bark back at you in September. Until then, I will see you on the social scene. Check me out on Facebook and Instagram!

Your friend, 

Disco Summer

Hello friends!

I am sooooo excited that June has arrived that I can hardly keep my tail still – and when my tail wags my whole body gets in the groove. My hoomans kicked off the summer season with a weekend of cookouts and yard games. My whole family was in town for the celebration. They even brought the newest member of our pack – my little nephew Disco! 

Introducing – Disco!

If you were to look at Disco and me – you would think we are complete opposites. Disco is tall and lean. He has a sleek wiry body and is super chill. As you know, I am stout, overly muscular and need to keep busy (so I don’t get myself into trouble). But as it turns out – we are more the same than we are different. Disco was rescued from a shelter just like me – and we both like to chase, fetch and eat hot dogs! We are best pals.

Disco and Jack Jack on hike in Little Sand Creek

 I was a bit nervous about my nephew coming to visit. He is a city dog and I was not quite sure what he would think about being out in the country. Disco does all his “free running” in a dog park. I don’t mind the dog park but think it would be better if it wasn’t fenced in. Anyhoo, I was overjoyed when my pal Disco joined me off-the-leash for a woodland hike. As he followed me down the tree lined trail, I started thinking…it sure is nice having a freind along. 

With Disco by my side, everything that used to seem ordinary took on a whole new shine. I showed Disco all my favorite spots, like the secret beach where wildflowers grow, my special thinking log where I plan out my canine adventures, and I even showed him how to cool off his belly in the creek. Disco seemed to love the woods just as much as I do and that made my tail wag even faster! 

Disco exploring wild Columbine (pink wildflowers)

Once Disco got used to getting his paws wet – he surprised me and started playing fetch in the creek with a rock! I wasn’t too sure about this game. It takes a lot of concentration and courage to dunk your head into the water. Once I summoned enough nerve to give it a try – I found out it was pretty fun! I would have never thought of that game if Disco hadn’t shown me. Turns out even the world’s best canine explorer can discover something new with a friend to show me the way.

So friends as we begin to embrace a new season of summer time and all that comes with it – I encourage you to bring a friend along on your next adventure. The ordinary can become extraordinary when shared with a friend. Who knows what you may discover. You may even learn a new trick or two! 

I’ll bark at you again soon – your friend, 

P.S. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram! Throughout the summer I will be posting my favorite wildflowers along with other random #dogthoughts.