Scott Brown, his wife, and their hiking group met a furry friend during their hike to Teneriffe Falls in Washington State last week.
Just before they started their snowy journey, Brown spotted a black dog near the trail entrance and assumed he was a pet in the nearby neighborhood. When the pooch stayed with the group for a few hundred yards, Brown guessed he wants to join them on their adventure. He even took the lead all way to the falls.
“He would sit and wait for us as we took photos and then continue on when we did,” Brown told ABC News.
As they arrived at the picturesque location, Brown’s friend noticed the dog’s blue-collar tag and read aloud the message printed on it.
The front tag read, “Hi, I’m Smokey. I live nearby so please don’t take me. I like to follow hikers sometimes.” The back said: “Don’t worry, I’ll go home when I get tired. My people love me a lot. Thanks for being nice!”
Brown is doubtful at first at what his friend said, so he took a peek “and, sure enough, coolest thing ever.”
According to Brown, Smokey is well behaved and even let some warning barks as he climbed down an icy embankment.
“He seemed very protective for someone he just met,” Brown added.
The furball escorted the group back down and stayed in the parking lot until they finish changing their hiking gear. “He gave out a quick bark at us,” Brown said, “then continued on back home I assume.”
