04/01/2025
One of the fun activities I’ve done this past year is taking my dogs backpacking in 12 different state parks. I had a couple goals in mind when I started: 1. Working on a themed calendar project and 2. Logging miles for their backpacking titles. There were other incentives too, like stepping outside my comfort zone and doing some more photography.
We started in May, and finished both goals in November. I decided against using the pictures as originally intended because I unexpectedly found a couple ideal photo shoot locations that worked out beautifully, but I kept my goal of visiting 12 parks.
This coming year, I might repeat the project with 12 completely different parks. There’s no shortage of state parks in Minnesota! Since the backpacking titles are finished, the dogs won’t need to wear their backpacks, and we can relax a bit. It’s not about the miles, it’s about enjoying and exploring the location.
What will you do this year to expand your dog’s universe? Go on 12 different walks around town? Try 12 new Sniff Spots? Learn 12 new tricks? Meet 12 new friends? Taste test 12 new kinds of treats? Challenge your dog to come when called 12 times past different distractions? How about not barking at other dogs on 12 occasions? Pick a goal to stretch your dog’s skills, and one they can succeed at.
Pop your “Goal of 12” down below (or “Goal of 6” if that’s more reasonable for you) and a picture of your dog with their first challenge!
