Monday, May 18
The crew and I ride the Perfect Tow Vehicle into Deschutes National Forest. I choose one of the many dirt lanes for our walk.
Bridget and Reggie are very excited to follow this road further into the woods!
“We might boondock in this forest, Reggie.”
The forest is very quiet.
My footsteps make no sound on the carpet of pine needles. The air is fresh and woodsy.
A good, hard-packed, dirt road not heavily traveled
Reggie doesn’t seem to mind wearing a collar.
Even so, I hate for him to wear one. I want to buy him a soft harness like the one Bridget wears. They are much more comfortable, since pressure is applied to the shoulders, rather than the neck.
Bridget (25 lbs.) is much bigger and heavier than Reggie (9 lbs.)!
While we’re walking, let me tell you about the ones that got away.
Missed photos, I mean. I’ll never forget the time a mama grizzly and her two cubs crossed in front of the PTV and paused to stare at me through the windshield. Boy, did I pay attention! That happened in Wyoming a few years ago and my little point-and-shoot camera wasn’t charged that morning. Dang!
It’s been a while since I’ve seen moss!
The grizzly family is at the top of my list of Photos I Wish I Hadn’t Missed.
I can add to that list the seven elk strolling through a neighborhood recently. Man, those things are big! What a photo, elk in the foreground and in the near background a house with deck complete with barbeque grill. No camera. Darn!
On an early potty-run with Reggie I see an owl sitting on the branch of a log that is partially submerged in the river. The owl is perfectly still as it catches the first rays of sunrise. Mist rises from the river in the background. Biggest owl I’ve ever seen! No camera. Oh well . . .
This little creature did not get away!
Okay, so it’s not a mama grizzly and two cubs . . . .
You can try to identify this chipmunk at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website. He/she seems to be missing a stripe or two!
NOTE: A reader researched chipmunks and squirrels for us and made a surprising discovery. That’s not a chipmunk in the photo! It’s a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, “the most distinctively marked ground squirrel in Oregon.” — ODFW. (Click the link above and scroll down to read more.) Thanks to all who corrected my error!
After walking quite a distance into the forest, we come to a clearing made by people chopping and collecting wood.
“It’s level here with plenty of sun. We could camp here. Ya’ know? I don’t think we’re going to find anything else on this road.”
When the panting starts, it’s time to return to the PTV!
We turn back, stopping a few times to rest on the way.
I see the PTV up the road (tiny white speck in photo below).
“We’re almost there, sweetie.”
After a drink of water, Bridget and Reggie take their positions in the PTV.
We leave the forest and head to Wal-Mart in Bend. Maybe they have soft harnesses.
I maneuver the shopping cart to the pet department. Let’s see. . . cats . . . birds . . . okay, dogs . . . Yes! They have soft harnesses!
I paw through the harnesses and find one in Reggie’s size.
Ha! A camo harness! . . . This suits the little guy.
I also pick up a denim-with-red-kerchief number for a spare. The harnesses aren’t the quality of the Puppia brand Bridget wears, but whaddya’ expect for $9.97?
I see a cheap dog bed, a small one, perfect for Reggie. Gee, only $5.97. This will keep him out of Bridget’s bed.
In the cart it goes.
Well, lookie here. This little, blue, stuffed monkey toy is only $2.97. What the heck. . . . A new toy to go with the new bed.
Next I shoot over to women’s clothing and toss a pair of Lee jeans in my cart ($19.97). Oh, capri jeans! It’d be handy to have another pair of those! ($16.97).
I’m on a roll!
In pharmacy I buy a big bottle of saline solution to have handy for eye wash ($2.88) should Bridget or Reggie need it, as the vet recommended. And 400 Q-tips for $2.97.
Um . . . Time out. You realize you’re reading about me shopping at Wal-Mart. Of all the things you could be doing? Okay, whatever . . . .
Hang on to the cart! We’re not done! Over to the deli we go!
One fat rotisserie chicken for $4.98 and it’s check-out time!
rvsue
Canine Corner: “Being Special” by Bridget and Reggie
“You really like your new camo shirt, don’t you, Reggie. You’re full of energy this morning.”
“I sure do, Miss Bridget. It’s COOL!”
“Yes, it’s very nice. Uh, I hope you don’t mind me asking . . . . Why are you jumping off logs and attacking things?”
(panting) “I’m special ops, Miss B! That’s what special ops do!”
“Oh. I wouldn’t know.” (rolls eyes)
“Me and the guys? We used to play special ops all the time at the foster home.”
“Do you miss them, Reggie?”
“No, ma’am. I like it here better. We’re gonna’ go boondockin’! RVSue said so!”
“Well, you’re certainly well prepared with your nifty camo shirt and all. If you’ll excuse me . . . I think I’ll go inside for a nap, special ops boy.”
“HEEEE- YAAAHHH!”
~ ~ ~
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Special Operations Agent Reggie Man
