Lessons from the Trail: Dogs, Chaos & Human Kindness

Life's better when you break out, touch grass, and talk to strangers.

Weekly hikes with my dogs have become a non-negotiable habit. It’s my therapy — a chance to get outside, breathe fresh air, and leave the stress of everyday life behind. No work, no chores, no obligations. Just the three of us wandering and enjoying the world around us.

But lately, instead of providing a pure escape from other humans, our hikes have highlighted the kindness and generosity of strangers.

Chaos and Kindness

A couple of weeks ago, our hike took a dramatic turn. The dogs caught the scent of some deer, and Pepper leapt to the chase so hard and fast that she jerked the leash out of my hands and was GONE. Scout went ballistic, I panicked, and Pepper was living her best life chasing a herd of deer. That’s when an angel named Jerri stepped in.

She managed to grab Pepper’s leash, call me, and coordinate a meetup on the trail so Pepper could be safely returned. In that moment, there was no way to adequately express my thanks to this stranger who took time out of her day to help a dog and a very frazzled dog mom.

And if that weren’t enough, we also met Fernando the Turtle, calmly observing the trail and unknowingly bringing smiles, sniffs, and a moment of joy amidst the chaos. He may just be the newest Dog People intern.

Help Around Every Bend

Then this week, the trail reminded me again that kindness shows up in unexpected ways. Excited to get up to the mountains, I showed up at the trailhead with no trail map and no cell signal — basically, I was unprepared and a bit lost. But two kind gentlemen noticed our predicament. They didn’t just point us in the right direction. They walked with us for a while to make sure we got on the correct trail, sharing tips and pointers along the way.

These experiences reaffirm something I easily forget: even when life gets busy or current events feel fraught, kindness finds a way to reach us. Sometimes it’s a person willing to help a lost pup. Sometimes it’s a turtle on the trail reminding you to slow down and smile. And sometimes it’s two strangers making sure you find your path.

So, this week, I’m carrying two simple reminders with me: get outside and touch grass, and be kind to strangers.

See you next week,

Liz