Since Bella has injured her knee, our walks have been limited to the back yard, down the street a little ways, sometimes around the block. She appears to getting a bit stronger and has been able to go to her "little park by the lake" a couple of times & also enjoyed some time walking in the river a few days ago.
But no long walks in the park yet. Maybe later in the summer, maybe not until next year.
I miss my hiking buddy. Given my druthers, i would hang out in a park all day every day in nice weather. There are so many wonderful parks to explore around here. Back in the day - pre crazy job and marriage - day hikes were frequent. My son was a wonderful off trail partner until he became too cool. But, when Bella came into my world, walks were a must. Soo... I was once again able to hang with the trees, sniff the breeze, explore both on trail (and off...shhh ;)) on a pretty regular basis.
Bella is always ready to go .... somewhere. Seeing one of us put on our shoes is impetus for a big doggy stretch. Even a ride to the store is good for her. She loves to hang out in the driver's seat people watching. Having a partner who is ready for adventure pretty much all the time - even when i would prefer to stay inside - is pretty cool. She makes sure that i get out in all types of weather.
Bella is a pretty good listener. She is one of those dogs who doesn't want to be too far away from her person. I'm just lucky like that. Or maybe it's because of all the time put into training her. Whatever the reason, walking w/her off leash has never been too stressful.
Most training methods teach that the person is the "alpha" and must always act like the alpha - controlling every and any thing the dog does. Some people even train their dogs to poop and pee on command which is good for dogs that compete or maybe live in the city or something.
And of course, on a walk the dog simply follows the alpha, only going where she is permitted. Again, there are times when that is helpful and even necessary. Truth be told, i wish we would have been more consistent when training leash manners with Bell. She can be a complete tyrant on walks. But, often she is a wonderfully agreeable hiking partner who, when given the chance has sniffed out some fantastic things that i probably wouldn't have discovered on my own.
Take the dog park for instance. Of course, i never went to the dog park before Bella. And the dog park isn't a very exciting place to go really. Some dog parks are set up very well with fountains and trails and trees and stuff. Ours is simply a field with a couple of picnic benches. There was one summer when we had to carry our own water it b/c the city wouldn't turn the hose on for some reason and if you don't have poop bags with you, be prepared to sling it a shovel that is usually there.
But, if i hadn't taken Bella to the dog park at the right time of day, i never would've seen this:
These trees sit at the edge of the fence. They provide no shade and just seem to mingle with the brush.
But they come alive at twilight.
And the discoveries we made behind the dog park. I had no idea that my town has victory gardens and the fees are very affordable. Good to know if we ever become apartment dwellers again.
Also, behind the dog park was a bunch of cool trails! Yeah! trails! with a cool creek and everything.
And then found a way to get down to the river taking time to rest in these big plants on the way.
If not for Bella, i would spend my entire winter scurrying hunchbacked and cranky from someplace warm to car then from car to someplace warm. I am not a fan of cold weather. But, the lake is beautiful in the winter.
And a rainy day gives us the trail to ourselves.
The really cool thing about walking with Bella is this: she can find the coolest places. Often when i just released the idea that i had to control where we went, we ended up in some really nice places.
I mean, we're talking about hanging out with a dog. The only thing on a dog's to do list is to explore and experience each moment. & maybe have a little cheese when they can.
Maybe it's simply because dogs are shorter than humans that they pick up on cool things that we miss? Or perhaps, probably it's because a dog really has no agenda except to enjoy whatever. They are the most zen of creatures that never seem to lose that wonderful sense of curiosity and wonder of the world.
Bella reminds me to take time to smell the flowers
and to get enough fiber in my diet
but not too take my diet too harshly. Allow some pig out food from time to time.
Bella reminds me to work towards balance
to take time for quiet contemplation & enjoy the beauty of the earth
And to remember to play
This tree is at Holden. I don't know the name of it but it has a wonderful little opening in its bottom branches that takes one to a very comfortable elfin style hideaway. There is plenty of room to sit and think under these droopy branches. I would've never stopped to investigate had i not been with Bella & she had not insisted that we go a bit further.
I call this tree the "elephant tree" because its trunk reminded me of an elephant's trunk lifting up towards the sky.
Then there was the time that I thought we would hike in a familiar part of the park only to have Bella insist that we cross the road.
Agreement with her resulted in the discovery of a most beautiful and private place beside the Chagrin river.
We had to hike a far bit to get there but it was totally worth it.
It's a rocky litte river beach that we have visited at least once every summer since.
There are many other beautiful spots that have been discovered thanks to Bella's wonderful nose for curiosity. But i have been working on this post way too long and must concede to my time limitations and just get the durn thing posted already.
But.... one more share: Bella insisted on going to the river at Chagrin River Park (aka Crazy Deer park). Then, she insisted on crashing headlong into a deer trail that runs beside the river. I followed behind picking through tall grasses and nettles getting a bit cranky, hollering to my dog to slow down. Instead of listening, she made a hard left leading me deeper into the reeds and cattails and then into a clearing filled with wildflowers and Monarch butterflies.
Yes, i said filled with butterflies. Butterflies were everywhere - flitting from one flower to another. So many beautiful butterflies. I can't describe to you how grateful I felt to witness so much beauty.
Bella and I simply stood in quiet awe. Then she looked at me, tongue lolling, eyes twinkling. She seemed to be saying " I thought you would like this."
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