Sammy soaking in the sunshine at the summit of Mt. Israel
With a slow start to Spring and having been away from the trails over the past several weeks, I was excited to soak in the sun recently with Sammy en route to the summit of Mt. Israel (2,630 ft.). My hiking companion has been waiting very patiently to see his report from our trek along the Wentworth Trail that took place back on May 18, 2013. Since I have been busy with caring for my almost 16-year old dog's health issues the last few weeks, I am grateful for Sammy's patience.
All smiles along the Wentworth Trail
Three-year old Sammy is a sweet mix of shepherd and hound who is searching for his second chance family. He is very much a ladies man and continues to make great strides with the men in his life. Sammy greeted me as if he had known me forever and was very comfortable and well behaved during the car ride to the trailhead.
Braving the black flies
He is doing remarkably well in his foster home and working to overcome his suspicions of some men he encounters. Knowing that Sammy was not totally comfortable with all men and may bark at them, I chose an out and back trail to a peak that would be less crowded than its more popular neighboring summits of Mts. Percival and Morgan. Taking an out and back route with a dog who is overcoming some fears lessens the number of unfamiliar people and places that he will encounter.
Enjoying the views from above
Our plan worked well, and we were fortunate in that the first fellow hikers we encountered on the trail had previous experience with a dog who had some fears of men. This friendly couple and their well behaved pair of Labrador retrievers kindly gave a little bit more room on the trail as Sammy and I made our way past them. Sammy was fine, and I made a point of staying between him and the unfamiliar man on the trail. The rest of our journey was filled mostly with black flies and only a handful of other hikers. Sammy did well walking past others on the trail and even tolerated a rather boisterous off leash dog that quickly ran up to greet us as we approached the summit.
On the ride home
Our return trip was similarly uneventful, and Sammy is looking forward to more hikes in the future. Of course, I always hope that each of my hikers finds a new home before they have an opportunity to visit the trails with me again. However, I would welcome the chance to spend another sunny day with Sammy. An album of photos from our hike is available here.
To learn more about Sammy, view his Petfinder.com profile here. If you would like to support other rescue dogs in need through becoming a foster home or by making a donation, visit Almost Home Rescue.
Laconia, NH – Neely “Puba” Mulkern, 15, died May 1, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. She passed away suddenly yet peacefully along the shores of Lake Winnisquam where she had resided since June 1999. She is survived by her parents David and Lisa-Marie, canine brothers Bandit and Roadie, and feline sister Sasha. She was preceded in death by her feline brother Ivan in 2007.
Neely was born circa February 1998 in Grafton, New Hampshire. She lived the first year of her life in cruel conditions where she did not have adequate shelter or nourishment. In February 1999, she was surrendered to a local animal shelter along with three other dogs. The person who surrendered them claimed that the pack of dogs had shown up in his yard as strays, but this statement was subsequently proven to be false.
In June 1999, after a four month wait inside the animal shelter and with the stress of kennel life taking its toll on her mental health, Neely’s luck began to change. One day there appeared at the shelter, a handsome German shepherd/Labrador retriever mix that was trailed by his somewhat gullible humans. While other dogs at the shelter cowered at the sight of the mighty beast, Neely seized her opportunity and began frolicking with her soon to be lifelong partner in crime Bandit.
The trauma of Neely’s first year of life presented some challenges as she acclimated to living indoors, riding in a car, and being left alone without her humans. Neely embraced a holistic approach to her behavioral modification program and ultimately became an automobile aficionado, spectacular dock diver, avid hiker and accomplished sous chef.
Neely’s true gift was her gentle sweetness. As anyone who ever had the privilege to visit Neely can attest, her brother Bandit specialized in greeting guests immediately upon their arrival while Neely preferred a more subtle and individualized approach. For some visitors, that meant providing them with a refreshing shower on the dock. For others, it meant lending assistance to finishing their lunch or dinner, or sharing their s’mores at the fire pit. She was always willing to sample the unattended Margarita or mudslide and was constantly on the lookout for a spill. For the rest of her visitors, Neely offered the opportunity to curl up on the couch or share a sleeping bag while they stared into her big brown eyes.
Through all of her countless adventures, Neely never backed down from a challenge and embraced each day with her can do spirit. If you woke up with an urge to climb a 4,000-footer, she would lead the charge up that mountain. Prefer to stay home and watch a football game, Neely would tell you to push over and make room on the couch. Always friendly and accommodating to everyone she met, Neely will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.
There will be no calling hours. Services will be private. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Neely’s life by consuming a large quantity of their favorite food with wild abandon. Neely’s family would like to extend their gratitude to everyone who waited patiently for the diamond in the rough to emerge and joined in celebrating her brilliance over the course of three decades. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Canine Guardians for Life, Inc. http://www.canineguardiansforlife.com and/or to Almost Home Rescue of Maine http://www.almosthomerescue.net so that more homeless dogs can be sheltered in foster homes while waiting to be adopted. Learn more about foster dogs hiking for homes at http://www.fosterdogsummit.com
Winter got a late start this year in New Hampshire, and it seems determined to stick around long after it has worn out its welcome. The skiing conditions have been wonderful, but I am now ready for a change of season. Last Sunday, I was determined to get a taste of Spring on the trails, so I headed south for Pack Monadnock (2,290 ft.) in the hopes that the trails would be mostly clear of the white stuff yet not too full of the muddy stuff. What I found instead was much more snow from top to bottom than I had anticipated. And while that would not otherwise have a posed a problem, I also realized at the trailhead that my microspikes were not in the back of the car where I thought I had left them.
Petey questioning my preparedness
Thankfully, my boots have good tread and I was able to choose a route that was mostly in the sun. So, my hiking companion Petey and I set out for the top of Pack Monadnock via an out and back 2.8 mile trip along the Marion Davis Trail. While the trail was well packed and mostly slushy and not icy, the spikes would have made for a quicker descent. Of course, I did not have to worry about Petey pulling on a leash or otherwise complicating our hike in any way. So, we did not mind taking our time and carefully watching our steps along the way on such a beautiful and sunny day.
Enjoying a sunny, dry section of the trail
We only encountered two other hikers on our way to the summit. As I introduced my companion with, "This is Petey," the first hiker replied, "So am I, and so is he." After chatting briefly with the Peters and asking that they share Petey's blog post with family and friends, we continued to the top of Pack Monadnock where we met with a few other hikers. Petey kindly made the acquaintance of more hikers and posed for several photos. He is a perfect gentleman in every way.
At the summit of Pack Monadnock
Found wandering as a stray in West Virginia last year, Petey made his way to New Hampshire late last fall and has been wintering in a foster home while waiting patiently for a family to adopt him. Peter's early grey muzzle makes him appear older than his estimated six years of age, but he hikes like a dog half his age. In addition to his distinguished appearance, Petey is completely friendly with everyone he encounters, including humans, canines and felines of all ages and sizes. They say that 10 is the new 5 in dog ages, so the family who welcomes Petey into their home will have many happy, rewarding years of companionship ahead of them.
Smiling for the camera and the new friends he met!
After a work induced winter break lasting several weeks, I was looking forward to returning to the trails. My latest canine hiking companion Buck joined me along with my friend Karen for a snowshoe adventure to the top of Catamount Hill.
Buck patiently waiting for us to decide which way to hike
Three year old Buck is a large Labrador retriever mix who recently arrived after an extended stay at a shelter in Arkansas. From the very start of our trek through the snow, Buck did not show any signs of having a preference for the warmer climate he enjoyed in the South. He handled the hike of a few miles in the snow as if he was born and raised in New England.
Nearing the summit and staying warm
As we made our way along the One Mile Trail en route to the Catamount Hill Trail, we encountered a few snowmobiles, but Buck was not at all bothered by the unfamiliar sights and sounds. He also walked very politely on his leash and was as equally content in leading the way as he was in following the tracks of our snowshoes.
Buck's foster mom packed a warm and rather attractive winter coat for him to wear on his hike. While the mild temperatures did not warrant an extra layer, I do regret not dressing Buck briefly for the sake of fashion to show off his coat! And, as I have learned, adding a bit of color to a black dog often makes for a better photo, especially in low light conditions.
Clearing the obstacles in his path
Despite the snowfall and lack of sunlight, we still managed to take a number of photos during Buck's winter adventure that are available for viewing here. I had planned to have Buck wear his coat if we were given another opportunity to hike together. However, I have since learned that I may not get a second hike with him because Buck has an adoption application pending.
Ready for the ride home!
We are hopeful for a perfect match and that Buck will be in a forever home very soon! In the meantime, I invite you to visit the website for Almost Home Rescue to see the many other wonderful dogs waiting for forever homes.
Beautiful Bullet posing for a photo en route to the summit
It has been two weeks since my last hike, and I have not yet posted about my adventure with Bullet - a wonderfully handsome and extremely kind Labrador retriever mix who recently accompanied me to the summit of Bald Knob in the Ossipee mountain range.
Bullet enjoying the ride
Before we began our hike, however, Bullet and I had an appointment to meet with a potential adopter at her home in central New Hampshire. As we drove along to our destination, Bullet rode quietly stretched out in the backseat. He was equally respectful when we arrived at our destination and met with the woman who was interested in adopting him. She had considered several online profiles of dogs at Petfinder.com via Almost Home Rescue, and Bullet seemed best suited for this person's active lifestyle and love of the outdoors. She is also a personal acquaintance who lives nearby and knew that I spent time hiking with foster dogs. I was more than happy to schedule Bullet for a pre-hike visit to her home in the hopes that they would be a perfect match!
Bullet checks out the fenced in area of the backyard
Following a walk around the neighborhood that included a meeting with one of the other dogs who lives on the street, Bullet had the opportunity to check out the house and yard. He seemed to greatly approve, and he was a perfect gentleman both inside the home and while exploring the fenced in area outside.
Having concluded our visit and hopeful that a perfect match had been made, it was time for Bullet to head back to his foster home. Along the way, we stopped for a quick hike to the top of Bald Knob. While a straight hike up the Bald Knob Trail is arguably more interesting and challenging, I opted for the Shannon Brook/Bald Knob Cutoff route in an effort to avoid hunters who may be on the property closest to the road. As Bullet and I encountered two hunters on their way out via the Shannon Brook Trail, our choice of routes was confirmed.
Sitting for the camera
Bullet has impressive leash manners and obviously enjoys taking in all the sights and sounds that the woods have to offer. And while my amateur camera skills are always challenged by the task of photographing black dogs, Bullet's stunning good looks and warm expressions are so plentiful that even I could capture them.
Looking in the direction of his new home!
While I typically end my posts with a link to a Petfinder profile where you can learn more about my hiking companion of the day, Bullet has officially been adopted by the person who met with him before our hike and will be moving into his new home at the start of the New Year! I do invite you to view the album of photos from his hike that are available online here and to watch a You Tube video showing how far Bullet has come since being rescued. Link to Bullet's video is available here if your browser does not display it below.
Did you know that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month? My hiking companion Willow had no idea that there was an entire month dedicated to encouraging people to adopt a senior pet. Nor does this lovely 11-year old black Labrador mix consider herself a senior! After hiking several hours with Willow along the Red/Blue and Red Trails leading from Camp Bell to Round Pond in the Belknap Mountain range, I have to agree that she does not act her age.
Views from the Red Trail looking towards
Belknap Mountain
Willow had a bit of warm up to our hike after I began by making a wrong turn and starting out in a direction away from our initial destination of hiking the loop around Mts. Klem and Mack. I was following a route from a trip report that someone had filed online, and I did not have a full map of the area in hand. While the question, "Am I heading in the right direction"? can often be solved with a phone call or a quick visit online, I did not have cell service either. This was not a difficult wrong turn to correct, and I was not in danger of getting lost, but it was a waste of time and rendered me less than fully prepared. So, now I have two very nice full-color trail maps of the entire Belkap Mountain range. They are available for sale at the Gilford Public Library.
The porcupine we met en route
Once Willow and I circled back and made our way to the start of the Red Trail, we enjoyed a wonderful walk to the edge of Round Pond. We encountered a rather larger porcupine en route, but he or she graciously yielded the right of way by scaling a tree as we got close. Trail signs of coyote and moose were especially evident as we approached the pond, but both creatures fully escaped our view.
Time to turn around and head home
After we reached Round Pond, I was confident that Willow had the energy to complete the loop over to Mts. Klem and Mack. Unfortunately, the amount of daylight remaining did not equal this 11-year old's energy level. So, we opted for an out and back and made our way back the route we traveled. While I did not have a complete trail map for this location, I do carry a headlamp in the event that darkness falls before a hike is finished.
Smiling for the camera!
Willow led the way to our hike's conclusion with daylight to spare. After several dozen photos along the route, I think Willow just may have overcome some of her camera shyness as she finished strong and with a smile on her face. This sweet girl is hoping to have a home for the holidays where she will bring much joy to her new family. A complete album of Willow's journey is available online here, and you can learn more about her and other rescue dogs waiting for their forever homes by visiting Almost Home Rescue.
