Mike took the dogs on a couple of our favorite hikes here in Las Cruces. One is kind of a canyon and it is very rare that we see anyone else there. So the dogs can be off-leash the entire time which is much to their liking.
Much of the trail is rocky but it doesn't seem to bother the dogs at all.
Near the top of the trail is an old mine and in wet times there is a waterfall there. It's so cold out right now that Mike actually saw a lot of icicles there this time.
It's hard to get pictures there to show the beauty and grandeur but it is a very interesting walk.
Then on Thursday, Mike got brave and took all four dogs up to White Sands. It was a perfect day: cool, not windy, and no one else around.
The dogs took great advantage of the day. They played and ran around, up, and down the dunes for three full hours.
They took turns playing with each other. Someone please tell Boogie that he needs to take it easy on Wazzu. Afterall, she's no spring chicken any more.
Quite often all four would play together. They really all are very good friends.
And quite often they have a long game of chase.
It's very rare that Boogie isn't involved in the play.
I just love the beauty of this place. And to see how happy the dogs are playing there puts a smile on my face as well. I hope next year to be able to go along with them.
After a day at White Sands, Boogie actually rested for much of the evening. He normally comes back to my bed and barks non-stop until I get up and have him do some tricks. Boogie loves learning...if only I could think of more things to teach him that I can actually do.
This weekend was to be an agility trial. Saturday went well. The dogs were all very happy and had great results. Wazzu went 2/3, Sparkie went 4/6, and Boogie went 5/6. They all had a good time but it wasn't enough exercise for Boogie and he bothered me all evening. Don't get me wrong, I love doing things with him. But there is only so much I can do right now - and none of it tuckers him out!
On Sunday, Tunnelers was the first run. Sparkie and Boogie were both entered in that and did very well. It was sprinkling and a little windy. The forecast was for 40% chance of rain and more wind. So after one run they cancelled the rest of the trial. Big bummer. It seems to me that trials should be cancelled when the weather is actually bad...not when there is just a forecast of bad weather. Right after it was announced it would be cancelled the sprinkling stopped and the wind calmed down. I looked at the forecast and it had changed to 10% chance of rain for the rest of the day. Winds were to pick up later in the day however.
But when unfortunate things happen we just do our best to make the best of it. So Mike stayed around and did some practice with Sparkie and Boogie (Wazzu isn't interested in practicing). They had a great time as they rarely get to practice. Boogie loves to practice and doesn't get the chance all that often. When it was time to leave Boogie just sat there like a statue. I'm so glad he loves agility so much.
The dogs still wanted to do something so Mike went to a nearby park and they walked for over an hour. The weather was still just fine...no rain or wind. About 1:00pm the winds really did pick up (no rain) and it would definitely not be safe to do agility. But there were very few dogs there today and the trial easily could have finished before 1:00pm. It was just disappointing not to get to do agility today as planned. We definitely don't want to take any chances when it comes to safety. But to cancel due to a forecast just doesn't seem quite right. Oh well, it's not the end of the world and like I said, Mike made the best of it.
The three big dogs are just fine this afternoon but Boogie is being a royal pain. He wants to do something! We just can't do enough to wear Boogie out. It's going to be a very long day and evening.... We are all going to pay as he makes the rounds!
Debbie
2/24-28/10
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