How Do Ruffwear Ambassadors Spend Their Summers?
We checked in with our Ruffwear Ambassadors to hear how they splashed, hiked, canoed, and climbed the summer days away. Read on for their top highlights.
Caroline & Lila
How did you and your dog(s) get out and play this summer?
Lila has a lifelong goal of climbing 100 peaks in her lifetime. This summer, we are at 17!
Did you try a new activity with your dog this summer?
Lila did a mini scramble with me up to the top of Clayton Peak! It was an adventure we had turned around on before because she was uncomfortable on the talus. We worked together to get her through it.
Graham, Shannon, & Pebble
How did you and your dog(s) get out and play this summer?
Pebble is a fabulous trail dog – as long as we are traveling at a hiking pace. So we've been loading up her Palisades™ dog pack and heading out to the Cascade Lakes above Bend for short backpacking trips.
What was the highlight of your summer with your dog(s)?
At 4-years-old, Pebble is finally working up the bravery to go for a full swim. She’s always loved wading but avoided water deep enough to necessitate swimming. This changed when she figured out her Float Coat™.
Maria & Bodie, Riley, and Willow
How did you and your dog(s) get out and play this summer?
We paddled to sandbars, watched sunsets, and chased Lunker™ toys until the moon came up. This is always our favorite way to spend summer nights!
What do you enjoy about playing with your dog in the summer?
Standing on the water with my dogs, I get to reflect on the day, live completely in the moment, and practice a few minutes of gratitude. I always feel balanced and refreshed after these outings. I think my dogs seem to know when my head drifts off to this quiet place. They also get quiet at sunset and settle in on the board. It’s pretty awesome to feel that connected.
Rafa, Cory, & Bondi
What was the highlight of your summer with your dog(s)?
Hands down, it was our 3-day backpacking trip to an alpine lake. We got to enjoy the best nature can offer, from a majestic hike into the wooded trail, cozy campsite by the lake surrounded with trees, private beach where Bondi and Juju ( our friend’s dog) were freely playing, digging and swimming to foggy mornings and cozy naps in the hammock, sunny afternoons and paddle boarding rides, clear skies and many shooting stars during the night. It was hard to leave that little paradise.
Did you try a new activity with your dog this summer?
As you may know, Bondi and I are always up for new activities and adventures. We are hyper by nature and can’t sit down. This summer, we acquired a new toy for our collection, a gorgeous used canoe that we have been dreaming about for a long time (yah, almost gave Cory a heart attack, but oh well). Bondi loves the water and any activities related to it. Getting out for sunrise paddle sessions, midday rides, and sunsets has become one of our favorite things to do lately.
Katie & Quinci
What was the highlight of your summer with your dog(s)?
The highlight of our summer was spending 6 days backpacking on the Arizona Trail. We spent 76 miles on the Kaibab Plateau, from the Utah border to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
What do you enjoy about playing with your dog in the summer?
Summer possibilities are endless! I love the freedom of choices, from water fun to exploring the mountains. We had a last minute change of plans and were able to plan a 4-day trip in just a few hours (thank you, Google Maps).
I looked around for a high enough elevation to escape the Southwest heat. I found a stunning alpine lake in Southern Utah and researched the heck out of it for a few hours. I packed up the car that night, and we had an incredible few days camping and backpacking. Thank you, summer!
Ali & Kona, Cali, Ruger, and Loot
How did you and your dog(s) get out and play this summer?
We managed to get out paddle boarding and camping during small gaps in a busy working summer.
What was the highlight of your summer with your dog(s)
One highlight was getting to take a friend's dog paddle boarding. It was so cute and fun to provide a new experience for this dog. Another highlight was camping and seeing all the training I have put into Loot pay off with how well he has been doing with our typical adventures.
Want to keep those warm-weather vibes going? Check out our summer stories. For more inspiration from our ambassadors, read their tales here.
