My wife and I took Qila, Jenny, and Mira out for the first training hike of the season. Qila and Mira wore empty packs, Mira so that she would get the idea of the feel of the pack and Qila so that Mira knew that the whole pack was wearing backpacks. Jenny as grand old lady of the pack was pack-free.
The day was absolutely gorgeous with bright blue, cloud-free skies and temperature in the mid- to high 60’s. We chose a section of Forest Preserve trail not far from home. Cyclists, joggers, and walkers along the route frequently stopped to comment on how beautiful our dogs were. Which was true.
The dogs were ecstatic to be out on the trail with us. Jenny likes to do anything as long as its with us and there was a spring in Qila’s step that I haven’t seen in a while. Mira’s happy as long as she’s doing what the pack is doing.
The hike was brief totalling perhaps three miles all told. We didn’t want to overtire Mira in particular. We wanted to ensure that her first packing experience was a pleasant one. Today’s hike was on a bicycle path through deep woods and some savannah.
I think I’ll start a series of posts on urban pack-hiking with your dog covering equipment, trail selection, care of your dog, and trail manners. Expect the next in the series in a couple of days.
your post,and the picture, brings back fond and teary memories of my Samoyeds hiking in Alaska in the 80s and 90s. The time Bear dove into a muddy creek wall chasing a marmot, and got all of himself, plus pack, into the dirt except his hind legs. Then seeing the marmot emerge 40 feet downstream. Or Nikki finally learning that he could not charge into alder thickets while wearing his pack.
If this brings back fond memories, wait until I do my dogsledding posts once we have snow! BTW have you checked out my other Sam posts? I have a bunch—just search for Samoyed.