"Are you all ready to go, Pup?" My Master asked as he finished putting on his boots and stood.
I nodded, making my tags jingle, "Yes, Sir, but you still have not told me what we're doing today?"
"We're going hiking, Pup," he grinned. "I'm taking you on a nice long walk."
I loved getting out and hiking. When Master was busy, I did a lot by myself, so having him along was special.
"I found a nice private trail to hike, and we're even gonna make a picnic of it," he said as he shouldered his bag. I picked up mine as well. He had packed it for me before I got up. It was light but more than I usually carried.
"I split the picnic supplies between our bags so that it will be a bit heavier than normal," Master said, seeing me adjusting my pack.
With me ready to go, he opened the door, led me to our car, and we were off!
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We pulled up at the trailhead about an hour later, deep into the woods at the end of a well-kept dirt road. The trail was marked by a bright red metal gate with a lock and a small signpost noting that it was private property and permission was needed to hike it.
We parked and walked to the entrance. The Master pulled out a key and quickly opened the gate.
"A good friend of ours owns this place," Master said, seeing my questioning look. "They told me about it a little while ago and gave me the key last week. Go ahead of me. I need to lock it back."
I walked past him into the forest trail and looked around as he latched the gate back. It was a beautiful fir forest, with a nice wide path and well-marked trail leading deeper into the dark and welcoming forest.
Master stepped up beside me, "Now Pup, heel."
I immediately took a step back and let him go a pace in front.
"Good boy," he praised me, running his hand over my cheek as he passed. Now, let's get walking."
I felt my face heat as I stepped behind him, "Yes, Sir!
We continued down the trail for around a mile before I noticed a sign up ahead that had a red Stop emblem boldly standing out.
Curious, we approached the sign, and below the red stop emblem, there was a short message:
"STOP; past this point, all pets must be leashed and have no extra accessories."
This was followed by a stick figure example of a Pup on a leash held by a master and a few images of clothing in red circles with cross bars marking them out.
"You read the sign, Pup," Master slyly intoned. He reached into a side pocket on his pack and pulled out my leash. "Take your Clothes off, and then come here."
This trip just got a bit more exciting.
I quickly slipped out of my shirt and shorts. It's been a long time since I wore underwear, but the hiking store makes double-layered hiking shorts that feel like a swimsuit, so no underwear is needed!
When my clothes were rolled up and handed to master, he quickly clipped my leash to my collar, and I put the soft straps of my pack back on. I was already wearing sandals, so my feet were protected simply.