Category: Pets

My Favorite Hiking Companion

Our dog Bear at the overlook on the Marcus Landslide Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 18, 2026. Original: _A671234.ARW

One of the nice things about hiking with Bear is how comfortable people are talking to me compared to when I’m alone. You would not believe how many times I’ve been told that I’m so handsome and well-behaved. Thankfully they also complement Bear, particularly the horse riders who appreciate his gentleness around their nervous steeds.

Our dog Bear at the overlook on the Brown’s Mountain Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 25, 2026. Original: _A671501.ARW

First picture:
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: January 18, 2026

Second picture:
📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: January 25, 2026

The Hall Monitor

Our dog Bear relaxes in the hallway next to our kitchen on November 28, 2025. Original: _Z727125.NEF

Bear loves to sleep in the hallway, halfway between my office and my wife’s office. He’s sleeping there now, quietly snoring in the dark. He had been sleeping beside me on the couch but he’ll sometimes get up and go where it’s dark and quiet and free of cats.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: November 28, 2025

500

Our dog Bear sits on a large boulder on the Balanced Rock Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 26, 2025. Original: _Z727068.NEF

If my notes are correct I recently made my 500th visit to our local preserve. To celebrate I took Bear up to the spot that became so meaningful during my leave of absence a couple of years ago. Almost all the visits the past few years have been with Bear, I love his enthusiasm for our hikes and let him set a fast pace, even though I prefer to go slowly and revel in the details. Sometime next year I’ll have time to both take him and go out on my own, but for now my priority is enjoying our time together.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: November 26, 2025

A Bear & A Frog

An overhead view of our dog Bear and his frog toy. Taken on November 24, 2025. Original: _Z726946.NEF

I’m pretty sure this is how one of Aesop’s fables starts. So far the frog has tolerated Bear’s prodigious love and still has all of its limbs and no head wounds, a rare sight in this house.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: November 24, 2025