Rain is predicted today, so yesterday I made "take Piper to the pond" a priority.
We haven't gone for many of our favorite Autumn rambles at the pond because the Highlander has been in the shop several times recently, and usually for more than one day each time.
It's one of those repair situations where fixing Critical Issue A (to the tune of over $900, which made me blink) unfortunately leads to Critical Issues B though D. The tally is now over three thousand dollars, and yesterday when I got the call from the office manager at the garage saying "your Highlander is fixed," I felt a bit like Charlie Brown and the football.
Anyway, after morning chores and getting the truck back, I brushed Piper thoroughly so that any burrs she might pick up in the woods would be a bit easier to remove, and off we went.
Can you see all those little specks on Pip's coat? She went through a stand of goldenrod and picked up a few seeds to disperse along the trail.
Sniffing is one of Piper's very favorite things to do.
She did a lot of it yesterday;
The colors were phenomenal.
So much green and gold.
Piper ambled to and fro while I took photographs
and picked up bits of things to possibly sketch someday.
It was while I was photographing this pitcherplant...
...that Piper went into the bog.
I don't know if she intended to go in, or if she was thinking of having a drink and was taken by surprise by the sudden depth of what is usually just wet ground.
But in a flash she was in muddy water halfway up her ribs, and her effort to turn around and get out only made her feet sink deeper into the muck.
Thinking she might panic, I quickly squelched over and grabbed her collar to give her something solid to pull against.
Result: one very stinky, mucky hound and one equally mucky shoe and trouser leg. I didn't take a picture, but Piper looked very much as she did in this blogpost - with a higher waterline.
Piper was expecting to carry on rambling and sniffing as if she wasn't soaking wet and dripping muck, but since it was chilly and windy, our ramble was curtailed.
Even worse from Piper's point of view, the moment we got home she immediately had a very thorough bath.
After which, everything I was wearing went into the washer with extra detergent.
We are so clean now.
All ready for today's rain.
~~~~~
You are a trooper! What with the truck issues and expense and then the mud wrestling.....you are a patient and grateful soul! The colors and the pitcher plant are beautiful! It's raining here too..stay warm and dry!
ReplyDeleteThanks :) Luckily the rain held off long enough to get a few things done this morning. Now there's a fire in the woodstove and everyone is snugged up for a quiet - and dry - afternoon!
DeleteI had to chuckle about the poor puppy! I remember when our 80-pounds-plus golden retriever went into the pond and couldn't get out. Larry had to go in after him. Wet, wet man and dog. So sorry about the truck. Sometimes the urge to just push a troublesom vehicle over the hill is so strong...
ReplyDeleteI rushed to get to Piper before she could take another step forward when she was having trouble turning around. One more step and I wouldn't have been able to lean far enough to grab her collar without going in after her. But unlike Larry, I probably would have gotten stuck, too!
DeleteNot a bath! ugh. lol Ouch for your critical issues, too. At least the trip to the pond was free? Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteI know - there's nothing like a bath to RUIN a dog! ;)
DeleteAn out and about to remember.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! I only wish it had happened on our way out of the woods instead of a half hour after we started in. Poor Piper didn't get much of a ramble, and now it's raining, raining, raining.
DeleteI feel for you when it comes to vehicle repairs - by the time we're done with this lot it will be over two thousand (new brakes and a new emergency brake). Plus we bought snow tires and rims (used) but another $600. Ouch! Good thing you were able to rescue Piper before she got yuckier - why do dogs love that sort of thing!
ReplyDelete