My dog is smart.  I know, I know…everyone’s dog is “smart.”   But mine is the smartest.  Maybe even too smart.  This photograph proves it.  In order to get to this spot in Lake Tahoe, and see these conditions, you must break trail on cross country skis for about an hour.  The snow was about 2 feet deep at this point and, as you can see, was still dumping.  Usually on the trail Scout is out front, chasing scent, squirrels, sticks, other dogs, etc. etc.   Never is he behind.  My head was straight down as I slogged through the deep powder (yes Im out of shape but cut me some slack it was the first time I strapped skis on this season) so I stopped before having a heart attack and looked up.  No dog.  I look harder (his coat is white as snow).  No dog.  I scream “Scout!”  No dog.  I feel something brush up against my leg and almost jump out of my skis.  There’s Scout BEHIND me, wagging his tail, waiting for me to break some more trail so he doesn’t post hole himself.  In fact, the son of a bitch (literally), has each of his front paws on top of the back of my skis.  Yep, the smartest dog in the world.