Jax's first hike.

We love hiking and spent the majority of weekends last fall and winter exploring different places around the state (there are some very beautiful places in AR).  We hadn't been on a hike since we lost Asia.  It was certainly one of her very favorite things to do and I am happy that she was able to spend so much time hiking with us during her last months.  We had planned for a two-day backpacking trip for the end of our hiking season, and had even bought supplies.  The trip never happened because we had no interest in going without Asia.  Instead the gear got put in the back of the attic, out of sight, out of mind.  I didn't think I would ever want to hike again without my faithful trail partner. 

Early Sunday morning we decided to take Dixie and Jax to Pinnacle Mountain.  It was a tough hike for our first one in so many months.  It's less than 2 miles round trip, but the mountain is steep, and the trail (which after the halfway point is just boulders) is quite strenuous.  Probably not the smartest choice for a dog that has just recently been exposed to leash walking!  It was a much different experience hiking with Jax.  Communication and trust are obviously pretty important when you are on a mountain, and connected to each other with a leash.  Asia was a seasoned pro, and would never make a move that would endanger her, or me.  Jax doesn't really know his limitations, and communication is tough with a deaf dog.  Not to mention that he is far from graceful!  At first I worried that we were going to overwhelm him, or that somebody might get hurt.  (Okay, I know that the moms read this and are starting to worry right now.  Relax. We are careful hikers and very protective of our dogs.  We would not have continued at the first sign that any of us would actually get hurt).  I guess his instincts kicked in, because when we got up to the top half of the mountain, he really started concentrating.  We weren't totally in sync, but at least he never did anything dumb.  I was impressed.  We made it up pretty quickly and the view from the top is awesome.  It was a beautiful morning and there was a nice, strong breeze.  We took a couple pictures and after some odd looks from another hiker, had to explain why we were both waving our arms in the air like crazy people (we were trying to get Jax to look at the camera)!  He was fascinated watching the vultures circling above.  When he is focused on something, it's very hard to get his attention!

We passed several people on their way up the mountain as we made our way back down.  This type of exposure is great for him.  He was very curious, but a bit skeptical of the other hikers.  Of course, he couldn't hear their friendly "Hey doggies!" so he watched Dixie's reactions and trusted me to keep him out of harm's way.  There was only one time that he did a full-blown, butt-wiggling tail wag.  At the very bottom, we passed a little boy who must have been about four years old (who, by the way, was no way in hell making it up that mountain!).  I was very happy to see the way he reacted to the child!  Overall, he did really well on this outing.  I was proud of him.  I have a feeling, however, that this was our last hike until after summer.  It just gets too hot from this point on.

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I thought about Asia while we were up there, and I'm sure Jonathon did too.  The last time we'd stood on that mountain top, she had been with us, tongue hanging out, enjoying life.  I felt a little guilty being there without her, but I'd like to think that she was with us up there that morning too.

                                     Asia and I,  Pinnacle Mountain Top, Feb 2009