A Day in the Woods

Today Pajamas and I packed the bike into my little red sports car and made the drive up to New Market for some biking.  Pj relaxed in the seat beside me, in and out of sleep.  Every once and a while though she gets up, stands her front paws on the centre console and gives me a couple short warm licks on the cheek.  She is so affectionate.  At first I wasn't in a very good mood, but with the sunroof open and the sun warming my face I slowly felt my mood change.  The trees look so beautiful and with each gust of wind leaves would swirl around the cars as we moved north on the 404.

When we arrive at the trails Pajamas cannot wait to get going.  She wanders around the parking lot smelling all the smells of the forest while I unpack the bike.  The minute I get on the bike she looses her mind.  She jumps around in front of the bike, her barks traveling well into the forest.

We weave through the trails Pajamas a couple steps ahead.  She looks back often to make sure I'm keeping up.  The trails were covered in bright yellow leaves, as the sun shone through the bare trees.  I love biking in the fall, with the cool breeze on my fast as we wind through the woods.

We biked for just over an hour and then made our way back to the car.  Everything feels better after an hour on the bike.  Pj takes one last drink out of my water bottle and then we pile back into the car.  She sleeps the whole way back to the city while I enjoy one last view of the fall forest before we hit the city again.

And the best part?  I have a pooped puppy for the rest of the day!

Thank Goodness for Pajamas

It's Thanksgiving weekend and I've just arrived home from my weekend morning walk.  Beside me on the couch is my puppy fast asleep, head resting on a pillow, tail tucked in close to her body. I look over at her and smile. She has given me so much to be thankful for.

Thank you for teaching me to love again.  To open my heart and love with all my might, even though I know someday we will have to part.
Thank you for showing me the beauty of the morning.  For sharing a morning sunrise and the crisp autumn air.
Thank you for being the last thing I see before I go to bed and the first thing I see when I wake.  For sensing that moment when I first open eyes and snuggling up close, slowly easing me into another day.
Thank you for helping me to be more active.  For pushing me to walk further, bike faster and get off the couch more often!
Thank you for your slobbery kisses.  Especially when you are licking away my tears, never stopping until my cries turn to giggles.
Thank you for your friendship.  I never feel lonely as long as you are near.

I love you Peej!

Caution in the Wind

As the days get shorter our mornings walks have become ventures into darkness.  Pajamas is extra cautious  in the dark even in the park she visits every day.  There is an old tree that has been loosing branches on windy days, so bright yellow caution tape has been put up around the area to discourage people from getting too close.  This tape had been up a couple of days, so I know Pajamas had seen it, but something about the yellow tape blowing in the wind just before dawn, set her off.

The minute she entered the park she headed straight for the tape, neck stretched way out in front of her, tail erect behind.  The bark she lets out is completely unlike the bark she makes when we play. She bowowowowow's, gradually getting higher and higher, until her voice actually cracks.  Then it starts all over again.  It's 6 o'clock in the morning.  I hear that woman from the beach saying "your neighbors must hate you."  I dash off after her trying to get her attention and hopefully stop the barking.

She stops within a couple of feet of the caution tape and stands, neck stretched out, barking over and over again.  Every time I get close to her, she moves sideways away from me, barking so loud all four feet leave the ground.  This continues for minutes, although as I think about all the sleeping people around me it feels much longer.

When I finally get Pajamas leash back on, we slink out of the park....quietly.