It’s rare on a walk with Scout to snap a photo of her whole face. As you would think, it’s mostly nose to the ground, tail in the air and the quick “check-in” glance to make sure I’m still in radar distance. The opportunity for this photo of her full-on face materialized because she had to check out a dead bird downhill by the water. I caught her with the telephoto on her satisfied return. Head-on.
Author Archives: Cyn
52 Weeks for Dogs :: 4/52 Head-on
52 Weeks for Dogs :: 3/52 She’s Serious
Scout has always been a serious dog.
She can be goofy and playful, but her every day expression is Serious.
When I look at her face, I sometimes feel inadequate and silly in my human-ness.
Then she’ll pounce on a toy or eat snow and she is a fur-child again.
52 Weeks for Dogs :: 2/52 Camera Tolerance is Low
Camera shy is not the right term for Scout. Camera averse is a little too strong. She tolerates the camera, as long as it doesn’t impede her list of things to do.
In this photograph it is clearly interrupting the throwing of a ball.
Camera tolerance is low.
52 Weeks for Dogs :: 1/52 Hi Girl
My first photo of a year-long photographic project with Scout.
It’s fitting that we’re hiking in the woods, where she’s the happiest.
And always a look back to see where I am.
Hi Girl.
Something Brown and Beautiful
Tails on the Trail :: Stratton Brook State Park
Hello! A-Dog here (aka Cyn) for our weekly post of a trail we love. This is also for the reading pleasure of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop.
This week, we explore Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury, CT. We’re still working out the kinks of shooting our videos and I promise to say “Um” a lot less in the future and shoot more brown fur :) Details of the trail are below the video, but let me tag on a disclaimer. We are not trail experts. Please use these posts as a “Hey, we’re in the neighborhood, let’s explore!” kind of information. We just want to get you out hiking locally, wherever you may live. And please, share a trail in your area by sending a note to Scout.
Trail Details
Distance: We traveled 2 miles, but there are many trails to choose from
Difficulty: Easy (bike path) to moderate/difficult (red/yellow trails)
Trail: Yellow trail can get very steep in places. The Red trail is much more moderate.
Dog Info: Dogs on-leash on trails. There is a beach where we have taken Scout swimming in the off-season (from fall to late spring.) Be sure to use the beach and not the designated fishing areas.
Location: 149 Farms Village Road (Route 309), Simsbury, CT
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Tails on the Trail :: Huckleberry Hill Yellow Trail
Hello! A-Dog here (aka Cyn.) We’re going to try and share a trail we love in our area every Friday and for the reading pleasure of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. Below is a video shot on our first trail review. This is our first attempt, so please excuse the heavy breathing and shaky camera work. Details of the trail are below the video. Let us know what you think or if you have a trail to share, send a note to Scout.
Trail Details
Distance: 2.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trail: Well-maintained with some roots and rocks, heavily wooded
Dog Info: Dogs OK off-leash, but abide by leashing your dog when encountering other hikers/dogs.
Other trails: Yes – Orange Trail (upcoming review)
Location: 116 Huckleberry Hill Road, Avon, CT
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Anatomy of a Bark
I am the author today on Scout’s blog to give my perspective on when our girl started barking.
:: on guard ::
At the onset of her barking, many events collided in our lives as a family. We moved from a condo to a house in my second trimester of my first pregnancy. We opted for an electronic fence to keep Scout safe in our yard, as the street can be used as a cross-through. So, new house, new yard, new perimeter that could not be broken and a little bambino on the way to protect.
:: ready to woof to the woo ::
The first time I remember her barking was after I brought our newborn home. There was lots of traffic: people, cars, packages, the poor UPS man… I remember thinking, “Who is this dog?” I was so tired, you might have convinced me that she was an impostor. We eventually figured out the collision of events above might be the cause.
Or she was simply just old enough to find her bark.
Scout still doesn’t bark often. She is mostly a silent communicator – her body language speaks loud and clear. She sets herself up right in front of you and stares you down with those golden eyes. And she only does this when her need is great… food, water, doing some business.
But when she barks, she is one scary hairball. I appreciate her protection when I’m home alone or just with the boys. Scout’s deep, throaty bark is something to behold from such a sweet girl.
And I know he probably doesn’t read this blog, but I’m sending out a big apology to our UPS man. Somewhere, somehow he knows that she’s just doing her job.
Love Letter to Scout
Hello.
I’m A-Dog and I wanted to be the guest blogger today to express how great Scout makes me feel. Below is my love letter to her…
Dear Scout,
You and I have spent a lot of time together these past several months, now that I work from home. I have enjoyed almost all our time together and you, my dear dog, make me laugh more than any other being on the planet. I laugh at your goofy play and when you speak to me in your “roof, roof, roof” language. I laugh at your sleeping positions. I smile when you tilt your head and perk up your ears or when you just move your eyes and the little bumps over them make your face so expressive.
Dog smiles are so pure, and Scout, you smile when it’s our time to play or walk or go for a swim. I may grumble about it beforehand with all the pressures we humans heap on ourselves, but I never regret the time spent giving you what you need. And it takes so little to make you happy and satisfied. Belly rubs, ear rubs, really any kind of rub is met with appreciation and you always snuggle up when I need a little love.
You’re most special gift is always being happy to see me. Happy doesn’t cover the sheer exuberance your whole body displays at seeing me after a short time apart. This is when you talk to me the most. You pick up a toy from your basket and walk around, talking with it in your mouth, circling back to me again and again. You crave my love and I am so honored to give it to you.
From puppyhood, where your backend always seemed to be running ahead of your front end…to now, with the grey hair on your chin, I appreciate your goodness of heart and your solid furry brown-ness. I hope you’re with me and our family for a long time to come.
You’re my girl, Scout :)
