Camping with your mutt

Now camping is an activity that 90% of the time your furry friend can attend.... and they usually LOVE it!  If you are Whiskey, you spend most of your day inside.   You pretty much sleep ALL day from 8am - 5pm until we get home from work.  Then you go CRAZY when we get home, eat dinner and maybe play outside for an hour by running around and playing fetch..... sound familiar???

But camping the mutt gets to be outside ALL of the time!  This was our first time camping with Whiskey and it was an adventure.  Rene and I found a nice secluded campsite NE of Payson at Tonto Creek campgrounds.  There was a nice creek that ran throughout.

We set up camp and then went for a hike.... Whiskey LOVES hikes, especially if it involves water! We could hardly keep up with him.

When we got back it was time to make a fire and start cooking dinner.  I have to say I loved having Whiskey with us there but one thing did get on my nerves a little..... every time Whiskey heard the slightest noise he would prick up his ears and look into the forrest.  Now that was getting me paranoid that something was out there coming to get us (more than usual), whether a bear, cougar, coyote, crazy forrest people.... heck even a turkey would have scared the beejeezes out of me!  So that was really the only downfall of the situation.  I would hope to think if we do it enough he will get used to the "forrest noises".

If you are looking for something fun and adventurous to do with you mutt, go camping!!!

Fun times at Saguaro Lake

The other weekend Rene's parents were in town so we decided to do a little outdoor recreation. Our pick of the day was Saguaro Lake off Bush Hwy. As we pulled up to the marina the ranger at the station asked for our permit... permit? Don't we pick up one here? NO! The website forgot to mention that you must pick up a day permit at a location IN TOWN to even be able to access the park. Note to self and to all: NO PERMITS SOLD ON LOCATION! We must pile ourselves and (the ever so excited to even see water) Whiskey into the car to trek back into town where we were fortunabley able to pick up a day permit at the first gas station down the hill.

An hour or so later (yes, we took our time) we finally make it to the lake. Whiskey could hardly contain himself (that water mutt) and was whining the whole walk down to the water. Though very busy, we were able to find our own little corner on a small beach near the boat ramp. The lake was beautiful with the rocky cliff surrounding us and the water was warm but refreshing. Whiskey dove right in chomping at the waves. All afternoon we played fetch into the water and he could not get enough. There were quite a few other dogs enjoying the day in the sun. Around the corner were 2 labs playing in the water with kids and we saw a few dogs on the boats passing by.

It was a good day! So much fun to see Whiskey enjoying himself splashing in the water... we finally had to drag him out to go home. And it sure was a great way to tire the little mutt out (he slept the rest of the day)! It's safe to say that Saguaro Lake was a success and is now on the list of hot spots for dogs to have fun in the sun. We will definitely be coming back.

PS - The beach we were at was nice but I read that Butcher Jone's picnic site and swimming beach is less crowded and a great place to spend the day... we'll check it out next time and let you know.