19.12.11

morning run:
Gowron
Monkey
Daisy
Steve McQueen
Amber
Petey
Mega
Zoot
(8)

Hidden trail a slightly alternative way: ~8k. We took the dirty road and the cut-over to the swimming hole and then the eastern branch of the road that heads to Au Soleil Couchant on the way out, and we went back into the monte at Au Soleil Couchant on the way back. This was the first time any of the pups have gone out since they went through some kind of stomach ailment; Lex was hit the hardest and is still not all the way back, so he sat this one out. Everyone was so enthusiastic that we got to the swimming hole in record time; they were obviously up for more so I decided to take them to the beach via the hidden trail. In spite of it being muddy and churning with last vestiges of a norte that blew through yesterday everyone but Zoot threw themselves into the ocean with great enthusiasm; there was a steep drop-off at the shore so that they were immediately over their heads in the surf but they didn't care. Zoot whined and barked excitedly at the shore but did not want to get in. Between where the hidden trail lets out and the Au Soleil Couchant access road we went into the water three times and on the third one Zoot finally jumped in with everyone else. The tribe are all strong swimmers; Amber in particular is a lunatic in the water with McQueen not far behind. Amber is also extremely brave and was on point with Daisy for most of the run; funnily enough her brother McQueen, being the largest of the tribe, hardly ever left my ankle and was constantly jumping up on me for emotional support and encouragement as we ran. Daisy, Monkey and PupG were excellent examples and everyone behaved themselves perfectly, holding up and getting with me before we even crossed the road on the way out and staying behind me and crossing the road all together on the way back.
GRADE: A

morning walk:
Shirley
Buddy
(2)

North on the beach with Mark and Lin while I was still out running. They tried walking apart a bit to see how that would go with Buddy and said that he definitely walks better when there is a girl around. Figures.
GRADE: A

mid-day walk:
Archie
Molly
(2)

Mark and Lin took these two on a longish walk north on the beach. They let them off the leashes far to the north where the beach widens out. Everyone was good about everything.
GRADE: A

afternoon walk:
Bette
Frankie
Stella
(3)

Mark and Lin got a little bit lost in the monte around mosquito hour with these three but had a good time anyway.
GRADE: A