Look Out Mountain

We have been living on the side of Look Out Mountain for two years and four months now and I still haven’t hiked it…until today. I have wanted to, but due to health reasons I was unable to for all this time. I am doing extremely well now so it was time to tackle the mountain. We normally take the dogs with us when we go for a walk, but we decided to leave them home this time. As the dogs watched me tie my tennis shoes they got really excited because they expected to go with us and they seemed kind of mad when we walked out without them. I told them they could come with next time we do our hike. As we were heading to the entrance of the mountain I realized how out of shape I am as I was having a hard time breathing, but what do you expect from someone who couldn’t work out for more than two years. At this time we decided not to hike to the top of the mountain, but to take the trail around the mountain until I get back in shape. It was kind of disappointing, but it was the best decision especially since I am still in healing mode. As we walked the trail we came across a woman and a dog that looked just like Madison, but this dog was a purebred Rhodesian Ridgeback. We were walking behind her and noticing how this dogs behavior was just like Madison and every time this dog looked back it was like Madison was looking at us. At this point I was determined to talk to her. I wanted to find out if her dog was just as naughty as Madison and I figured we could swap war stories. We caught up to her and of course I made a comment about her dog which then opened up to more conversation. I learned her Ridgeback is just as naughty has Madison. Her dog has chewed up so many things that she has a designated area in her house just for him to hang out in to make sure he doesn’t chew anymore items. She said his favorite thing is the remote control and I guess she has gone through 20 remote controls from being chewed up. Her bed spread was just ripped apart the other day and I told her I could relate. I told her how we got Izzy to help with Madison’s behavior and it worked. She too tried the same approach, but it back fired on her as now she has two naughty dogs. After that conversation Andy and I headed down the mountain and back to our house while we talked about how thankful we are that our plan for another dog worked and didn’t back fire on us. Then we walk into the house and are welcomed home with this mess.

This was my US magazine that I bought at Target last night and planned on reading after the mountain adventure. I had it on the kitchen counter pushed way back against the wall so the dogs couldn’t get it, but somehow they managed to get it and rip it into little pieces. My thought is they were mad that we went for a walk without them and this was payback. The dogs got put outside while we cleaned up their mess. Andy then went to the store, which he already planned on going, and picked me up a new magazine while he was there. I think the next walk we will bring the girls so we don’t face our consequences when we come home.