Pick-up Dogs How Two Rescue Dogs Save the West from Being Won
Author Archive
Lu’s Eulogy
Today we said goodbye to Lupe CrazyWolf. Lu (?- 2017) spent her whole life cheating death–wrestling grizzly bears on Wapaloopsie Mountain, chasing black bears throughout the North Cascades, dancing with rattlesnakes in the Badlands of South Dakota, disappearing with cougars on Gee Point. But it’s cancer that got her. Years ago, Lu was found abandoned […]
Adopt a Rescue Dog
Ten years ago today, I brought Lupe home from the Lawrence Humane Society shelter. Lu has been the best friend I’ve ever had and without question the most original character I’ve come across in my near 40 years of existence. Since day one, Lu has been a challenge. She’s kept me on my toes, […]
Dogs and Epilepsy
It started with a hard thump and then rhythmic pounding in the middle of the night. In a single breath, I was jolted out of sleep and yelled, “Something horrible’s happening.” Marcos’s head pounding against the bed frame in the other room. The horrible of smell of a metallic urine, adrenaline pumped out onto the […]
Forever Young
For Liu peh, Mar, and DeEfeElJefe May your ‘paws’ always be busy May your feet always be swift May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift May your heart always be joyful May your song always be sung May you stay forever young Forever young, forever young May you stay forever young […]
Rescue Dogs
End the annual dog holocaust. An estimated 3-4 million healthy shelter pets are euthanized each year because they don’t find a home. Only about 30 percent of pets in homes come from shelters or rescues. Unless you absolutely know that your breeder is responsible, why not adopt a dog? For starters, rescue dogs are not nearly as likely […]
Mountain Worship in Winter
Mountain Worship: When the mountain’s out, I’m happy. When the clouds cover the mountain, I still hike. –Ancient Kendalian proverb
Walking the High Country with Dogs
“The wilderness experience positions the great questions we face in life within the context of our utter smallness. Only our acceptance, our willingness to go where we are small and where we need to respect the power and objectivity of nature makes it possible for us to experience a hero’s journey.” Ann Bancroft, Arctic and […]
High on High Pass
We took an adventure to High Pass, right under Mount Larrabee and overlooking Mount Baker in the North Cascades. Marcos, our trusty therapy dog featured in these pictures, had a glorious day and this was his third hike following knee surgery. The aquatherapy he has been doing for his knee has helped him gain strength […]
Sunday Afternoon on High Pass
We took an adventure to High Pass, right under Mount Larrabee and overlooking Mount Baker in the North Cascades. Marcos, our trusty therapy dog featured in these pictures, had a glorious day and this was his third hike following knee surgery. The aquatherapy he has been doing for his knee has helped him gain strength […]
The Quickest, Shortest but Steepest Way to Paradise
The Welcome Pass trail up to the High Divide gains 2500 feet of elevation in just 2.5 miles. This is a quad burner and a Stair Master for the soul. Lu, Kirsten and I slowly plodded up to the High Divide with its glorious views of Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker, and the North Cascades while […]
How to go about picking a dog
A friend of mine sent an email asking about how to go about adopting a dog. Good question. And it got me to thinking… My friend had done some research at the local shelters and humane societies and he was keeping an eye out for a Boxer/Shepherd-like dog. Because he and his wife live with […]
Sunshine Daydream. An October walk through Twisp Pass
We took this walk in early October on Twisp Pass among the North Cascades of Central Washington in early October. It was absolutely delectable. The sun was blazing, and though the pass was covered in snow from a recent storm, the temperature was in the 70s. The hike in total was about 9 […]
Do Dogs Get PTSD?
I was in the car listening to the radio a few weeks ago and heard an NPR story about Army Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter winning the nation’s highest military honor, a Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony. As always, NPR Morning Edition’s host, Renee Montagne, was sensitive, informed and understood the bittersweet […]
Origins of the Adventure Buddies name
It’s time to explain the origin of the name Adventure Buddies of Pick-Up Dogs fame. Five years ago, my then girlfriend-now wife Kirsten and I had left Marcos and Lupe, my two rescue pups, and headed to Mexico. It was tough to leave the dogs behind but we did, cringing as we packed the suitcases. […]
Mountain Worship
Adventure Log Date: January 11th, 2013 Location: Artist Point, End of Mount Baker Highway Goal: A sunset view over Mount Baker Temperature: Between 14 and 20 degrees Farenheit Adventure Soundtrack: Recordings of Grateful Dead concerts recorded during their Spring tour of 1972 in Europe. Words of Inspiration: Goin’ where the wind don’t blow […]
