just had to squeeze another few shots of my boy merrick onto the blog after today’s group hike with Waterloo Dog and a couple other CETs (certified educator trainers)

with over two dozen  dogs and even more people from all over, there wasn’t much opportunity for shooting.  we moved at a pretty good clip over the two hours, and often the trail was only wide enough for two-abreast, so when it did open up a bit, i literally grabbed a few quick shots.

i wanted to get some shots of merrick’s new Cascade Bodysuit by K9 Topcoat in Oregon.  i’ve used K9 Topcoat products for years now, and seriously, nothing else out there comes close.  the Cascade is waterproof, windproof, and breathable … best of all it’s a stretch material which allows full range of motion.  although merrick inherited all of morley’s awesome winter gear, he needs this kind of coverage since his fine hair balls up with snow very quickly.  no doubt he’ll be modeling morley’s neoprene boots which i made two years ago as well; he did fine today without.

i had the legs of the Cascade taken up at a local tailor last week, but they didn’t take them up high enough … so a few more alterations.  sure wish i had a sewing machine.

merrick had a great time.  he didn’t do the kind of hunting he does when out with big sister matea, but it was a great experience for him to be in that sea of dogs and shuffling legs.  to watch him carry himself with so much more confidence now, that tail almost always straight up, shows me just how far this boy has come.

thanks, Tami and everyone, for an awesome hike.  see you at the group walk in a couple of weeks!