Doggie Milestone

This is a story about young Liam Love.

I purchased Liam as a small pup from a family in Hunters, Wash. 

A week after the purchase, Bill, Willie, Debbie and I drove to Hunters to bring adorable little Liam to his new home at the Lovestead.  That was two-plus years ago.

As Liam made himself at home, there were a couple of times, after he ate parts of two couches, some quilts and chewed up the bottoms of several pieces of furniture, I threatened to take Liam back to Hunters.

The antics of this precocious, high-wired but very loving pup did not end there.  We spent several hours the summer before last reinforcing fences along our lane pasture with woven wire.  

That happened because Liam thought he needed to herd the cows next door and the horses in the pasture. 

Through our constant, daily efforts over the past two-plus years, we have often saved Liam from extinction.  

I think he appreciates our efforts.

During this last few months, Liam has grown up, so much so that we seldom need to worry about him approaching the road and are thrilled that he would rather be hanging with Bill or me than dashing off across a field. 

At long last, Liam knows his boundaries and respects them. 

In his short life, he has given official herding a try---only for us to learn from one trainer that he "certainly is a handful" and that he does "have stamina."  

We heard those same comments in two consecutive lessons but never ever heard "herd dog" prospect. 

Liam has also engaged in agility training and actually has done rather well.  I was most pleased over the winter every time I had to bathe him (which was often) that he loves to leap on the dog crate where I can towel him off a lot easier than when I stand on my head.  

Agility training definitely paid off. 

This weekend, Liam achieved another major milestone in his "life skills for dogs" training. 

Bill and I have noticed and appreciated lately how much he enjoys being a companion while we are engaged in our respective activities around the place.  

During a discussion on Sunday, I suggested that we take Liam, all by himself, on a hike to test out our observations in a setting that would prove once and for all that he has come of age. 

So, we loaded him up and drove up the Rapid Lightning Creek Road.  We parked at a junction with a road which isn't traveled much, snapped on a leash for just in case and set off walking. 

At first, when Liam kept up a rather rapid pace ahead of us, I would yell "Come back, Liam." That's all it took.  He would turn around, run back, greet both of us and then proceed on up the trail. 

About a dozen times of this routine, and suddenly both Bill and I noticed that Liam had learned to pace himself BY himself. 

From that point on, he would trot up the trail, stop and wait for us to catch up before resuming his travels. 

We were so proud and so satisfied----that comment almost seems inadequate for describing the thrill of seeing this dog in his life progression from couch eater to full-fledged hiking buddy for Bill and me. 

I think Liam knew he was a "good dog" too. 

On Sunday, once we could relax, knowing he wasn't going to run off or get lost, we just took in the scenery, especially on our second stop at one of the most magnificent spots I know---the Rapid Lightning Creek aspen grove. 

This was the first time we had visited the grove in the spring.  It reaches full brilliance in the fall when colors change, but seeing all those tall, slim trees with brand new, rich green leaves fluttering in the mountain breeze----spectacular, to say the least. 

So, Liam's milestone on the trails, where he passed with flying colors, was one very notable reward, topped off by our enjoyable stroll through truly glorious and heavenly surroundings.

Our furniture in the living room might not look so good, thanks to young Liam, but our future in the back country where he can hang out with us as we explore is looking very promising. 

He's a good dog. 

Happy Tuesday. 

Liam found a large bone and felt the need to roll. 

Yup, good dog!