Always Be Prepared

We are coming into the peak of hiking season here in Northern Arizona, so all of us have been updating our hiking accessories. Brentina has a lot to learn about creating and maintaining Diva Status on the trail. My job as Official Diva Mentor never ends... sigh...

As you can see, Brentina is a minimalist when it comes to... well... pretty much anything. She only has ONE collar, ONE backpack, ONE HAT!!! (can you BELIEVE that?!?!?) I have GOT to get her out of that little rut...

 Anyway, here she is with her backpack containing only two bottles of water, Mom's camera, and a little water bowl. Brentina wears her Gentle Leader (basic black, of course) and has a BLUE leash with a [non-matching] GREEN poop bag purse. At least you can tell she is learning how to strike a pose, thank dog! My training is finally paying off... albeit in bits and pieces. 

Brentina refuses to wear a hat on her hikes. She says she likes to have her ears "free" and "flapping in the wind..." Oy... She does love her hikes, I must say, and she is very serious about her carrying duties. She's becoming a beautiful, graceful young lady. (Wow... I can't believe I actually said that... ) Mom is very proud of her on her hikes and even says she walks better than ME sometimes! I just tell Mom to chillax... I am showing enthusiasm... spunk... interest in natural minutia, if you will.

Yet again, it was left to me to step up and be a shining example of Full Hike Preparedness & Accessorization. 

I showed Brentina how to properly load her backpack up in order to maximize the hiking experience, while still cutting a fine figure on the trail and allowing everyone to see that you are prepared for anything. 

As you can see, I am fully loaded: water (on the other side since it's not photogenic and will not impress anyone on the trail), binoculars, decorative collar with bling ornament, leash with MATCHING poop purse, coat conditioner, bug spray, chap stick (yes, I have lips), paw lotion, cell phone, camera, and a poncho that goes with the whole ensemble. But something was missing... 

...Oh yeah... 

...A HAT!! 

Now, not only do I look stylish on the trail, but I am prepared for any fur emergency, sunny weather, inclement weather, photo op, bug attack, or celebrity sighting. That little backpack probably never dreamed it could hold so much greyt stuff! As you can tell, I was giddy with excitement over my Outdoor Roo look. 

The only conceivable drawback: it weighs as much as me... sigh...

Fashion is a tough business...

 

I'm Terribly Busy!

Umm... I'm busy.

Trot, trot, trot, trot trot...

Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot...

Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, TROT!

Mom: Roo... what are you doing?

Me:    Mmph... busy...

Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot...

Mom: I know I'll regret this, but I'm going to ask you again. What are you doing?

Me:    Can't you see?! I am trotting very purposely with a very serious look on my face. I am busy! Very busy!

Mom: Doing what?

Me:    Stuff.

Mom: What "stuff?"

Me:    *sigh* Very IMPORTANT stuff!

Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot...

Mom: I see your tail is up, your ears are up, and  you have a kinda crazy look in your eyes. I take it you're at Threat Level Orange or something?

Me:    I choose to ignore your feeble attempt at mockery. I have more important things to do.

Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot...

Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot...

Me:    BARK!! LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!! IT'S IMPORTANT!!!!!

Mom: WHAT?!?! WHAT IS IT?!?!

Me:    A PINE CONE!!!

Mom: ??

Me:    It's a PINE CONE!!!! *Overly dramatic SIGH* You just don't understand. THIS is the best pine cone in the history of PINE CONES!! It fits in my mouth, it will fit perfectly between my paws when I chew it on your bed, and it's not too 'ripe.' It's just sappy enough to be the BEST PINE CONE EVER!!!

Mom: *Points* OUTSIDE!!

Me:    Wha..? Seriously?!?! This was the best pine cone ever... there will never be another one this great... I cannot BELIEVE you're making me take it outside... crap... *Walks slowly out through the doggie door, giving the Stink Eye on the way out*

Mom: Good grief, Drama Queen...

Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot...

 Me:    MOM! LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!! A TWIG!!! And it's the BEST twig EVER!!!!

Mom: Lord help me.

So, You Think You Need a Blog...

I am finally here! I went back and forth with Mom and finally wore her down. "Remember, Roo, it's up to YOU to keep it current... AAAND you have to SHARE from time-to-time, little missy." 
Yeah... right... pppfffttt!

Me:    Mom! I need a BLOG!

Mom: What? Why?

Me:    Everyone says I need one.

Mom: And just who, may I ask, is 'everyone?'

Me:   You know... "EVERYONE!"

Mom: Oh. And where, pray tell, is this 'everyone?'

Me:    Mom! Brentina says I need a blog!

Mom: Soooo... let me see if I have this right. You're basing your version of 'everyone' on your one year old Sloughi sister? Whom, I might add, totally annoys you on a regular basis?

Me:   Yes!

Mom: OK. I can see you doing that. Does SHE know she wants you to do a blog?

Trot, trot, trot, trot.... "BRENTINA!!!!! HERE!!! NOW!!!!" *whispering* "OK, now look pitiful and stare at Mom. No. You do not need to know why. But if you do this right, I might let you play with one of my toys tomorrow... maybe... or maybe that pine cone out there... "

Mom: Awwww... How's mama's little Tini girl today?? Let me kiss that little nosey of yours!! Oh Mama loves this little girlie. Yes she does! Who's Mama's tiny Sloughi?? Brentina is, that's who!!! What? You want something?? Awwww... whatever you want, sweetie!! Just tell Mama.

Me:   *BLECH!* She wants me to have a blog.

Mom: OK, sweetums, if that's what you want, Roo can have a bl... HEY! HOW'D YOU DO THAT?!?! *sigh* Dammit, Roo... Well played... crap...

Me:    *snicker* And well played to you too, Brentina. Looks like an 'Indoor Toy' is in your future.

"Well played, my little tan minion! Well played..." OK, so it took a little teamwork... I can deal with that.

So that's how it began. I hope you stop by to pick up some smiles or some ideas, and the occasional "awwwww." We appreciate you and look forward to this weekly adventure.