Saturday, November 15, 2014

A day in the woods.

Today my friend Stephanie and I went hiking and took the dogs. We had a really great time, the dogs had a blast running around - I even let Seppel off leash.

We encountered a few people, but my dogs were really responsive to their recalls and I would leash them to let people pass us by.

Unfortunately on our way back, Seppel and LiLo were ahead of us and they ran into a small group of people. I didn't see these people because they were hunters dressed in tree camo, LiLo and Seppel barked at them and all I could hear was a woman saying "You need to get your dog!" I called Seppel and LiLo and they both came. I was made aware of the Washington County Leash Law - which is a very vague law that states the dogs needs to be under my control, which they were.

I legitimately feel bad that my dogs ran up on them and may have startled them, however I could not see them in their camo! All I could see was Seppel barking.

We had to follow these people up to the end of the trail, when we got up to the road I was repeatedly warned that she could have shot my dog and that she would shoot my dog. I told her that was fine, that she needed to do whatever she needed to do. She then told me all pit bulls should be shot in the head.

We went our separate ways.

It is unlikely I will go out there again, at least not during hunting season.


On the positive side, all of the dogs did really good about checking in while they ran the trail, and they all, including Seppel had great recalls. Overall despite the nasty people, we had a great day.

Here are a few pictures my friend got:





Sunday, November 9, 2014

Astoria Beach

Yesterday on a whim I talked my friend into driving to the beach with the dogs! The weather was GREAT, some places reporting 70 degrees and there was zero chance of rain.

We left after work so we didn't get on the road until about 2pm.

I took Seth and Seppel and my friend had her two dogs Karmann and Flynn.  I left Lilo at home because there wasn't room in the car for her, plus out of everyone Seth and Seppel need the exercise the most, and they can physically handle it.

This was Seppel's 3rd time at the beach and I actually was able to let him off leash! The last two times I have kept him on a 30ft long line. We went to Astoria and came onto the beach where the horseback riding folks normally go, there was hardly any people and we didn't see a single dog.

Seppel did really well with Flynn. He hasn't really had a chance to meet him because I was worried Seppel would eat him. Seppel was actually very patient with him and very appropriate in giving warnings and Flynn fully respected him. Seth actually reprimanded Flynn more than Seppel did, Flynn was a bit of a pest [he's young and crazy] and Seth would try to avoid him but Flynn would persist so Seth would tell him off.

This experience puts my mind as ease a bit that Seppel will not haul off and eat a dog necessarily. However I would be foolish to completely trust him because I have seen him try to eat a few small dogs and a puppy. However, it makes me feel better that he can interact with another dog and not completely maul them - which is what I had pictured in my head.

All four of the dogs had a blast and everyone was good and tired on the ride home.

Here are a few pictures, I took 300+ but the lighting wasn't so great as the sun was setting - several came out kind of grainy which bummed me out, but I got a few decent shots.







LOL nasty face!