Hiking Paws

06/01/2026

The year ended with some snow and holiday cheer!
Thanks 2025…Hello New Year🎉

05/01/2026

Happy birthday to Ms. Joey🥳 🦘 She turned 5 a couple days ago but we didn’t see her until today. It was a chilly grey day but she’s fast on her feet and keeps everyone moving❤️ Her friends LOVE to chase her but rarely catch her! (Check out her fantastic ice beard😄)

04/01/2026

New Year’s resolutions from these dogs:
-Mary Poppins ‘I will try to be braver about putting on my harness, I know it’s not really that scary’
-Oakley ‘I resolve to eat more of Virginia’s oranges she eats in the van, I hear they are healthy’
-Griffin ‘I’m pretty perfect but I heard something about deer antlers and I think finding one would be so awesome!’
-Finley ‘It’s gonna be hard but I’m trying to cut down on consuming treasures I find in the woods😗…try, no promises I have that lab gene and im just so hungry’
-Toot ‘I’m working on my fitness because these short legs just don’t fit my lifestyle choices and I won’t be held back!’

What resolution does your dog have this year?

02/01/2026

Important stuff!

We’ve seen not one—but four—news stories tonight sounding the alarm about coyotes being “more active in neighborhoods,” with some even speculating about pets being attacked in backyards. Let’s pause, take a breath, and add some science and context to the conversation.

Yes—coyotes are more visible this time of year, but that’s not unusual or dangerous behavior. Winter is a critical season for coyotes. Food is harder to find, snow pushes prey into the open, and coyotes must travel farther and during daylight hours to meet their basic needs. Add longer nights, fewer leaves on trees, and more people at home, and it suddenly feels like coyotes are “everywhere”—even though they’ve been here all along.

Right now, coyotes are also beginning to establish pair bonds and territories ahead of breeding season, which naturally increases movement and vocalizations. Hearing or seeing a coyote does not mean it is sick, aggressive, or targeting pets—and there have been no confirmed reports supporting the alarming claims being shared.

Conflict with pets is rare, and when it does occur, it’s almost always preventable with simple, nonlethal coexistence practices—like supervising pets, securing attractants, and reinforcing a healthy fear of humans.

Fear-based headlines don’t keep communities safe—education does. Coyotes belong on this landscape, and with awareness and responsible actions, people and wildlife can coexist successfully.

31/12/2025

Last hikes of 2025…see you in the next year🥳

30/12/2025

It can be ruff in the winter for those smaller short haired dogs or it can be a great excuse to wear your pj’s in public😄😍

30/12/2025

29/12/2025

My morning help🙄…I’m trying to get emails out about this gross weather, and the brown one keeps bumping my arm while the black one rolls all over my keyboard 🤦🏼‍♀️

29/12/2025

It’s hurts every time we say goodbye to a pack member, but when they lose a battle with cancer, it stings a lot more. This beautiful boy began hiking in May of 2018, when he was just 5 months old.
Tico, 8 years is not enough time with you. We wanted more! 😞
When you look through these photos, really Look At Him. Yes, he was beautiful on the outside…but look at his eyes. Look at his expressions. You’ll notice his personality. It was larger than life. Sweet and kind. Goofy, silly, and playful. He was so, so fun! His mom always said she knew he had a good hike when she could see the slobber across the top of his nose😂 In his younger days, he ran so much and so hard that he would never stand up for a group photo. Or stand STILL for that matter. Teaching him to pause for the camera took some effort. But he did it😉 As he aged, the energy remained and the personality never faltered.
His parents discovered he had cancer this past September. As they took on the battle, Tico would hike with us on the days he was feeling well enough to do so. His last hike on the trail with Virginia was Dec. 17th. He passed peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 21st.
He was strong. He was loving. He was brave.
Tico, you will be deeply, deeply missed. We are truely blessed for experiencing life with you in the woods.
Kristin and Tim, thank you for sharing your beautiful boy with us🥰🙏🏻❤️

28/12/2025

Our first classes of 2026 are on the schedule! We have spots available! January is "Train Your Dog Month"....just sayin' !

26/12/2025

At the Tail end of Christmas Day, Hiking Paws would like to say “Happy Holidays Everyone!”🎄🎅🏼💝