Sometimes I avoid taking Violet out on day hikes because she is such a reactive dog. She can manage well enough when it’s just people, but not so well when there are other dogs. I think the best way for her to get over her fear and anxiety is to just go out and explore. So, we did just that on Saturday – it was a windy, cool day thanks to a rainy front that came in Friday night, and I needed to meet up with someone to sell a backpacking quilt. Bastrop State Park happened to be right in between the buyer of my quilt and me, so I packed up our stuff on Friday night to have a sunny Saturday hike.
Because I’d never been to this park, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from the terrain and foliage. Ultimately, it was scrubby and had very little tree cover, but it wasn’t especially hot thanks to the wind. We passed tons of wild blackberry bushes, though they weren’t ripe yet. We started on the less-touristy side of the park before making our way over to the more commonly used areas.
Once we moved over to where the Lost Pines Loop would be, we encountered a few more people and dogs. Violet was doing SO well while I chatted with a couple and their pup, but she lunged right at the end of the conversation. Thankfully, they were far enough away that no danger was ever present, but I really have to keep an eye on Violet when another dog is giving her the stare down. We passed another couple later down the trail, but I pulled Violet off to the side into some brush and held her collar while giving her head scritches until they passed. The guy asked if she was friendly, but I told him she was scared and it’s just easier to be off to the side for everyone to pass.
Wildflowers peeked through rocks and scrubby underbrush, and blackberry bushes were proliferate. We probably spent about an hour and a half just exploring, then I felt that Violet needed to get home and calm down. Like a toddler, sometimes she gets overstimulated. 😉
The last picture: “Violet, look at me!” ❤️
Miranda Writes 