Some of my best childhood memories don’t involve screens, schedules, or even other people for that matter.

I was a little squirt in the 70's, so they involved...get ready for it: The outdoors!!!

That's right, they involved the woods behind our house… and three collies who never let me explore them alone.

Their names were Captain — “Cappy” for short — Friskie, and Honey.

And during one particular summer, when I was nine years old, they became my daily companions. They were my unofficial guardians, and my co-adventurers in a world that felt as big as anything. 

Some days it was an alien world waiting to be explored with my blaster and light saber...others, an old west setting full of surprises and potential ambushes--always, I was there with my collies. 

The Daily Expedition

Behind our house was a stretch of woods that, at the time, might as well have been a national forest. It led to one of the highest points in our county and included a make-shift pond...miniature caves and gully--all of which begged exploration for a little squirt and his dog companionship.

Every day, I’d head out. And every day, like clockwork, Cappy, Friskie, and Honey came with me.

No leashes. No commands. No negotiation.

Just… presence.

I think they loved it more than I did. We’d wander through trails, climb over fallen branches, follow creeks, and investigate anything that seemed remotely interesting. To me, it was pure adventure.

To them, I imagine, it was that, but much more.

Companionship Without Conditions

What stands out now isn’t just that they came along.

It’s how they came along.

They weren’t leading.
They weren’t lagging behind.

They stayed close — moving with me, adjusting to me, always aware of where I was...even seemingly engaged in my storyline of choice for that given day! 

But honestly, in retrospect, there was no need for constant interaction or direction. We didn’t need to “do” anything together to feel connected.

They were just… there.

And somehow, that made the whole experience feel bigger and safer at the same time.

The Unspoken Role: Protector

As a kid, I didn’t think much about safety. I was nine. I was essentially in my backyard, for crying out loud--what did I have to be afraid of, right?

I wasn’t analyzing risks or scanning for danger.

But looking back, I realize something important:

I may have been exploring freely… but I wasn’t unprotected.

Collies are known for their attentiveness and awareness, and my trio took that role seriously.

My collies would:

• Pause and listen when something shifted in the woods
• Position themselves subtly around me
• Stay alert without making a big show of it

There was no barking frenzy or dramatic guarding.

Just quiet, constant awareness. And fun, of course. 

Their protectiveness wasn’t as obvious as was the fun at the time.

But it mattered. Certainly, in reflection.

Dogs See the World Differently — and Share It

One of the most fascinating things about those days is how differently dogs experience the same environment.

Where I saw:

• Trees
• Trails
• “Cool spots” to explore

They experienced:

• Scents layered over time
• Sounds I couldn’t hear
• Movements I never noticed

And yet, we shared the same space.

That’s one of the unique gift's dogs offer — dog companionship helps you expand your own awareness without needing to explain it. They’re tuned into things we miss, and their presence subtly shifts how we move through the world.

Years Later...

Years later, I don’t remember every trail we walked or every path we took.

I have distinct memories, sure. But more than anything, I remember how it felt.

• The freedom of being outside with no agenda
• The comfort of not being alone
• The quiet confidence that came from having them beside me

Dogs have a way of turning ordinary moments into something lasting — not because they change the setting, but because they change how you experience it.

What Dogs Bring to Our Lives

Looking back, those summers in the woods highlight three things dogs consistently bring into our lives:

Adventure
They encourage movement, curiosity, and exploration — even if it’s just your backyard.

Companionship
They don’t require conversation or structure. Their presence alone is enough.

Protection
Whether obvious or subtle, many dogs naturally watch over their humans in ways we don’t always notice in the moment.

At Nine...

At the time, I thought I was just a kid wandering through the woods with his dogs.

Simple. Routine. Nothing extraordinary, except my imagination.

But memory has a way of clarifying things.

I wasn’t just exploring.

No. 

I was being accompanied.
I was being watched over.
I was being given the kind of freedom that only feels safe when you’re not truly alone.

Cappy, Friskie, and Honey weren’t just part of those days.

They were the reason those days felt the way they did.

And even now, all these years later, that kind of companionship is hard to match. So, Cappy...Frisk...Honey--I love you all. I miss you all. I miss those days in the woods. I miss your protective, but fun-filled companionship. I know that I have each of you to thank for those amazing memories!