GRACIE - THE MOUNTAIN DOG

[Barbara Mettler]

Gracie is a mountain dog.  She was born in Colorado in the spring of 2012 and has lived through all 4 seasons with us at 8200 feet.  Shortly after we brought her home, Mother Nature blessed us with a big dump of snow in early June.  It only took seconds for Gracie to fall in love with the white stuff

When summer arrived (yes, we really do have summer up here!). Gracie experienced water in the form of a huge reservoir near home.  She learned she could swim after some experimentation.  Mostly she loved just getting her feet wet.  We'll work at swimming more this summer.

Hiking has become the favorite activity in spring, summer, and fall. We have large herds of elk and deer in our neighborhood  as well as mountain lions, coyotes, bear, and an occasional moose.  We don't have many small pests - like mosquitoes - but there are plenty of big ones!  Gracie is a great deterrent and can go for hours.

Winter is Gracie's favorite time of the year.  She will play outside for hours - until she's so covered in snowballs that she rattles when she walks.  We have to thaw her before she can come inside on the wood floors.  She's learning to "skijor" - a wild activity in which she pulls a nordic skier.  She's a bit undisciplined and can pull me right off trail into all sorts of trouble.  BJ can handle her much better.  She's a strong girl!

Now we're back to spring with all sorts of weather.  We've had some big spring snowstorms and, lately, some summery temps.  We hunt shed deer and elk antlers as we hike the remote hills.  Gracie has learned to spot them - I think she smells them - and let's us know she has one.  We have found 36 in the last year - and Gracie has found 6 on her own.  Just one of her many talents as Gracie - the mountain dog!

[Lynda Kamrath]

I didn't think my comment got posted.  Love labradoodles and love Colorado.  My best ever dog was a brown labradoodle and we have spent lots of time in Colorado, skiing, biking, and hiking.  My husband did the Red Robin bike tour (6 mountain passes) and I followed the tour.  Then we did the hut-to-hut mountain bike tour and he had done several Continental Divide tours hauling his B.O.B. with supplies while I worked on the trail.  Our maid of honor lives in Colorado Springs so plenty of reason to visit there.  Your life looks idealic.  Enjoy (or continue to enjoy) with your wonderful canine companion.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Gracie sure sounds like she has an exciting life!! The altitude in CO made my husband so sick, I think our Doodles would have to "skijor" him on a trail :)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

What a great blog! Looks like Gracie is livin' the good life in Colorado!!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Beautiful photos and doodle!

[Bonnie and Kona]

What an awesome blog of Gracie's first year! Continue the adventure in good health and high spirits.

[Pat and Traveler]

Beautiful Gracie--beautiful Colorado!  Great photo blog...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great photoessays about Gracie. Your area is beautiful as is Gracie.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Your pictures are great and what a beautiful place to live and get all "four" seasons!  Gracie sounds like she really loves her home and ajusted very nicely!  Thanks for sharing!

[Sue and Buddy]

Gracie is a beautiful mountain dog. It sounds like she loves where she lives.

We spent 2 weeks camping  in the Durango area when Buddy was 6 months. Colorado is a beautiful place. We really enjoyed our time there and hope to return.

[Donna K & Quincy]

This sounds wonderful except for the mountain lions, coyotes and bears. Quincy has taken me skijoring a couple of times but believe me it was not my intention. :>)