When someone hears about our plans to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2014 and then takes a look at Athena, the most common reaction I get is a laugh followed by,
"You better plan on carrying her."
Don't get me wrong. I know I'm going to carry her some. I just don't agree that I will carry her to the extent that other people seem to think I will have to. Athena is constantly amazing me with what she is capable of. Every so often she shows even shows me that I'm capable of things I didn't think that I was.
On Monday we began our hike by going down a steep set of steps. Athena stood at the top of the steps. She looked back and forth between the steps and then back up to me with this little frown. Athena and I are such a great team because we're very in sync. She didn't even have to give me her "pick me up" whine. I said to her, "It's okay, I can carry you down." I picked her up and headed down to begin our hike.
Later we came to a fork in the path. To our left was a wide, easy, gradual, very tempting, downhill trail. To our right was a muddy, trail that seemed to lead straight up with wooden steps carved into the steep hill. I had no idea how far up it went and I knew that it would be tough for both of us. I didn't even wait for Little Boss to state her opinion by veering off towards the path she preferred. I'm not sure if she'd even seen it yet. I just told myself "It's not a mountain" and made the choice to take the climb instead of the literal "easy way out" to our left.
From here on out anytime someone says that I'll have to carry Athena I will think of that short but challenging climb. As we ascended, Athena stopped meandering and sniffing and just focused. I love it how Athena gets this single minded focus in moments like this. She is stubborn and determined, confident and calm. The climb wasn't easy for either of us.
But in that moment, Athena is the one who carried me up that hill.
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| She carried me. |
This is our first post for the FitDog Friday blog hop hosted by SlimDoggy and Peggy's Pet Place! Yea!!
Welcome to our Blog Hop! That's great to be so in sync and good for you recognizing you can still have great adventures even with a small dog.
ReplyDeleteI still need to read through all the posts from yesterday's hop. Such a great idea for a blog hop! I bookmarked every post I read for future use. Tons of great ideas and inspiration.
DeleteWhat fun hiking adventures. And good for your for getting your dog out hiking, especially since she is a breed most people wouldn't think of taking along.
ReplyDeleteShe's born for the woods and she surprises me every day. :-)
DeleteOur little Dachshunds are best for getting us up those hills aren't they? :)
ReplyDeleteDoxies can be so silly but they also have that really focused part of their personality that makes them so great and motivating.
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