We all went for a hike today, Sam, Ella and me. It took about an hour to go a route that Ella and I can do in about a half hour. Between the backpack with water and food and Sam, I was carrying quite a bit, going slower and working harder. We met some other people and dogs, most of them very happy to play, all of them friendly. I met a coupl of women who obviously were not thrilled with dogs, but Ella just waggled a hello and left them alone. Everyone thought taking Sam for a walk was a great thing to do and she gave them big smiles. Of course she gets big smiles back. Munchkin chewed on my fingers much of the way, when she wasn’t demanding a bite out of my walking stick handle. We had a fun time. I noticed Ella walks much closer to me when I am carrying Sam, and she seems to pay much more attention to what is ahead, standing and watching things very carefully. She is just as friendly and happy, just very aware. I am glad to see that, actually. Ella is a working breed dog, and I want her to know that she does have a job to do now that she is older.