Dog Day Afternoon
3 July 2007We took Alex camping for the first time and he did great. The campground was a wonderland of sights, smells, people and activity. We had him on a 30 foot lead that he managed to have tangled around the firepit, the picnic table or both at any given time.
He spent most of the first hour marking his territory while we set up camp. Then it was back in the car for the first adventure. A 20 minute drive through the mountains found us at Limantour Beach where he carefully avoided getting his paws in the surf, although a stroll through the sand was right up his alley. I think we were all exhauted by the time we got back to the car.
Back at camp he spent some time getting to know our ‘neighbors’ and playing frisbee. By the time darkness fell he was starting to feel out of his element. Dogs, by nature, are very routine oriented, and Alex is no exception. He has a strict bedtime routine and hasn’t slept away from home very often, much less outside. After about an hour of restlessness we opened the back of the 4Runner where he quickly settled in for a long nap.
When it was our time to go to bed we moved him into the tent between us. There really isn’t much room in a 4 man tent for two adults and a 65lb Border Collie. I think we were all feeling a bit crowded, but too tired to stay awake. Not that we stayed asleep for long. I got up with him twice and Drew a third time. I think he was ‘on duty’ for most of the night listening to the animals move around outside. One managed to get a loaf of bread out and have a snack.
Sunday we headed up to Bolinas Ridge for some early morning hiking. It was a cool, foggy morning - perfect for hiking. Alex had a healthy respect for the cows we met along the trail, and they for him. It was a nice, leisurely walk filled with constant maneuvering around some serious cow patties. The view was spectacular, and it was the perfect way to end our weekend.
There are limitations when you bring a dog in terms of where you can go and what you can do. Knowing that, you can plan accordingly by picking areas that are dog friendly and allow dogs on/off leash. Alex is probably the smartest and most active dog we’ll ever have, and to be able to stimulate him in new ways is rewarding for all of us.