It's a Dog's Life

Jackson Hole boasts 10,000 or so resident canines and countless four-legged visitors - lucky dogs. We have not only found Jackson Hole to be a fabulous place to call home for ourselves, but dogs certainly have the life of leisure here as well. We added Bella to our family in October, and it has been nothing short of wonderful since then for all of us. She has been an amazing dog, and we have found that Jackson is truly heaven on earth for four-legged friends!

The Animal Adoption Center
Bella (and Barry & I) will be forever grateful to the local Animal Adoption Center. They provide a wonderful service to the Jackson Hole community benefiting homeless dogs and cats from across the region. Read all about their incredible program on their website http://www.animaladoptioncenter.org/ . Pictured below are Lindsay (Director) and Stephanie (Asst. Director) who both worked steadfastly with us to find the perfect forever friend that we adopted - Bella!

"Backyard" at the Adoption Center

Bella's Foster Family "Momma Kay, Papa Paul," Lad & Seneca
One of the interesting features of the Adoption Center's program is that all of the animals go home each night to a foster family  until they are adopted. Bella was lucky enough to have been fostered by our neighbors Kay and Paul. They have fostered over 90 dogs, primarily labs, while still being steadfast parents to their black lab Lad and their furry lady Seneca. Through their love and affection many dogs enjoy home life even before they find their forever home. As an added bonus to us - Bella brought us together as friends with Paul and Kay - they were our first friends here and have been amazing to our entire family!


Paul and Kay with Bella, Lad, Katie Sue (neighbor's dog) and Seneca.
They will never be seen walking the neighborhood alone!

Bella's Beau...LAD Even though Lad is Bella's foster brother, she considers him her boyfriend! Lad is quite a dapper gentleman - we must say that Bella has good taste! Bella loves when Lad surprises her and comes bolting out his front door when we walk by - Bella always makes sure to saunter very slowly by his house to give him plenty of time to notice she is there! Bella & Lad love to play together, cross country ski and they will even share an elk antler without a growl!

 


Sophie's Place Dog Park
August 2010 brought the grand opening of PAWS Dog Park — Sophie’s Place - to downtown Jackson Hole. We unfortunately were not here for the Grand Opening Celebration, where pooches guzzled from special water fountains while their owners enjoyed lemonade and Snake River Brewing beers, renamed for the occasion into “Pooch Park Pilsner” and “Leg Lifter Lager.” The dog park is a fenced, grassy expanse where pups can frolic, stretch their legs and socialize with furry friends in a leash-free setting. Separate pens provide a place for time-outs, training, or for small or shy dogs. Bella enjoys frequent trips to the dog park, and I quite like it too, as I have met many interesting new friends there as well.

 

SHOPPING IS DOG FRIENDLY IN JH

Bella's favorite store is "Gifts From the Earth,"
they lavish her with treats every time she pulls
 me in there. I have bought more unnecessary
cards, just to let her stop by! Shopping has
become as fun as the dog park for Bella - yay!

As silly as it sounds, Bella goes on most of my errands with me. It's what people do in Jackson Hole! Dogs are welcomed in all stores that do not sell or serve food. And most stores even have treats for the dogs. They just banned dogs from the post office - much to the dismay of local residents and their dogs. Bella obliges willingly and waits in the car while I get the mail, as she has figured out that the dog park is just around the corner and usually follows a stop at the post office!

Bella can even help pick out a nice wine for dinner!



  

K-9 ATHLETES OF THE TETONS

We enrolled Bella in an Agility class on Wednesday nights, just for fun and to burn off some winter energy! I take her to the fairgrounds building along with 18 other dogs for an hour of fun and frolic! I must admit that had I known that it was going to be held in the indoor riding arena (Horses), Bella probably would not have gotten the opportunity to participate - it stinks, ugh! But for the love of Bella, I endure the stench of horse poop and let her have fun. They are teaching the dogs all the "obstacles/tricks" used in agility competitions, but in a non-competitive setting. Some of the "parents" in the class remind me of the competitive parents when our kids were young who are there to "win and be the best," even though it is just a "recreational league!" Bella loves the obstacles, but she also enjoys socializing with all the other dogs just as much. Her new buddy is is an adorable dog named Penny! Agility is a pretty popular hobby for many in the area - rest assured that we will remain in the recreational category, at least until they get a practice facility that is sans horse poop!

Bella and Penny patiently waiting their turn in line!

Jumps - you've got to start somewhere!

Bella's favorite - the teeter totter!

 Hiking, Skiing and Fetching - Life is Good!
Even though winter has blanketed the trails with snow, they are still perfect for traversing with a dog. This community has an awesome grooming program, and the trails are kept in tip top shape for hiking, cross country skiing and skate skiing. Dogs are permitted on many trails, off leash, through the winter months. Some areas require leashes to protect the wintering wildlife. So Bella and I have enjoyed lots of wonderful hikes, a few ski outings,  and lots of games of fetch on our Pathways system.


Bella hiking in Bondourant with her new
neighborhood buddy Skeeter.



 













A COLD NIGHT AND A GOOD BOOK
We have a wonderful local author, Ted Kerasote, who is known throughout the community and country for his National Best Selling books. Two of his books are about his dogs and their adventures together here in Jackson Hole. Ted's writing focuses on the interrelationships between people and nature. If winter continues to keep you inside, cuddle up by the fire with one of Ted's books. Bella was fortunate enough to have a brush with fame and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with Ted and his pup Pukka while we were away in Kansas City, and she was with her Momma Kay & Papa Paul!

 





















As we start off the weekend, find a way to have some fun with your furry friend, or better yet with your loved ones! Remember it is Valentine's Day on Monday...you don't want to end up in the dog house!

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT JACKSON HOLE:

On an average day at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort there are only 1,750 skiers skiing on the 2,500 acres of terrain at the ski area, offering one of the lowest skier densities (one skier per one-and-one-half acres!) of any ski resort in the country.