The Sunday Schnauzer – New Year, New Walk

On January 11, 2026January 2, 2026 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer11 Comments

I’ve been wanting to hike to “the lookout” for quite some time now. My neighbours told me about the place well over a year ago. It’s the opposite way to our usual walk down to the creek that has become so ingrained we practically do it on autopilot. It was definitely time to change things up as 2025 rolled to a close.

So we headed in the opposing direction and ran into a friendly fellow-dog walker who gave us very clear directions of which trail to take. A short while later…voila!

To the right you can see Ladysmith Harbour.

To the left there is a great view of Nanaimo Airport. I’ll bet the bench was put there by someone who likes to watch the planes come in.

Bowser was not impressed with either view, but I sure was.

Bowser was impressed by the treat on offer, however! Sitting very pretty, he was.

We hope you find some new things to discover, to bring new adventures and opportunities your way this year.

Rock on, and elbows up!

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Foggy Fung-y NYE

On January 4, 2026January 2, 2026 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer23 Comments

On the last day of 2025, Bowser and I enjoyed a foggy walk on the trails.

Eeek! I had no idea how close he was to the edge of the bank when I snapped the picture.

There are eagles hanging out by the water right now. We think it means there are fish migrating in this creek.

Found this jelly-like fungus growing on this stump.

iNaturalist is not very helpful in this instance. I can’t figure out which one this could be. My vote is for Witch’s Butter just because of the cool name.

I think this could be a white coral fungus.

All good explorations eventually come to an end. Time to head back home.

Later that night Bowser invited me to be his NYE date and hang out at his house until his mommy and daddy came home.

Well, at least I outlasted the dog although I didn’t make it to midnight.

Welcome 2026! We hope you had a lovely NYE and all the best for the coming year.

Rock on, and elbows up!

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – After the Flooding

On December 28, 2025December 27, 2025 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer15 Comments

In the lead-up to the holidays we had an awful lot of rain. This caused our little creek to escape its banks and cancelled out some of our walking routes.

This is what the same path looks like today ⬇️ . The creek has receded but it keeps raining so there are still puddles to avoid and slippery mud to deal with.

We’ve even been treated to some sun!

The sun is very low in the sky these days, which makes picture taking an “adventure” at times. With the sun blinding me, I point the camera at Bowser and hope for the best!

We hope you find some sun this weekend.

Rock on, and elbows up!

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Winter Dreams

On December 21, 2025December 20, 2025 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer25 Comments

This is what this time of year is looking and feeling like at Chez Badass.

The only snow we’ll be getting this year is whatever I can put on the TV screen. And that’s OK with me!

Bowser knows the best spot in the house is curled up in front of the fire.

We’ll be dreaming winter dreams and eagerly awaiting the return of the sun and the longer days ahead.

Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, (and happy Summer Solstice to those south of the equator)! Stay safe and warm out there, wherever you are.

Rock on and Elbows Up!

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Dress For The Job You Want

On December 14, 2025December 13, 2025 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer23 Comments

My good friend Donna found the perfect holiday outfit for Bowser while she was out and about this week:

*I think I could be one of Santa’s little helpers.*

*You can trust this face. Um…except around food and squeaky toys. I still think I could be a helper to Santa, though. He can’t eat all those cookies by himself, you know!*

*If you can’t be good, you can always look good – right?* *Ho, ho ho!*

We hope you are good this weekend. Remember, Santa always knows!

Rock on, and keep those elbows always up!

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Rainy Day Dog

On December 7, 2025December 6, 2025 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer13 Comments

We’ve been having lots of rain lately. So long as it’s not absolutely teeming out, Bowser and I will still hit the trails.

So long as he gets a post-walk rub down with a soft towel and can dive into the blankets on Mommy and Daddy’s couch, afterwards!

We hope you can stay warm and dry this weekend and if not, that you have a comfortable place to snuggle afterwards!

Rock on, and elbows up…

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Mushrooms, Again

On November 30, 2025November 29, 2025 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer20 Comments

We saw a new-to-us type of mushroom on a recent walk.

I’m not certain but the closest identification I can find is that these are called *Hare’s Foot Ink Caps*.

An updated *Palace of the Mushroom Fairy*, in all its 2025 glory. These mushrooms are called *Western Jumbo Gyms*.

Closeup of one of the “balconies” in the Palace.

My favourite mushroom – the *Salt and Pepper Schnauz Butt*.

This particular type of mushroom can be found all over the forest and pops up wherever treats are on offer.

I hope my American friends and readers are having the most wonderful Thanksgiving long weekend. And that the rest of us are enjoying our run-of-the-mill weekends too, whilst keeping our elbows up.

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Doggy Butt and Bouncy Ears

On November 23, 2025November 22, 2025 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer, Hmmm?40 Comments

I was ~~doom~~ scrolling through Threads the other day…

And I happened upon a person complaining (rightfully so, IMHO) that someone had commented on one of this person’s posts that they absolutely hated seeing this person’s dog’s rear end in all her photos and why can’t she just share pictures of the beautiful scenery instead sans doggy butt. Naturally I ran – nay – bolted to the Comments section to see what was being said. As one does.

There were more than a few photos of various doggy butts being shared (all cute, in case you were wondering) and someone also commented on walking their dog and the joy of seeing not only their dog’s butt but the flopping, bouncy ears too!

Cue post inspiration…

Doggy butt and bouncy ears for days…pardon the shakey footage. I don’t own a gimbal…yet! 😉

More butt and bouncy ears. The jingling you hear is the bear bell attached to my hiking pole.

Not another butt shot, but still cute. I just can’t wrap up this post without including this face.

So, dear readers…are you Team Doggy Butts Are Cute or are you Team Doggy Butts Are Not To Be Seen/Shared? Let me know!

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Rock on, and Elbows Up!

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – But What About Second Breakfast?

On November 16, 2025November 15, 2025 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer24 Comments

As soon as I sat down with my morning oatmeal bowl, guess who showed up…AGAIN?

It’s uncanny how he knows just when to arrive at my patio door.

I can’t believe how neatly he is slurping up the oatmeal. I mean, look at the edge on it!

*I guess I’m done…Are you sure there isn’t more hiding somewhere?*

*Thanks for 2nd breakfast, Oma!* Followed by a big burp 😂.

We hope you have time for a lovely breakfast, brunch, 2nd breakfast, whatever…all the things, this weekend!

Rock on, and elbows up!

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – A Sunny Day Between Rain Storms

On November 9, 2025November 8, 2025 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer12 Comments

The rainy season is well and truly here, on the island. Bowser and I go out even in the rain, unless it’s very heavy. Here are some photos and short videos of a drier walk, for your viewing pleasure.