Hi! My name is Juneau. I’m a two-year-old Siberian Husky and I love to walk in the woods. My human – his name is Bill – likes it too. He says it’s good for both of us. He says a lot of things.

We are fortunate to live in Rehoboth, a town with great walking trails. Some are town-owned and managed, others are owned or conserved by the Rehoboth Land Trust. Bill likes to talk about the RLT, but since this is my letter we won’t be doing much of that.

On trails, we often meet people, and sometimes dogs, which is great fun. I am a very enthusiastic greeter! Bill says that’s one reason we share a leash for walks. Also, I sometimes like to go faster than he can, or investigate smells in places he can’t, or won’t, go. This can be frustrating because I smell more things than he can see! He’s probably right though: I’m just crazy enough to get lost or accidentally leave the property.

Some dogs we meet are older and, as Bill says, better behaved, so they walk without a leash. Rehoboth is great like that! But there are times of the year when all dogs on nature trails should be leashed. From the beginning of April until the end of June, some of our local birds nest on the ground and should not be disturbed. I thought humans were the silliest animals, but these birds with wings that nest on the ground… Oh well, it’s only three months.

Every day on RLT trails is a great day. The Ephraim Hunt Ministerial Land is a favorite, and we can tell that lots of other humans and dogs go there, too. Bill says this can be good or bad. We love meeting new folks, but Bill says some humans shouldn’t be allowed to roam off leash because they leave trash behind. Though it might smell good, it’s a problem. No one should be eating trash, or nesting in trash, or forced to avoid trash. Bill tries to pick up what we find and hopes other humans help, too. I agree; it gives them something useful to do with their hands. Last Sunday we found two old plastic flower pots… how did they get there?... and an arrow! I guess the hunters missed. During hunting season, we mostly walk on Sundays because no one hunts on Sunday. If we walk other days we need to wear blaze orange jackets or vests. Yuck! Orange is not in my color palette.

Oh yeah, we found something else on Sunday. Bill did -- he stepped in it. Like I said, I can smell better than he can see. He had a lot to say about this: it’s gross, unsanitary, contaminates groundwater, is bad for creatures in the woods, unfair, and really represents lazy human behavior. He talked all the way home. Apparently, there are bags that humans should use to pick up anything we dogs leave behind. A great idea, and so simple! Bill says humans with dog friends should be required to bring bags on walks. And the better plan is to pick up EVERYTHING found, not just their own mess. He’s always got extra bags, so if we meet you on a walk -- ask for one!

Speaking of dogs, the trails accessible from the Fairview Avenue parking area near The Oak Hill Beagle Club are great. They connect to other conserved properties, so you can walk for a long time. Sometimes I’m pretty sure Bill is a little lost out there. It looks and smells different from Ephraim Hunt; there might be more critters out there.

Bill also seems to get lost at the Reynolds Avenue Conservation Area. We never get lost at the Mason Street Conservation Area because it’s a fairly short and flat walk to the edge of the Palmer River. Smells from the river and Moonrose Farm are fabulous. Bill says it might be the chickens, and when the farm stand is open he gets eggs and a cookie for the drive home.

I love walking on the RLT trails and know you will, too. Bill says everyone should check out the RLT website or follow them on Facebook. I guess that’s a human thing.

Hope to see you on my next walk! - Juneau

Dog Walk Talk: An RLT Story