5. April 2026
Spring Helps
After what feels like a long stretch of rain, the first proper sunny walks of the year feel different — especially with a young dog. Maple’s still young, and it shows. There’s no slowing down, no quiet observation — just constant movement from the second we step outside.
Over winter it’s mostly been wet ground, short walks, and getting through it. But with a bit of sun, everything ramps up. More space, more smells, more reasons to run. I’m not sure anyone warned me that red Labradors are this full-on.
She’s constantly moving, back and forth, never really settling. Most of it is spent chasing Willow, looping around and then off again as if she’s just getting started. There’s no real pause to take anything in — just energy, start to finish.
We’ve been working with a trainer, and it is starting to show. Not all at once, and not every walk, but there are moments where she listens, where things click, where it feels like progress rather than just chaos. It makes it easier to enjoy it for what it is, rather than feeling like you’re constantly trying to keep up.
Our first camping trip of the year was also Maple’s first. She did really well, although it took her a good seven hours to properly calm down. We had a field to ourselves, which helped, and she was just so happy to be out there — still full of energy, still everywhere at once, but in a way that felt right for her. After that, she settled. Happy sleeps, curled up next to us in the van.
And the change in the weather helps more than I expected. The light’s better, the days feel longer, and it’s easier to be out without just enduring it. Winter can drag a bit, and it’s easy to feel it. A bit of sun makes a difference — not just for them, but for me as well.
She’s still full-on, still non-stop, still chasing Willow at every opportunity. But it feels different now. Less like something to get through, more like something to enjoy — even if it is slightly chaotic.
And it’s nice to see the progress. She’s still a lot, but she’s a good dog — and underneath all that energy, a really loving one.