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My (New) Favorite Hike (And Session Location) in Grapevine, Texas

Friday, June 25, 2021 | By: Tracy Allard

I'd like to introduce you to two famous (to me anyway) Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers who live right there in north Texas in Grapevine. I've been following them on Instagram (jay.and.willow) for a few months now - well Jay for longer as he was formerly known on Instagram as jay.the.toller but when little sister Willow came along, a change had to be made. Their IG feed says "Two Tollers living the good life in Grapevine, TX!" and I believe it. I would look at the posts of Jay kicking it on trails around Grapevine Lake and think "I wonder where that is?". 

(click on any image to view full screen)

Two Tollers Living The Good Life In Grapevine, Texas

My New Favorite Dog-Friendly Hike And Photo Shoot Location On Grapevine Lake

When this week's topic of "Favorite Hike or Neighborhood Walk" was announced in the Pet Photographers blog circle I knew I wanted to reach out to Jay and Willow to see if they'd be willing to meet up and show me one of their hike locations. Well technically I reached out to their human, Katie, and she was game. I have to admit, meeting a dog that I've only seen on a screen, I was a bit star struck. Jay's smile is as great in person as it is in his pictures and Willow was the perfect tag-a-long little sister.

Katie and I met at 6:30am, right at sunrise, to beat the Dallas heat. It was a little dark, overcast and humid when we set out, but eventually the sun did pop out for a few minutes. The weather didn't stop us from having a great time. Katie and I walked all the way down to Rockledge park, I think at least a couple of miles, and I took photos of the dogs along the way. Some fun action dog photography as well as posed (we love dogs on rocks!). Not only was this trail amazing for dogs, it was also a winner for future photo shoots for both my pet portrait clients as well as families, engagement and high school seniors. 

Willow Runs Back to Check In With Mom

Recall Practice While On The Hike

Dogs On Rocks!

Ready, Set, Go!

The North Shore Trail on Grapevine Lake

The trail is pet-friendly and technically requires dogs to be on leash (that's my interpretation and I'm sticking with it), but with the entire trail to ourselves and two well-trained dogs, we let them rip! Recalls were practiced often and always rewarded with a bit of food that Katie brought along to keep up their positive reinforcement training. A well-planned hike is a successful hike! 

I had been on other parts of the trail before but fast moving mountain bikers always kept me from bringing my dogs. This stretch of trail is pretty rough and rocky so bikers don't frequent it, making it a great, safe place to run the pups! 

On A Monday Morning We Had The Entire Trail All To Ourselves

Apart from a couple of boats on the lake, we didn't see anyone all morning long. We had the entire trail to ourselves so the dogs clocked a lot of miles running back and forth. I bet they crashed hard when they got home. I plan to meet up with Katie again and bring my border collie puppy Rooney for a spin, I know he'd get along great with the Jay and Willow. 

WooHoo We're (Safely) Off Leash!

The Two Tollers Strike A Pose

Can We Go In The Water Now Mom?

The Trail Also Has A Grassy Field

The Sun Finally Popped Out

After an hour, we had just turned around and started the hike back when the sun popped out. "Hurry, hurry, hurry! Get Jay on that big rock overlooking Grapevine Lake" I yelled. Beefcake portrait done (and I've made a mental note of where that rock is!). 

Jay's Red Coat Gleamed In The Early Morning Sun

The North Shore Trail Runs Along The North Eastern Edge of Grapevine Lake

After having been thwarted a number of earlier attempts to take a swim, Jay and Willow's mom finally relented on the walk back to the cars and allowed them some fun in the tame waters of Grapevine Lake. The beach area slopes down gently so it's a great place for a dog to gain confidence in the water. Jay's a champ, running and diving into the water after a stick. Willow is more of an ankle wader at the moment; she went out further once and didn't like it when her feet couldn't touch the ground and quickly turned back to shore.  She prefers to let Jay do all the work and then try to steal the stick from him when he returns to the shallow water; little sisters! 

The Struggle Is Real; Jay Defends His Stick!

Willow Awaits Jay's Arrival With the Stick

If There Were A Thought Bubble Above Jay's Head, I Think It Would Say - Ugh, Little Sisters!

Willow Waits In The Ankle Deep Water To Steal The Prize Stick

Sunrise And Sunset Are Perfect For Dog Silhouette Portraits

By the time the sun finally broke through the clouds, it was getting a bit high in the sky for dog silhouette portraits, that is until I spotted these picnic tables. Jay and Willow were only too happy to oblige and hop up for us. From there, their dog mom just needed to lure them into the perfect position to not only get a silhouette, but one with a starburst as well!

I had a great time with Katie; we talked about training, puppies, photography (she shoots too!) and I've fallen in love with Tollers. I look forward to our next outing with the dogs so I can scout out even more great shoot locations on the trail. 

Duck Tolling Retrievers Jay and Willow Strike A Pose At Grapevine Lake

Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America (PPA); a designation held by fewer than 2,000 photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry and professionalism. Tracy is well on her way to earning her Master of Photography Degree having had all 4 of her submitted images "seal with a merit" at PPA's Southwestern District Print Competition. The images will now go on to be judged at the international level in September where they're already guaranteed to merit from the District results and will be further judged for consideration in the excellence "loan" designation. 

Penny Whistle specializes in both on-location and studio photography providing pet, equine, family, couples & engagement and high school senior portraits as well as corporate headshots and commercial photography services in her studio located in historic downtown Carrollton as well as on location in Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound and surrounding communities in Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas.

Let's photograph your water-loving dog!
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