After a morning of obedience with Domino where we both worked very hard, this afternoon we decided to take a hike with the camera and get some fresh air. Still feeling a little rough, it was still good to be outdoors.

Though lightheadedness was a major obstacle and the puppies didn't want to settle down for a bit...but we took it slow and took our time.

Eventually all of us were in some sort of sync.

We ran into dogs and neither Charm or Domino liked that for some reason. Domino had spent the whole morning with a ring full of dogs and suddenly he was not very happy with meeting new dogs.

It was good for the whole psyche to be able to get out and about again, even if it was an effort. Being sick has wiped me out. But we made it the entire distance we set out to go and the dogs were so happy to be moving forward.

I haven't had too much of a chance to use my new camera so that was a learning process as well. We made lots of excursions off the trail.

The fall colors have not hit this part of the valley yet.

And the flowers are getting their last shot at sunshine.

Just splashes of color amidst the fading greens.

Summer has not lost its hold completely.

Wild roses are still scattered along the trail.

And some things seem to be in a chaotic state with all stages happening at once.

Some things wilting though the temperatures were perfect.

Beetles and bugs still out everywhere.

And the Box Elder Beetles appearing in herds.

Grasshoppers of all shapes and sizes.

A pleasant walk, a pleasant day. But a frown settled in when passersby inquired as to the breed of the dogs with looks of concern. "Pitbulls?" "Are those pit bulls?" I sometimes wish there was a place, just one place where that word did not exist. Where we could just be a person and their dogs. For now, that place only exists when we get home and I breathe a sigh of relief to close the door. I think the Vick hype has made it a bigger topic and not a good one. They are just dogs, just very good dogs.