Hiker’s March 24-25 trip on the Shores Lake, White Rock Mountain Loop, and Salt Fork Creek.

Here are twelve qualities that make my dog, Hiker, a good partner for the trail.   See my January 21st post to learn how I acquired Hiker.

1. She motivates me to go hiking.  She’s my own full-time personal trainer.  She’s always ready to go.  No packing, no fuss.

2. She has endurance and heart.  She just keeps going and going.

3. She’s an ultra-light hiker.  She carries her own food and finds her water sources on the trail.  Some leaves or straw and she’s bedded down for the night.

4. She sleeps through the night.  No absurd barking at the moon.  One exception is her odd tendency to sit in the rain and bark at lightening but she’ll stop once I acknowledge that I know it’s raining…  She can sleep under my tent awning to stay dry.

5. She’s low maintenance on the trail.  Hiker has short brown/black hair so spotting ticks or other issues easy.

6. She provides free entertainment on the trail.  Watching her dart through the woods chasing movement and sound is a treat.  She probably averages fourteen miles to every ten I walk.

7. She walks well on a leash when needed.

8. She’s friendly to everyone we meet.

9. Hiker is never put off by creek crossings.  She finds the best route and goes!

Hiker crossing Little Frog Bayou on her daily morning walk.

10. Her needs are fairly simple.  Worm medicine and insect treatment on the first of each month and she’s good to go.

11. She doesn’t stink like some dogs do.  Oh, she’ll get a little musty smell when wet, but after drying and some open air walking, she’s back to that normal mild dog smell.

12. She’s a loyal friend on the trail.  Never talks back.  Appreciates any attention given but willing to stay in her own space around camp.

Relaxing after a good day of hiking.