Samson Goes Visiting And Climbs A Mountain (No, A Steep Hill)

Samson Says: Felt like a mountain to me!

When I drove Samson to the vet for what turned out to be his unsuccessful eye surgery, I promised him that the next time we went somewhere in the Jeep it would be for something fun.

I called Mary and asked if we could come for a visit. She agreed, so off we went. It's not far, a couple of miles, but nature at Mary's place is totally different with scrub oaks and many other kinds of trees replacing the junipers that dot my hillsides. 

And the views are magnificent. Mary lives on top of one steep hill and below another, with deep canyons on each side. So gorgeous! We went for a hike and climbed to the top of the hill above her house.

Samson: What's this? I didn't expect to find a surfboard on a mountain top. Mary: It belonged to my son, would you like to step up on it? 

Samson: Not sure, auntie Mary, I think I'll just walk around it. 

But Mary was determined to get Samson to pose on it. 

She was very patient and kind. Samson to himself: OK, if this is what she wants, I'll do it. Humans have some strange ideas every now and then, us dogs know this and just play along.......

Thanks, Samson, I got a nice picture of the two of you to share. 

And there's nothing, well maybe food, that Samson likes better than to climb a mountain. As in the John Muir quote below, it truly kindles his enthusiasm and makes his every nerve quiver. He drags me uphill, so full of happiness. This is just what I wanted for him. And I'm grateful to Mary for making it happen. 


We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us.

~ John Muir