Jackie and Jillie conveyed their sentiments yesterday, languishing with boredom on the sofa, one splayed out on the seated cushions, the other on his perch above. Jackie no doubt has the impression that since he leaps to the top of the sofa, he's the top dog, so to speak, and Jillie compassionately allows him to dwell within that delusion, comfortable in the reality that she calls the shots, so to speak.

They know when it's time to get ready for an outdoor jaunt; the mood picks up, they become excited with the prospect, they follow closely on our heels and urge us to get on with it. And we did, yesterday. Hoping that the early morning sunshine would deign to continue, but it failed to.

So when we finally entered the ravine in late morning lapsing into early afternoon the skies were once again heavily overcast with leaden clouds, and a brisk wind made the 6C temperature feel much, much colder. We're into that transitional period when it could rain or alternately snow. When most of the foliage has abandoned its perch on various deciduous trees and the aspect of the forest is sere.

Still, nothing can diminish the pleasure of easy strides along forest trails. Albeit given the amount of rain we've been exposed to, it's best to avoid some trails that dip deep into the ravine receiving runoff from the hills above to the extent that the trails become a morass of muck.

Not only is it uncomfortable walking in the deep muddy ridges, your boots taking along an uncomfortable amount of sludge as you proceed, but ascending and descending those hills as required becomes an exercise in exceedingly careful negotiation. We're not as skilled as Jackie and Jillie in traipsing about everywhere on four legs with ease and endurance.

Yesterday's hike through the woods was, as they all tend to be, invigorating and pleasant, taking in the autumn landscape preparing itself for winter. We came across a rare cluster of red oak leaves where we're more accustomed to seeing bronze foliage on the oaks; every little anomaly we notice piques our interest when we're out in the forest.

The squirrels have been inordinately, seasonally busy, scurrying about everywhere. And every time Jackie sees one of those little creatures, he's instantly alert and off after them, leaping like a tiny deer over obstacles in his absurd chase after forest creatures far more familiar with their habitat than he will ever be, as a house-companion, and ending up standing astride the bottom half of a tree trunk, wondering at the mystery of the disappearing squirrels who then, perched on a high branch, take the opportunity to chastise him for his doggy impudence.