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Wow, Life has been a bit hectic lately. I'm having trouble deciding where to start. Maybe I'll try a list:

1. Remember when I felt horrible after the vet? I'm better now, and a few days ago I was grooming and noticed a couple of things missing. I don't know why the vet took them, but I guess I can live without them.

2. Remember the guy in the red suit who was staring at me? Some men a red truck came with shovels. They moved the snow away from the little guy. When I went for a walk I found out he was a fire hydrant. Is my face red or what!

3. Remembr the nice smelling food in the office? It was some biscuits for me. The humans made me wait so long before I got to have them. Here's the recipe so you can get your humans to make some for you.

Chili's Dog Biscuits

1 cup white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup cornmeal

1/4 cup wheat germ

2 tsp beef boullion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 egg

1 tbsp oil

1 cup hot water

Roll out and cut into shapes

Bake at 275 degrees for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours until brittle

4. Remember my pal Howie? I got to have a visit with him. Did I ever mention his great legs? They are long and strong and I love to dance with them.

5. Remember Christmas? What a let down. It wasn't a puppy or even a cat. But I did get to go visit "The Kids". They are pretty good, except they have a tree growing out of their living room floor. I got to have a sleepover with one of them. There was tons of food on the coffee table and I couldn't have any of it.

6. The best thing that happend at "The Kids" was Boris and Lola. Boris is a c-a-t. Yeah, a cat. But he is different. He is a friend who loves to chase and wrestle. I love Boris. But the most amazing thing is Lola. Lola is my mom and she is a Goddess. She is dignified and refined. She is svelte and beautiful. She is well mannered and polite.

The Vet

I've been to see the vet once before. I had my mouth checked and my ears. I found out how much I weigh. I got poked with a needle, which really didn't bother me at all. The humans there cuddled me and gave me treats.

I was there again a couple of days ago and I can't remember anything about it! I came home feeling horrible and sick. It feels like someone cut off one of my back legs. Good thing I've been to college, because I've counted my legs and I've still go two in the front and two in the back. So I guess it's something else.

I'm going back to sleep now.

Chili goes to college

Have you ever been to college? If you get a chance, you should try it out. I went to college for awhile and I think I did OK. There were some hallways, books, computers, tables and chairs and lots of students. The students were the best part. They talked to me and stroked my fur. They were learning about math, so I didn't stay long. But I have been practicing counting my paws every day. I've got 2 in the front and 2 in the back. Maybe if I had stayed longer I could have learned how to count my ears. Oh, well, some things are better left a mystery!

shovel

I have solved the mystery of the snow moving humans. The reason they move snow from here to there is because it is fun. I got a chance to move snow with "A". He was using a shovel to do it. The only problem is, he quit too soon. I'm sure there was more fun to be had.

I like the snow, but the unusually cold weather we are having gives me the shivers. I was out for a walk on the weekend and I ran into Howie. He and "D" had been up in the mountains. He didn't seem to be feeling cold. I, however, couldn't last for long on the walk. I hitched a ride home inside "A's" jacket. A little guy like me doesn't generate much body heat, even when wearing a natty plaid turtleneck sweater.

Stay warm!

The Guy in Red

I hope you won't think I'm paranoid when you read this. There is a little guy in a red suit
who has been watching me all day. He's got a white hat and he is standing in the ditch right across the road from my house. He must have arrived during the night with the snow. I haven't seen him there before. I've been sitting in my favorite spot on the back of the couch barking at him. Most people going by on the street leave as soon as I bark. This guy won't budge.

Here's a picture of him. If you know who he is, let me know. He gives me the creeps!

Snow Dog

This snow is fun!

I can roll in it, run in it, bite it, slide in it and dig in it. What more could a pooch ask for? I thought snow only lived in the mountains. I was so surprised to wake up and find this in my backyard. I love it.

Of course the humans are a different story. The snow never seems to be in the right place for them. Every human in the neighborhood is busy moving the snow to a new place. They are using trucks, tractors, shovels and blowers. It's so amusing to watch them take the snow from here and push it over there. Maybe they are doing it to be creative or maybe moving snow is their idea of fun.

If you've got humans, encourage them to put the shovel away, take a frolicking run, dive into the snow, roll onto their backs, squirm and squiggle with 4 paws in the air. It never hurts to get in touch with your inner puppy!

Who's Christmas?

ZZZZZ

The humans are going on and on about Christmas coming. They're buying stuff, baking stuff, putting sparkly lights in the trees in our front yard. I never got this kind of welcome when I got here. When I got here there wasn't even anyone home! And worse yet, I found myself in a cage. I wasn't sure if I was a puppy or a specimen at the zoo. The cage didn't last long, I made sure of that. I shone my cuteness all over the humans, and presto! no cage!

I'm not sure I'm happy about Christmas coming. Is there going to be a competition between us? I'm used to being the centre of attention around here. I wonder what Christmas will be like? Probably not as much fun as Grandma. She's always got time for me; walks, belly rubs, tricks and treats.

I'll continue to wait and watch the antics of the humans as they get ready for the arrival of Christmas. As a matter of fact I think I'll get into my basket and take a little nap to pass the time.

Oh and one more thing, when Christmas shows up here, he better have his own dog dish, 'cause I have no intention of sharing my kibble with him.

drywall tastes good

I'm banned from the basement. "A" is down there with a bunch of tools, making dust. I heard some terrible noises from below, so I went to check it out. I'd just got a mouthful of the good stuff when "A" grabbed me and hauled me up the stairs. He shut the door as he went back down. "Chili's been eating the drywall." he said. I'm a hunter by nature and I'm always on the lookout for something new to eat.

There's something to eat in one of the boxes in the office. If the humans would just leave the office door open sometime when they go away, I could check it out. There are a bunch of boxes in there right now. "W" has been putting paper around them with sparkly ribbons and stuff. One of them contains food that smells heavenly. I'll just bide my time patiently, waiting for someone to go off to work and leave the door open. I'll let you know what I find.

In the Soup

Anybody got a paddle I can borrow?

I'm up sh_t creek!

"W" was busy making soup in the kitchen. I did my doggie duty of vacuuming up the bits of leek, carrot and celery from the kitchen floor.

Rather than put the hot cooked soup in the fridge, she put it outside on the little table on the back deck to cool. It's darn cold out right now, so it would cool fast.

A little later I wandered out of the kitchen and stood looking out the window to the back deck. That's how I tell the humans I want to go outside. "W" opened the door to let me out and returned to cleaning up the kitchen.

I was sitting outside on the little table on the deck when she opened the door and found me. She scooped me up and hustled me into the house. She wrestled my lips apart and nearly stuck her nose into my mouth. "Ah ha! You've been eating meatballs from the soup." She set me down on the couch and went muttering back into the kitchen.

Later I hear her tell "A" that my breath smelled like nutmeg. Guess that was the give away. Drats.

Here is the recipe in case you want to try it out...It'll mask doggie breath.

Dutch Meatball Soup

1 litre of beef stock

about 3-4 cups water

3 leeks (white and light green parts chopped)

1 1/2 c. each of celery and carrots chopped

1 lb ground beef

1/2 c dry breadcrumbs

2 Tbsp parsley

salt and pepper

1 1/2 tsp nutmeg (or more)

1 cup fine egg noodles

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp Worchestershire sauce

In a large pot boil together beef stock, water, leeks, celery and carrots. Cook about 30 min.

Make small meatballs-mix beef, breadcrumbs, a bit of the parsley, salt, pepper, nutmeg. Put meatballs into hot soup and simmer about 15 min.

Add noodles and cook 8 min. Stir in soy sauce and Worchestershire sauce and the rest of the parsley.

Mt. Rose

Oct. 18

Mt. Rose Trail, approx. 5k

easy, short trail

soft trailbed

forested

no water

a few hikers and dogs

birds and squirrels

if you're a dog who likes bouldering, there are some fun rocks

2 paws up

Lac Du Bois Grasslands Park

Oct. 18
Dew Drop Trail, approx 14k

I got to chase some deer through the forest today! W & A were party poopers and scared the deer off by calling "Chili, Chili, come here boy".
Gee whiz. I just wanted to play.

there are some cool little caves and some crazy holey rocks on the trail.
lots of the trees are covered with green fuzz
this is a hot place
there is no water for drinking.
the trail is smooth with only a few rocky places
no other hikers

3 paws up

Oct. 19
Mara Hill trail, approx. 6k

Rattle Snakes
I did not leave the trail
wandering off trail could be dangerous for a short little gaffer like me.

Hot, no shade
dry, no water
few hikers,
easy level trail
I got cacti stuck in my paws a couple of times
there are deer
it is hard to resist wandering through the wide open spaces, maybe you'll want a leash
2 paws up

Eagle Pass Mountain

Sept. 28

Eagle Pass Mt trail, approx 12k

My first hike with my new pal, Howie!

Howie hails from California, but is a Canadian now. He lives on my street and he puts up with my over-exuberance.

"W" & "A" sometimes travel with 2 other humans, "D' & "D". They belong to Howie. It's nice to go places with friends.

the trail has a few trees down, not a problem for long legged dogs like Howie

there is water for drinking

you'll be on rocks

quite a lot of hikers

great sniffing in the meadow

soft fresh snow made it slippy getting to the top

3 paws up

Glacier Nat. Park

Sept. 14
Perley Rock Trail, Glacier Nat. Park Approx. 11k

4 legs good, two legs bad

As I scooted up and down an icy snowslope, "A" took an unexpected ride.

This trail has everything for a fun loving pooch like me. forest, rocks, river, streams, meadows, snow, ice, bridges

After the Sir Donald junction, not a lot of people

I needed a boost over boulders
a leash will keep you from wandering into a crevasse

encourage your humans to take hiking poles...2 legs may not be enough!

4 paws way up!

There's a lot of ice up there!

Banff

Aug. 23 & 24, 2008

Banff Nat. Park

Cirque Peak trail, approx. 16k

Just a few metres short of 3,000...my record.

Parking lot overflowed to Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint...lots of hikers here

trail is wide, braided with lots of roots at the start

a bit steep until you're behind the ridge and into the meadows.

steep again beyond the ridge above Helen Lake

some streams for drinks

Helen Lake for a swim

my favorite-MARMOTS! Someone once thought I was a marmot.

if you love marmots, a leash might be an idea

I needed a boost over some boulders getting to the summit

3 paws

Bow Glacier Falls trail, approx 9k

level until past the gravel flats west of the lake

a leash would be good until you're past the lodge area

lots of nice swimming

rocky trail at the end

a refreshing shower awaits for those who need it

trail was muddy, my low slung belly got very dirty

2 paws

Parker Ridge trail, approx. 8k

start the hike by strolling into a meadow!
WINDY-screaming, howling, hair-raising, mind bending wind
We hid out in a stone shelter on the ridge to unfold the map
"W" let her hiking poles hang by the loops from her wrists. The wind blew them close to 45 degree angle. This is one time I was glad to be so low to the ground.

I didn't see goats, but I found a little clump of fur to play with as I huddled out of the wind.

trail is soft with lots of switchbacks. I found those confusing
no water
lots of people, bring a leash
"great photo ops", "A" went on and on about glaciers

2 paws

Manning

Aug. 6, 2008

Manning Prov. Park

Skyline I trail to Lone Goat Peak, approx 20k from Strawberry Flats

There was no goat that day.

We were the lone hikers. There were no other hikers past the junction back to Spruce Bay.

a rolling trail

soft trailbed

sidehilling behind Snow Camp Mt.

grouse, squirrels

some streams for drinking

"W"&"A" decided to scramble down from Lone Goat Peak and rejoin the trail. They never listen to me...My fur got full of seeds and burrs.

I got to try candied ginger today. It's not half bad, although it got stuck in my teeth. I'll be glad when I lose these baby teeth.

3 paws

Manning

July 13, 2008

Three Brother's Trail, Approx. 20-22kManning Prov. Park

Gaining elevation to get back to the car seems wrong. Not satisfied with the First Brother, we had to visit the second one as well.

trailbed soft except for final ascent

I needed a boost over boulders a couple times, gangly legged dogs will have no problems

BIG, howling wind on the summit. "W" carried me on the narrow ridge so I wouldn't blow off.

birds

lots of people, fewer after the meadows

water for drinks

I'm a little guy, close to the ground. It was hot and dry. My eyes and nose got full of trail dust. I follow right behind "W". "A" goes at the end. The humans figured out why I was sneezing and cleaned off the dust so I could see and breathe!

3 paws

Lightning Lakes Loop, July 14

Manning Prov. Park

Approx. 9 k

Easy, level, lakeshore trail.

soft trailbed

lots of people until you get past the first lake.

take a leash

lots of swimming

shady and cool

2 paws

Banff/Kootenay

June 29-30, 2008

Stanley Glacier Trail, Kootenay Nat. Park

Approx. 11k

I was getting some TLC from "A". I accepted a ride in "W's" backpack for about 15 minutes on the hike down. I was pooped!

a stream for swimming,

moose

on the south side of the basin, falls for a shower

smooth trail in the forest

talus for 45 min or so, careful tenderpaws!

not many hikers

4 paws up

Paradise Valley trail to Sentinel Junction

Banff Nat. Park

Approx 20k

My first snow! COOL!

lots of water to swim

wide trail,

steep up to Annette Lake

a few hikers

Mountain bikes on lower trail

tenderpaws alert-cross a rock slide

esp. in fall you may need a group to go here-

bears

There was a storm rolling in from the Plain of Six Glaciers. Thunder began as we were 2 k from the car. Safely at the coffee shop in Lake Louise when the downpour arrived.

4 paws up

Moraine Lakeshore trail

Keep walking, keep walking, trust me, keep walking

the crowds thin out after a few minutes

level, wide trail

soft trailbed

shady, cool

swimming

bring a leash

go to the end of the lake, it was flooded in June

2 paws

Castle Lookout Trail, approx 7k

Banff Nat. Park

UP, UP, UP

good trailbed

some rocks,

a few streams to drink

no swimming

bears,

Hot, not much shade

lots of hikers

2 paws

Ink Pots Trail, Johnston Canyon
Approx 12k

Banff Nat. Park

Whoa! Carry me! Johnston Canyon boardwalks are a forest of legs for a guy like me. A sea of humanity. Trail on to the Ink Pots is gently rolling, not as busy.

Water for drinking

wide, level trail

bring a leash

nice place for a puppy nap.

2 paws

Okanagan Mountain

June 22, 2008

Mt. Goat Trail, about 10k.

Okanagan Mt. Park

This trail goes through a burned forest. It starts out steep, then rolling. There are some steep bands of rock to go over.

hard to get to Divide Lake for a swim at trails end

very few streams for drinking

some logs down

birds

would be hot in mid-summer

not a lot of hikers

2 paws

"W"&"A" like this location because it is close to a lot of wineries on the Naramata Bench. Most of the wineries are very dog friendly and will have a cold bowl of water and maybe a dog biscuit for you.

Gladstone Park

June 14, 2008
I've got some humans. I call him "A" and she is "W". They're the ones who drive when we go hiking.

My mom is a mini dashound and my dad is a Yorkie. I'm not really interested in swimming, but I don't mind wading!

The lakeshore trail at Christina Lake is about 18k return.
there is some uphill, both ways
not a lot of water on the trail but plenty at trail's end for swimming
a bit of blowdown where I needed a boost to make it over
trailbed is rocky in some spots
squirrels and birds
forested
mountain bikes
not a lot of hikers
a creek at the end of the lake floods, I needed help in crossing(curse of the short legs!)
a 3 paw rating

Gladstone Peak trail
"A"&"W" got lost looking for the trailhead, so we wandered along the Trans Canada Trail for a couple of hours instead
level, wide
water for swimming
ATV's, bicycles, motorbikes
horse poop
gravel trailbed
1 paw rating

Lac La Jeune

June 8, 2008

My first time on the trail was at Lac La Jeune Prov. Park. There is a short lakeside trail.

no big hills

no obstacles

nice soft trailbed

lots of water for swimming

a few squirrels and birds

lots of people with kids

bikes on the trail, too

a 2 paw rating

Hi, hikers and dog lovers

I'm Chili. I love to hike in the mountains of BC and Alberta. I was born in April, 2008 and I've got a lot of km and metres of elevation on my paws. This is my first blog.

I plan to tell you about my adventures on the trail and other ramblings.

I hope you'll check my blog once in awhile to see where I've been. Hope to see you out there.

Happy trails,

Chili