Release The Hounds! Adventure on The Pipeline!

I love that I can say, "Release the Hounds!" and we actually release our own hounds!

We are owned by two gorgeous Rhodesian Ridgebacks - Gideon (almost 7) and Fynn (5) - otherwise known as Good Dog and Bad Dog.

Good Dog (Gideon) was lovingly raised by his breeder -  exposed to excess love, cuddles, and positive reinforcement from Day 1. 

He's perfect.  He's the reason we love Ridgebacks.

Bad Dog (Fynn) was rescued via Power of Attorney 2 weeks after the breeder (who had Dementia)'s friend came over and found 10 puppies in the basement kennel with their mom.  We found out we were chosen to be albe to rescue one of these pups on my Birthday - they were born on Husband's Birthday.  It was fate.  They were 14 weeks old by the time we had two to choose from in Ontario, and Fynn chose Gideon at the rescue (Batz, growled at Gideon - Fynn licked Gideon).

We know very little about Fynn's background other than his parents were both first generation Ridgebacks from Africa, and that they were rarely handled during that crucial puppy rearing stage. 

Without going into too much detail, it took Fynn a year to be able to sit in the same room with us. Another two years before he could be trusted outside his kennel while we were at work. Another year to learn that it's okay to ask for pets.  And he's finally full snuggle mode with those he loves and trusts.

If you're afraid of Fynn or give off bad vibes, however, he will NOT be your friend.  He will not like you.  And he looks pretty scary when he's not your friend. 

As our awesome trainer said - he will be hte best dog he can be.  He'll never be perfect.  But he definitely tries so hard.  We work with him every day, and are helping him reach his full potential.

So after being owned by Fynn, any other dog would be a walk in the park!  It's stressful, anxiety ridden, but rewarding and awesome. 

Gideon is a people dog. Fynn is Gideon's dog. Fynn would be lost without Gideon.  And Fynn is also the annoying little brother figure to Gideon. 

So many puppy stories - for more blog posts!

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The Pipeline is where we used to bring the dogs once or twice a week when we lived in the Middle of Nowhere. 

It's this awesome Gem of a place which our Breeder introduced us to. There are ATV trails, an empty field, and the dogs absolute LOVE to run there.

I hadn't brought them there in ages.  But had a random Wednesday off (I work an extra 22 minutes a day to get the second Wednesday of each month off). 

It's 7am on my day off, and I wasn't in bed. I was in the car driving with the dogs to the Pipeline.  45 minutes later, we were there.   there weren't any other cars parked, and I couldn't hear any ATV's, so off we went. 

They bolted.

 

They were SO Happy to just be running and chasing each other, and I was so happy to see their Happy Tails wagging!

Because of Fynn's anxiety, we can't free-run them in places strangers (and dogs) might be. 

Their recall is still strong - Fynn recalled like a Pro everytime I called him.

I'm coming Mom!

 

Closer Mom!



Mom is SO proud that I came back!
 

Gideon's tail was wagging during our entire trek.

Mom!  I'M SO EXCITED - Come Chase ME!!

But our journey eventually came to an end :(

Happy Puppy Bums!

So my plan is to see if there are any non-busy ATV trails near Arnprior, Richmond, or Carleton Place so we can take them more often without worry of running into anyone else. 

If all else fails, there is a really big field and small trail nearby that I can bring them to if we go REALLY early on a weekend morning - likely before Husband wakes up.  I'll just bring hot dog bits with me, just to ensure their recall is retained. 

Until our next adventure! 

---Systic