If it’s a dog’s life, it’s a pretty good one.

Dogs from far and wide came to sniff, slurp, slobber and hike at the Third Annual Dog Days at Skibowl, a fundraiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind held on Sept. 16.

With blue skies and the mercury hovering around 75 degrees, plenty turned
out to enjoy the trails and the associated mingling with fellow canines.

Skibowl employee Hilari Kolstad, of Brightwood, along with her able assistant
Cali, a large brown mastiff, registered dogs and their handlers throughout the

day. Doggie goodie bags, frisbees of the canine variety and scenic sky chair
rides were included in the registration.
After hiking the scenic routes through the Mount Hood National Forest – which

included an easy one-mile course, a two-mile moderate course and a four-
mile extreme course – handlers were given the opportunity to enjoy the dog

friendly beer garden and listen to music.

Haley Rasmusson traveled from Oregon City with Daisy, a Jack Russell/Lab
mix. Rasmusson explained that during the winter months she regularly
snowboards at Skibowl and usually has to leave Daisy at home, and thought it
would be nice to bring her along to this event.

“I’m looking forward to the trails, and Daisy is stoked,” Rasmusson said.

Even the little guys had fun. Charlie, a 3 1/2-month-old Jack Russell puppy,
had been to the beach before but this was his first time at Skibowl.

“We’re up here every weekend in the winter,” said his guardians Neli Nenchev
and Chris Fetts of Vancouver, Wash. “It’s a one and a half hour drive to get
here, but it’s worth it. It supports a good cause, it’s fun and gets you out of
the house.”

It was a big day with some big dogs, but Charlie hung out with the best of
them, including Rufus, a one-year old golden retriever. Rufus hails from
Tigard who traveled to Dog Days with Shay Goodell and his family. Goodell
explained that he had been to Skibowl a couple of weeks ago and saw the
brochures and thought this would be a fun trip for all.

Oregon Guide Dogs for the Blind, which has a campus in Boring, provides 350
guide dogs free-of-charge to visually impaired people each year. Graduation
ceremonies are open to the public on selected Saturdays, and tours available
by reservation.

For more information about guide dogs, visit their website at
www.guidedogs.org.