Adventure Pack Rucksack was feeling very playful when I let him off the leash during our hike at Shanahan Ridge this morning. Sputnik, Mamacita, and Roger Roger all responded to his giddy leaps and expectant stares in kind, and Sputnik got to run off leash with him for a bit when we hiked along an empty stretch of trail. Variety Pack Sputnik wanted to make frequent stops along the path around Wonderland Lake this afternoon, and left a scent mark every time. Roger Roger, Zoey, and Isaac were more go-with-the-flow, aside from one stop Zoey insisted on as we walked through Wonderland Park. She only sniffed briefly before relieving herself, and Isaac followed suit. Sputnik happily took the o

Adventure Pack Racer and Colby greeted Sputnik with kisses this morning, as usual, while Griff avoided the flurry of affectionate greetings. There were quite a few other dogs out on the trails with their humans, but the pack didn't give much attention to them when we passed by. When we got back to the packmobile, Colby and Racer gave each other kisses, and I caught a photo when Colby had her tongue sticking out so far that it looks unreal, and brings to mind the tongue of a geoduck clam. Variety Pack Zoey, Rucksack, Roger Roger, Isaac, and Blu all had a nice walk together along the Boulder Creek Path this afternoon. The air was a bit nippy and the path was almost empty of other travelers

Adventure Pack Ruffers ran around the trail with Sputnik after Sputnik spent a while zooming by and dropping into play bows to try to convince her. While Ruffers was watching Sputnik with a bit of hesitancy, Mamacita was hopping up and down in place, egging Sputnik on. Variety Pack Roger Roger, Blu, Zoey, and Rucksack walked around Wonderland Lake together this afternoon. Rucksack and Blu both tried to pull ahead a bit throughout the walk, while Roger Roger and Zoey stayed in place at my sides. Blu and Roger Roger enjoyed sniffing along the side of the path. They were sometimes joined in their investigations by Zoey and Rucksack, but those two often just waited on the path, eager to get

Adventure Pack Mamacita, Roger Roger, Rucksack, and Sputnik had a good time hiking up Shanahan Ridge this morning. We didn't make many stops along the way, so we made it well up the trail. I snapped a photo of the pack standing proudly at the base of the sheer rock face near the far point of our trip. Variety Pack My wife, Jen, helped walk Monarch, Clover, Racer, Blu, Zoey, Isaac, Coco, and Griff around Wonderland Lake this afternoon. After some initial pulling by Racer and Blu, the pack settled into a pretty consistent rhythm on mostly loose leashes throughout the walk. Coco wanted to make a few pit stops along the way to roll in the grass and chomp on some of the few patches of snow re

Adventure Pack The trail at Shanahan Ridge was pretty well-traveled today. The pack saw quite a few joggers and hikers with their dogs, and were mostly pretty relaxed about them. However, Sputnik did get a bit growly when a happy, bouncy Bernese Mountain Dog came up the trail. We didn't have any other issues otherwise. Racer had one of her better days regarding her tendency to pull. Griff took some water from the CamelBak along with his packmates, even though he has avoided the spout on recent trips. Colby enjoyed sniffing around with Sputnik. Her ears remained dry, as Sputnik has laid off licking them this week. Variety Pack Zoey, Isaac, Racer, and Coco enjoyed a walk around Wonderla

Adventure Pack Ruffers and Zoey had a lot of fun chasing each other around the trail this morning. When I pulled the pack over to a field beside the trail to let some other dogs pass, Zoey was a brat and refused to come all the way up to me. She kept coming near and then hopping back to try to get me or one of the other dogs to chase her. Meanwhile, Sputnik, Ruffers, and Mamacita all got to practice hanging out and calmly ignoring another dog who was trying to stir them up. It took a while, but Zoey eventually settled and came over to let me put a leash on her, and she stayed leashed for the remainder of the hike. Variety Pack Rey and Racer wrestled around together before we headed to Bea

Adventure Pack Racer started off the hike pulling like a maniac, but settled down a little way in, after she had relieved herself. Sputnik was calm and courteous with all the dogs we passed on the trail today, as were Racer, Colby, and Griff. After they passed, I had the pack gather around for pets and a water break to acknowledge their good behavior. Colby wasn't skittish at any point during the hike, even when other hikers came up from behind us. It was a very pleasant morning at Shanahan Ridge. Variety Pack The pack were full of energy at the Valmont Dog Park this afternoon. Racer, true to her name, bolted into the park and ran a short lap as soon as we entered. Rey and Zoey both too

Adventure Pack Mamacita munched on some of the few patches of snow that remain along the trail. She also had fun wiggling around in the grass while Rucksack looked on, and Sputnik and Roger Roger sniffed around. In addition to the snow, Mamacita took some water from the CamelBak; but Sputnik and Roger Roger were the ones most eager to get a drink today. Variety Pack We took our time on a light hike at the CU South Campus trails this afternoon, making frequent stops as Coco, Racer, and Zoey sniffed around in the grass. We came by a friendly, big, black Lab named Merlin whom the pack saw last week, and he joined in the girls' off trail investigations for a few minutes before catching up wit

Adventure Pack Roger Roger only bothered Rucksack a little bit on the trails this morning, and was good about leaving him be when called out. It was actually Roger Roger who found a log to haul today. Of course, Roger Roger's attention span only let him keep a hold of the lumber for a couple minutes. When he dropped it, Rucksack wasn't nearby and missed the chance to carry it himself. Meanwhile, Sputnik and Mamacita were great hikers, sticking right at my side throughout. We headed well off the side of the trail when dogs passed, to be sure there was enough distance for Sputnik not to get fixated, and that worked out very well. Variety Pack So much for Racer's good on-leash behavior yes

Adventure Pack Racer has really improved at walking on leash with the pack. The progress has been gradual and two-steps-forward-one-step-back, but I really noticed today how she stayed at my side for most of the hike. The only time she really pulled was when we passed through a shaded gully where the ground was still covered in snow. Griff, Colby, and Sputnik were all reliable leash walkers as usual. Sputnik bristled a little at some passing dogs, but kept it together. Colby whined when we passed by people. Griff just trotted along at my side. Variety Pack Benny, Zoey, Coco, and Isaac walked at the Settler's Park trails and Boulder Creek this afternoon. Zoey was fully puffed up after

Adventure Pack Zoey and Ruffers sniffed and explored together for a while this morning, while Sputnik and Mamacita hiked at my side. We came across several dogs along the way. Zoey and Ruffers made for a friendly greeting committee, while I brought our less affable greeters off the side of the trail and kept their attentions so they wouldn't interrupt the pleasant mood. Later on, Ruffers and Zoey started chasing each other around the trails. Mamacita and Sputnik watched them with interest and hopped around whenever they came near. Variety Pack Oliver, Benny, Coco, and Rey walked around Wonderland Lake together this afternoon. We made plenty of stops along the way so everyone could sniff

Adventure Pack The pack wanted to make a lot of stops along the trail to sniff around in the patchy snow. Griff and Racer sniffed hello with a friendly dog we passed while Sputnik and Colby stood at my side. Sputnik eventually started grumbling a little before the other dog moved on, while Colby whimpered with uncertain excitement. Sputnik had taken a long break from licking Colby's ears, but he was back at it today. Maybe it's the colder weather that brings it out in him. Variety Pack Rey had fun chasing Coco up the trail at CU South Campus this afternoon. The pair of them happily greeted a small group of dogs, and Rey particularly had fun running around with one of them until we parted

Adventure Pack Sputnik and Rucksack were pretty mellow as they explored the snowy trails at Shanahan Ridge this morning. Sputnik was friendly with one dog who came up from behind us with a jogger, but he made a fuss about a Bernese Mountain Dog who passed by a bit later. Roger Roger enjoyed chomping on snow all along the way. Variety Pack After skipping the morning hike due to apparently feeling under the weather, Mamacita had an antacid, and then was full of pep and ready to come out with Coco and Zoey this afternoon. We headed up the little trail off to the right of the trail head and the pack sniffed all around the clearing there. Then, we headed back down and walked along Boulder Cre

Adventure Pack We took our time along the trail at Shanahan Ridge this morning. Rucksack, Roger Roger, Sputnik, and Mamacita all gathered at points of interest, to get a good sniff. Roger Roger and Mamacita hopped and bowed around each other while we hung out in one spot for a bit. After that, Sputnik and Roger Roger explored the snowy trails together. Roger Roger found a stick to carry but, lacking the resolve of his older brother, he left it behind after only hauling it about 50 yards. Variety Pack Griff and Coco had a lot of fun snuggle-wrestling together before our walk this afternoon. Each leaned into the other as they tossed their heads around, with jaws wide open. Isaac barked a

Adventure Pack Shanahan Ridge was nearly empty this morning, save for a few joggers who passed by at various points along the way. It was just the kind of calm, quiet atmosphere that has tended to put Colby on guard whenever we do come upon someone, so she stayed on leash along with Sputnik and Racer today. The three of them gave each other so many kisses on the way to the trail head. It's sweet affectionate they are toward each other. Griff doesn't get in on the make-out session, but he is friendly and playful with his packmates when we get out onto the trails. Whenever he got a bit too far ahead during our hike and I called him back to the pack, he bounded to us with bounce in his ste

Adventure Pack Isaac quickly found a tree limb as we hiked Shanahan Ridge this morning. He didn't stick with it very long, and ended up cycling through several branches of various size and shape over the course of the hike. Meanwhile, Ruffers followed her typical routine of sniffing spots out thoroughly after the pack passed by them, and then bringing up the rear. Mamacita made playful moves as she watched Isaac carrying lumber. Sputnik behaved himself nicely when we came across other dogs along the trail. At one point, right after we started making our way back toward the trail head, Isaac found some scat and rolled around in it. Thankfully, Ruffers - who was also off leash - did not

Adventure Pack Colby and Griff roamed far together at Enchanted Mesa this afternoon. Griff hopped up on a tall boulder to better survey the land, and was joined by Racer, who also wanted to get a better vantage. Sputnik was fine hanging out on the trail with me, and Colby was already off ahead, sniffing around. While exploring the terrain, Griff stumbled upon a patch of burrs that ended up stuck all over his face, leg, and shoulder. Variety Pack The pack was greeted at the gate by a pup named Koko who played with Rey last week. As soon as the gate was open, the two of them were rolling around together and gnawing on each other's faces, as puppies are wont to do. Milo, Zoey, and Coco all

Adventure Pack There weren't any good sticks for Rucksack to haul on the CU South Campus trails today, but he was well entertained by running around with Zoey. The pair of them chased each other up and down the trail, and got Roger Roger, Sputnik, and Mamacita all hopping around when they came near. A couple dogs came through the pack to sniff hello early on, and although Sputnik and Roger Roger pulled at the leash a bit, everyone was polite with each other. Sputnik was a less polite when he grumbled about a passing dog who didn't even come that a little later on. Mamacita was amped up throughout our light hike and hopped around every now and then to show her excitement, but didn't let h

Adventure Pack Roger Roger, Rucksack, Mamacita, and Sputnik hit a nearly empty Mesa Trail again this morning. Sputnik did get a growl in at the one and only dog we passed, just past the trail head; but he promptly stopped and sat in place when I caught his attention. Mamacita decided not to join in, and instead behaved herself as well as the Doodle boys as the other dog walked by. Variety Pack Coco and Zoey were pretty focused on chasing tennis balls at the park today, while Milo and little Zoe were more interested in the other dogs. Coco did leave the ball aside for a little while, though, when one dog caught her interest. She and Milo followed him around, making playful dodges, gnawing