The Greatest W Ever

Oz and I shared many great Ws. We had adventure Ws, pack Ws, exploration Ws, lick the baby Ws, etc. However, if I had to identify Oz's favorite W ever, it would be the deer trail walk.

We were still living in Sudden Valley. We had several routes we took fairly often. In one we'd go down to the bottom of the hill and turn left. We'd be on a fairly main road for Sudden Valley, but we'd turn off frequently onto side roads, depending on which one looked fun, which one we hadn't been on for a while, etc.

Many of these side roads ended in cul de sacs. Others came to explicit dead ends. This one sort of trailed off. The road ended, then there was just a bit of gravel, then a wide trail went on for about two yard lengths, then it narrowed to a game trail. There were no signs, but I'd guess they had planned to expand the road that way, then reconsidered.

In any case, we often went down this road, because that narrowing of the road led to some interesting places to explore. Many deer used the game trail, and there were often smells. However, we had never taken the game trail because it curved around the side of the hill, winding up hill and out of sight into the brush.

For the most part, that was fine. It meant Oz and I would weave through the bushes, under some low branches, and over a fallen tree, and go until the trail essentially vanished. Then we'd turn around and go back. No problem.

One day, however, Oz wanted to go on. This happened sometimes, and I never knew why. Perhaps the deer smell was fresh. Perhaps she just wanted to explore. Both happened. She pulled…and I gave in.

It was a gooey adventure. The trail vanished to the eye for a while, but was still visible to the nose…judging by the actions of my faithful companion. I know it was a game trail and not a human trail by the narrowness and irregularity. It wound around as the hill got steeper and steeper, until Oz and I were both sliding sideways down the hill from time to time. Our right paws were covered with mud, and my right shoe was twisting on my feet from all the sideways pressure. I doubt any other dog had even been on this trail, it was so much work. It was a deer only route.

Then it happened. There, on the side of the hill, Oz stopped going uphill and just started jumping up and down, a little dog dance of joy. She was wiggling, and kind of biting the air, and throwing herself from side to side (aiee!). Only the leash kept her from falling to, if not her death, at least serious injury. And she didn't care. There was something about being the first people on that trail that just filled her with joy, so much joy that she had to stop and dance right there in the mud and the shrubs.

And then we went on.