Dale Matson
Sharon With Brown and Puppie Susie
Sharon and I selected Susie at Fort Sage Kennels in Doyle
California about eight years ago. Our first Airedale, Brown came from there
also. She made it back over Donner Pass pretty well, which was the first travel
test. Brown was sick the entire time and never did get accustomed to car
travel. By the time Susie arrived, he was getting pretty long in the tooth and
tried to ignore her as much as possible. She was unimpressed with his massive
size and challenged him at every turn. He “mentored” her in the house rules and
she was a quick study. Everybody loved Brown but Susie….not so much. She has
some redeeming features such as her willingness to stay on lead when I jog. She
is low maintenance but insistent about
getting her way.
Susie Swimming In The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness
Cooling Off Before Trip Back At Florence Lake
Waiting For The Water Taxi At Edison Lake
She has kept in shape over the years by running with me
twice a week in addition to her daily walks. She is a swimmer while her older
brother Brown avoided water and her younger brother Duke avoids water at all
costs. She has been my “go to” trail companion on many trips into the Sierra
National Forest. Dogs are not allowed on the trails of the National Parks.
I Paid The Lower Rate For Susie's Passage On The Ferry
If she is inside during the loading process, she will simply
sit by the door into the garage and dart out in an unguarded moment. I have
learned that when I am ready to leave for a hike, I put her outside because
each item I take to my vehicle is another clue that she will be going with me.
Susie At Nellie Lake With Sharon And A Friend
Susie At Kaiser Peak
Moonlight Hike To Kaiser Peak
As I reviewed my photographs, I was amazed how much travel
she has done with us in general and me in particular. This is written at a time
when she is now long in the tooth and no longer capable of mountain hikes. Our
longest hike together was 18 miles round trip from Florence Lake to Kings
Canyon and back as a day hike. Thank God there were lots of creeks along the
way for water and cooling. This piece is a trip down memory lane in
photographs.
Part II is here:
ReplyDeletehttp://midsierramusing.blogspot.com/2014/05/susie-airedale-my-trail-companion-part.html
THERE ARE ONLY TWO BREEDS OF DOGS; AIREDALES AND THE REST ! (LOL)
ReplyDeleteMY EX AND I HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO OUR 5TH AIREDALE MURPHY LAST SUNDAY, HER COMPANION OF 11 YEARS....