Those Darn Squirrels!

Walks with Kodi are something to be experienced. I've noticed more things in my environment during my walks with him, than I think I ever had before.

I find myself looking up into the branches of the trees around us where I've seen a variety of critters, mostly squirrels and birds.

When we're walking and I see him looking up, I'll stop, so he can investigate and I find myself looking up with him, trying to see what he's seeing, trying to see it through his eyes.

He has the same love for Butterflies that Echo had, though he has no interest in caterpillars, which fascinated her. She was interested in squirrels but not in chasing them, mostly watching them, but Kodi wants to chase them and get close to them. He is fascinated by birds flying over head.

This tree he's standing against is an old tree, that hangs down over the sidewalk, like a canopy. It is in the block before our house, so we walk under it often. There are squirrels that seem to almost tease him, staying close to or on the ground, until he's near, then shooting up into the tree, just out of reach as he nears.

Every walk with Kodi is a wonderment, a relaxing venture into appreciation of nature, taking the time to see, hear and smell the world around me.

Kodi playing in the Autumn Leaves

Kodi's first Autumn

Leaves Crunching Under Husky Paws

Oh the joy of walking my handsome Husky on cool Autumn mornings! Pure BLISS!

Recently I was afforded the chance to take some pictures on one of our morning walks, as my husband walked with us. Some friends asked for pictures of Kodi in the Autumn leaves, they thought it would make for beautiful pictures... I have to agree.

Kodi and I have been enjoying two walks a day, once in the early morning before the sun burns off the fog and once in the evening as the sun is setting.

One of the most pleasant parts of our walks is when we walk through this area shown in the picture. The trees are just beautiful and the fallen leaves make the most incredible crunching sound under Kodi's feet.

Kodi enjoys the walks so much it's hard to get him to come home... I tend to find ways of lengthening our walks, so we can enjoy the fresh crisp cool Autumn air longer. He loves seeing the squirrels and birds and loves the smells of Autumn.

I find myself really moved by his joyous wonder, the look on his face when he sees something for the first time, when he watches geese fly overhead, or sees a butterfly flitting nearby. This is Kodi's first Autumn and he seems to really enjoy the changes happening around us.

His Assistance Dog Training is coming along well. He's picking things up for me without commands, stays close to me in an effort to assist me and we've tried "tug door" as a new command in our training.

"Tug door" went fairly well for a first try. Kodi understood that the rope and knot I put on the door handle was for him to take in his mouth, he even gently pulled on it, but when he felt the resistance of the door, he dropped the knot. Inside the house, we practiced with the knot on the bedroom door, a door that swings more freely. He did tug that door and at one point, nearly closed it. It's a great start.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the smells, sights and feeling of the season. I love that it signals the beginning of the holiday season. I love that I, once again, have an incredible Husky companion to share it with.

Life is Good!