Although we'd left even earlier than usual after breakfast for the ravine this morning the heat was already palpable, despite a light breeze, and even though we're mostly in the shade in the forested environs. Comfortable enough at first, but by the time we were halfway through our daily circuit we were feeling the heat, and before we had completed out hike we were drenched in perspiration.

We passed one of our fellow walkers whom we don't see too often but when we do it's always in the company of his dog, an elderly Golden Retriever. He hadn't the heart, he said, to insist she accompany him today. She much prefers the comfort of their air conditioned house, particularly since she's getting on in years, he sighed. As for himself, also getting on in years, rationality triumphed over emotion.

We know what it's like when a dog isn't thrilled at the prospect of wandering about in the woods. We've one of each, a male who is beside himself with joyful expectation when he hears the phrase: let's go for a walk. And a female who suddenly makes herself scarce. So while we have to round up Jillie, Jackie is excitedly leaping all over us, begging us to expedite whatever we're doing, and get us all out there, in the ravine.

Oddly enough, once we're in the ravine and moving through the trails, they're both interested in where they are, though Jillie is quick to bark when and if she sees someone else on 'her' personal trails. If it's a human being it's because she wants to make their acquaintance, and if it's another dog, it's because she's leery in the presence of a dog she hasn't had previous exposure to. If it's a dog she knows, it's because she's greeting it, and wants to exchange some canine pleasantry with it.

We came across a young man with his two bull mastiffs, one, the female, is now six months old and it's clear she'll tower over and out-muscle the older male. She'd been cooling off in the now-murky water of the creek, and even drenched she's an imposing figure. Our two much smaller dogs weren't certain whether they were pleased, or unpleased at the presence of the two mastiffs, though they've been in their presence on earlier occasions. Jackie finally decided in the negative when they boxed him in and he wasn't certain of what the outcome might be.

Taz in camouflage mode

They felt far more comfortable when we came across Henry, whom we haven't seen in months, and tiny Taz, who no longer barks furiously when he sees us. Henry had been away, first in California for part of the winter, and then in Florida, to join his in-laws at his wife's behest. Jack and Jill behaved for a change and for the first time that I can recall, tiny Taz was interested in them, sniffing them in a re-acquintance ceremony, after a long period when we hadn't run into one another. Taz, like the Tazmanian devil, is a bundle of nervous energy. But then we can say the same for Jackie, as well.

No potential threats emanating from the size and interpreted-intention of a Chihuahua, as compared to a bull mastiff.