Sunshine with Sammy on Mt. Israel

Sammy soaking in the sunshine at the summit of Mt. Israel

With a slow start to Spring and having been away from the trails over the past several weeks, I was excited to soak in the sun recently with Sammy en route to the summit of Mt. Israel (2,630 ft.).  My hiking companion has been waiting very patiently to see his report from our trek along the Wentworth Trail that took place back on May 18, 2013.  Since I have been busy with caring for my almost 16-year old dog's health issues the last few weeks, I am grateful for Sammy's patience.

All smiles along the Wentworth Trail

Three-year old Sammy is a sweet mix of shepherd and hound who is searching for his second chance family.  He is very much a ladies man and continues to make great strides with the men in his life.  Sammy greeted me as if he had known me forever and was very comfortable and well behaved during the car ride to the trailhead.  


Braving the black flies

He is doing remarkably well in his foster home and working to overcome his suspicions of some men he encounters.  Knowing that Sammy was not totally comfortable with all men and may bark at them, I chose an out and back trail to a peak that would be less crowded than its more popular neighboring summits of Mts. Percival and Morgan.  Taking an out and back route with a dog who is overcoming some fears lessens the number of unfamiliar people and places that he will encounter. 



Enjoying the views from above

Our plan worked well, and we were fortunate in that the first fellow hikers we encountered on the trail had previous experience with a dog who had some fears of men.  This friendly couple and their well behaved pair of Labrador retrievers kindly gave a little bit more room on the trail as Sammy and I made our way past them.  Sammy was fine, and I made a point of staying between him and the unfamiliar man on the trail.  The rest of our journey was filled mostly with black flies and only a handful of other hikers.  Sammy did well walking past others on the trail and even tolerated a rather boisterous off leash dog that quickly ran up to greet us as we approached the summit.

On the ride home

Our return trip was similarly uneventful, and Sammy is looking forward to more hikes in the future.  Of course, I always hope that each of my hikers finds a new home before they have an opportunity to visit the trails with me again.  However, I would welcome the chance to spend another sunny day with Sammy.  An album of photos from our hike is available here.

To learn more about Sammy, view his Petfinder.com profile here.  If you would like to support other rescue dogs in need through becoming a foster home or by making a donation, visit Almost Home Rescue.

See you on the trails!

Thinking Spring with Petey on Pack Monadnock

Petey making his way on the snow covered trail.

Winter got a late start this year in New Hampshire, and it seems determined to stick around long after it has worn out its welcome.  The skiing conditions have been wonderful, but I am now ready for a change of season.  Last Sunday, I was determined to get a taste of Spring on the trails, so I headed south for Pack Monadnock (2,290 ft.) in the hopes that the trails would be mostly clear of the white stuff yet not too full of the muddy stuff.  What I found instead was much more snow from top to bottom than I had anticipated.  And while that would not otherwise have posed a problem, I also realized at the trailhead that my microspikes were not in the back of the car where I thought I had left them.

Petey questioning my preparedness

Thankfully, my boots have good tread and I was able to choose a route that was mostly in the sun.  So, my hiking companion Petey and I set out for the top of Pack Monadnock via an out and back 2.8 mile trip along the Marion Davis Trail.  While the trail was well packed and mostly slushy and not icy, the spikes would have made for a quicker descent.  Of course, I did not have to worry about Petey pulling on a leash or otherwise complicating our hike in any way.  So, we did not mind taking our time and carefully watching our steps along the way on such a beautiful and sunny day. 

Enjoying a sunny, dry section of the trail

We only encountered two other hikers on our way to the summit.  As I introduced my companion with, "This is Petey," the first hiker replied, "So am I, and so is he."  After chatting briefly with the Peters and asking that they share Petey's blog post with family and friends, we continued to the top of Pack Monadnock where we met with a few other hikers.  Petey kindly made the acquaintance of more hikers and posed for several photos.  He is a perfect gentleman in every way.

At the summit of Pack Monadnock

Found wandering as a stray in West Virginia last year, Petey made his way to New Hampshire late last fall and has been wintering in a foster home while waiting patiently for a family to adopt him.  Peter's early grey muzzle makes him appear older than his estimated six years of age, but he hikes like a dog half his age.  In addition to his distinguished appearance, Petey is completely friendly with everyone he encounters, including humans, canines and felines of all ages and sizes.  They say that 10 is the new 5 in dog ages, so the family who welcomes Petey into their home will have many happy, rewarding years of companionship ahead of them.

Smiling for the camera and the new friends he met!

You can learn more about Petey, share him with family and friends, and submit an application for adoption here on his Petfinder profile page. A full album of photos from Petey's hike to the top of Pack Monadnock is available online here at the Foster Dog Summit facebook page.  To support the efforts of Petey's rescue group with a contribution or to inquire about fostering a dog, please visit Canine Guardians for Life, Inc.

See you on the trails!

The First Two Seasons Now on Video

Marvin taking in the views from Mts. Welch and Dickey

The first two seasons of Foster Dog Summit are now on video.  Special thanks to rescue groups - Canine Guardians for Life, Inc. and Almost Home Rescue of Maine - for providing the second chances for first hikes and forever homes.

Favorite photos and previously unseen footage from the 2011 and 2012 seasons are now available on You Tube. 

Click here for link to video if your browser does not display it below.

See you on the trails!

Wandering with Foster Dog Willow to Round Pond

Willow on the way to Round Pond

Did you know that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month?  My hiking companion Willow had no idea that there was an entire month dedicated to encouraging people to adopt a senior pet.  Nor does this lovely 11-year old black Labrador mix consider herself a senior!  After hiking several hours with Willow along the Red/Blue and Red Trails leading from Camp Bell to Round Pond in the Belknap Mountain range, I have to agree that she does not act her age.



Views from the Red Trail looking towards
Belknap Mountain

Willow had a bit of warm up to our hike after I began by making a wrong turn and starting out in a direction away from our initial destination of hiking the loop around Mts. Klem and Mack.  I was following a route from a trip report that someone had filed online, and I did not have a full map of the area in hand.  While the question, "Am I heading in the right direction"? can often be solved with a phone call or a quick visit online, I did not have cell service either.  This was not a difficult wrong turn to correct, and I was not in danger of getting lost, but it was a waste of time and rendered me less than fully prepared.  So, now I have two very nice full-color trail maps of the entire Belkap Mountain range.  They are available for sale at the Gilford Public Library.

The porcupine we met en route

Once Willow and I circled back and made our way to the start of the Red Trail, we enjoyed a wonderful walk to the edge of Round Pond.  We encountered a rather larger porcupine en route, but he or she graciously yielded the right of way by scaling a tree as we got close.  Trail signs of coyote and moose were especially evident as we approached the pond, but both creatures fully escaped our view.

Time to turn around and head home

After we reached Round Pond, I was confident that Willow had the energy to complete the loop over to Mts. Klem and Mack.  Unfortunately, the amount of daylight remaining did not equal this 11-year old's energy level.  So, we opted for an out and back and made our way back the route we traveled.  While I did not have a complete trail map for this location, I do carry a headlamp in the event that darkness falls before a hike is finished.

Smiling for the camera!

Willow led the way to our hike's conclusion with daylight to spare.  After several dozen photos along the route, I think Willow just may have overcome some of her camera shyness as she finished strong and with a smile on her face.  This sweet girl is hoping to have a home for the holidays where she will bring much joy to her new family.  A complete album of Willow's journey is available online here, and you can learn more about her and other rescue dogs waiting for their forever homes by visiting Almost Home Rescue.

See you on the trails!

Last Look at Fall with Isis on Kearsarge

Isis on Mt. Kearsarge

Since the foliage was past peak in the White Mountains, I decided to take foster dog Isis for one last look at fall a bit further south and west on Mt. Kearsarge (2,937 ft.).  Isis was along for a small group hike this fine fall day that felt quite a bit more like summer.  A few days of rain earlier in the week had left the trails rather slick, so we opted for the steeper route to the summit via the Winslow Trail and reserved the longer Barlow Trail for the slippery descent.

Umbry and Isis on the trail

My friend Karen hiked with Isis while I trekked along with foster dog Umbry who is residing with me temporarily while waiting for his adoptive home.  Isis, who was initially quite shy when she first entered her foster home, has made great progress and steadily increased her level of confidence.  She quickly accepted both Karen and me and also interacted well with fellow hikers on the trails.



Happy to be hiking

With portions of the well worn trails resembling streams at times, Karen and I were grateful that Isis had impressive leash manners that allowed us to climb slowly yet steadily and remain on our feet.  Of course, this lovely Labrador retriever mix showed us just how much she loves water by happily splashing through even the deepest of puddles along the route.

Time to start back down the trail

At the summit, Isis displayed more interest in enjoying the views and taking a nap than she did in posing for photos.  After a few pictures, some snacks and a water break, Isis was refueled, rested and ready for the descent.  Thankfully, Isis was equally capable of walking politely on her leash during the entire way down the Barlow Trail.  She did not display any signs of any shyness with her tail wagging the entire trip back to the trailhead at Winslow State Park.  Click here or see below for a video of Isis making her way down the Barlow Trail.

Slow and steady on the descent

A full album of photos from the hike is available online here.  To learn more about Isis and other dogs currently available for adoption or if you would like to consider becoming a foster home for a homeless dog in need, please visit Almost Home Rescue.

See you on the trails!

A Hike for Dogs of All Ages

Fifteen going on two and still tackling the trails!

With recent visits from out of town guests and a trip to Boston over the past few weekends, there has been little time available for hiking.  While the majority of trips with Foster Dog Summit take an entire day to complete, especially when factoring in driving distance and trail time, there are a number of shorter hikes with rewarding views much closer to home in the Lakes Region.

Umbry taking in the views over Lake Wicwas from
Crockett's Ledge

One of my favorite local spots is the Hamlin-Eames-Smyth Recreation and Conservation Area located in Meredith, New Hampshire.  This network of trails features a variety of short hikes of very moderate difficulty with several interesting ponds and wonderful ledge views overlooking Lake Wicwas and Lake Winnisquam.

Neely and Bandit at the summit of Cannon in 2009

Most importantly, the trails are still within the range of hiking ability for my 15-year old soul mutt - a German shepherd/Labrador mix named Bandit and his 14-year old canine sibling Neely who is also a mixture of German shepherd and who knows what other breeds.  They have traveled many miles with me over the years and were still climbing 4,000 footers up until a few years ago.

While I had hoped that both dogs would be able to join foster dog Umbry on this recent adventure, Neely's osteoarthritis has been acting up recently so she can travel only on short daily walks around the neighborhood for now.

The hiking duo!

Umbry, Bandit and I enjoyed an early afternoon walk along the 2.7 Crockett's Ledge loop trail.  We encountered only one other hiker at the beginning of the trail.  She and her two canine companions were just concluding their trip.  After the dogs barked a boisterous hello to one another, the trails were peacefully quiet for the remainder of the trek. 

Thankfully, Bandit and Umbry are getting along even better than I had expected.  I had reservations about taking a foster dog into my home because I feared that Bandit would not be accepting of a newcomer.  I am overwhelmingly surprised by and grateful for how readily Bandit has welcomed Umbry and has adjusted to his significantly higher activity level.  It seems as though Bandit understands that he needs to cut the foster dog a break since he does not have a home to call his own.


Bandit and I strategize about foster dog Umbry

Bandit and I are confident that Umbry will find his forever home soon, but we are also enjoying the time that we get to spend together.  The fostering experience has offered many rewards, and taking temporary care of Umbry has had very few challenges.  He is fully housetrained and quickly responds to voice corrections such as "Down", "Leave it" and "No".



Cat manners 101

Umbry is still learning to get along with my cat, but his chasing is playful, and she is able to convincingly stand her ground.  At this point, Umbry would do best without cats or with cats who are very skilled in handling dogs.  I also feel that Umbry's energy level is best suited for active adults and older children.  He is a wonderful walking and hiking companion, and he also politely and calmly settles into and simply hangs out in his dog bed when requested to do so. 

If you or one of your friends or family members is interested in learning more about this sweet, smart and playful Terrier mix, please inquire further with Almost Home Rescue of Maine.

Kenzi Shines through Haze on Mt. Major

Kenzi on the ledges just below the summit of Mt. Major

Hazy, hot and humid did not deter foster dog Kenzi from having an enjoyable hike to the summit of Mt. Major (1,786 ft.) on Sunday, August 5, 2012.  This former Texan, who was recently rescued from an overcrowded shelter, is a gorgeous golden mix of Australian shepherd and Basenji. 

Kenzi was equally excited about hitting the trails as she was with meeting every person and dog she encountered along the route.  On our way up the Main Trail, we had the opportunity to speak with several hikers. 

Meeting rescue dog Harley

Kenzi especially enjoyed meeting and sharing a drink of water with a fellow rescue dog named Harley who was adopted from a rescue group in Tennessee approximately three years ago.  Harley now happily resides in Nashua, New Hampshire, and his family proudly recalled their excitement the day that, "Harley stepped off the transport truck and into our lives."  Of course, Harley and all dogs from reputable rescue groups come complete with a health certificate issued by a veterinarian, full vaccinations and are spayed or neutered prior to departure.  These efforts ensure the health and safety of people and pets already residing in the areas where rescue dogs are being transported for adoption.

Kenzi at the summit

After a humid ascent, Kenzi and I were extremely grateful for the powerful breezes atop Mt. Major.  While we would have preferred less haze in the views overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, we were grateful for an enjoyable climb and many wonderful photo opportunities that showcase Kenzi's beauty.  A full album of photos from Kenzi's hike can be viewed online. 

Waterslide!

For our return trip, Kenzi and I had high hopes that the Brook Trail would provide opportunities to cool off a bit.  Kenzi took great delight in taking a break from the heat by fully submerging herself and belly sliding several feet down the brook.  She is obviously very fond of hiking and swimming!

Tired but happy after the hike!

Eight month old Kenzi is currently living with a wonderful foster family that includes three other rescue dogs.  While she enjoys the company of her foster family, Kenzi is really looking forward to finally settling down into a home of her own.  Please share Kenzi's adventure with friends and family and help her get the rest of the way home!

To learn more about how to support rescue dogs in need, please visit Canine Guardians for Life, Inc.

Daisy Leaps to Top of Fletcher's Cascades

Daisy at the start of the Drake Brook trail

For our gorgeous girl Daisy, we were in search of a moderate hike - one without steep climbing that could accommodate the short legs and sturdy frame of an approximately 55- pound Bassador retriever hound.  We found the perfect route to the top of Fletcher's Cascades located in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire via the Drake Brook and Fletcher's Cascade trails.

Fletcher's Cascades

Daisy and I meandered up and down the quiet trails leading to Fletcher's Cascades for nearly three hours and covered 3.2 miles.  We did not encounter any other hikers until we were almost at the top of the Cascades.  Daisy warmly greeted our fellow hikers and posed for a few photos which one of them so kindly offered to take for us.

No leaping required

While Daisy's leaps may be lacking in height, her limbo skills are second to none and also enabled her to tackle a number of trees that had fallen across the trails.  Basset hounds are also not known for their swimming ability, but it was obvious that her Labrador instincts took over every time Daisy crossed the brook as she happily splashed and waded through the water.

Daisy proves that long legs are overrated

At the end of our journey, I was convinced that Daisy had enjoyed her hike and that she would be a perfect addition to a family in search of a happy hound dog.  Daisy, formerly known as Stormy, is currently residing in a foster home with volunteers from Almost Home Rescue.  Her foster family reports that Daisy gets along well with her canine siblings, easily tolerates the resident rabbits and is friendly with all of the people she meets in and around her home.

A complete album of photos from Daisy's hike is available online here.   Please share her adventure with friends and family and help find her a home!

See you on the trails!

Hiking with Jennie to Faraway Mountain

Jennie making tracks on the Shannon Brook Trail

Following a three week hiatus from hiking with the foster dogs, I was looking forward to an outing with Jennie who arrived only two weeks ago from her native Arkansas.  Jennie, who is known more formally as Jeanette, has spent nearly all of the first two years of her life living in a shelter.  As a result, she is very timid and still getting accustomed to new experiences.

Jennie and I get acquainted with snowshoes

I decided that Jennie would be the ideal companion for my first real winter hike - one that would at least require the use of microspikes and possibly snowshoes as well.  Together, we would experience the snow covered trails and decide if this was something we might want to do again.  Of course, Jennie did not really have a basis for comparison.  She had never been on a hike or even had much experience with cars, homes, strangers and especially snow.  The past two weeks have been a shock to her senses, and Jennie is slowly and carefully processing all of it.

I, on the other hand, prefer to ski in the winter, and I am happy to purchase my way to the top of the mountain with a lift ticket for the chairlift.  My experience with climbing uphill in winter has been limited to those unfortunate incidents when a bad fall may leave one or both of my skis or poles further up the mountain than the location to which I ultimately slid.  Skiers refer to this as a yard sale.  Even then, before trudging several feet uphill, I may hesitate and hope that someone skiing behind me may sympathize and bring the equipment to me.

A timid tail at the start

So, Jennie and I set out for a hike of moderate length and difficulty along the trails leading to Faraway Mountain in the Ossipee Mountain Range located at the Caste in the Clouds property in Moultonborough.  We realized that we might not have time to reach the summit given the combination of a late morning start from the Shannon Brook Trail, slower pace in the snow and decreased sunlight that winter brings.  Nevertheless, we would focus on the journey not the destination. 

Going along for the ride but with a curious look

Despite her initial hesitation to go along for a ride, Jennie proved to be a perfect companion in the car where she rested quietly for the trip to the trail head along Route 171.  Like her sibling Jordan who has since been adopted, Jennie is also residing temporarily in a foster home with a volunteer from Almost Home Rescue of Maine. Jennie enjoys the company of other dogs in her foster home, so I knew that she would get along with the young Labrador that we encountered shortly after beginning our hike. 

I regret that I did not get a photograph of Jennie and the fellow canine hiker.  However, Jennie excitedly yet appropriately greeted the other dog while I spoke to his owner about Almost Home Rescue and Foster Dog Summit.  One of his friends had just adopted a dog from a rescue group, so he was looking forward to sharing the story of Jennie and her hike. 

Enjoying a relaxing view from the Lower Bridle Path lookout

During our trek along the Shannon Brook, Lower Bridle Path and Faraway Mountain Trails, Jennie had the opportunity to experience the roar of snowmobiles, the crunch of snowshoes and the beauty of a spectacular view.  Since there is a fine line between desensitizing and further traumatizing a timid dog, we took our time on the trails, and I praised Jennie for not always overreacting to unfamiliar sights and sounds.  Jennie walked in perfect step beside me the entire hike.  The trail was packed just enough to carry her approximately 55 pound frame, so Jennie did not sink into the snow or need to follow behind in my tracks.  I wore microspikes to combat the icy, hard packed surfaces and only donned the snowshoes once the afternoon sun made the Faraway Mountain Trail a little like quicksand on every third or fourth step I took. 

A relaxing finish as sunset nears

Unfortunately, approximately 1/2 mile short of the High Ridge Trail, we realized that Faraway Mountain was simply too far away for us to reach and return safely in daylight.  So, we decided to travel this way again sometime, but we both agreed that it would be alright if instead Jennie hiked it with her new family.  To assist Jennie in finding that adoptive home, please share her adventure with friends and family and be sure to visit her profile on Petfinder.com.  A complete album of photos from Jennie's hike is available for viewing.

Lewis Travels to Tate Mountain and Beyond

Lewis on the Shaw Trail

Lewis and I decided to tackle some lesser known trails over in the Ossipee Mountains this weekend.  This adorable, approximately four year old Australian shepherd mix enjoyed meandering along the Shaw, Italian and Big Ball Mountain trails on Sunday, November 13, 2011.  Since this was my first hike over in the Ossipee range, I was a bit unsure of exactly where our journey would take us, but Lewis did not seem to mind a bit about our open agenda.

He was a perfect gentleman during the car ride to the trail head and walked very casually yet inquisitively along the trails en route to the summit of Tate Mountain 2,060 ft. (also known as Big Ball Mountain) and beyond to the lookout at Black Snout at 2,803 ft.

Lewis exchanged pats on the head for photos

Lewis loved the walking as much as he did the many stops along the way for photos where he would look up with his soulful brown eyes for a rewarding pat on the head.  Of course, I could not help but to oblige his many requests for attention.  In addition to our various photo stops, Lewis and I also chatted with a number of other hikers who were also enjoying a crisp walk in the fallen leaves.  Lewis proudly greeted fellow hikers as well as canine trekkers Moose, Chase and Seamus.

Lewis and I at Black Snout lookout

As we continued along on our approximately six mile out and back hike, we collected photos from our stops along Fields Brook as well as the top of Tate Mountain and the Black Snout Lookout which is a sub peak of Mt. Shaw.  While we enjoyed well marked trails throughout our journey, we were not always certain of the stops that we had made along the way.  Lewis and I attempted to confer with other hikers on the trails, but it quickly became evident that they were also new to the trails and that our own map of the area was the most comprehensive one which even a trail locator application seemed to contradict.  A full album of photos featuring Lewis' adventure in the Ossipee Mountain Range is available online.   Should any followers of Foster Dog Summit who have hiked this area wish to comment on our locations in the album, we would sincerely appreciate your clarifications.  Our comparisons with other trips reports we have found online indicate some conflicting references to locations such as Big Ball Mountain and Black Snout Lookout.

Taking a snooze at the Black Snout lookout

While Lewis would really love to be in a new home for the holidays, he understands that not everyone is in a position to adopt him right now.  However, Lewis realizes that you may be interested in helping him and his other foster friends currently living in temporary homes with volunteers for Canine Guardians for Life, Inc.  So, if you would like to support the rescue and adoption of homeless dogs this holiday season, Lewis would sincerely appreciate your charitable vote for him in the Virtual Dog Race.  Click here to cast your vote for Lewis by making a donation in his honor.

You can read more about the Virtual Dog Race and also see more recent happy endings in the latest newsletter from Canine Guardians for Life, Inc.  See you on the trails!