My fiancé (Rob), myself, our 95 pound Black Lab (Roxxy) and our little DC went to Devil's Lake, Wisconsin for a camping/hiking excursion in July of this past summer. Little DC would NOT be left behind and was bound and determined to keep up with us while hiking.

Devil's Lake has several steep cliffs, the East and West Bluff Trails being the most challenging. Mostly rock and concrete stairs going almost straight up 1.4 miles and then down again 1.4 miles, DC would not be left behind - and to our surprise, she led our journey a fair portion of the way.

We stopped often to water the dogs (and ourselves of course) and so many people stopped to pet the dogs and say how strong they must be and "Oh, look at the little one's stubby little legs!!". I think DC understood this because she'd pull and go just as fast as she could to pass those people up on the trail as to say "Look at these stubby little legs pass you up!!"

The first day we did the most difficult trail, the second day, the easier trail and the third day of our vacation we went swimming.

DC LOVES the water as much as her big sister, but alas, she was not blessed with webbed feet such as her sister. So instead, DC dons her "Aqua Dog" and away she swims. Of course, after an hour in the water, anyone would get tired so onto Momma's back she climbed and let me tote her around in the lake for some time until she caught her second wind and off she'd swim, only to return to her 'landing pad' when tired.

The photos are named as to the corresponding cliff you're looking at. My beautiful Sable is still by my side after 5 years now - that one horrific instance in our lives has made us more inseparable and has strengthened our bond.

Story by: Amy Stalls