Kachina Trail

Zephyr is crashed out , so I have to tell everyone about our hike on the Kachina trail today. The weather was perfect, warm with a light breeze. The aspen are just barely starting to turn, I found a few red and yellow leaves.
There's a nice spot about halfway along the trail that we always stop at. It's got good rocks or logs to sit on for the people and nice grass for the hound. It also has nice views.
Zephyr definitely takes after his mom and dad and loves the outdoors. Hopefully we will get to go on lots of hikes this fall.

Caron

P.S. Look for post on our felines to come soon.

Cactus

Just so you know, there are cactus in Buffalo Park. I found out the hard way last weekend. Me, Mom, and Marlies went for a walk there last weekend. I was on leash and stepped off the trail only a few feet and went into cactus. I didn't know what it was, so naturally I bit it to try and get it off my leg. Mom saw that happened and came right over. She was too late. I had cactus thorns all in my mouth, especially on the back of the roof of my mouth. I was VERY Scared! So was Mom. She was good though. Marlies held me and Mom reached in my mouth to get it out. At first there was too much saliva (and blood) and her hands just slipped off. So, she covered her hand with a sweatshirt and that worked. We got all but two out at the park, and those we got out back at home. Then they had to get them out of my legs and feet. For some strange reason Marlies brought a brush in her pack. That really made getting the big ones out easy, and they got the rest out with fingers. I was exhausted when we got home and my mouth didn't feel good, see below. But, I was up and running in the next day or so.

I Speak Elk

This summer we had lots of elk visit us, and it turns out that I naturally speak elk. Elk don't speak with many words so I use mostly body language like the play bow, waggy butt, and generally bouncing around and running back and forth along the fence. It turns out they understand and do similar things. I became close friends with this elk. We ran along the fence, touched noses, and he even licked my nose.




Sometimes we just hung out together. We haven't seen the elk in awhile now. I miss them and hope they are doing well and are safe.

My First Lure Coursing Test

I am Zephyr and am 19 months old. I get to start our new family blog because everyone else is too shy. Anyone who has met me knows that I am not shy. This summer I got to go to my first lure coursing test. I loved it! The picture above shows me right when the Hunt Master called "Tally Ho" and mom dropped the lead. I was ready to go. The trial was in Santa Maria, California. Mom and I had gone to Lompoc, Ca for a dog show too. I like lure coursing a lot more than showing.
When I came around this corner I thought I had those little white things.


But, they kept going. I was having so much fun I didn't care. This was my first off leash run in 3 days!

Actually, even after the white things stopped I just kept running. Mom tried to "play dead" but I knew she was foolin and kept playing. People have said that I need to "work on my recall" but I don't get it because I can recall lots of things, especially mom. Lots of people said that I had a great run, I was right on the lure the whole time. In October I am going to get to finish my JC title and maybe run with the other greyhounds.

We have been doing lots of hiking lately, I'll try to post pictures of them soon. I went on my longest hike, 10 miles, a week or so ago to Doyle Saddle, which is in the San Fransisco Peaks, AZ. It was great, I loved it when we got to spots with big views. I would just look all around and take it in.

Last weekend Mom and I tried the CGC test and did pretty good. When Mom walked away for the recall at first I thought I should go too. But, she explained again and I got it. I really, really don't like the 3 minute separation though, and let everyone within earshot know this. Actually, I think it is pointless because my mom is not allowed to be away from me when we are in public. I've made this clear to her many times, but she doesn't get it and says we "need to practice". I think she is the one that needs to practice.

Greetings

I am just learning how to do all this. Hopefully we'll get more up soon.