Monday, February 18, 2013

Oversite Canyon

After this rough weekend at the shelter where we learned that Diva was killed and another person turned in his 8-year-old German Shepherd Dog "Major" because of its terminal cancer and another woman dumped her mother cat and kitten right before closing time, it was one of those sad, reflective weekends. It was a Saturday I wish I hadn't been at the shelter.

And then last night I learned that my ex-husband's cousin's son was in a single-car crash outside Chicago last night and now in a coma. He's still alive 24 hours later which I see as a blessing, but all day long the thought of that young man, just a year younger than Erin, could die really depressed me. I remember when he was born, and I remember how happy the parents were. Unfortunately when Tim and I divorced we all lost touch.

Robin and I had talked about hiking today but that never happened. I just wanted a solitary hike with my dogs. So today I packed the three younger dogs in the truck and headed out to Oversite Canyon, the first big canyon in the southern Huachucas. I hadn't been there in years, and in fact other than that forest road (FR771) into the canyon, I didn't remember much else.

Oversite Canyon was burned in the June 2011 fire. The higher canopies were torched, and just like in Ash, Miller and Hunter Canyons, many of the trees are charred but others are not. The upper road is badly washed away and monsoonal floods have wrecked havoc on the creek beds.

The first mile on the trail is easy, along the forest road canopied by mature oaks. Another half-mile, though, and the road starts to dip and cross a dry creek bed. Here is where it gets rockier. I parked the truck just before the dip and walked with the dogs to the official trail head further on. There was some immigrant trash along the way, most which I picked up on the way back to the truck. This was easy walking and the dogs enjoyed the exercise.

Once I hit the official Miller Peak Wilderness sign, though, the trail got rough. The trees were looking dead here and there were large boulders on the trail, indicating that there was a massive rockslide recently. The higher I got in elevation, the more obvious it was that a fire came through here.

Another mile on the trail and I came across an abandoned shack near a creek. The creek was flanked by horsetail grass further uphill, giving the area a lush green appearance. This was heaven for the dogs, who all ran into the water for refreshment. I stopped here for them, exploring the shack (there was a set of clothing and a sun-burned backpack on the floor) and looked around. The western side of the shack was destroyed by a rockslide and the wooden ceiling was caved in. The rusty metal springs of a single bed remained, as well as warped wooden shelving built into the wall. At one point this was a cozy cabin for a miner. A faint trail meandered further uphill, but that came to a quick halt when I hit a rockwall. Had there been a mine here year ago? This shack looked like a popular resting area for small groups of immigrants attempting to reach Sierra Vista from this vantage point.


More later

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A rude awakening

Three days ago I began luring Sadie in bed with us so that she can feel relaxed being close to us. She lays next to me and I "spoon" her, rub her belly and try to get her to calm down. Zeke and Minnie lately have been "fighting" for bed space at night to sleep with us.

It was eight minutes past midnight this morning when I was rudely awakened by Sadie. She was having an epileptic seizure and her front legs had hit me in the face. I had been sleeping soundly, too and it took me a few seconds to realize what was going on. Her legs flayed, her head shook and her saliva was flying everywhere. Kevin was also awakened and held her head securely.

Her seizure lasted altogether three minutes, but she spent another five minutes panting heavily. Once her breathing was back to normal her restlessness began: she paced the house back and forth as if she were in a fit of dementia, and in fact I understand that is typical of dogs recovering from a seizure.

Luckily she only had one seizure. But an hour later she began whining so I fed her a can of food. By 3am her whining continued so I got up for the day. (I'll pay the price later!)

Her neck fur is still damp from her saliva but she is calm now as I write this. I wish I didn't have to go to work today, though, so as to watch out for her. I gave her her morning medication earlier than usual, too. By 3:15am she got her phenobarbital.

Although her seizures now no longer panic me, they still put me on edge.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Council Rocks (Dragoons)


An old friend was supposed to meet me at 9am by the Sierra Vista mall at Sears to walk the multitrail for two miles with me. She claimed I had inspired her to get back into shape. She was tired of being fat and was ready to start a fitness regimen.

She never showed up. Minnie and I waited for 45 minutes. Feeling a bit abandoned, I apologized to Minnie who was expecting a nice walk. I wasn't angry at being stood up since I had a book to read to idle the time, but I know Minnie was wondering why we were sitting in the van when there were trails outside to explore.

A few hours later I opted to explore the Council Rocks in the Dragoons area with Robin and five dogs: Sadie, Minnie, Zeke and her Odie and Dusty. I have been wanting to hike the trail I did with the hiking club in May 2009, but couldn't find any websites mentioning its beginning. Most websites just mention the FR687K trailhead parking lot, from which the rocks are a short uphill climb. When I last hiked to Council Rocks, I remember the trail started in Slavin Gulch and then skirted off the main trail to an unmarked side trail going north.

Today's hike wasn't so much a hike as it was a bushwhack across the desert for a few miles. We had turned off on FR687K from North Middlemarch Road a few miles north of Tombstone. This is a short bumpy forest road 1/8 mile to a small parking area. Council Rock was right there, a short hop up big boulders to get to the pictographs. There were two other vehicles parked here. A couple wintering from Alaska were already relaxing on the rocks.


The dogs had fun running up, over and under large boulders. Minnie and Dusty get along very well. Dusty likes her chasing him; he doesn't turn around and attack her, either, which is what Zeke does.

We were in the Dragoons for two hours and probably walked two miles at a slow pace while the dogs ran around and chased each other. It would have been nice to have had more time to wander around, though, as there are so many hidden crevices among the big rocks where one can find solace and gaze over the horizon. Emery oaks grow out of shaded crevices and provide hide-outs for tired hikers. I could get lost in these rocks. Old Apache mortars also collected some snow water which the dogs appreciated. The advantage of starting late in the afternoon is having the warmth above. It was very comfortable weather today with no breeze.

I had last been here to Council Rocks in May 2009 with the hiking club. Sadie was just over a year old. Old Bill had led the hike and it was a good six mile hike from another trailhead. We stopped at Council Rocks and listened to Bill tell the story of Cochise meeting General Howard here for a peace treaty. There are pictographs on many of the rock walls here. But where was the trail? There are so many faint trails here, and cattle trails that it's easy to get confused which trail to follow. I walked around looking for the main trail but nothing looked familiar. Most trails we came across ended at shadowed resting spots that surely were the homes of the ancient Apache. The trail I remember skirted the boulders. I don't remember it being a difficult trail.

Since we didn't get here until 2pm we didn't have time to go for a long hike. I wanted to be back at the truck by 4pm because the drive back to SV would be another hour and I don't like driving backroads at night.

The views from the rocks in all directions is just so magical. The cooler-than-normal weather this week makes the rocks even more enticing, as the rocks reflect the heat in the summer. I want to enjoy these rocks for as long as we can in the winter months.

There were a few puddles left of melted snow for the dogs to drink out of, so I only needed one bottle for the dogs. I didn't bring any snacks, either as this wasn't so much a hike as it was an exploratory walk.

I told Robin I'd love to spend the night here sometime just so I can watch the sunset reflect against the orange-hued rocks as I can see the Dragoons from my rooftop. There were seveal horse campers out today perhaps with the same intention.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Volksmarch around Fairbank, AZ


The Arizona Trekkers, a state chapter of the American Volkssport Association, hosted a 5km and 10km around the historic mining town of Fairbank today. I had to bite. It was early enough and short enough for me to get a good powerhike in before meeting the gals at the shelter. I opted for the 10km at a brisk pace.

I used to do a lot of volkmarching while stationed in Augsburg, Germany in the mid 1990s. Volksmarching is basically fitness walking across country roads, mountain trails or even city streets. The walks are not timed but you get credit for both distance and numbers of events with each one completed. Avid volksmarchers collect the stamps on a regular basis.

I did quite a few volksmarches back East in the late 1990s as well, where there were many active groups. But out West here the participants are few and far between, and the few who do partake do so because they did volksmarching in Germany. Most volksmarchers here are older. What a shame as walking is so therapeutic. I never see a lot of walkers on these events.

A winterstorm came in as predicted, though. A highway marquee warned of high winds on my drive to Fairbank. I even wondered if it's best I didn't do this event so close to meeting the gals at the shelter. But I went anyway, questioning my sanity. The worst of the snow and wind was between 8am and 10am. The skies cleared up afterwards and the wind died down, so that 45F by 1pm felt rather nice. Meanwhile, people in New England survived Winterstorm Nemo, where eastern Long Island received 35 inches of snow. Here any snow had melted before noon.


I only took Sadie along today, since she knows trail etiquette and doesn't bark at people. Zeke and Minnie still do that. Plus taking her alone relaxes her, which is something I always worry about because stress bring on her epilepsy. She was a real champ today.

I got to the trailhead parking lot at 9am, chatted with the diehard volunteers who were outside in the snow taking on walkers. I was the first one to do the 10km (6-miler) at 9:10am. The loop took me through the historic mining town of Fairbank and then north along the San Pedro River before turning back south to the cemetery and finish. It had been over a year since I was here, and today was actually a pleasant day for a hike once the wind died down, because the honey mesquite smelled so good in the snow/rain.

The wide trail is ideal for horses as well. The mesquites along the way are trimmed high to allow for clearance for riders. The surface is compact dirt/sand that was a bit wet today and clumping around my shoes. There are no major hills along the route as the entire trail is on a plateau that looks down on the river on its western side. Historic mining relics line the path. The route today was well-marked with either red signs or chalk arrows on the ground. Getting lost would have required total inattention to the directional signs.

Snow fell hard the first two miles, but then stopped. The sun even came out in the second half as we were on the return hike. I kept a fast pace because I needed to meet the gals at 11:30am at the shelter.

The Fairbank area is an ideal winter hike. Once it stopped snowing it was quite an ideal hike as there was no wind. I walked so fast I warmed up in my ski jacket. Sadie didn't mind the cold, either.

I met several members of the Huachuca hiking Club today. They were doing a hike independent of the volksmarch and had started at 8:30am. We chatted a bit. I met a few new members and promised everyone I'd rejoin in March when the annual membership renewal is. I do miss some of the hikers. That group only did four miles in the end; they cancelled the 8-mile loop due to the weather.

This clockwise loop finished off at the cemetery before I made it back to the trailhead parking lot just before 11am. The parking lot looked full. Were people actually doing the 5km instead of the 10km? Regardless, the weather by 11am was nice for a leisurely hike across level ground.

I made it to the shelter at 11:15am, faster than expected. The skies were clear by then. Four volunteers were able to walk the dogs so that the last hour we just stayed in the yard and exercised the smaller pups. I met one very active volunteer, Laura T, who's been a big proponent of local animal rescues here. She took one of the sickly pups with her to nurse for the next few days. After the demise of one puppy earlier in the week from a wild strain of distemper, we are all worried this dog may be sick, too.

Monday, February 4, 2013

French Joe's Canyon


I wanted to hike locally on Sunday (yesterday) but was unsure of where. Robin suggested the Bisbee stairs but my dogs are leash pullers and I can't enjoy 100 pounds of dog pulling me for several miles. Instead, I suggested French Joe's Canyon in the nearby Whetstones. It had been a year since I was there with Ellen and I was hoping there'd be some leftover rain from the storms we had a few days ago.

Clouds overhead in the morning revealed a 30% chance of rain. I took the risk.

I picked up Robin and her dogs Odie and foster dog Dusty, a white lab/pointer she is fostering through Little League Rescue. This was Dusty's first hike and he learned quickly by watching Sadie and Minnie. Minnie's proving to be a real ham around other dogs, and both she and Dusty made ideal playmates on this hike.

Robin had never been to French Joe's. I told her it was a fairly level hike of around four miles. I had forgotten about the rock climb up to the seasonal waterfall in the end!

To get to French Joe's from Huachuca City, we had to drive north, through the SR 82/90 intersection and through the USBP check point. A drug-sniffing dog was on duty, which only got our dogs to bark.

"Where are you heading to?" asked the agent as I held back Sadie by her collar.

"French Joe's Canyon!" I said.
"Watch out for any of our customers!" said the agent.

As it turned out, we saw no illegals during the hike. The only trash I found was a black plastic bag (used as a sleeping bag at night to keep warm) which I picked up on the return hike. I also spotted what I think is a USBP motion sensor wrapped around an oak tree at the creek bed. The only other people we met were two older men returning to their truck as we parked in the trailhead parking area.

It turns out the drive into the canyon on FR 4018 is getting more eroded each year. A high-clearance vehicle is now a must. Those that drive low-clearance sedans have to park two miles near the start and walk across the grass meadow to the mouth of the canyon, hoping the free-roaming cows don't mind trespassers.

It took us a good 30 minutes to get to the trailhead at 10:40am. We were in the canyon four hours, walking at a steady but slow pace as we made sure all four dogs were accounted for.

French Joe's Canyon is a birder's paradise. When there's flowing water all kinds of birds can be seen or heard. Falcons and hawks nest in the surrounding cliffs and Great Horned Owls live in the lower oak groves in side canyons. I saw a few Orioles and I heard hawks today.

The lower horseshoe falls was dry which was indicative of more dry spots farther uphill, but luckily there was some flowing water for the dogs. It came in handy for the dogs.

I enjoy this canyon for the remoteness. It's too difficult to get into the canyon for the average hunter/target shooter. This hike is for a conditioned hiker willing to rock scramble and bushwhack if need be. On this hike we stayed along the dry creek bed as we headed toward the big waterfall 1.8 miles away.

The big swimming hole in the first mile was full enough of water to provide the dogs some refreshment. Dusty learned from Minnie that getting into the water was safe, and he quickly went in and splashed around. Dusty got along with the other two new dogs and learned some hiking tips from my girls.

I stayed in the front with the bigger dogs while Robin took up the rear with Odie, who never left his mom out of site. This way we had an eye on all four dogs as we slowly hiked uphill, over boulders and eventually to the bridal veil at the abandoned mine. I've never been past the top of the waterfall. There are big boulders there that would make hiking any farther much more difficult for not just hikers, but also dogs, but I assume the stretch back there is pristine wilderness. Maybe someday I'll explore that stretch.

That is where we sat and rested, ate a snack, chatted and returned to the truck at 12:27pm. I learned from Robin's dogs that dogs can like apples. Both Odie and Dusty eat apples! Robin gave Minnie a slice but she wasn't interested in it.

Climbing down rocks is more difficult than going up, and it was no different for the dogs. Little Odie showed no fear, and when he had to, he just jumped a few feet to get to the next step. I am not fond of chihuahuas as a breed, but Odie is quite the hiking champ who doesn't wimper and whine.
The Super Bowl was scheduled for later today. Robin had a party to get to and I had plans with Eric for during the game, but we had plenty of time to walk back to the truck at a relaxing pace. The dogs enjoyed sniffing around, digging up for scents and lapping up water as they found plenty of that in the creek bed.

It was a mild day for a hike, with overcast skies all day and temps in the upper 50s. I wore my light orange windbreaker over a cotton t-shirt and jeans and I was comfortable. We saw darker clouds move in but luckily the real stuff was south and east of us. We didn't see the rain until we were back in the truck and on our way home.

The one exciting moment today was when Dusty caught the scent of the nearby grazing cows. He inched his way on my lap as I was maneuvreing the rocky forest road back and I let him, thinking he just wanted to stick his head out the window like my dogs do. No, he wanted to jump out and go after the cows! Luckily I wasn't driving fast at all and was able to stop. He didn't go far and came right back, but for the rest of the drive we kept the windows up with only a few inches open.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Quiet day at the shelter


Kevin and Zeke went hunting this morning at 8am. Being with Kevin alone gave Zeke the chance to be Top Dog again, and reports when I got home this afternoon were that Zeke did a great job, staying by Kevin's side for the few miles they were out there. I stayed home, drank a few cups of coffee, and finished writing a book review for Amazon before getting ready for the shelter, which opens on Saturdays at 10am.

I arrived at the shelter at 10:15am with Carol right behind me. Charlie was on duty today and I like him. He's approachable and socializes with us. Scott is more reticent and harder to read.

I had made plain white rice for Buster at home, flavored with tuna water (I couldn't find any chicken broth). He had had secondary diarrhea earlier in the week. The rice was to help him absorb some nutrients. I brought in an entire quart, figuring it would be two meals. The dog was so hungry he devoured the entire container in one sitting. Buster was looking and feeling so much better today. He actually got some yard time today with the other dogs and moved around, even ran a bit, but he does seem to have a weak rear right leg.

It was so quiet without Topaz and ShepGirl barking the entire time. The quietness seems to have relaxed the remaining dogs here: Tia, Buster, Rottie and the two chihuahua-beagle pups. Those two chi-beagle pups didn't even growl at me as I walked into the dog room. They had finally overcome their fear and were receptive. When Brittany arrived an hour later she worked her magic on those two pups and soon they were all over her. They were calm enough to play outside with the other dogs. We had five dogs out and they all got along well. What heaven! A tshi tzu was also surrendered that needed a bath and a good grooming and it, too, played well with the others.

A young family came by to adopt Rottie. They almost took one of the chi-beagle pups, too, until they saw the blonde one squirm under the fence and make it outside. They had actually come to see Momma, but I told her that that dog was now at a rescue in Tucson. They stayed for quite a while, playing with Rottie and watching her interact with the other dogs. I don't think Rottie will have any trouble getting along with the other dogs in her new home.

The good news today is Tia. Without the constant barking around her she has mellowed out again, just as she was when she first came to the shelter. She played with Rottie and Buster and didn't snap at either. She even sniffed the young girl that was in the family. I hope she can get adopted as she knows basic commands.

We didn't have a lot of volunteers show up today, but we didn't need anymore. Carol and Denise worked in the catroom as we got two more cats in today, including a trapped male orange-white tabby that seemed to have cut itself trying to get out of the trap, and three-year-old Persian the owner surrendered because she didn't want to deal with brushing the cat anymore. The cat's fur was heavily matted, a sign that it hadn't been groomed in months!

Brittany and I were with the dogs, playing with them and photographing them. I took some nice ones today. Denise left after her chores, then Brittany and for a while it was just Carol and I in the front while Charlie was out getting a dog reported lose. When he came back with a scared and hungry Greyhound mix, we left to go our ways. Next weekend I'm taking a Saturday off from the shelter to walk a Volksmarch instead. I'll be taking two dogs on that one.

My goal is to be part administrator for the shelter's Facebook page so my photos and interactive posts can get the public engaged. When the public sees that a shelter page is active and actively working with the dogs, they are more interested in coming to see the animals and helping out. Charlie told me he'd make me co-administrator, but as of this writing that hasn't happened yet.

Friday, February 1, 2013

And then they were gone...


I managed to get out of the high school at a reasonable time and decided to drive to the animal shelter. When I go there after work that only leaves me around 90 minutes to play with all the dogs and photograph new ones. That's hardly quality time per dog, but at least it's a short time they can romp outside and relieve themselves.

I had been to the shelter twice this week already, but Fridays is when many people either drop off an animal or adopt one, and I didn't want to spend Saturday taking too many photographs while animals needed to be walked. I had stopped by yesterday only to be overwhelmed by eight new animals this week alone, including two young unsocialized chihuahua mixes that were dumped off at the last minute.

I had a premonition something was going on at the shelter as I drove up. Two air-conditioned Animal Control vans were parked outside. They are only there when animals are dropped off. Two Animal Control Officers (ACOs) were inside talking to Scott. One of the ACOs (who knows me from previous visits at the shelter taking photos) turned to me and said she was taking eight animals to a rescue in Tucson. One of the eight animals was Topaz. Others selected were Miranda, ShepGirl, Fable, Heinz and several of the newer residents: Marley, Shane, Momma. Several of the smaller dogs were already loaded.

I was relieved to hear Topaz and Miranda were getting pulled. Being the older dogs they stood less of a chance of being adopted. Topaz had grown attached to me; she always jumped with joy at my voice. Miranda was opening up but still very demoralized by being at the shelter, abandoned by her previous family.

All of the photos here are of the dogs rescued from the shelter.

I didn't have time to spend alone with Topaz today. I never even got a decent photo of us two together. I took her out of her kennel just long enough so she could pee and poop in the backyard. She was more interested in sniffing the scents of others, but once she did her business I surrendered her to one of the ACOs and then got Miranda, and let her poop and pee as well before handing her off. I did the same to ShepGirl, that always-exuberant, happy-go-lucky spasmatic puppy that loved to run around the yard. She had been languishing at the shelter since Christmas, yapping in her high-pitched bark. Despite her youth she didn't stand a chance of getting adopted here because of her hyperactivity.

All eight dogs were placed in compartmented dividing spaces in the back, with small holes through the outside for one to place a hand in and pet. Topaz whimpered and let me pet her. I reassured her that she was going to be OK and that her life will turn around soon.

Chaos reigned at the sheler. I sensed tension there and opted to get out of everyone's way. I should have just stayed in the back and walked the remaining dogs: Tia, Rottie, the sick pit-boxer boy with mustard diarrhea, since that is what I came to do anyway. I'll do that tomorrow morning.

As I was petting Topaz through the hole one of the ACOs came up to me and thanked me for the photographs of the animals on Facebook. I had been taking all the animal shots and uploading them on the various animal rescue sites in Cochise County. My write-ups and photos were used to promote these animals to a reputable rescue site out of Tucson, Cold Wet Noses. She took my hand, introduced herself, asked for my name, and thanked me for doing my job in networking these animals. I got a bit sentimental there, as I always thought I was doing this passion discretely.

"They are going to PACC (Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson) for now until fosters can be found. They will not be put down" the other ACO said. PACC is known to quickly kill off its excess animals. Having Cold Wet Noses involved reassures me that Topaz and her seven rescued packmates will be safe.

As I drove on home by 3:45pm I got a bit choked up thinking about Topaz' fate. She had been the impetus for my visits to the shelter; coming by and gently talking to her and slowly getting her accustomed to other dogs near her. I hadn't been spending much time with her this week because of all the new animals arriving daily, and today was the day I wanted to devote to her. I'll miss that soul and will only hope she does go to a good home, a home that will love and enjoy her and where she can flourish as the Alpha Dog. I wish the same for Miranda and the other dogs.

For me the story of Topaz ended well. But I have only been volunteering at the shelter for three weeks. There will be plenty of Topaz and Miranda stories and I'm sure not all will end happily. That is the fate of animal rescue and I must grow stronger in the process.