smells, sights, sounds, and creatures tall and small

 Sylvia vigorously wagged her tail when we trespassed on the lawn of this old estate. In the background lies the Sheepscot River.

 We investigated the grounds of the strangely quiet Castle Tucker in Wiscasset. The museum is closed for the season, but that doesn't stop us from sniffing around!

Sylvia rides shotgun. We were just whizzing through "Cowshit Corner" on our way home. It has been a flurry of sights, sounds, smells, and tastes for Sylvia and I. She is intensely interested in many things, most notably porcupines and a pile of animal feces at the end of the field where we have taken our morning hikes. For Sylvia, this dung pile is an absolute delicacy, one I hurry her away from as soon as we get close. I have tried to introduce her to some other tasty treats  (a chunk of chicken, a doggie biscuit shaped like a bone).

Today (Saturday) was a busy day. After meeting and greeting people with loud barks and tail wagging at the recycle center, Sylvia met a big, shaggy sheepdog. I forget the dog's name, but Sylvia will likely not forget this other dog when they next meet. After sniffing, barking, baring teeth and wagging tails, the sheepdog's human, who sells cheese (really good cheese!) said she thinks the two dogs will become pals. We shall see. But I must say the human and the sheepdog are both very friendly.

The porcupine population is prevalent. Sylvia is fascinated by their fuzzy-looking features. I warn her to not get too close, however, and soon enough we are both heading off in another direction.

Today we also went to visit some friends. Sylvia might have tried a bite of apple pie, though I am not sure. She was shy at first, but warmed up to the crowd soon enough. I learned about wreath making and about some of the people who do it while Sylvia made some new friends.

Do you see Sylvie's new bandanna (courtesy of Ann Marie Maguire)? I wear a matching hat when we go on our daily hikes up and down the road, over the fields and through the woods. We will do the same tomorrow, and maybe she will discover where that honking sound she heard this morning comes from.