Catahoula Cougar Dog

People ask me why I just don't adopt Othello Moose and give him a forever home. I think about
 that often, although I reconsider for two reasons: The first is that Othello requires better training than I am able to offer. One minute we are playing and then we start to get too rough and I tell him to stop. "You're sending him mixed signals," I'm told. And I realize, yeah, I do. Just one example of my inconsistencies in "training." I don't really have formal experience training dogs although everyone tells me how much he has improved in his demeanor and interaction with people..

The other reason I consider myself a temporary home is because I feel sort of guilty with him lying at home on the bed all day and only spending one day allowing him to run and play in the wilds. He probably doesn't mind, but I think I project my emotions onto him and he is probably content sleeping al day and guarding the house. I sometime forget to close the back door (although the yard is fenced) and he can come in and out as he pleases. But a place where he can run daily and at will would be ideal.

But this weekend he did come into the office with me and greeted others working. Then we were lucky to get to the mountains on Sunday up on Cougar Divide for a few miles of hiking. He did bark at some other hikers, but I think he was excited by another dog up on one of the lookout points barking incessantly. He sometimes (okay, most times) does not want to get back in the truck when it's time to leave; instead lies on the trail wanting more hiking. But I have taken treats with me and that can help to coax him to me when there are either others on the trail (I usually do leash him then) or when it's time to go.

Here is a picture from yesterday up on Cougar Divide. (click to enlarge)