More from the "Rockland Files" and "Where's Mora?"

Yesterday I learned how to exercise my dog with very little effort. I decided to brave the parking situation at the Rockland Preserve once again, and luckily, this time I didn't get stuck. Of course, I didn't realize it was raining until I had pulled out of the garage (the rain had just begun), and was not wearing a waterproof jacket, nor did I bring a hat. At any rate, Mora and  I were enjoying our walk in the slushy snow when out of the woods came two bounding labs! She and I had met them before on the trails, so I knew they were friendly. I did, however, have to find lots of trees to hold onto as the three crazy dogs ran circles around each other. Rockland, the chocolate, is the tallest lab I've ever seen. His sister Butter, a yellow, still makes Mora look like a pup. (Nothing like a bit of Basset blood to keep you on the short side!) Where was my camera when I needed it? The three of them were running so fast however, that I doubt if I could have taken a decent photo. The colorful lab trio ran and played while I kept walking on the trail. Their owner soon came into sight, and I thanked him for helping me exercise Mora!  We were on our return route when, once again, seemingly out of nowhere, Rockland and Butter joined us again! Play, run, chase...play, run, chase...makes Mora a tired pup!!  A wet morning for me, but a super fun one for Mora!

This morning, however, I was prepared. Camera in hand, Mora and I started around Miller's Pond. It was a beautiful morning, and we were both really enjoying the scenery (or better said, I was enjoying the scenery; Mora was enjoying finding sticks and chasing them). How quickly my morning changed, however, when my usually dependable dog ran ahead, then failed to return when I called her. At first I wasn't too worried, thinking she had found another dog on the trail ahead and had run to meet it. We had taken a side path that bounded the lake, so it took me awhile to get back to the main route. I was still calling and getting more frantic as the minutes flew by. The hills were definitely alive with sound, but it wasn't music, it was the now panicked me, shouting Mora, Mora, Mora.--as loud as I could and in all directions.  I didn't have any idea which direction she had taken, so I began walking back in the direction of the parking area. I found I could run in the new boots I had put on for the first time this morning, and, I could shout as I ran!  Maybe only 5 or 10 minutes went by as I struggled to stay somewhat calm in the face of losing my newest "best friend" ...then I saw her, running on the path behind me at a clip that is amazing given her size!  She always makes me smile, but this morning I was choking back a tear behind that smile. Thankfully, we do get a happy ending to this story!