Zola the Rhodesian Ridgeback Girl

“Going to the woods is going home” – John Muir

I’ve had such fun exploring an English forest the past few weeks.

(Click on any of these photos for more)

We’ve just returned from a family visit to the South of England where there are lots of green places.

When we arrived in the morning, I overheard that it was going to rain and turn a lot cooler during our stay 😦  Rhodesian Ridgebacks tend to avoid the rain whenever possible, especially cold grey rain…’brrrr’!  

Fortunately, Vikki knew of a nearby forest and convinced me that although it was all drizzly showers and ‘brrrr’ outside, once we got into the woods, the big old trees would act as giant umbrellas and their canopy would protect us.  Mm! Still not quite convinced but putting my trust in her enthusiasm, I obligingly sat down for my lead to be put on and off we went into the blinky rain…humpf!

From the moment we got into the woods, I forgot all about the rain and started to feel very happy about the prospect of exploring this green forest.

The sunshine was finding its way through the tall trees lighting up a bright green jungle of ferns and bracken.  My nose started to sniff away almost uncontrollably at the wonderful, exciting smells around me.  Then my ears twitched in different directions as I heard little noises everywhere.

What’s more, since I was such a good girl during the long car journey to England (well..I actually slept through most of it!) and walked nicely with Vikki to the woods, Vikki let me off the lead early to be ‘Zola the Explorer’ telling me to ‘Go Play’ (codeword for ‘me-time’!)..Yippee!

We could have easily believed that we were by ourselves..or were we?  You may think you are alone in a place like this, but there are always eyes watching you.

All the insects, birds and animals of the woods are well aware of your presence no matter how softly you tread. 

Whenever I stopped to sniff, look and listen, Vikki stood still since she didn’t want to disturb my enjoyment and liked watching me in action! Unfortunately she can’t smell all the exciting things that I can, but she did comment on how wonderful a forest smells when it’s raining. 

Sometimes I felt one of my paws lifting off the ground to point to the direction I was very interested in exploring.  Weird eh? 

I did enjoy the odd quiet moments to sit down, enjoy the views and take it all in!

Vikki & I loved our time in these woods so much that we went there every afternoon…rain or no rain, we didn’t care! 

What bliss!