coyote sighting

I've heard lots of stories about coyotes in San Francisco.  In the Presidio area there have been reports of people's dogs being stalked or even attacked.  I think there were even reports of toddlers being stalked as they played in their backyards.  Tonight as Papa and Dash were running their usual Land's End route, they came across a couple frantically calling back their two off-leash dogs who were trying to scramble up a straight rock cliff.

What could be so interesting that dogs would try to crawl up a vertical surface?  ...A coyote!  There it was, staring down at everyone from the top of the rock cliff.  Papa said the coyote was about the size of a German shepherd!  I totally wish I was there.  That's one of the animals on my "they don't have those back home in Hawaii" list.

I don't think our mini Aussie puppy even noticed the coyote was up there.  He's not very big on using his nose.  I think he's definitely more visual, even with his toys.  Hide them under a blanket and you may as well have mailed them to Siberia.  Does anyone else have the same reaction from their dogs?

lands end: part 2 of 2

Perhaps I will do my first Wordless Wednesday today...

lands end: part 1 of 2

A couple of weekends ago, it was a beautiful sunny day by San Francisco standards, so we decided to go on a long stroll as a family.  Lucky for us, there is a beautiful park/trail called Land's End just several blocks from our apartment.

Papa and Dash never miss an opportunity to walk off leash, although I'm pretty sure this is an on-leash park like most are.  Our mini Aussie is usually greeted by friendly dogs and people, but this time one of the first dogs he met were a grumpy pit bull and a grouchy jack russell.  It's a good thing the owners knew their dogs' personalities well enough to keep them on a leash.  That pair flashed some scary teeth and growled at Dash before he realized they were NOT in the mood for play time.

Sometimes I forget what a beautiful place the city can be, and how people travel from all over the world to see the Golden Gate Bridge.  It certainly is a sight to behold on a nice clear day like this one.

The Land's End trail is a relatively easy walk along the coast of the city.  There are spectacular ocean views along much of the trail, and the rest of it through forest trees and thick shrubs.  It's pretty surprising how distant this place seems from the city, even though it's within quick walking distance from our very "city" neighborhood.  I think we'd come here more often if not for the fact that most of the unfriendly dogs we've met were actually on this trail at one visit or another.

During this walk Papa was trying to get some mild training in for his upcoming nine mile trail race, so he ran up and down the stairs a few times with Dash to get some extra cardio in.  A few people along the way commented on how our mini Aussie just never seems to run out of life... and I always answered with, "You have no idea."

But I have to admit, no matter how exhausting life with our mini Aussie may be... he does have his shining moments.  Like this great picture with the bridge in the background.  He sat like a gentleman, put on a smile, and (almost) looked at the camera.  That'll do, Dash.