Category: The Ravine

My Top 5 Picks

Welcome to the dog days of summer! This month is a great time to get out exploring. Wildflowers are big and bold this time of year. Just like fireworks in the night sky – my woods are exploding with July colors.

Many of the flowers I shared in the JUNE Wildflowers post are still blooming – but here are five more of my top picks to add to your wildflower seeking adventures. I hope the dog nose sizing scale helps you put into perspective what to look for – wildflowers are all shapes and sizes. 

Wildflower Size Scale:

Flower size

• Small dog nose (like a dime or smaller)
• Medium dog (like my nose the size of a quarter)
• Large dog (larger than a quarter)

Plant height

• At the paw (ground level 1-2 inches)
• My dewclaw (3-4 inches off ground)
• My dogleg (6 inches or more)

#1 Michigan Lily (orange)

Height: higher than my dogleg

Flower size: bigger than a large dog nose

This is the biggest wildflower I have EVER found – almost as big as my ear! It is bright orange with dark brown spots and is native to my Michigan woods. Its big blooms bow down and if you touch them – they will reward you with their orangey pollen all over your coat. They must be tasty too since my deer friends love them, but I don’t recommend eating them (remember wildflowers are not food). 

#2 Indian Pipe or Ghost Plant (white)

Height: my dewclaw

Flowersize: small dog nose (or smaller)

As you can see, these wildflowers resemble a pipe sticking out of the ground, but when the sun shines on them they appear to glow and are transparent – like a ghost! This plant does not require sunlight to produce food – so it can grow in dark places like the forest floor. They are also often mistaken for a fungus because it does not have any green leaves.

#3 Self-heal (purple)

Height: my dewclaw

Flower size: medium dog nose

The plant is about 6 inches tall and grows on the side of my hill and the best part…you can eat them! Hoomans put the stems and young leaves in salads but I don’t eat salads so I am not sure how they taste. I don’t think hoomans should eat them though unless they research them. Don’t take my word for it. I am just a dog. 

#3 Philadelphia Fleabane (pink and white)

Height: dogleg or taller

Flower size: medium dog nose

Don’t worry – you will not get fleas from this flower! It’s as innocent as a daisy and looks like one too. The petals are thin like little threads and are very light pink or white. The flower closes at night – so they always look like they are budding in the early morning. In my woods they grow close to the water in the sandy gravelly soil.   

#4 Nightshade  (purple)

Height: my dogleg or higher – climbing vine

Flower size: medium dog nose

This is one of my favorites – also called bittersweet. The purple flowers turn into red berries by mid-summer. It climbs like a vine on sapling trees and twigs at the waters edge. In the fall the flowers turn into bright red berries. Never eat berries unless you know if they are safe. I do not suggest eating these berries – their name “bittersweet” suggests they would taste aweful! 

#5 Monkeyflower (purple)

Height: my dogleg (or taller)

Flower: large dog nose

These are funny flowers and remind me of snapdragons in my hooman’s garden. If you squeeze the blooms together – they are supposed to look like a smiling monkey. I dunno tho – just looks like a pretty flower to me! I found these growing TALL along the waters edge.

Well, there you have it friends, five more flowers to hunt for this month. I hope you enjoy this July special edition of my Canine Adventures. Leave me a comment or send me a pic of what you are discovering on your own outdoor adventures. Now get out there and smell the flowers!

Bark at you next week – your friend, 

P.S. Don’t forget like and follow me on Facebook!

I never really cared for the command “leave it”. It never fails. It seems whenever I catch a whiff of a deer sneaking around my woods, and I take off to investigate…I hear my hooman off in the distance shouting “LEAVE IT”. Even if I am hot on that whitetail trail, I do my best to be a good boy, and return to my hooman’s side. My hooman is usually overjoyed when I leave my woodland friends alone. She claps and smiles and rubs my ears. Often repeating how good I am! So, “leaving it” does pay-off.

Sometimes tho, I don’t want to leave it. Sometimes I pretend NOT to hear my hooman. Like when I find a fresh salmon skin on the side of the creek. My racoon bandits are often generous and leave me some of their tasty leftovers. My hooman does not like it when I eat these delicious snacks and usually loudly repeats the command “leave it – leave it – leave it” as she trys to pry my teeth open while I am desperately trying to swallow my fishy treats. 

The times when I don’t “leave it” – my situation usually ends badly. I have chased deer in the wrong direction and gotten lost. I have eaten old fish that didn’t agree with me and gotten sick. I have even chased woodland friends up trees and barked and barked so they would come down – only to be ignored.

Leaving it is hard to do. Sometimes leaving “it” can be a feeling. Once I was too close to the road and a truck blew his horn at me. Scared me so bad I just started running! My hooman had to call me back so I could find my way home. I still think about that truck and when I do – I can feel that scared feeling creep back like it is happening all over again. I know I should “leave it” and stop thinking about it – but sometimes I just can’t. Upset feelings and problems are much harder to leave than tasty treats or woodland friends. Sometimes they haunt me in my sleep and I twitch in my dreams.

To get my mind off it, I usually bark out to my buddy Nixin and meet him at the no-dog-dog-park (the NDDP). This is the park that is supposed to be for dogs but no dogs are ever there when I go – thus the NDDP. Nix knows what I mean, and how important it is to just run free for awhile. It’s important to have a friend to help you “leave it” when times get tough. 

So friends, if you find yourself twitching in your dreams or chasing something in the wrong direction – take my advice and “leave it”. Stop all that you are doing and return yourself to those who love you most or spend some time with a good friend. Leave your troubles at the gate – even if only a moment.  

Bark with you next week – your friend,

Reminder to check me out on Facebook and Instagram!

Woof is me! Just yesterday I was running through the yard, sniffing all the great smells and rolling in the grass. Today my head hurts, I am tired, and all I wish is to be left alone. I almost took my hooman’s head off earlier when she wanted me to play fetch. When I am not feeling well, none of my favorite things are enjoyable. Hunting for wildflowers, laying on the deck, not even sneaking up on the squirrels at the bird feeder can bring me back my joy. Illness has a way of robbing me of my happiness. Good thing it’s just allergies!

I have heard so many of canines who have had back luck when it comes to their body just not working right – things waaaay worse than sinus pressure. Stories like the ones of Great Grampa Kirby and his bad balance. I guess he would fall quite a bit toward the end of his time here. The hoomans would have to pick him up because he was so weak. And my cousin Riley, one day he was fine, the next his ability to run was gone! The thrill of racing along-side his hooman’s quad ATV – now just a memory. Even one of my closest buddies is suffering. He went out for a walk, got bit by a bug, and the next thing he knew – he had something called Lyme Disease. Now he has to choke down peanut butter covered pills twice a day! 

You just never know when illness will strike or who may be suffering. That is why it is so VERY important we show compassion to those around us. We can never be sure what others may be going through.

I am so glad my hooman recognized I was not feeling well. Instead of playing fetch, we just laid the grass together. (I think my clue of flopping down and rolling on my back helped). I didn’t mean to snap at her. It was just at that moment, I didn’t want to be ordered around. I was too tired to try to explain myself.

So friends, if you happen to run into a buddy that’s a bit snarley or just not their playful selves, show them some kindness. They may have something really bothering them and just don’t want to bark about it. It is ok for us to not know all the details of each other’s lives. Just be patient and try to understand.

In the end it all boils down to that age old command we all know so well…BE NICE. I’m headed back to the couch.

I’ll bark with ya next week. 

Your friend,

My Top 10 June Wildflower Picks

June is a time for serious discovery in my woods. I gotta pay close attention when looking for wildflowers in June because sometimes the flowers are hiding UNDER the leaves! Wildflowers are all shapes, colors and sizes. Many wildflowers in my woods are tricksters. They have multiple names as well as imposters that look like one thing but really are another. Pay close attention as you are out and about in June. Look over and under plants and you may be in for a surprise! 

Here are my Top 10 wildflower picks for June. Along with my sizing scale (as I see it) – so you know what to look for as you go out on wildflower seeking adventures of your own. 

• WILDFLOWER SIZE SCALE:
  • Small dog nose (size of a dime)
  • Medium dog nose (like mine – the size of a quarter)
  • Large dog nose (larger than a quarter)

• PLANT HEIGHT:
  • At the Paw (ground or up to 2 inches off the ground)
  • My dewclaw (3-4 inches off ground)
  • My dogleg (6 inches or more)

#1 Wild Lily of the Valley (white)

Height: paw

Flowersize: small dog nose (or smaller)

These are native to Canada so sometimes called “Canadian Lily of the Valley” or “False Lily of the Valley”. They look like tiny stars on top of two leaves. They grow very close to the ground so watch where you’re exploring or you will squash them!

#2 Sasparilla (white)

Height: my dogleg or taller

Flower size: large dog nose

This is one of those sneaky plants – the flowers are hiding under the leaves. They look like white round puff balls. Sasparilla is a tall plant, some would argue it’s a shrub – but is actually categorized as an herb. It has been used to treat sores and burns among other things. It is sweet and has been brewed in root beer! I don’t advise anyone eating plants unless they research them themselves – so please don’t take my word for it. It’s safest to look – don’t taste!

#3 Fringed Polygala (pink)

Height: paw 

Flower size: medium dog nose

This is a pretty cool looking little flower also called “Gaywings”. It comes from the milkwort family and looks like a pink airplane. Fringed Polygala lays close to the ground and their bright pink color makes them easy to spot.

#4 Woodland Phlox (purple/blue)

Height: my dogleg

Flower size: large dog nose

These flowers light up the woods. They are a blueish purple color (I think) and can grow taller than me! They are sometimes also called “Wild Sweet William”. They grow all over my forest. I know summer has arrived when the Woodland Phlox comes out to play! 

#5 False Solomon Seal (white)

Height: my dogleg

Flower size: small dog nose

These are some of the imposters I was telling you about! The leaves look like Solomon Seal and the flowers look like Wild Lily of the Valley. That’s probably why they are also called “Starry False Solomon Seal” or “Starry False Lily of the Valley”. I forgive them for trying to trick me though cuz their starry flowers turn into red berries in the fall – and that’s pretty cool.

#6 Solomon Seal (white)

Height: my full dogleg (or taller)

Flower size: small dog nose

The real deal not to be confused with the imposters! Solomon Seal flowers dangle under the leaves – so you gotta be looking for them. They are also called “Ladder-to-Heaven”. Probably because the flowers are staggered like little steps. They can be hard to see, so I am standing behind this one to help you out. See the dangly buds? They will bloom into little white flowers. Cool dontcha think? 

#7 White Baneberry

Height: my dogleg

Flower size: medium dog nose (clumped like a lilac)

DANGER! These are super cool plants but are very poisonous. The stems turn bright pink and the flowers turn into white berries. White baneberry is also called “Dolls Eyes”. I guess cuz they kinda look like dolls eyes? I dunno but they are cool to look at – just don’t eat them. I am not sure if it is true but I heard if a hooman eats these berries – it can cause their heart to stop! Who knows what it could do to canines… 

#8 Ox-eye Daisy (white)

Height: my dogleg (or taller)

Flower: large dog nose

Ox-eye daisies are tall and look just like a daisy you would see in a garden – only these daisies have thin stems and grasslike leaves. They are also called “Dog Daisies” which makes no sense to me, but I often find them in open fields where they can be in full sun. They originated in England where they are referred to as weed since they are known to spread. If you don’t see them in June – don’t worry. They usually bloom all summer long!

#9 American Speedwell (blue/purple)

Height: my dogleg

Flowersize: tiny – a very small dog nose

This type of speedwell has tiny flowers with four bluish-purple petals. They are also called the American Brooklime because it grows along shallow streams. I found this one growing right next to the creek in wet sandy soil.

#10 Dame’s Rocket (purple/white)

Height: my dogleg or taller

Flower size: medium dog nose (grows in a bunch)

These brightly colored flowers will not last long so go find them while they are out! They have many names like Gilliflower or Summer Lilac. They say their scent becomes more potent in the evening and is also called “Mother of the Evening”. I found these in a sandy open area of the woods. As you can see they are very tall!

So friends, those are my top 10 picks for June. I hope you enjoyed this special edition of my Canine Adventures. Leave me a comment or send me a pic of what you are discovering on your own outdoor adventures and get out there and smell the flowers!

Bark at you next week – your friend, 

It’s graduation season friends! I have quite a few loved ones that are officially “educated” and ready to start the next phase of their lives. It wasn’t so long ago when I graduated from the animal shelter. I’ll never forget the moment I met my hoomans, and my canine adventures began. 

I was so excited! As my family finalized my adoption – I bounced around my kennel, tackling and rolling around with my litter sisters. I could not contain my energy! But once I simmered down – I realized I was also slightly nervous. Being adopted meant I would have to say goodbye to my shelter friends. All of a sudden the idea of leaving my familiar kennel became scary. 

Graduation season can be hard on everyone. That is why it is so important to be brave. Grads headed down a new path, litter brother and sisters that are staying home, parents letting a pupper leave the safety of the pack – it all takes courage. I had to be brave when I left the kennel, and I am so glad I did – because I gained a family!

I can hardly believe that was almost five years ago! I am no longer that hyper little pupper (although I still have a wild side). I realized pretty quickly that just because I graduated, I did not stop learning. I still learn something new everyday, like don’t eat bees (long story for another time), hooman socks are not to be confused with stuffy toys, and never eat a whole suet cake (bird food is for birds).

I also know that it is important to venture off the beaten path, but just as important to stay on track. My hoomans give me a lot of leash to explore but it’s nice to stay tethered so I don’t get into danger. But most important – no matter how old I get or how far I wander – I will always have my family. I know that wherever we are in the world – being together is the place we all call home. 

So friends, as you head into graduation season, remember it is ok to feel all kinds of mixed up feelings – scared, nervous, and even a little sad. New adventures are supposed to fill you with suspense – so be brave and remember all the lessons you have learned so far. Don’t wander away too far or you will get lost. Check in with your pack from time to time (or they will come looking for you). And most important – know that no matter where your adventure takes you – you can always come home.  

Congratulations grads!

Bark at you next week – your friend,

My Top 10 May Wildflower Picks

April showers brought May flowers to my  woods! I love this time of year when the flowers and leaves begin to bloom and grow in my woods. In Michigan, Spring can happen very fast. One minute the woods are bare, the next it is filled with leaves, ferns, flowers and so much more! I created this Special May Wildflower Edition, to share with you what is blooming in my West Michigan woods. I kept this list to my top 10 favorites – I hope it inspires you to get out and enjoy the springtime! 

Wildflowers are all shapes, colors and sizes. They can be teeny-weeny like an ant or large and fragrant like you would find in a hooman’s garden. I created a sizing scale (as I see it) so you know what to look for as you go out on a wildflower seeking adventures of your own. The flowers are sorted into sections by color (my hooman helped with that part) to help you figure out what you’re seeing.  

• WILDFLOWER SIZE SCALE:
  • Small dog nose (size of a dime)
  • Medium dog nose (like mine – the size of a quarter)
  • Large dog nose (larger than a quarter)

• PLANT HEIGHT:
  • At the Paw (ground or up to 2 inches off the ground)
  • My dewclaw (3-4 inches off ground)
  • My dogleg (6 inches or more)

#1 Trillium (white)

Height: My full dogleg (6 inches or taller) 

Flower size: Bigger than a large dog nose

Trillium remind me of a flower you would see in the hooman’s garden. They are big and bold like a daffodil. Probably one of the biggest wildflowers that I have seen. I have found them growing on a wet hillside but also right along my trail in my sandy woods. Tri means 3 – so Trillium is easy to remember. It has 3 big petals and 3 big leaves to match. 

#2 Bloodroot (white)

Height: My dewclaw

Flower size: Large dog nose

Bloodroot are cool flowers that don’t have leaves. They only have one big stem that stand straight up out of the ground like giant clovers. The one white flower is pretty fragile (don’t ask me how I know) and you will want to be careful if you snap the stem. It contains red juice that can cause a rash or blister skin. These are one of the first flowers out in my woods. They tend to bloom when it’s still pretty chilly out.  

#3 Hepatica (white/pale pink/lavender)

Height: Paw 

Flower size: Medium dog nose

Hepatica are some of the first to show up in my woods. They may trick you into thinking they are wood anemone but if you look close they have cool little white bits jumping out of the middle of the flower. One of my favorites that make me smile when I discover them hiding under trees in wetter areas of the woods. Mostly when I find them they are white, but I have seen them pale pink and even pale lavender (I think). 

#4 Large-Flowered Bellwort (yellow)

Height: My dogleg

Flower size: Large dog nose

The Large-Flowered Bellwort is droopy and looks like it needs a drink. The leaves on the stem are pretty awesome – looks like they are sewn together. I find them close to the creek and growing in sandy soil. 

#5 Marsh Merigold (yellow)

Height: My dewclaw

Flower size: Large dog nose

Found these along the creek bank (very close to the water). Grows in clumps so usually find more than one flower together. Leaves are dark, shiney and round. 

#6 Swamp Buttercup (yellow)

Height: My full dogleg (or taller)

Flower size: Large dog nose

These look a lot like a marsh marigold but are taller and from what I’ve seen – usually two flowers to one stem. These guys are a bit late to the May party – they will most likely be blooming into June. 

#7 Wood Anemone (white)

Height: My dewclaw

Flower size: Medium dog nose

I usually find these guys in groups but every so often one may be off by himself. They have 5 petals on the flower. These are usually sprouting in old leaves in the woods. 

#8 Wild Geranium (pink)

Height: My dogleg

Flowersize: Medium dog nose

Wild Geranium are taller and skinnier flowers. You will spot them cuz their blooms are bright pink. These are just starting to pop in mid-May so they are a welcome to the woods after the trillium and a bloodroot begin to disappear. 

#9 Jack-in-the-pulpit (green/purple)

Height: My dewclaw or my dogleg – lots of sizes

Flowersize: Like a dog snout 3 inches long or more

These guys have a cool name but are also pretty cool flowers. The “jack” is the little guy inside and the “pulpit” is the canopy over him. Sometimes these are all green, sometimes they are striped purple. I even found a cool white one! They are all over my woods but blend in so it’s not until I am just about to squash them that I see them standing there. I’ve seen them between 3 – 6 inches tall. I am not sure why – buit these guys always make me chuckle. 

#10 Violet (purple/yellow/white)

Height: Paw

Flower size: Medium dog nose

I put these in the purple section but I’ve seen yellow and white blooms too. I found them in the sandy areas of the woods. They grow pretty low to the ground – easy for me to spot when I am sniffing around. They love the woods and bloom all through May and into June. 

I hope you enjoy this special edition of my Canine Adventures and take some time this week to stop and smell the flowers. Keep your eye out for more special wildflower editions coming throughout the summer and leave me a comment or send me a pic of what you are discovering in your neck of the woods!

Bark at you soon – your friend, 

Whelp you are getting me on a ruff day friends – my hackles are up and I am on high alert! The weather has been less than stellar in my neck of the woods. April showers this past week couldn’t be truer than here in Michigan. This weather has me suffering from not-enough-outdoor-time and I have been growling all week. Since I couldn’t really play outside, the second best thing to do is to curl up with my hooman and snooze the rain away.  Unfortunately, it felt like whenever I went in for some cuddles – my hooman was using technology. Grrrrrrr!

I try my hardest to get right between my hooman and the tech to make sure she realizes that I am sitting here waiting for cuddles. I am at least 20 inches tall and a svelte 60 pounds (dont judge), so why does she prefer to be sitting with her screen, when she could be sitting with me in her lap?

I understand that technology has its practical purposes, like telling you a story, playing a favorite tune or if you’re like my best buddy Nixin, doing his homework for Mrs. Graff. But COME ON, rainy day snuggles should rank higher than checking your social media right? Lately, I feel like technology can get in the way of spending time with the ones you love. Spending REAL time – not REEL time together.

I first began to notice my second rate status earlier this week. My hooman came home and changed into her “fast shoes” and grabbed my leash. These are easy clues that let me know we were going out for a run. I was so excited – I hadn’t been out for a run in days. I jumped up and jumped again, I could hardly contain my enthusiasm! 

She put my leash on and down the road we went! My ears were flapping in the wind, my tongue began to swing, and were going at a good pace – but then she stopped. My hooman stopped on the side of the road. She began tapping her watch, then her phone, then her headphones. She seemed upset because her tech was not working. Now, I am not a tech savvy canine so I started pulling, “lets go – lets go – lets go!”, I silently willed her. She COMPLETELY ignored me. I started whining and pulling harder. I was doing everything in my power to get her to get off the tech and back on the run. Then…she yelled at me to “wait”. Grrrrr! 

Being yelled at made me feel angry. My hooman invited me to do something and then acted like I was bothering her when I wanted to do it. Why do hoomans choose spending time with technology over time with their loved ones? I am not sure I will ever find the answer. 

Eventually my hooman realized what she had done and apologized for yelling at me. She gave up on her tech that day and we had a nice time together. But she hasn’t given up on her technology forever. I still have to squeeze between her and her tech, or jump on her to help her remember she needs cuddles. 

So friends, as you head into a new week, I have a “Tech No” challenge for you. If you find you or your hooman spending too much time on tech, put it down and spend some time together. You might have to squeeze right between the hooman and the tech, but let them know you are there – ready and waiting to go on your next adventure – together. 

Bark at you next week – your friend,

April has arrived…so you know what that means? SPRING BREAK! Time to pack up my dog biscuits and water toys and head south. This year I am headed to see Mammers and Poppers – my hooman grandparents. They live a long LONG car ride away. 

My hoomans have been scurrying around getting out all their summer gear. They crammed as much of it as they could into their car along with me and we hit the road. We started driving one day and when I woke up the next day – we were still driving! I didn’t really mind it so much though cuz the further we drove – the bluer the sky seemed and the grass was definitely greener! I sniffed around all kinds of dog parks from Indiana, to Kentucky, and through Tennessee, then Georgia, then back to Tennessee – as we kept the car moving south. Eventually we stopped, and when we did my grand-hoomans hugged us a big hello and welcomed us to the “sunshine state”.   

At first I wasn’t sure what we were gonna do in this very warm and sunny new place – but soon I was introduced to all kinds of new sites and smells! Turns out the water here is salty (do not drink – repeat – do not drink) and the creatures here are strange! I saw a crab chasing a minnow, a dolphin chasing a kayak, and an alligator chasing a dog! Maybe that last one was just a dream – but there are alligators here and they do not seem friendly (don’t let their smiles fool you)!

Turns out spring break helps me to wave one last goodbye to the cold dark days of winter and gain a new perspective on my world. While I was snoozing in the carport listening to the snow birds talk about tennis leagues and golf games, I got to thinking about how great it felt to just be quiet. My whole body began to unwind and felt a little lighter. The sun seemed to melt away my icy irritations that I didn’t even realize I had locked away. All of a sudden the stress of those squirrels eating all the birdseed didn’t seem so important. Come to think of it – most things I get upset about back home didn’t seem that serious at all. 

As I let the sun melt away my winter agitations, I had to ask myself – why am I constantly on high alert? It seems like when I am home in Michigan I sleep with one eye open just in case that man with the boxes shows up and I need to BARK at him to get off the porch. I mean…the guy with the boxes really isn’t hurting anyone. I do not think that his delivery is designed to personally offend me. Yet – I do get offended. Outraged even! Seems silly now – taking such offense to a guy just doing his job. 

At home I can get my hackles up at just about anything. Once I was at the dog park and a puppy was spooked by a big dog (his name was Thor – you know the type). That puppy started whining and crying so I decided to start howling! It is embarrassing to relive that moment, but I literally ran around the dog park howling as loud as I could. My hooman was yelling at me to calm down but I just could not get a grip. I am not sure why I was so upset. Now I am looking out at the blue sky watching very large birds fly over oddly shaped trees and I can not remember why I was carrying on.

As the ocean waves roll in and the sun dips into the water I got to thinking about those squirrels and how I left the bird feeder unsupervised. And then I realized…I don’t really care. I mean – if the squirrels eat the birdseed then I guess they get a little fatter. Those are the consequences of their actions. Why do I feel the need to point out to the squirrels’ their silly mistakes. These problems don’t seem so urgent like they did just a car ride ago. 

Interesting how I needed a long car ride and time to just be quiet in order to realize how uptight I was at home in my everyday life. My overreactions to problems that didnt even concern me are almost embarrassing (the puppy was fine – he was just being dramatic). As my time here in the “sunshine state” comes to a close – I decided to make myself a promise. When I get back to Michigan, I am going to try and take more time to be quiet. I am sure I will need to remind myself of this often, but I’m sure the van guy who drops packages on our porch will appreciate this new me.

So friends, whether you had a chance to get away on spring break or you’re sticking to your daily grind, take a minute to just be quiet. Hopefully you don’t find yourself howling around the dog park for no apparent reason – but if you do – that is ok. Just recognize it and start again tomorrow. Try not to take offense to people that are just doing their daily thing and maybe go take a snooze in the car port until the urgency to overreact passes.

Bark at you next week – your friend,

Spring has sprung in my Michigan woods. The crocus are blooming and the spring flowers are starting to pop. And I am about ready to pop too! I’ve gained a few lbs over the winter – those dark days and cool nights had me munching on a few too many milk bones. I noticed my collar is getting a little tight too!

So – I decided it is time to shed this winter coat and get moving! I am 100% in spring training mode! I signed up for a 5k to keep my training on track so I stay motivated, recruited my brother hooman to be my running partner and keep me accountable, and I have been getting extra sleep so I have all the energy to RUN RUN RUN! 

Training started this week when my hooman came home. He got my leash out which is my clue that we are headed out to the road! I was so excited (normally I am not allowed near the road). We started with a little warm up. The fresh smells had me eager to explore but I knew I had to FOCUS. After the warm up, my hooman picked up speed and I had to keep up. I started galloping, then my heart started pounding, I started panting. Then I felt kinda sick.  

Maybe I am not a runner dog, I thought. Maybe I am a couch dog. My stomach kept churning while my hooman kept running – pulling me down the road by my leash. Regrets filled my mind – all those milk bones in bed. Why did I beg to lick the hooman plate EVERY NIGHT?!

My legs were burning and I couldn’t catch my breath. That is when I decided to stop. Right on the side of the road, I put on the brakes. I am done, I thought. My hooman began pulling on my leash – “let’s go!” he commanded, “let’s go!”. Nope, I thought – spring training can shove it. My tongue was hanging out the side of my mouth and I was tempted to drink the dirty water in the ditch. I was desperate! I wish I wouldn’t have been so eager to sign-up for a 5k. What was I thinking? A 5k is like 3 miles! 

Then I realized – I can’t just stop. I gotta at least get off the side of the road. So I scooched toward my hooman and LEANED into him, hoping he would get the cue that I am not a runner dog. I think he got the hint because he squatted down next to me and rubbed my ears until I could get my breath back. He was saying really nice words too (I think they were nice words – they sounded like nice words anyway). Then my hooman turned toward home and slowly walked me back to my familiar woods. 

The next few training days were pretty much a repeat. I panted and felt sick most of the days. We would run but then we would walk. All the while my hooman would say nice words to me. We had to do that quite a bit until I could get the hang of it.

I had to make a lot of sacrifices too. My hooman interrupted a lot of my naps – telling me it was time to “go for a run”. I noticed he cut back on my milk bones in bed too, but in the end all the sacrifices were worth it. Our 5k race is coming up and I am proud to report I can run THREE full miles and only stop to mark a mailbox every now and again. 

I noticed that sometimes when I am eager to try something new, I tend to over do it- sprinting out the door anxious for a new adventure. Then when it gets to be too much – I want to stop and quit. I’ve learned I have to pace myself, the secret is to keep moving. Having a friend who will say nice words really helps too.

So friends, as we head into this new season, let’s spring into action! Find your motivation to get moving and shed your winter coat. If you sit, stay and lay down all the time – you may find yourself unable to get up! I hope you get out and get moving this week – if you do – you may find out you are a runner dog just like me!

Bark at you next week – your friend, 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! St. Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland and since my hoomans are Irish I guess I am too! So on this day, I would like to take some time to honor all those old dogs who walked before us and blazed the trails to make it a bit easier for us young pups. 

Sometimes it is hard for me to listen to the old dogs. They can be soooo quiet! I love to jump up and BARK BARK BARK my outrage as LOUD as I can (especially when that guy in the van puts boxes on our porch). But not old dogs – nope. I once saw an old dog just look out the window at the van guy – didn’t even growl. Now that is self control! If I just THINK there is an intruder I am sure to let my hoomans know ASAP!

Sometimes, when I get too loud in the house, the family will start to tell stories about Great Grandpa Kirby and how quiet he was compared to me. Kirby was my hooman’s first family dog. He was an Irish black lab mix, born on St. Patrick’s Day in 2004 and lived well into his TEENS! From what I’ve been told, he was a pretty quiet canine, and only barked when he had something important to say. 

I guess he used to take himself fishing for hours and go on long walks alone. Can you imagine? Why would any dog want to wander around alone – I have no idea. If I want to go for a walk or want any kind of attention at all from my hoomans, I sit right in front of them and STARE. If that doesn’t work I get as close as possible and put my nose on their blankets and STARE HARDER. Works every time. (See the pictures below as a guide for you young pups).  

Anyway, I guess old Great Grandpa Kirbs musta been pretty courageous to wander around the woods alone. I think that’s how most old dogs were back in the day. They didn’t have memory foam beds, Kongs, or even Chewy.com. It musta been pretty ruff. Wandering alone was probably their only entertainment! 

From what I hear, ole Kirbs had manners too. I guess he didn’t beg at the dinner table or take and shred-up used tissues out of the trashcan. I try really hard to have manners but sometimes that hooman food looks so good – I just can’t look away! Don’t ask me about the tissues. I know it’s wrong – I just can’t help myself. 

I suppose us young pups could learn a few things from old dogs like Kirby. Like, only BARK BARK BARK when there is a good reason; and that it’s ok to venture out alone as long as we come home when called; and last but not least (cuz I’m really trying on this one) to use manners.  

Although I never met Great Grandpa Kirby, I’m grateful he was here to love my hoomans first and that he taught them to be good canine caregivers. I can tell he took good care of them and that they still miss him – because when they tell his stories – they smile but in a kinda sad way. 

So as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this week friends – let’s take a minute to honor those who came before us by filling our days with patience, curiosity, and good manners. I am sure we all know an old dog like Kirby – someone who was here for a little while, taught us a whole lot, and then left our world a better place. CHEERS to the old dogs for all the love, laughs, and lessons they gave us while they were here. I have some pretty big tracks to fill – but I hope Great Grandpa Kirby would be proud. Happy trails my friend!

An Irish Blessing for Old Dogs

  May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your tail.

May the sunshine warm upon your whiskers.

May the rain fall gently in your woods.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you by the paw in His hand.

Bark at you soon – your friend,

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