Spring has officially arrived. I had my first up close and personal rattlesnake encounter of the season. I was coming down a trail when an obviously scared surfer dude (I’m judging) on his way up, pointed out a snake that was coiled up and rattling in the brush. Fortunately, I had no dogs with me, just my trusty stick.
He was ready to turn around and sprint down the trail. I convinced him to wait it out. Sure enough, a few minutes later the snake left and we both ran past it. I’m still not a fan, but I’m no longer terrified by them. The surfer dude is.
On the bright side, thanks to the rains, the display of wild flowers in the Santa Monica mountains is magnificent. It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with them. The hillsides look as if they’ve been painted purple and yellow and blue. My words and my cell phone photos don’t do them justice.
I’ve been taking Stanley with me quite a bit, on wide trails with no hiding snakes. He’s the logical choice since Gus, with his long hair is like velcro. Fox tails and everything else stick to him. And Elbee is getting a little older.
ELBEE Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?
Hiking with Stanley brings back so many 
memories of the hours of freedom that I spent in the mountains with Charley. He was always so calm and at one with nature. Charley was the true gentle giant,
Stanley, on the other hand, thinks that he can catch every leaf that blows by or every bird that flies low or is dumb enough to land near him. He loves people to a fault and would like to take off with every runner and bike rider who goes by. He is the true goofy giant.
I’ve noticed something interesting about him. Stanley has this weird thing about responding to energy. Note to the daughters: I am not crazy.
ELBEE Note to the daughters: yes she is.
When we run into children or someone with a higher energy level, Stanley acts like a lunatic and practically cries. On the other hand, if he’s approached by someone with a calm demeanor, he’s like a pussy cat.
Take the other morning for example. I stopped to talk to a young couple, siting by their car, getting ready to go hiking. The man was a laid back dog person who especially liked bigger dogs. Before I knew it, there was Stanley sprawled in his lap.
He is just as goofy at home, prancing around on his long legs, plopping down for belly rubs, spinning around like Elbee and Gus. But he has a new behavior that may be the funniest.
Hard as it is to believe, this cute little ball of fur who moved in about eight months ago is now the great big pup who constantly spies on the neighbors!
