"Dusty Dog" - On the road from Hull to Montreal September 9-10, 1978

After spending almost a week in Toronto and Ottawa, I am finally back on the road again.
And... I have a new traveling companion! 
Dusty is an eight month old, fawn-coloured lab-retriever cross. 
I got him at the Ottawa Humane Society. 
He’s got a wonderful temper – affectionate and responsive, 
But also independent and keen to explore. 
Today we didn’t travel far, stopping early so Dusty could get out and run around a bit. 
He's been in a kennel for two weeks (or more). 
He runs around with no leash – as free as a bird.
Ears flopping and tail sticking straight out like a broomstick behind him.  
Stopping to sniff at something, then head up again and running, racing every which way. 
Running up to a plant, a post, a piece of garbage, 
Examining it absorbedly, but only briefly, quickly losing interest and moving on. 
Chasing grasshoppers, flies, bees. 
It was fun to watch him enjoy himself. 
To witness the sheer joy, exuberance and enthusiasm! 

 





Dusty is the perfect traveling companion. 

Driving in the car he sits like a sentinel observing the landscape, 

Or settles down for a nap, coiled up with his head tucked in his paws. 

Last night in the tent, he curled up beside me, and nosed my hand, looking for a pat.  

Perhaps his way of saying 'thanks’ – 

- for getting him out of a wire cage in a smelly, noisy, no room-to-move kennel, 

- for taking him to first a park where he ran around on the beach of a little lake, 

- for a glorious walk in the woods

- and for this quiet lakeshore campsite. 


We are camped at a provincial site on the Ottawa River, just east of Hull.  

It’s officially closed – there’s no one else here.  


It’s a beautiful sunny day with just the odd cottonball cloud in the sky.

And a crispness and clearness that can only happen in autumn.  

 

We’ve just climbed up a rocky cliff, where now we sit (and lie) basking in the sun. 

Admiring the colour-rich hills all around us. 

Almost tasting the oranges, yellows, reds and golds. 


So glorious!

And Dusty and I in the midst of it all! 

What joy!




Location: Saint-Jovite, Mont-Tremblant, QC J8E, Canada

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