Sunday's Trip to Arches

Foot Sore Dog
Sunday March 8 2009
Well I reached the mountain at 1:00PM got home at 4:59PM hey my sister called while I was gone. My guess is her roommate told her about the email I sent to HER!..

Anyway I have two main area's that I climb in. The first area starts out with nice round river rocks and is easy for the dogs. They just don't like me using them as canary's in the mine shafts.

The second area I climb in is volcanic rock with violent upthrusts. I have to wear gloves. I did NOT THINK before taking the dogs with me.

Ok, so everybody made it to the top of the mountain ok. I got some great pictures. Now I need to find the camera cable. I forgot to put in a memory chip. (Maxtor external H.D. cable works)

Now on the way down the mountain I found out dogs don't like climbing down - really rough cut your hand kind of rock. The two boys made it all the way down no problem.

Gave them some water and emptied my old "alice" backpack. Took a little water, a lease, and my empty pack about a 1/4 of the way back up the mountain where Misty was stuck on a ledge.

1st I gave her some water. Lifted her off the ledge and she collapsed under a bush. Coaxing did not work. Tried some Beef Jerky no go. Took the collar off Charlie and put that on Misty.

Dragging was not going to work. She rolled over and played dead.
Last resort. Pick her up and stuff her in the backpack.. Head out, pull the drawstring tight so she cannot get out.

She did not like it when I put the pack on -- rolled over and stood up. It took me a minute to get my balance and for her to stop trying to jump out. I did not much like it either. She weighs over 50 pounds.

Ok, we got her down to the truck and out of the bag. Gave the dogs a big bowl of water and I started picking up the wood that someone had dumped in the area. Hey gotta get firewood - wherever you find it in the desert.

Misty could not even jump into the truck when I was ready to leave. Had to pick her up. As soon as we got home she jumped out and is now snoring on the floor beside me. I think all 4 dogs are now sleeping.

Misty was limping and whining, the boys are out in the Living Room and Lady the old girl is so close to my chair I dare not move. Well that's it for this update.

TUES March 10 - Misty still limping, Duke cut his paw pad here at the house and is now doing the 3 legged dog trick. Charlie is his bouncy, dancing self.