Paws, Puddles, Ponds, and Change Part 1 of 2

The Pacific Northwest is known for our rain but this last summer we had record breaking lack of rain. There are many reasons this is not a good thing but one benefit was that all summer long when we wanted to take the dogs for a walk on our trails in Sultan we were always assured we would not have any puddles or wet areas to maneuver. Birdie especially loved that as she is not a fan of getting her paws wet.

We are now well into Autumn and the rains have arrived, and they seem to be making up for lost time. We have even spotted snow on the high peaks, a good thing if this trend keeps on into winter. We need our snow pack badly.

The other day we headed out for a long walk and what we came across was the old familiar puddles and ponds on our trail. But the dogs needed to get out and so did we, so we went for it. Most of our walk was heavenly as usual, with a twist, but that is for Part 2 of this story.

Jenny-Boo and Birdie. Jenny could care less about any of the water or mud, she is always up for motoring, Birdie is looking at me like "mom why I am going to get my paws wet when there is a perfectly warm and cuddly crate awaiting me back at the car?"

Liza-Bear says "Giddy-up everyone there are so many birds waiting to be flushed out I just KNOW it!"

Tim says "I am really excited to be on this walk but I will try to keep my paws dry just a little longer".

Jenny says "My mom and dad don't call me 'Land Bruiser' for nothing, let's do this thing!"

Skip who normally doesn't care about his paws getting wet was going to try to mimic Tim and stay on the edge to keep them dry.

After a long wait Birdie actually decided to go for it.

Pretty reflections in the puddles...

Dave likes to keep the side streams cleared out so the trail doesn't get completely flooded, there was too much to do this time but he had to just play in the water one time for good measure.

This whole area was completely dry just a couple of weeks ago.

Tim was having a blast and he knows this trail really well. This is where we turn off to cross the stream and go up the other side.

Skip crossing the stream and now he is getting into it.

Jenny and Tim go across without a problem

Heading up the little hill and again Tim knows exactly where to go and he is so excited to be on a little hike.

Birdie decided she is going to enjoy the exercise, her warm crate awaits her when she returns, it's all good.

Lots of water in the Sultan reservoir, this pond had gotten really really low over the summer, lower than we have ever seen.

I decided to film turning down the little side trail in hopes of getting the dogs on video running to their favorite lookout stump. They didn't disappoint me, Liza is always in her element when there is water and maybe some sort of bird that *might* be involved. The other dogs check out the lookout stump too.

Liza is everyone's favorite Min-Pin, she is definitely a Min-Pin in temperament, not a Rattie, but she is a very cool Min-Pin, we just love this girl.

I got a great shot of Miss Birdie's watercolor ears. She has the prettiest ears I have ever seen.

Liza is sure she will see a duck or something if she just watches long enough :)

Part 2 will see some changes, and some changes aren't always welcome. Stay tuned for what we saw next.