Things you can learn from my dog

People argue whether animals, specifically dogs, are capable of feeling the same emotions that we as humans feel. Some people think dogs react strictly to positive reinforcement, aka food, and that's why they form a bond with their owner. I would argue the bond is much greater. In fact, in comparison to the relationships I have with people, Alfie's blows everyone else's out of the water. Here are few reasons why:

• He is always incredibly excited to see me when I walk in the door, and he's not afraid to show it by jumping around and attacking me with kisses. What's even better? The fact that I can be home all day, walk outside simply to get the mail, and he's just as excited to see me walk in the door as if he hadn't seen me for hours.
• There's no such thing as spending too much time together.
• He loves following me everywhere, and even if we are at the dog park, let's say, he's always aware of where I am.
• He protects me from people/things he thinks are threatening.
• Whenever I feel down, he knows it. Not only does he know it, though. He acts on it. The last time I had a weak moment, it took him less than one minute to jump on the couch, lick my face, and snuggle next to me.
• He's a great listener when I need one.
• He never hurts my feelings.

It's quite amazing that dogs are capable of doing such things, yet it can be difficult for humans to act the same. I think the world would be much more loving if we all could learn a thing or two from our dogs.

  

It's official: I'm a city girl

As the 30 year challenge continues, it seems I am becoming a bit more adventurous. May's trip doesn't seem a big deal since I chose to go to Sedona, but I actually stayed in Oak Creek Canyon which is more wilderness-like. May I add, the cabin was amazing, which included a fireplace and hot tub in the bedroom. Speaking of fire, the amazing (well, not really amazing but interesting that I experienced this) thing was that during my stay, there was a ridiculously large forest fire burning less than two miles away. The air was thick in the mornings, but as the day carried on, it was very peaceful and relaxing. Now, because I had been to Sedona previously, the rule of the 3o year challenge is to experience something new if I attended old stomping grounds, so here's a picture I took of the fire from the Pink Jeep Tour...

This is actually smoke, not clouds.

While in Sedona, I took a stroll on my very favorite mountain, Bell Rock, and reached new heights! This picture is also quite cloudy from the fire.

Best part of the trip? Alfredo attended! 

Now, one would  think I'm an outdoorsy kind of person by looking at these pictures, but my recent experience of camping would suggest otherwise. This month I visited the Mogollon Rim, which is incredibly beautiful. Likewise, it was a great escape from the Phoenix summer heat. Here's a picture at sunset...

When I wasn't enjoying the views, I was making the best of the environment, i.e. colder weather (I'm talking going from triple digits in Phoenix to 50s at night), the lack of running water/a bathroom, cold drizzly rain, little cell phone service, and a slight leak in the air mattress which made for rough mornings. Hey, we survived...

Okay, so Alf is a bit miserable looking in this photo (only because of the rain), but he really did have the time of his life. He also made plenty of friends on this camping trip. Not surprising. Here he is looking a tad happier on our brief hike...

And of course, he even took some time to enjoy the view...

After this experience there are two things I know for sure: I have another great trip in the books, and I definitely am and always will be a city girl. There is no greater feeling than civilization.