Tag: pets

The Adventure Clock Strikes Seven

Wisdom from a Lucky Dog

Hello Friends!

So far this year, my Michigan woods have been dressed in fresh coats of white snow, coming and going like they can’t decide where to stay. Before it melts again, and before we forget all those New Year promises — I have an important announcement…this month, I celebrate SEVEN.

Seven winters exploring the West Michigan woods. Seven seasons chasing salmon upstream. Seven springs of hunting for wildflowers. Seven summers of splashing into Lake Michigan, belly rubs, zoomies, cuddles, and treats (so many treats)!

This year, I celebrate SEVEN amazing years with my hoomans. I will never forget the day I was brought home from Bellwether Harbor Animal Shelter. I was waiting with my litter sisters, my heart already packed and ready for a family. I was so unsure about the world back then – and somehow it feels like only yesterday.

My tail still thumps at the memory. I can’t believe how fast those years went by. Now that I’m older, I’m starting to understand more about time. The interesting thing about it is — it doesn’t slow down. In fact, it never stops!

Over the years, there have been plenty of trails, many lessons, and countless adventures. I don’t feel like an old dog yet, but something has changed. I can nap through the day when my hooman leaves for work. I’ve learned the important things — like I know the moment it is breakfast time. My eyes just pop open, and if the kibble is late – my patience is still optional. I’m braver too! The vacuum no longer terrifies me – though I still give it plenty of room, and I can jump off the boat into the big lake (read: Dog Overboard).

Now that I’m seven, I’m officially considered an adult. Not a young pupper anymore. I’m a seasoned explorer, with mud under my claws and a few good tails (see what I did there). In hooman years, I’m somewhere around my mid-40s to early 50s. That doesn’t make me sad — it just makes me aware. Time keeps moving.

And lately, I’ve noticed something about hoomans… they are OBSESSED with time. They try to chase it, pause it, they even count down the seconds, barking them out in a countdown 10…9…8…like the whole world depends on it. And then they make all kinds of promises: “We’ll hike more when it’s warmer,” or “We’ll explore when things slow down.”

But here’s the thing – things won’t really slow down. Now that I’m seven, I know I only get so many more winters. So many new trails. So many sunsets to stop and stare at before the light disappears.

After the howlidays, my hooman went back to work. Long mornings together turned into quick coffee sips and rushed goodbyes. Her boots still sit by the door, but the snow has long melted from them. I know when the routine changes, and I notice how the house feels quiet.

So yes, I pout a little. I curl up on the couch and look out the window. Some days the light fades, and I drift off to sleep, but I am always listening for the sound that could signal my next adventure. All this waiting has taught me something: time is not something you save. It is something you spend.

So friends, when our hoomans come home worn thin by the world, let’s meet them at the door with a wag that means business. Not “let’s rest,” but “let’s go.” Help them keep those New Year promises they made with big hearts and good intentions. Pull their eyes off the clock and back onto the trail, because too many adventures die on the calendar.

A short walk still smells like a whole forest. Ten minutes of fetch still feels like a celebration. A tired cuddle at the end of the day always fills my bowl. Give them a gentle nudge off the couch — not because time is running out, but because today is already here and it is waiting for us!

Now stop wasting time and get out there — your adventure is calling! 🐾

I’ll bark at you next month.

Your friend,

Santa, Slow Your Sleigh!

Hello, friends!

Welcome to November, the season where we paws to be grateful. It’s also the time of year when everything seems to flip into zoomie mode. I try to keep my October lessons in mind (read Falling Behind), but as soon as those little puppers finish barking “trick or treat,” I can’t help but feel the rumble of Santa’s sleigh revving in the distance.

As the winds literally change direction, I decided to take a walk to put this new “holidays are here” lifestyle into perspective. My hooman came along too, and brought my favorite squeaky ball, Pinky. As she tossed Pinky along the ravine and I dashed after her, I realized that the game of fetch is a lot like the holiday season — full of surprises, tangles, and joy in the chasing. Sometimes I have to dig my way through obstacles, sniff out what’s hidden, all while keeping my tail wagging.

Paws at the ready for a November adventure!

Finding Pinky can be tricky. She sometimes hides under leaves or gets stuck in mud, and I have to work extra hard to track her down. Sometimes I get distracted, sometimes I drop her, but it’s all part of the game. And yes, my hooman sometimes pretends to throw her — hilarious, but also…rude!

Seriously…who’s she foolin?

As we trotted down the treelined trail, I usually run ahead in excitement, then double back to make sure my hooman isn’t lagging or distracted. With daylight saving time upon us, we have to stay on schedule before darkness sneaks in. Sometimes I get distracted too, digging in the wrong place and ending up with muddy whiskers before I find my way back on the tracks.

Oops! Got a lil distracted!

Before long, she was tossing, I was fetching, and Pinky was singing her happy little squeak. My hooman clapped and laughed, calling me her “good boy,” over and over — music sweeter than any treat. That’s when it hit me: the best part of the game isn’t finding the ball at all. It’s being out there together. Her laughter, the breeze ruffling my fur, the soft squeak of Pinky — they fill my heart in a way no biscuit ever could. It’s in those moments that the noise of the world — even Santa’s revving sleigh — fades into quiet joy.

So, friends, as turkeys get stuffed and Santa begins checking his list (twice), let’s keep our eye on the ball. Work through the obstacles that would stop you from gathering together, and don’t get too caught up in who’s bringing which bones where, or you might completely miss out on the game entirely. And if you find yourself competing with the neighborhood elves, take a minute to find your way back to those you love the most. I guarantee they’ll clap and cheer when you arrive.

Cuddle with the ones you love

Let the joy of being together lead the way through the holiday hustle. Take a moment to paws and feel grateful for the ones who toss the ball, cheer the loudest, and share your trail — because that’s the real gift of the season. Keep your focus on what’s important, the rest is just gravy, mmm… gravy….

I am thankful for being able to share my adventures with you.

I’ll bark at you next month!

Your friend,

Falling Behind

Happy October Friends!

This is one of my favorite months. Mornings are cool on my paws, but by afternoon, the sunshine warms my coat. Big oaks shoot down acorns like pellet guns for eager squirrels, and evenings creep in early — often before I’ve finished my after-dinner patrol.

October is funny that way – both hurried and hushed. Weekends roar with visitors from the big town, cars piled high with apples, pumpkins, and hay bales, only for the streets to fall quiet again midweek. Farmers follow a different rhythm: fields grow inch by inch under patient hands, yet when harvest comes, their work bursts forward, rumbling through the night and leaving the morning air sharp and crisp. Time seems to stretch and snap back all at once.

With all this paradox swirling around me, I needed to curl up on my cushions and think this all through. As my mind began to drift, I could hear squirrels rustling nearby — some frantic, some leisurely — each with their own rhythm. Similar to the trees, that let go of their leaves in their own time.

All that slow-and-steady push and pull reminded me of when I trotted alongside my hooman in the Oktoberfest 5K. My first big race. I was so excited that I watered just about every tree in the park. The music thumped, the energy crackled, and I stood side-by-side with my pack, unsure what to expect. The countdown began: 3…2…1…GO!

Some hoomans shot out of the gate like greyhounds, their long legs eating up the track. Since I’m a terrier-beagle-blue-heeler kinda dog, my legs moved, but I wasn’t covering much ground. My hooman seemed fine with the racers ahead, and soon we settled into a steady jog.

As the miles went by, I noticed that some pups slowed to a walk, then picked up again once they caught their breath. No two strides looked the same. Hoomans on the sidelines barked, “Keep going!” and “You’re doing great!” — which made my tail wag. I realized then that we’re all in the race together, no matter the pace. Each of us found our own rhythm and our own way to finish. No one was “late” just because they weren’t leading the pack.

I think that is October’s lesson for us, too. It’s okay to move at our own speed. Not racing to keep up. Not holding back when we’re ready to leap. Just trusting our stride, savoring our season, and remembering that what’s right for me may not be right for the dog beside me.

So friends, as we wag our way into October, let’s not worry if we fall a bit behind. Instead, let’s take cues from Mother Nature and the racecourse. Trust that our pace is the right one. Some days bounding, some days strolling, sometimes paw-sing for a good sniff — but always remembering: the goal isn’t to keep up with the pack. It’s to enjoy the run, the season, and the moment. 🍂🐾

Thanks for trotting along on my canine adventures. I’ll bark back atcha in November!

Your friend, 

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,

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 our canine coat, we help hoomans to relax? Yup, we have all kinds of powers that benefit our hoomans. I guess another study showed that just by spending time with us can lower hooman blood pressure, reduce their heart rate, and even improve their heart health. We are awesome! ♥️

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 owner’s, 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 laying completely acrossed 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). ♥️

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, that is the “love hormone” that reduces stress. So I try and stare at my hooman when she is in the kitchen so she is nice and relaxed while cooking up those tasty treats.♥️

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 if you try this one – proceed with caution! (I am not sure if scientists know about this love language strategy). ♥️

So friends, there you have it – some easy ways to show your love. I know most of my canine friends come by this naturally, but if you struggle to show affection just start out slow with a tail tap and work your way into weighted blanket. Seriously though, it really doesn’t matter HOW you show your love – just that you DO it. 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!♥️

Rising from the Drop

Happy July friends!

Can you believe only three short months ago the hoomans were acting like April Fools and we were all eagerly anticipating the first spring blooms? Now here we are – frog hunting and cooling our bellies in the creek. The lazy hazy dog days of summer have arrived!

As I laid creekside thinking about summertime – I have to say it is a magical time to live in the “mitten”. Almost completely surrounded by water – Michigan has so much to offer. I once heard you can stand just about anywhere in the Great Lakes State and you’re no more than six miles away from a body of water. This works for me since I am a swimmer dog!

Swimming season is one of my favorite seasons – but it does bring some occasional aches and pains. I’m sorry to report I ended up with a double ear infection due to too much swimming! Splashing, retrieving and going in over my head – resulted in ear drops in EACH ear EVERY night for two weeks! Grrrrrr! But as I doggy paddled around in my swimming hole, I realized I still wouldn’t trade summer night swims for anything.

Sometimes we just have to take the good with the bad. That is not always easy to do. In the case of my ears, at first it was hard to find any good about it at all. I didn’t feel well and getting those drops every night…well lets just say I finally snapped! Shortly after I did that, my hoomans started adding treats to my nightly eardrop routine. So although the drops still stung – those treats made the whole experience a bit easier to swallow.

Once my ears were better, I realized how grateful I was to have the pain gone. I felt like I could paddle with the big dogs and my canine adventures seemed even more dangerous. I guess having to go through something bad – somehow made my good times even better.

So friends as we celebrate the lazy hazy days of summer and all the great things that come with the month of July – realize you may have to put up with a few mosiqutos. Not every hike will be easy but it’s getting through those ruff patches that can make the good times even better.

Thank you for reading my canine adventures. I hope you share them with a friend and they make your day a bit brighter.

Bark at you next month!

Your friend, 

In memory of my pal Buster who crossed over the rainbow bridge in June. Although I miss him dearly – I am grateful for the fond memories of all our past adventures.❤️