Adventure in Columbia: Through a Dog’s Eyes
ad-ven-ture /ad’ven(t)SHər,ədˈven(t)SHər/
noun an exciting or very unusual experience; participation in exciting undertakings
verb to risk or hazard; to take the chance of
Every day is an adventure to Tuffie, my three-year-old Australian Shepherd. Despite our routine, Tuffie is uber excited about everything every day. No matter how many times I say “walk” or how many hours we spend at the park, Tuffie sees each visit as an exciting adventure with new smells, new people, new squirrels, and new fun. The act of going itself is exciting enough to Tuffie.
This zest for life, this never-ending energy, is one of my favorite aspects of my dog. Adventures with Tuffie are quite possibly the best way to spend an afternoon and I enjoy the escape from reality. They serve as a good reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things as well, as even on days when we can’t escape far or for too long, Tuffie is still endlessly excited for simple walks around the block or few frisbee throws on the quad.
Columbia is full of adventure, especially if you know where to look. For Tuffie, that happens to be everywhere, even in small things.
Tuffie, three-year-old Australian Shepherd, walks through Flat Branch Park towards the MKT Trail on Oct. 9, 2020. Tuffie enjoys splashing through Hinkson Creek and running along the MKT Trail during quick lunch break adventures when we don’t have time to drive further. 
Tuffie peers over the edge of the bluffs at Capen Park on Oct. 7, 2020. This is one of Tuffie’s favorite places to adventure in Columbia because of the off-leash area where she can chase squirrels, the bluffs to look out over and climb on, the creek she likes to cool off in and the close proximity to campus. This is the first place I brought Tuffie when I got her and remains our most frequent adventure spot. 
Tuffie runs through the woods and up the trail leading to The Pinnacles at Pinnacles Youth Park on Oct. 10, 2020. The Pinnacles adventure starts with a beautiful drive that’s perfect for Tuffie to stick her head out the window on and features a wooded hike that leads to outlooks with amazing views and rocks to scramble up, over and around. Although she struggled in a few spots at first, Tuffie has learned to expertly navigate the tricky terrain and enjoys climbing as high as she can and standing as near to the edge as she can. 
Tuffie peers at Connor’s Cave and the woods surrounding it, on high alert for any squirrels, at Rockbridge State Memorial Park on Oct. 12, 2020. The multitude of trails surrounding Devil’s Icebox and Connor’s Cave, the two biggest attractions at the park, provide the perfect hiking adventure for Tuffie, giving her plenty to sniff and lots of fresh air. Her favorite part, however, isn’t the trees or the caves, it’s zooming back and forth across the wood board walk trail and stairs. 
Tuffie shakes the water out of her fur, while still in the pond, after taking a dip at Twin Lakes Dog Park on Oct. 8, 2020. Twin Lakes is the biggest, most well-known dog park in the area due to the three separate areas, two large ponds, walking and biking trails, and a little-known wooded trail at the top of the hill. With plenty of friends at any time of day, wide open spaces, and sticks and forgotten toys galore, it’s a dog’s perfect adventure. Playing frisbee and cooling off in the large pond are Tuffie’s favorite activities. 
Tuffie leaps to catch the frisbee on the Francis Quadrangle at University of Missouri-Columbia’s campus on Oct. 9, 2020. Although downtown and campus aren’t Tuffie’s favorite spots, my schedule as a full-time student keeps us from adventuring out too far or for too long somedays. To sprinkle in adventure on those otherwise study-filled days, Tuffie and I like to walk through Peace Park before enjoying some frisbee on the quad and finishing with a Pup-a-chino for good behavior.