We were off to Whistler last weekend and though forecast was bleak, we had really good luck with the timing of rain. Because we both work full time, sometimes our lives seem nothing more than walk the dog, eat, work, walk the dog, eat, laundry, sleep. On the weekends however, we try our best to roll out of bed at a decent time and go on an adventure. Sometimes we go alone in the rain (since it’s hard to find rainy hikers), but this time we were lucky enough to have a great group with us. Whistler is about 2 hours away and we had chill time eating, hot-tubbing and chatting along some nice walks.

On a side note, since we were staying in a new place, Whiskey has started to bark when she hears something different or sees people jogging past the house. It’s surprising us and we’re wondering if she picked it up from the Aussie Shepherd last week.

Just outside our accommodations

A Canadian scene

Whiskey loves to walk along logs and stand there for a photo

A little sun among the rain

We even found a local ghost town called Parkhurst that was initially a logging town abandoned in the 1930s and then again in the 1960s. There were remnants of a bed, stove, house, and even a logging tractor

Scrambling around rocks for fun

discovering an abandoned house

the logging tractor

A dog can go where no human can

a nice weekend out

Whiskey will see you next week!

Over the last couple weeks we’ve been trying different options for when we’re both working during the day.  We both work from 9-6 and bike to work so it’s actually 8:45-6:20 we are out of the house.  At first I thought it was really expensive for dog services but over time I’m seeing how much it makes sense and how much happier Whiskey is if she gets the exercise.  For all the options we still walk her in the morning for 30-45mins (with most of it off leash) and also another walk as soon as we come home.  This is our experience so far:

Dog hiking (1.5 hours hiking, 3 hours out) $22

• It’s actually difficult to find a very good company with openings because they’re usually scheduled with regulars so we’ve had to use two different companies so far.  We give them the key and they come at around 12-12:30 and bring her back around 3-3:30.  I found some “hikes” were actually to a beach and park so we prefer the one company that actually hikes.  All hikes are off-leash and regulated to max 6 dogs.  Both companies have reported that Whiskey has been great and has really good recall.  She’s been “one of the easiest puppies” which is great to hear!  The downside is she’s locked in her crate the rest of the day.

sample picture of usual hikes with company #1

of course she’s on a log!

I’ve been waiting to hike Mt Seymour since we’ve got Whiskey.  Over the last few months we’ve been slowly increasing the distance and difficulty and this one is a bit longer than she’s used to (about 4 hours return, 7km, 450m climb to the “first pump”). We always hike with her off leash and she’s always leading the way.

heading up the trail

Whiskey takes all kinds of side trails

Earlier this year, we had completed the same hike in snow and found a section to scramble, which was easy enough without having to worry about safety, but tough enough to get your heart racing.  Every dog is different, and although we’re really struggling to get Whiskey to say, fetch, she LOVES agility, climbing, and balancing on things.  I was keen to try this scramble with her, with full intentions on taking the normal trail if she showed any sign of fear, hesitation, or lack of balance/safety.

This is the scramble

starting up, Whiskey is patient with us

going between Daddy and me

see! no worries!

My mountain dog

Well, even in my wildest dreams I wouldn’t have imagined how impressive she would be.  While we were struggling to find handholds and routes, Whiskey was up and over our heads going back and forth between us, sure-footed and happy.  There were only two times she needed to be lifted up a meter or so.  She’s been on another hike with a steel ladder section where she’s learned to stay on my partner’s shoulders in a fireman’s carry, so we had no problems.  Whiskey can also follow if we point her a new route, and when one way doesn’t work out, she will work out another path herself (something we’ve been patiently teaching her).

hurry up mommy!

She’s so graceful,  I love watching her

I just can’t believe my little puppy is a mountain goat!  She’s been constantly surprising me with her fearlessness since we got her.  Every time she slips, she gets right back up and tries again.  I only wish I could have taken my cat scrambling too!

Whiskey follows Daddy up the boulder

but she refuses to jump over.  Great decision making!

Moo is a true acrobat but refuses a harness/collar/leash

I can’t wait for our next weekend hike and I’m so ecstatic to have the hiking dog of my dreams.

Best dog ever!