I found a Home

Can you beleive it? I meet these people on Saturday, they came over to see me. I thought it was because of my DogStar status and they wanted an pawagraph. Well before I knew it they came back yesterday and swept me away. They even brought me a bear! Of course I carried him all the way to the car. They are a really nice human pair and I think I can train them pretty good. I get to go to work with one of the humans and I think I will like that alot. You know I will have to greet the other people in the work pace and make sure they understand who is the top dog! I will miss Husky Haven, they treated me well there and loved me alot, I know they are happy for me, but I also know they will always have an eye on me to make sure I am doing well.

Thank you Husky Haven for taking me in and giving me a place to stay where I was safe and loved till my forever home came along. My story begins now that I am home.

Snow Bear

Hiking in the Mud

Well, what a day. Miki and I went hiking on the Lone Star Hiking
Trail today so she could finish her WPD hiking requirements. It was
a really nice day with the temperature starting around 40 in the
morning and warming up to 65 or so later in the day. It was perfect
and I did not even have to take my coat off all day!

The first third of the trail was in great shape considering all the
rain we have had of late. I was thinking about it some at the Home
Show yesterday and I admit to having been a little worried that we
could not use the trails. But, mostly, they were no problem. Now,
the great part was that there were still enough mud puddles to have
fun with. My hiking buddy kept telling me to go to the left side or
right side of the puddles but I ignored him. I figured what could he
do about it – I'm a dog after all. So I just pretended I did not
know what he was saying. It was great. Water and mud went
everywhere, on me, on my pack, just everywhere. What a good time!!

We had about 20 water crossing to do. Some were not even worth
noticing but some of the streams had a lot of water. We had to cross
one stream on a 6" wide board. That was fun. Miki fell off and what
a splash. The water was not very deep but she got all wet and almost
took her hiking buddy with her. Of the four of us, I am the only one
that did not fall today. My hiking buddy almost went swimming today
too – it was pretty funny.

We had quite a surprise at what we thought was the end of the hike.
The trail data was wrong and the trail we were on was only 8 miles
not 10.7 like we thought. Since Miki needed 10 miles for her WPD we
had to extend the hike some. As this was not planned, some issues
occurred. We first followed a power line ROW for about a mile and
then followed an unmarked trail back into the forest. It worked out
really well for about a mile but then the trail kind of ended.
Perhaps that is the reason it was not marked. Anyway, it was longer
to get back than to go forward so we made our own trail and went
cross-country.

It turns out that Miki is not as slim as she thinks as she had some
trouble getting through the brush especially with her backpack. Well
actually now that I think of it that is not quite true. She pushed
through the brush pretty well but it turned out that her hiking buddy
was not as short as she was and he kept hitting the saplings and the
like. It did not seem to bother her much as when he hit something
she just pulled harder – she was just trying to help you know. She
and her hiking buddy discussed the matter some but I did not pay any
attention to what they were saying. Anyway, we eventually crossed
the Lone Star Trail and then just followed it back to the car. That
was pretty fun and I even found some deer trails on the cross-country
part.

I have to tell you that my coat got kind of dirty but I will have it
washed tomorrow so you don't have to worry about it. I now have 81
miles pack hiking and 36 of those miles can even count for the WPDX.
But I am going to retire for the year and will be coming home
tomorrow. It is only fair that someone else have a chance to go
hiking before it gets too hot. Thanks for letting me go camping and
hiking!!!

Woo Wooooooooooo
Snow Bear

A camping trip for me! 1/9/08

Boy I hiked 26 miles and I'm pooped!! Friday Miki, Buck and I met at
Nails Creek State Park for a campout. They were quite late getting
in as their driver had some car problems. They all ended up setting
up their tent in the dark. My hiking buddy and I just slept in the
back of the truck so we had it easy, well kind of. It turns out that
my hiking buddy snores, which made it a little hard for me to
sleep. What a racket!!

Anyway on Saturday morning we all put on our back packs and went on
the Lake Somerville Trail. It was a long hike for sure. The trail
is 13 miles from Nails Creek SP to the Birch Creek SP at the other
end of the trail. There were quite a bit of up and down sections we
had to go through. As we got kind of a late start, we ended up
hitting the meadows just after noon. The sun had come out and it got
pretty warm. We stopped every few miles, rested and drank lots and
lots of water. My hiking buddy said I wasted too much water so he
taught me to drink from a sports bottle. It is kind of weird but it
works ok. I still prefer a bowel however.

I did get a pretty yummy lunch on the trail and some cookies. I had
beef and gravy while Miki and Buck just had kibbles for lunch and I
think they we jealous. Well, they are only Malamutes anyway. Miki
also went through a lot of water. She was a sponge. Glad I did not
have to carry water for her too!

By the time we got to the campground at Birch Creek everyone was
pretty tired. Oh I forgot, I saw a family of wild piggies and later
we had three wild pigs run across our path maybe 30 feet in front of
us. I wanted to give chase and teach them some manners but my hiking
buddy said we needed to keep on the path. He can be such a party
poop sometimes….

We all crashed hard on Saturday night. It was a nice cool night and
you could see all the stars and everything. Of course, the snore
machine was turned on later in the night and he was right by my
ears. But I was so tired I went to sleep pretty fast anyway. The
morning came pretty early it seemed but we wanted to get an early
start so be could get out of the meadow area before it got hot.

The trip back was a lot easier I thought and Miki and Buck did much
better today. It took us about an hour less to do the 13 miles back
than it did to go. We all carried a lot more water today also which
was good and bad. Water is heavy but we drank most of it along the
way. My lunch today was Salmon and Rice from the can. Very tasty!
Poor Miki and Buck got kibbles again – oh well.

We got back to the ranger station at Nails Creek at about 3:30 and
Mr. Ranger signed my witness sheet. Wow, I now have 71 miles
packing!!! Well, I am tired and going to bed but I will post some
pictures tomorrow after I am rested. I will see you tomorrow
afternoon after my bath.

Love you always,
Snow Bear

I did it!! 1/27/08

Mr. Snow Bear went to Lake Houston Park today and pack hiked for 7
miles. So... he has 45 miles under his pack now!! We still have to
wait for his ILP number from the AKC before submitting his WPD
application. THe AKC should be contacting Pat by this coming Tuesday.

The trail today varied greatly from really nice to not useable. The
parts by Peach Creek were in pretty good shape. The parts East of that
were pretty wet. The path heading to the San Jacinto River became
unuseable after about 3/4 mile. The mud was ankle deep or more. Mr.
Snow Bear is kind of like a kid with mud puddles.... He did not look
too "snowy" when we got back to the car. Even after I dried him off
and cleaned him up some he did not look that great. He is going to get
a bath tomorrow!!

This is the nicest park we have hiked yet and it has lots and lots of
hiking possibilities both on official paths and some abandonded paths
we discovered. The squirrels were out in force late in the day and
Snow Bear had a great time watching them.

Hiking Again!! 1/21/08

Really not too much to report as things have been quiet here lately.
I was going to go hiking last weekend but the temp was 30 and I left
my winter coat in the closet there so I could not go. Oh well, I
stayed in and watched a number of Midsummer Murders. I sure hope I
don't ever live in Midsummer Mallow as those folks don't seem to live
long and they talk kind of funny.

Today I took my backpack to Huntsville State Park again and went on
the Chinquapin Trail. My sherpa and his alpha female went along for
the trip but they were not very helpful and I had to carry
everything! Still can't believe I had to carry all the stuff - do I
look like a mule or something?? I am going to leave them home next
time I think as they don't hike all that fast either - and they were
noisy.

They kept tripping over the roots and just about falling. What a
racket. It's no wonder I did not see any deer or squirls. Any self
respecting wildlife would have been long gone. Boy so much for
becoming one with nature.... Maybe next time I will take Hallie
Sheltie. She is a little short, but has a cute little black nose,
and she has the good sense to walk on four legs. Anyway she has to
be better than those two for sure.

During the hike I walked in front so I did not have to watch the two
blunder through the forest and had a good time a-lookin-and-a-
smellin. When I checked the weather this morning, it was forcast to
rain around 3pm so I did not have lunch on the hike today. I just
drank some water and kept moving so we would get out of the forest
before the rain started. I can just imagine the fuss those two would
have made if they got wet. As it turned out, a blue norther had come
visiting and you could hear her rustle about in the trees as we
started the hike. By time we got to the dam and left the tree line,
her breath was at full force and I was very glad to not dally there.

For a holiday there really were not very many out on the trails but
it was getting cold with the wind. However for all I know the racket
from the two with me made everyone else hide. I would not have been
surprised to find that there was a small cave with all the animals
and hikers hiding in it until we passed. You know they talked the
entire trip!

Anyway, we got back to the car about 2:30 and I was ready to get in
and go. But the female of course had to use the facilities.
Unbelieveable. What a fuss they make. Me I just stop by a handy
bush. But nooooo that is not good enough for them. Geeez, I mean
really, when was the last time you saw a bear in a comfort station
after all??? Yep it's me and hottie Hallie next time and we will
leave them fuss-buckets at home. I did pack 7 miles today so I am up
to 38 miles now.

Speaking of next time, weather permitting, I will be going hiking
this coming Saturday with the Lone Star Hiking Club again. They are
going on a 6 mile hike that looks like fun. That will be the last
hike I need for the WPD. I sure hope the weather is good!

I wish that ol one-ear could go but tell him that I am thinking of
him.

Love ya always,

Woo Wooo
Snow Bear

Working Hard for that WPD 1/12/08

It was the gray that I have been looking for. After being taunted by
him for three days now the tide has finally turned. No more than 50,
maybe 60, feet from me out in the open area cut through the forest he
sits. With the bulk of my body hidden by the nearby tree he cannot
see me but he is distracted anyway. He has something in his hands
and has his back to me – it doesn't get better than this!

I made my move. Rocketing out from behind the tree I head straight
for him. At first he does not see me but then he gets a glance of a
white streak and snaps his head around. I can see the shock in his
beady eyes. He runs for the forest edge but it is too late. I have
already covered 30 feet before he reacted. With every heartbeat, 5
feet of the distance between us disappears. I have him. Finally!
He is at full stride heading for the trees but they are just too
far. He was careless today. 15 feet now, I can see every claw on
his rear feet. The same feet that kept him just out of reach for
days now - him standing there on the side of the tree mocking me with
that cackle laugh of his. 10 feet, it is like slow motion, I can see
every hair on his bushy tail as it goes side to side while he
desperately reaches for the trees. He must know it's too late. 3
feet, he is mine; my powerful rear legs thrust me into the air as I
leap for him with my mouth agape. BAM BAM????

What the heck??? Oh CRA*, I can't believe it!!! What lousy timing
he has! My hiking buddy is knocking on my kennel. Oooh man, just 30
seconds more of snoozing and I would have had that squirrel. Its not
like we didn't go hiking 4 miles yesterday – he couldn't wait another
30, just 30, seconds? Well, he is not going away so I guess I have
to get up although 6:30 in the morning is a little early. Oh yea, he
did say we were going with the Lone Star Hiking Club today for a hike
on the Lone Star Hiking Trail starting at the Tarkington trail head
wherever that is.

The ride there took about an hour and was uneventful. I did get my
donut as promised and that did improve my outlook on the morning. As
I jumped out of the car it struck me, we are in the middle of
absolutely no-where. It turned out that we were a little early but
in short order the other cars came. There were about 12 of us in
total and we headed out on the trail for the Big Creek Scenic Area.
My backpack was swaying slightly from side to side as I made my way
up the trail. As we had a trail guide, I did not take the lead but
followed about mid-pack.

The forest was pretty quiet except for my hiking buddy occasionally
almost tripping on an exposed root. It is pretty funny to watch him
but it serves him right for just using two legs. Anyway, I followed
a bunch of ladies along the trail until they had to (well you know)
and I was asked to go ahead on the trail. They are pretty fussy as I
just took care of things with only a slight pause at a bush. Well
anyway it was just the opportunity I was looking for and I went for
it. Man it was great, the trail winding its way before me with no
one blocking my view. You know it is true, unless you are the lead
dog the scenery never changes….

I arrived at the junction for the Big Creek Scenic Area and held up
there for the rest to catch up. The trail guide then asserted pack
leadership again and we followed her all around the Scenic Loops. It
was a pretty nice place with a slow flowing creek meandering through
the area. My hiking buddy would not let me drink the creek water
even though is looked cool and inviting. That was a bummer but we
did stop for a water and snack break after a while. It was a pretty
good place to rest and drink. I was able to mooch some beef jerky,
half a sandwich, a dropped lemon candy (thanks John) and some
Snausages. Not a bad haul for being in the middle of nowhere and who
said I can't live off the land?

After about 30-minutes, the pack got restless and we all headed back
for the trail head. I don't know for sure but it did seem the trip
back took longer than the trip in. But then again, it always does
for some reason. On the plus side, having used the water I was
carrying, my pack was lighter for the return hike! It seemed forever
to get back to the dirt road but after that it was a short hike to
the trail head.

I got back to the car at about 12:30 and, I admit it, I was pooped.
With my backpack off, I drank a bunch of water and then laid down in
the back of the car and snoozed all the way home. By the time I got
home I had recovered and wanted to go for a walk but my hiking buddy
wouldn't go for it and he took a snooze. Me, I had to wait outside
for him to get back up. Boy, I am treated like a dog!!

The trail guide,Cathy, signed my hike witness form and I now get
credit for an additional 8 miles. I only need 9 miles now for the
WPD. I met a bunch of nice outdoors type folks today and gave out a
few HH cards. Everyone liked me - well what did you expect? I have
been invited to go with them again on the 26th and I look forward to
it.

Snow Bear

Working on my WPD 1/6/08

Yesterday I went to the Brazos Bend State Park with my hiking buddy
and some of my Malamute friends. I did not take my back pack as my
leg is still recovering from that unfortunate event last week. You
know, I am still kind of mad about that as I really don't know why
someone would have a fence in their backyard anyway. I mean really,
sometimes I think I am treated like a dog or something. What ever
happened to the cowboy culture here in Texas:

Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above,
Don't fence me in.
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love,
Don't fence me in.
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze,
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees,
Send me off forever but I ask you please,
Don't fence me in.

Well back to the park, we had a pretty good time there. There were 2
Golden Retrievers, 4 or 5 Malamutes (don't really know as I ran out
of toes to count on one paw and when I went to use the toes on
another paw I forgot how many I had already counted on the first paw -
its hard counting you know) and one Wiener dog (hard to see how you
can get everything needed inside that little guy).

Everyone got along great and we went walked around Hale Lake which
was 2 miles long and then we went back to the shelter to pick up the
stragglers for the 2nd hike. When we got back to the shelter, Auntie
Margie finally arrived with a cute Malamute, Anita (well a vow of
celebacy does'nt mean I'm blind you know).

I went over and talked to Anita and learned a great time saving trick
from her. You know how it is when you get out of the car after a
ride and you have to find the perfect place to (well you know) before
you can go walking. And you have to sniff and sniff and sniff and go
round and round until just the right moment. Well, Anita just took
care of the matter during the ride to the park and saved all that
time. Boy, she has brains and is a looker too!

Auntie Margie did not seem all that pleased with Anita but it could
have just been that two females thing. You just can't have two
females together without a cat fight it seems.

We did a little over 5 miles between the two walks and then we had
lunch. I was a little bit pooped so I took a nap for a while and
then we headed back home. Maybe it was the fresh air and all the
excitement but I was still a little tired so I at dinner and went to
bed early.

Dr. Angel said I could get my stitches out this week and I am looking
forward to that for sure. Every time I even think about licking my
leg I get yelled at and threatened with the cone collar. I hate that
cone collar. I can't even bite my tail or anything with it on. But,
with luck, I can go hiking again late this month. I was thinking of
camping on the Lake Somerville Trail now that the weather is a little
warmer at night but I have not decided for sure. I am also out of
cookies so I might go to Woof Bakery this weekend and stock up and
talk to the shoppers there.

I hope things are going well back at home and give ol one ear my
regards.

WOO WOO WOO,
Snow Bear