Content Stats & Analytics for @trailsandbears

Rachael Rodgers
@trailsandbears

201,189 followers

This is Epping. He’s three years old and #adoptable Epping hitched a ride with a nice lady from the city yesterday to spend the day in the mountains. He was loaded into the car where he waited for his new driver (me) to grab a few more provisions from the house. While waiting, he watched for me to reappear without opening any of the treat bags in his presence. He found a seat adjacent to the driver and rode in silence. At the trailhead, he stood, apparently eager to exit the vehicle. We packed things we needed (and some things we didn’t) and hit the trail. Going was slow due to Epping having to smell every trunk and deliberate before deciding if he needed to pee on it (the verdict was always yes). It probably wouldn’t have been a big decision if he would have heeded advice to hydrate before the hike (he didn’t so he had to conserve). Our hike took us up into a marmot- and pika-filled cirque. The trail was busy and Epping met nice people all day. Everyone we encountered smiled in reaction to Epping’s big grin. I’d say, “this is Epping; he’s up for adoption and if you want to say hi, it would make his day”. And they did and it did - it looked like he made their day, too. At the top of the hike, we reached our picnic/portraits/turnaround spot: a boulder field. Some time between picnic and turnaround, Epping found a cozy spot and nearly took a nap. He opened his eyes to peer at chatty hikers passing yonder. After we were refuelled and rested, we made a quick descent (except for the dozen or so essential stops to greet new people and dogs). Epping self-loaded and beat me to the driver’s seat (seating rearrangements took some time). The drive back to Exshaw was all smiles and no stress. He waited in the backyard for his afternoon doggie chauffeur while Anna waited on the front deck. Friendly Epping really wanted to meet Anna but the feeling wasn’t mutual. Do you know someone who has lots of cuddles available for the right guy? Epping might be the right guy and he’s available now from @snarlrescue in Calgary.