Summer Pack Dog Hike

 

This past Saturday our Pack Dog hiking group got together for another hike.  We were back at the Sycamore Rim Trail near Parks, AZ.  This is a great hike with lots of great views and some really nice spring fed ponds that have lily pads flowering in them.  We started early in the morning to avoid the heat later in the day.  Our hike was just under 10 miles with a little change in elevation.  The dogs carry at least 20% of their weight in their pack, about 17.5 lbs. for Zephyr.  With this hike completed Zephyr earned his Novice Working Pack Dog title from the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America!  We think he might be the first greyhound to get the title from the club. Thanks to Chris for all these pictures.  My camera isn't working.  I think it has something to do with me leaving it in the pack when Zephyr went for a swim a week or so ago.

 

The hike was extra beautiful because the wildflowers are in full bloom right now.  We've had a lot of rain this summer and combined with the heavy snow last winter it's one of the best wildflower seasons I've seen.

 

Mary had every one's attention with her great treats.

 

Zephyr gets a cool drink along the way.  Zephyr usually carries two 2 liter Camelbacks, all his food, a first aid kit, my camera, my snacks, his flexi-leash, and anything else that might fit in his pack.  On these hikes he is usually carrying more weight in his pack than I have in mine.

Twix builds her core strength by balancing on a log. ;-)

Linus and Friday take a break.  Two peas in a pod. :-)

Dash joined us for the hike and did a great job!

Kenda is a pro!  She actually just finished a 100 mile backpacking trip with Tammy along the continental divide in Colorado.  WOW!

Charlie always has a great time with lots of energy to spare.

Sky and Mary take a break.  Mary has a super cool t'shirt on that says "The mountain is my dog park".  Gotta get me one of those.

I love that our hikes have so many different types of dogs.  This time we had eight dogs on the hike.  Astro did stay home for this one, but his cousin Buster come over for some fun in the mid-morning.  Next year he'll be old enough to start working toward his pack dog title. 

What a happy boy!  Zephyr was really excited in the morning when he saw all his friends and realized we were going for a hike.  I put a folded hand towel under part of his pack.  It hits at the part of his back that doesn't have much padding and it can rub off some of his softer red fur leaving a white stripe of fur across his back.  After seeing Zephyr's pad all the other dogs wanted one. ;-)

As the day went on it got pretty warm.  Everyone enjoyed a dip in the lily pond on the way out.  Zephyr even took a few paddles in the pond. 

Here's Zephyr, the Novice Working Pack Dog!  Of course I am the proud mom.  He was so cute, when we got back to the trail head some of our group was already there and he was so excited to see them he got all spunky for a few minutes.  Once we got in the car the boy was out, hopefully having good dreams of his pack hike with friends.