Be Careful in the Woods

This is a warning to all of you young human-trainers out there. Be careful. Your people can slip away so quickly.

Last Saturday, Susan took me for a wonderful long hike. We picked up Girlfriend 1 and Girlfriend 2, so I knew it was going to be a grand adventure! We went to Chichaqua Bottoms and the 3 women got their packs on and their hiking sticks out. I made sure I had all 4 paws. The most wonderful thing about this place - dogs don't have to be leashed! So I did not have to be Molly Go-Behind. I was Molly the Fearless Leader.

I led them all through the wetlands, and then I found the trail in the woods. I knew Susan would love it, because she has a shirt that says, Going to the Woods is Going Home.

I love the woods as well and what do you know, after we'd walked a short way, I saw a rabbit. He was just asking to be chased so I looked for the three women, but they were being kind of pokey, so I told them to STAY and I chased that rabbit right into the woods. I was faster than he was, but he was smaller and could go under things while I had to go over. So, after a merry chase that left me panting, I turned back to find Susan.

Sometimes, despite all your training, they act like humans. She didn't STAY. I had no idea where she was. Oh, I could hear her hollering, but not very well, what with my panting and the wind blowing. I looked for her a little. I looked for another rabbit a little, too. 

Then, after a while, Girlfriend 2 met me on the trail, right about where I'd told Susan to STAY. I was very happy to see her, and she seemed happy to see me. But she held on to my harness and tried to send a text on her phone. So I jumped up and licked her face and she even came down on the ground to wrestle around with me. Then, we went down the trail a little ways and found Leigh and Susan, too. I jumped all around and was so happy. 

Then, Susan put the leash back on, even though I'd been an excellent leader and found her when she was lost. But we had lunch and I got deer sticks and cheese and peanut butter sandwich, so I was okay. 

All in all, it was a wonderful adventure. Susan took this picture of me at the end of the day, so my fur is a little bit rumpled, but I think I look pretty good. We really have to work on those STAYs, though.