Dog and Pony prep, part six

After more than two decades of almost continuous, multiple dog life, we are now a single dog household.

Or perhaps I should say, we are a single, full scale dog household.

Small scale is a different story.

I have so many model dogs.

You've seen them.

It's clear I have a problem.

I also have an enabler.

More than a few of my dogs are Alexey's thrift shop finds.

Take that big dog in the red shirt for example. Here's how she found her way to my house.

She's been standing on my shelf for almost a year, quietly minding her own business. This state of affairs might have continued indefinitely, but than I decided I need a big dog for one of my Dog and Pony Show performance entries.

Specifically, I needed Big Dog.

I picked her up, dusted her off and realized that Big Dog was a little worse for the wear.

She had a lot of missing paint, plus some fake snow affixed to her ear and coat.

Clearly, she needed a makeover.

Here's how she looks now.

I touched up her paintwork, painted her toenails and added some black to her tail.

Ready for the showring!

Don't worry. The sweater will be back, as will some of the many other tack items Big Dog now owns.

For the first time ever, my main performance model is a dog. A Big Dog.

Go-with dog

Not every year, but more years than not, Seth and I set aside a day in September to visit the Colorado high country and take in some fall color.

We always bring a furry friend with us.

For the first six years or so, Emma was our go-to dog.

She liked riding in the car...

and going for little hikes in the mountains, 

but she did not enjoy walking around mountain towns or eating at restaurants.

"Just leave me in the car, Mom. I'm good."

She became more social with time - and Prozac - but really, this was never her favorite thing.

By the time Piper arrived on the scene, Emma was happy to retire from traveling.

Oh, my sweet girl. 

I miss her so.

Seth and I have maintained a two dog household almost continuously since 2003.

After Emma died, I said I wasn't ready for another dog, but I assumed that was a temporary feeling. Nearly three months later, I'm not so sure. More than any dog since the first dog, Piper feels like enough.

This little dog is good at everything.

She's good at home.

She's good in the car.

She's good at wilderness adventures.

She's good at urban adventures.

She gets along with other dogs.

She could be friendlier with people, but I don't hold that against her.

She doesn't really like horses either. 

Nobody's perfect, but truly, this dog comes pretty close.

As Seth and I were driving to Cripple Creek, we remembered all the places Piper has gone with one or both us.

"Which do you think is her favorite?" I asked.

Then we spent some time discussing the canine merits of mountains and canyons,

oceans and lakes...

and zoos and shopping malls.

Eventually, Seth said, "I don't think her favorite is a place. She just wants to go with us. She is our go-with dog."

He's right, of course. Piper is our one dog that does it all. Our go-with, be-with dog.

Fall colors

Not every year, but more years than not, Seth and I set aside a day in September to visit the Colorado high country and take in some fall color.

Yesterday was the day.

We usually drive over Guanella Pass, which is close to Denver and absolutely gorgeous.

Guanella Pass in 2016

Unfortunately, for these exact reasons, it's also really crowded. We weren't feeling that this year, so we chose an alternate, new-to-both-of-us destination: Tenderfoot Pass between Woodland Park and Cripple Creek.

Our timing was good.

The aspens were at - or at least near - peak.

Unfortunately, the weather was not quite as good.

It rained, and low lying clouds blocked most of the big vistas.

No matter.

It was still beautiful.

We stopped multiple times to take pictures...

and enjoy the views.

Eventually, we made our way to Cripple Creek.

Piper posed...

with every sign...

and mural.

We met some of the town donkeys...

Yes, we remembered to close the gate behind us!

...and ate lunch at the one restaurant in town with outdoor seating.

This was a really fun day and a great alternative to the crowds on Guanella Pass.

I'm already looking forward to next year's drive!