Somehow we’re headed toward the new year already. Day after tomorrow will be the first day of 2024, and nothing I can do will stop it.
Time is moving so quickly, it’s all a blur.
It hasn’t been easy, 2023, and part of me is happy enough to see it go. But it’s all moving so fast I wonder, if in a week or so, I’ll be welcoming 2025.
We all need to spend more time sitting still and listening.
It seems I blink and whole months have evaporated. I’m almost afraid to blink again.
Here’s hoping 2024, an election year in the US, encourages us to work together rather than against each other, helps us find new ways to connect with each other, and highlights the good inside so many of us.
Santa has headed back to the North Pole, now it’s on each of us to find our own joy.
I am hoping. But maybe I should just blink us into 2025.
Boy I bet you’ve been wondering where I’ve been! I know I’m probably the most important concern on your minds all the time, and in the interest of getting you to relax, I’ll bring you up to date on my adventures.
Me in my chariot.
There have been plenty.
Since it’s the holiday season I guess I should start out with my walk a week or so ago. I got to go to a park with my friend Whisky and his mom. (And my mom came too.) There were Christmas lights everywhere!
My friend Whisky-Roo and his mom.
There were lots of people and their dogs walking around and I was a pretty good girl about not barking at stuff. Even when people came out of the dark and startled me.
Sometimes I get worried that Mom isn’t paying attention to all the people walking by when she’s taking pictures.
Mom said it was pretty hard to get pictures of me looking at her cause there was so much other stuff for me to look at!
We spend way too much time sitting in front of stuff when we should be walking, Mom!
Then this week mom took me to Davis Lake Overlook Park, which is near my house. I’ve only been there one time before, and that time we walked in a different part of the park.
I think we should go down the yellow trail, Mom.
So on this walk everything was new to me. Boy I had fun sniffing. I’d go from one side of the trail to the other, nose always to the ground.
I feel like I’m wearing camouflage, Mom!I blend right in!
Mom said I did very good not being scared of being in the woods. When I was a little girl the big trees kinda scared me, but I’m a big girl now, and a lot braver.
Mom asks me to sit in front of stuff all the time.I think she needs to have an intervention.
Then guess what? My Uncle P. came to visit us! It was his first visit since I moved in. He’s so much fun! I liked him right away. A couple days ago he and Mom took me back to Davis Lake Overlook and we walked on a completely different trail there.
My Uncle Paul.
Part of it even Mom had never been on before! Mom says she might rename this park Penny’s Park. I think that’s an excellent idea.
Istay very focused on mom. When she says “OK!” I’m going in for my treat, yes sirree!
Mom says she’s still thinking about it. She says change is hard.
I think this is an excellent park and should definitely be named for me.
Anyway, we had a great walk even though it was foggy and cold. I didn’t mind that a bit of course.
I gave her my best pose down by this little pond.It’s my Christmas present to her.
I loved walking with Mom and Uncle P. They thought they’d be wearing me out so I’d be calmer when we got home. But the joke was on them - I wanted to play, play, PLAY when we got back.
They, on the other hand, needed a nap.
Never underestimate a Penny.
Silly people. They should know by now you can’t wear an Unstoppable Pretty Penny out!
Hee, hee.
Well, I might have taken a LITTLE nap.
Talk later, it’s time for me to go open my Christmas present, your Unstoppable Girl, Penny.
I know, I know. I’m monopolizing mom’s blog. But she’s kinda slacking off and I think it’s important to remind you to get your Walktober linked up to mom’s official Walktober post so she can do a wrap-up and include everybody’s adventures.
This is the Huron River last Sunday. Isn’t it beautiful?
I think she said she wouldn’t be doing that until sometime in early November, so you have some extra time! I’ll try to get her to put a new end date out there so you know, but in the meantime, don’t wait for her, get outside while the getting is good!
Sometimes mom takes pictures that aren’t me. I think this one is stunning.
I had such a good time on my official Walktober (where I got to go on three walks!!!) that I decided to go on another one! I think it’s a fine plan to go on more than one Walktober, especially since we’ve had such beautiful weather!
I hope you are having beautiful weather too.
We had such a beautiful day.
Last Sunday mom and I went down to Ann Arbor and met a friend and her sheltie, Finn. Finn’s mom was Queen Abby’s mom and my sister Katie and my mom and Queen Abby and her mom used to go on walks together.
Meeting Finn for the first time.
I had never met Finn before but we hit it off right away. He’s 2 years old and a real gentleman. Also he’s very handsome, don’t you agree?
Handsome Mr. Finn.
We walked around Island Park, in the Huron River. It sure was pretty! The trees were just beautiful. Of course that meant the moms wanted pictures of us in front of all of them. Sigh.
We were focused on Finn’s mom who had treats!
Finn and I aren’t experts at this posing yet. It was a challenge, my mom says, to get us both to sit next to each other and at the same time.
She thinks we’re just young.
“OK, here’s the deal. When they get us all set up for a picture, you get up. Then the next time I’ll get up.”
In reality Finn and I discussed it and decided we weren’t going to cooperate entirely, after all the moms shouldn’t get what they want without paying up.
Right? Right!!
“Or….we can just make sure we’re not both looking at them at the same time.”
Luckily for us Finn’s mom brought yummy treats and he shared them with me. I admit I am something of a treat hog. I actually stole quite a few treats that were meant for him.
I think Finn really wanted this treat, but I’m pretty sure I ended up with it.
It was 42 degrees and windy while we were there. Finn and I thought that was just about perfect, but the moms were cold. Not our fault, moms, that you didn’t plan very well. Next time you should wear a heavier coat, like us.
A little wind in our fur felt good.
After we walked around the island a few times, dragging the moms over bridges and through the woods, the moms decided they were cold and tired and we had to go. Finn and I weren’t cold or tired at all.
“Let’s go see what’s on the other side of the river!”
I protested at leaving, so mom said we’d stop at another park on our way home. Turns out we stopped at her favorite park (go figure) and she took me to a part of the park she always took my sister to in the fall.
“So…my sister Katie always sat here for you?”
But it was Sunday and the park was busy and there were too many dogs there, so she took me to a new spot she’d never explored before. It was beautiful!
“This is pretty cool, mom!”
She said she was very very pleased by how good I was, posing for her and coming when I was called. She said as long as no other dogs were around she’d trust me to sit further away from her. I told her not to worry, I was laser focused on her. And her treat bag.
The light was especially nice in the woods.
When we finally got home I crashed for a long nap. I sure had fun with Finn and I hope the moms can find a fenced in place so we can play together. We’re about the same size and we really wanted to play off leash.
It’s exhausting being a sheltie at my house.
Anyway, that’s my second Walktober post, I really was just supposed to remind you to get out and do your walks before it gets winter cold! But I couldn’t resist sharing this walk with you.
Some trees at mom’s favorite park on Sunday. Cause this is a Walktober after all.
The trees were beautiful and I wanted you all to enjoy the wonderful day Finn and I had together!
“Hey Penn, want to go grab lunch later?”
Talk later.
Your Walktober-girl,
Penny.
PS: Thank you to everyone that has already posted their Walktober, human and dogs as well. I delegated keeping track of them all to mom. I hope she’s up for the task. And speaking of mom…when the heck is she going to do her Walktober?! I better get to bugging her!
PPS: I got spayed today, so I’m a little sleepy. I’ll bug her about her Walktober tomorrow.
Me just before our walk. I think they do bonfires at this park sometimes.
Mom was talking about Walktober this week, and I wanted to know what it was, cause I’m only 10 months old and I’m curious about everything! When Mom explained it to me I just knew I had to get right on it!
This is me “getting ON it” on a log. Get it?I’m so funny
After all, I’m a sheltie and shelties love to go for walks!
Right away I knew I should tell you all about the three great walks I’ve already had this week! And it’s only Friday!
I love how the fall leaves compliment my coloring.
First off, last Sunday, I got to go on a walk with mom and her friend and her friend’s dog Whisky! Whisky is an 11 month old cocker spaniel and he was very excited to see me!
This is as close to each other as we wanted to sit on this walk.
We walked in a beautiful little park, Dinosaur Hill, that I understand was one of my sister Angel Katie’s favorites. It had a river that ran right through the middle of it and I sat on the bridge with all that fast moving water under me without freaking out!
A bridge is no big deal, mom!
Mom was very happy with my “behavior” as she calls it.
Then a couple days ago mom took me to a park in town. She thought she’d photograph me around the playground stuff.
Mom’s always telling me not to sniff other dog’s private areas. Especially if they’re bigger than me!
But there were moms and kids playing there, so we pretty much stayed around the perimeter at first. Mom found this cool musical instrument.
Mom played a bunch of music on this. I was not entertained.
Mostly we walked around and read the dedications on the benches and under trees that were planted in memory of people. One tree in particular was very sad. It is for Madisyn who was one of the 4 victims at a school shooting that happened just up the road from us a couple years ago next month.
We’re so very sorry, Madisyn.
Then mom got a chance to photograph me with some playground stuff, but while we were there a big group of high school students arrived to take pictures.
See all those students showing up behind me? That’s why my ears went flat.
But we met a new friend! Meet Lulu! Her dad was walking her in the park and stopped by to talk. Lulu is a 5 year old mini Australian Shepherd.
I play bowed, but Lulu wasn’t in a playful mood.
Lulu wasn’t that into me, though we did exchange pleasantries. She and her dad wandered away and mom took me over a bridge to the park pavilion for my final portrait of the day.
I think I have this posing thing down!
What do you think? I’m thinking I’m growing into quite the regal young lady.
My last walk (so far) was yesterday. It was rainy outside and mom said we needed to keep training, so she took me for a walk at the Home Depot! Wow, that was a different kind of walk!
On the road in my chariot.
First we stayed outside and I checked out the pumpkins. Mom wouldn’t let me buy one, but they still smelled good.
I thought this one smelled perfect.
We went inside and I barked at a man getting a cart! Mom said no bark, but geeze, that cart place was super noisy!
Hmmmm, I could store my special toys in this.
We heeled around the aisles a whole bunch. I was a little squirrely at first, but eventually I settled down. We did sits and stays too. Everybody smiled at me but no one asked to pet me. I guess they knew I was working.
Sitting still is not my favorite thing to do, mom.
Then on our way out mom introduced me to some tall dude in a red suit. I was not at all sure about him, no siree!
Gotta keep an eye on anybody wearing fuzzy red clothing.
Mom said I did really good at the busy store. I slept all the way home. And now she says I am going on an epic walk this Sunday!
So many parks, so much walking to do!
Well gee, mom, I’m not sure the nice people want to hear about another walk of mine. You better be at the top of your game if you want me to share that one with them too!
Will pose for treats.
Anyway, I need a snack and then a nap. In that order. I can’t wait to see where you all go on your Walktobers! Mom says she has no idea where she’s going to do her walk because she’s so busy taking me places! As it should be.
Oh! I almost forgot, here’s some beautiful color for you from our local park!
As you read in a previous post, Robin is a little busy so I’ll be collecting your Walktober adventures this year.
If you’re new to the concept of Walktober, it’s pretty simple. Sometime between October 15 and the 28th go on a walk (or a bike ride, or a boat ride, or a car ride, or a jog, or a hike, or climb a mountain, or explore a town or show us your backyard!), take a few (or a lot) of pictures and show us around your part of the world by writing a post and linking it to my official Walktober post.
I’ll be posting the official start to Walktober on October 15th. But if you want to walk earlier, feel free to link it to this one! I’ll find it.
And sometime not too long after October 28th I’ll write a post with all the links to your walks, so that everyone can see where everyone else went! And if you need some more time, just let me know. I’ll wait to post that last compilation till you get yours written.
I can’t wait to see where you all go. I haven’t decided where to take my official walk. So many options, so little time!
Stay tuned!
Pictures in this post are from Shiawasee Nature Preserve, a walk taken a few years ago. I figured you wouldn’t mind seeing them again.
Don’t worry, I’m sitting on my leash and I have no intention of going anywhere except to mom for a treat!
Mom is busy doing stuff that doesn’t involve me so I stole her laptop. I don’t think she’ll even notice unless one of you snitches on me. Which I’m sure you won’t.
This is a kayak launching dock. Pretty cool! Mom says we aren’t going kayaking though. Bummer.
So anyway, it hasn’t always been this way with her being so busy. She’s been taking me to a lot of parks lately.
Uh oh! That feather moved! I don’t think I like it!
She says the weather is just perfect, a little cooler, but sunny skies and the trees are just starting to change colors.
Yep, most of the color we found was on this limb. I don’t think that counts as fall color, mom.
She says we can’t waste days like this, so she’s been taking me to a new place almost every day, and I thought you might like to see.
This was at a different park on a different day.
Mostly she’s been training me to pose for her. I wasn’t so sure of this concept at first.
Mom thought I’d never sit on this log for her, but I can channel my inner diva just fine. When I want to.
But eventually I figured out that after I pose I get a treat, and that big black thing in front of her face isn’t really scary after all.
A girl and her shadow.
Plus I talked to my Angel Sister Katie who told me that treats were an integral part of park visiting and especially posing. I think I’m getting it!
My sister sat right here a couple years ago. Mom smiled when I didn’t argue. I think Katie smiled too.
But I could always use more practice, so I’m bugging mom every day to take me somewhere. I find that poking her hard in the knee works pretty good. If you have any other suggestions let me know.
Change Is Hard 