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A critical feature of this time in our lives is our dog Chester. He is Elaine’s companion during all of her walks. I see to the logistics and travel trailer, and I am working on a number of projects in my “spare” time. As we were thinking about the sabbatical, and the possibility that I would not be walking, an issue was to make sure she had adequate companionship. We found Chester at a rescue hostel in search for a labrador. It was love at first sight (for one of us) and we took him home. He’s not a lab of course, but a mix which changes from time to time, of something like a herd dog and springer spaniel. He’s white with brown markings and pretty much the opposite of a lab: somewhat nervous around new people, independent, stubborn, etc. I like ornery critters (both the animal and human kind) so I will admit that I like Chester. I have allowed him, for example, to inhabit the same couch that I use as my primary parking spot, in both homes. He responds to treats (kind of) and we coax him into doing things with them. A few months after we got him, the neighbors black “alpha” dog attacked Chester. Ever since, he barks furiously and becomes aggressive whenever he sees a black dog. He gets along with most other dogs, however, particularly if they don’t exhibit much “alpha” behavior; except, of course, for a notable exception at the campground where we are located at the time of this writing. There is evidently a dog show of papillons nearby and there were several families in the camp with them. Papillon is French for butterfly, and this dog breed has the name because of their ears, which look like butterfly wings. They bark like a miniature poodle or maltese, with both of which I have had hours of listening pleasure at parent’s or sibling’s houses. Papillons have the added distinction of thinking they are guard dogs, making them even more obnoxious. Chester has ruled out the possibility that this scrawny quadruped with antenna ears is a dog. He got so aggressive with the neighbor’s dog (which was being washed so that it looked even more like a drowned rat) that he broke his lead, and was prevented from what I suspect would have been dog murder had its owner not snatched it out of the way. He loves chasing rabbits and squirrels. I’m sure he thinks it’s something like a strange cross between a rabbit and squirrel. So we went to Pet Smart and got a heavy duty leash and a lead called “the beast.”…Chester on the couch (in my spot) after a hike.

To be fair, Chester is a great walker, actually runner. On days when I ride my bike from Elaine’s ending point, in order to meet them on the trail, I will often take Chester’s leash and he will run a mile or two along side the bike. And, he provides more than adequate protection for Elaine on the trail.

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