08/13/2025
Dear CAAA Family and Friends,
I have been having so much fun at camp that I lost track of time. I am sorry not to write sooner. Foster Mom and I have been hiking a lot, and we've made lots of friends in the woods.
One morning, a small brownish snake slithered in front of us on a trail. I have seen this kind of snake before, and I backed up (no nose-touching with a snake!). Later that day, I saw another snake – black with white scales. I backed up again and alerted FM. But when we looked more closely, FM laughed and said it was just a stick that got burnt in a fire. But she said it is good that I am cautious. And, boy, is it! A few days later, a real black snake (much bigger than the little snake!) crossed in front of us, and we both jumped out of the way.
We have met a lot of deer this summer. We have a neighborhood deer we see almost every morning. (Her name is “Doe.") On most days, Doe starts her breakfast at the apple tree in the park and then finishes with the apple tree in one of our neighbor’s yards. (Please don’t tell anyone. We don’t want to get Doe in trouble.) We have seen Doe so many times that we now just greet each other when our paths cross.
The big surprise is that a couple of weeks ago, in the early evening, we saw Doe across the street - with a baby deer! (FM calls the little one “Fawn.”) And then, a few days later when we were hiking, Doe and Fawn crossed the trail right in front of us! They were followed by a much bigger deer who stepped onto the trail and turned to face us. The big deer stared at us and pawed the ground. (I don’t think that the big deer knew that we are friends with Doe and Fawn.) FM said we should respect the big deer and turn around. While I generally don’t like to walk back on the same trail we walk in on, I followed FM without an argument.
We have had some adventures with coyotes too! Early in the summer when we were hiking on our favorite trail near the pond, we heard barking by the water. We looked down the hill and saw a beautiful, golden-colored coyote barking at us. I was concerned, and thought the coyote needed our help, but FM said the coyote was warning us to stay away from her pups. We kept walking (fast!). Then just this week, we saw a young coyote who looked just like their mom walk down a trail toward us. FM and I were both excited, but I was good with FM’s decision to go home since our walk was done.
Once we went blueberry picking during a hike. I had to wait while FM pulled blue things from the bushes. It was a little challenging for me since I am usually in charge of how fast we walk and when we stop. But, I actually surprised myself! FM said she appreciated my “patience” and gave me lots of treats.
For more adventures, FM once took us to a new place to hike. She had a map of the new forest, but we got lost trying to find the pond. We had to climb up a really steep, rocky hill, and then go down an even steeper, rockier hill on the other side. FM said she was very “proud” of me because I stopped whenever she asked, and didn’t drag her down the hill. (My short legs are really an advantage going down rocky hills!) We eventually found the pond, but by that time it was starting to rain. We had to ask someone named “Siri” how to get back to our car.
My social schedule has been pretty full too. For a week, I got to stay with very nice people who live near a beach. I really liked walking on the sand, and sniffing the ocean smells. We often visit FM’s mom and Emma (FM’s sister who is a wheaten terrier) to watch movies. Last week, FM took me with her to Cape Cod (road trip!) to visit with friends one morning, and I got to hangout in a big yard with trees, flowers and a dog, named Penny. FM has had friends over for dinner outside too. I like meeting people, and they really like meeting me. The last dinner was especially fun since a young pup, Molly, came with her parents and we had a good time.
To rest between adventures, FM and I sometimes hang out in the backyard. It’s one of my most favorite places to nap and listen to birds. A few days ago, a chipmunk sat on the wall, and kept chirping at me. I am not sure why - I wasn’t doing anything wrong. The chipmunk then ran back and forth across the yard and disappeared. A little later, the chipmunk returned and sat and stared at FM and me for a long time. I kept still and just watched. FM called me a “good boy.” There was a time a few weeks ago, when I would have chased that chipmunk, but now I think maybe the chipmunk wants to be my friend, and I should not scare them. I also like it when FM calls me a good boy. I always wag my tail.
If you are looking for an adorable, lovable good boy and an energetic hiking buddy, who is always up for adventure, I am your guy.
Love,
Rockford
