Weekend Holiday with The Wheatens
Special boots, showy cape, hair care products — those were important items to pack for our fun weekend getaway. Oh no — those weren’t for me. Those were for my wheaten terriers!
Last weekend, we spent a lovely and totally Fit As Fido weekend backpacking from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon in the beautiful Laurel Highlands in Pennsylvania. The weather was perfect — cool, crisp, and clear skies with just a light coating of snow on the ground. This meant we could backpack in just hats, gloves, and shirts and the wheatens didn’t have to worry about ticks or mud. Perfection! The terriers kept their feet free of clumping snow balls with their boots and were easy to see with their new blaze orange capes. (Thanks, Donna, for super suggestions!)
After a beautiful hike through the woods, our trail went through the Seven Springs ski resort. And when I saw “through” I mean we crossed several slopes as curious and amazing skiers looked twice wondering if those were REALLY soft-coated wheaten terriers out for a day on the slopes. It was a bit intimidating standing atop black diamond trails with skiers and snow boarders barreling down the slopes, but we timed our sojourn to avoid oncoming skiers and luckily remained upright as we dashed across the ski trails. While we waited, some folks on the ski lift called down, “We love wheaten terriers!” Wheaten fan clubs where ever we go! Wheatie absolutely loved it on the slopes. While Toby proudly jaunted across, Wheatie put his head down in the snow, made a few terrier snow angels, and them pushed himself forward with his back feet, pushing his face through the snow. I think he actually felt like he was skiing. As one skier sailed past, he quipped, “I can get you a set of skis for that dog! He’s a great skier!” Once on the side of the slopes, numerous skiers stopped on their descents for some wheaten loving — therapeutic services on the slopes from the therapy terriers! My husband said we should have tied barrels under the dogs’ chins like the St. Bernards. I wondered how many wives would be looking at their husbands skeptically, wondering how many hot toddies they’d consumed in the lodge, when they came home announcing, “Honey, I saw the cutest and fluffiest doggies on the ski slopes today!”
Some unexpected ski bunnies (or terriers, in this case!)
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11 Responses to “Weekend Holiday with The Wheatens”
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LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!
Donna — notice the fab orange vests? Just got then in the nick of time on Friday! Thanks!
They are amazingly cute and fluffy! Sounds like you had a blast.
OMGosh so enjoyed this blog and the pictures are priceless, Wheatie & Toby are absolutely adorable and they put a smile on my face everytime I look at them, would have loved to have seen those precious faces when I was so sick in the hospital, would love to share on FB the pic of the four of you if that is ok, thanks for sharing Dawn!!!!!:)
Share away Beth! Thanks!
Where did you purchase the booties and don’t they try to chew them off?
I’ve tried a lot of different boot, which usually fall off my dogs’ feet after a few minutes of snow play. I got these booties at REI: REI Adventure Boots. They do generally leave them alone. Many try to nibble at the first few seconds, but soon are too excited by romping in the woods to worry about boots. The thing I have liked is that they actually stay on the feet. You have to get the foot all the way to the bottom and pull the Velcro tight. I usually watch for a few minutes to make sure they’re on. Once when we were in deep snow, one of my dogs lost one, so we take a couple spares when out backpacking. Didn’t lose any this weekend! A friend suggested Ultra Paws Xtreme dog boots that have Kevlar. I’m planning to try those, too, at some point.
Ah … the snow! Makes me yearn for our former home in Denver. We are in Houston now and having a VERY warm winter. Unfortunately, our wheaten, Lily, never got a chance to experience snow, but I bet she’d love it! We had a schnauzer while in Denver and she always tried to kick off her booties, but they saved her from snow balls lodged between her toes
Your two are beautiful and hubby is nice looking, too.
LOVE this picture of you all. The dogs look great and I can see you are all having a wonderful time.
Makes me wish I lived where there’s snow!
Glad to see the vests worked out great! Our 2 know when they see the vests come out, we’re all going to do something fun outside!