Typist: Bethany
Obviously I love all of the pets and I believe that they love me. Every time I return to my home I am greeted by a variety of joyful faces and exuberant personalities. While my unique relationships with each pet mean the world to me, my absolute favorite thing about being in a various species, multi-pet household is witnessing the distinct relationships each of the pets have with one another. One of the most asked questions Jason and I get when on an adventure with all five pets is "do they all get along?" My answer is usually as simple "yes" but like any relationship, the dynamics of love between Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley, Leo and Amelia are much more complicated. It is difficult to put into words the dynamics of the way each pet lovingly "gets along" with the others. Telling the love story of a dachshund, a corgi, a collie, a cat and a cockatoo share also proved to be a very difficult photo challenge. I have a front row seat each and every day to the love Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley, Leo and Amelia share but it is just as difficult to explain the dynamics between each pet in pictures as it is in words. I spent a week attempting to capture snapshots of the multi-pet love I am lucky enough to witness each and every day. To me these photos represent a pure and simple love, the dependable companionship we all long for no matter what our species. I know I get loyally loving camaraderie from my pets and I love that they also get it from each other.

What do your pets love? Do they have any special relationships with other animals?

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Typist: Bethany
At 3:03PM yesterday afternoon, we officially welcomed winter to Cascadia. But the shortest day of the year was a busy one for the Cascadian Nomads canines. We started the day with our third and final Santa visit of this Christmas season. As it turns out, the third time was truly the charm because this was the first time since his first Christmas that Wilhelm did not scream the whole time he was with Santa. It was a Christmas miracle; the little doxie didn't make a peep. I guess "moments before zero hour, it did not pay to take chances." At long last, I have a Santa photo of Wilhelm with his mouth closed.

Our next welcoming winter adventure was a trek to Solstice Park to watch the first sunset of winter. The park has three stones that align with the sunsets of the winter solstice, the equinoxes and the summer solstice. Each of the three stones also has a trail leading towards in from east to west. When we arrived at the park, about a half an hour after winter had officially begun, there were a few scattered people. By the time the sun set, the line waiting to walk the winter solstice trail "stretched all the way back to Terre Haute." Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley and I hung back from the masses and appreciated how lucky we were to have such an amazing Pacific Northwest sunset for the solstice.

Someone might think that three dogs who had walks to see Santa then to the park would be tired but that would be someone who has never met fit dogs Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley. When we arrived home from the sunset watch, it was time for the first dog play of winter! Unfortunately, this playtime involved the sacrificing of a snowman toy. The poor symbol of winter was decapitated and dismembered. Worst of all was that his body parts quickly became favorite shaking and tugging toys. Should such happy snowman destruction mischief making mean the dogs will be moved to the naughty list? Time will tell but as Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley watched me put the remains of what was once a cheerfully squeaking snowman toy into the trash, "I thought that I heard the sound of 'Taps' being played, gently."

Most humans spend the short, dark, cold winter days celebrating various festivals of lights involving parties with family and friends. Apparently, all dogs need is two adventures and a sacrificial toy to beat any blues the shortest day of the year might bring. Wait. They also need a pile of pillows atop a large couch. "All was right with the world."

How did you and your pets spend the first day of winter?
Even thought there was mischief that has caused the dogs to be forever feared by snowmen everywhere, do Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley belong on Santa's naughty or nice list?

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I have never seen a human enjoy the smells or even the sounds and sights of any outing as much as a dog so I doubt the treat for the senses was why the The West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival was so popular. The event definitely had some kind of amazing human appeal because the crowds of humans kept growing and growing. It got hard for a large dog like me, hot or cold, to maneuver the streets. As Bethany, Jason, Wilhelm, Brychwyn and I left the festival. there were still more strangely dressed people flocking to the event. Since the rain still hadn't come back, we Cascadian Nomads, walked more of the neighborhood and ran a few errands. We even stopped for a few more pictures. This time I did get treats and the tricks were easy.

Even with the treats, there was something about this excellent dog friendly adventure in West Seattle that made me hungry. I suppose everyone talking about hot dogs, ketchup and mustard can do that to a dog. Or maybe it was all the trick or treaters. It was a great relief to get home to my couch just before the rain returned. I had seen, smelled and heard so many fascinating things at the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival yet as I napped, I dreamed about hot dogs. Isn't that strange?

Special thanks to The Wash Dog for the fun Halloween back drop seen in the last two group photos.

This is part two of our dog friendly Halloween fun. Check out part one (with over 50 costumed corgis) here.

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Once we arrived on Lopez Island, Jason dropped Bethany, Wilhelm, Huxley, Morgan and I at Lopez Hill Preserve. We first hiked up a short gravel road then began on a trail through a small meadow. The meadow trail soon turned the rest of the hike was through a lush forest. We hiked past a crumbed old homestead, huge rocks and rested on thick, soft moss. It all smelled so good. Sniffing around old growth or second growth forests is every Cascadian dogs dream! Bethany says deer also like to rest on the same moss we dogs liked but we didn't see any. I'm actually very surprised about the lack of critters on our hike. Maybe they all knew hunting season in the park was starting soon. I don't like the idea of being in a park during hunting season any more than the critters and I am always safely on my leash. Not only were there no critters on our hike but we also didn't see any other people. Just the kind of hike a leash reactive corgi can relax and enjoy!

While waiting for Jason to finish working, we got to have a dog nap at the bottom of Lopez Hill. It was a good thing we fit dogs rested because we got to go on another hike after Jason picked us up. Our second Lopez Island hike was a beach hike at Spencer Spit State Park. Washington State Parks are wonderful for dogs because as long as we are on leashes, we can go almost everywhere, even on beaches. Sadly, we were among the only dogs at the park obeying the law. There was even a dog in the fragile wildlife restoration area of the park that had signs specifically asking for no dogs. I did my best not to bark about it since I could tell Bethany and Jason were already upset enough. We continued on and enjoyed the gorgeous sunny day and stunning San Juan Islands views.

Since we Cascadian Nomads fit dogs were pretty worn our after to very different Lopez Island hikes, we napped in the car on the ferry. Those boats don't bother my large, sensitive corgi ears as much when I am in the car and especially not when I am sound asleep. Even though our Lopez Island day trip was a very fun fit dog outing and adventure, I think I remember having playtime when we got home. After that, however, it was time for me to do another job corgis are very good at; go to bed.

Thank you to Pet Lifestyle Expert & Animal Behaviorist Colleen Paige, National Walk Your Dog Week, http://www.walkyourdogweek.com/, founder.

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