The Four-Wheel-Drive Dog
- Ernesto Martinez-Ordaz
- May 2
- 2 min read
Some legends are born in the gym; others are forged on the jagged volcanic rock of Tetakawi.
Today marked Climb #14 for Kuma. It was #15 for me, but let’s be honest—I only got that extra one in last week because the old man "needed" a rest day while I scouted the trail with some new friends. Turns out, he didn’t need the rest; he was just saving his energy to put me to shame this morning.
5:54 AM: Shoes (and Paws) on the Ground
We hit the trail before the sun could start its shift. Kuma didn’t just climb; he surged. Fueled by nothing but generic-brand kibble and pure heart, he went up and up without a second thought. I’ll admit it: I clocked more rest stops than he did.
There’s a reason for that, though. He’s got built-in four-wheel drive. Me? I’m just a 52-year-old guy operating on two legs and sheer willpower. At eight years old and 50 lbs, Kuma is roughly 55 in human years. Let that sink in. The "old man" is technically older than I am, yet he’s still scaling peaks with the agility of a mountain goat.
The Listener and the "Duffus"
I talk to him like he’s a person because, frankly, he’s a better listener than most people I know. He doesn't even mind when I swap his name for "Duffus."
"Hey, Duffus! Get in the car!"
He takes it in stride. It’s a miracle to see him leap into the car with such ease now. Up until 2024, the car was his greatest enemy. He’d tremble for ten minutes just thinking about a drive. Now? He jumps in like he’s headed to a premiere.
Some pics of today's climb.
Enter the New Recruit: Lucia
Life in San Carlos has its shadows. As many of you know, we lost Maya the cat to a snake bite recently, and the house felt a little too quiet. Kuma felt it, too. He was depressed, moving a little slower in the house. I knew it was time to pull the trigger on a new chapter.
Meet Lucia.
I adopted this four-month-old firecracker from Guaymas. I was told she was half-Pitbull—spoiler alert: she’s not. She’s a classic, beautiful desert stray from a litter of nine, but she’s got the heart of a honey badger and the appetite of a termite (she's gotten so big!). She is pure ruckus, 24/7.
Kuma gave her the official "Big Brother" seal of approval back in March. Now, she’s learning the ropes—experiencing her first beach walks and "accidental" swims at Kuma’s Cave near La Posada.
Look behind Lucia, that's Kuma's Cave.
The Future of the Pack
She isn't ready for the full Tetakawi grind just yet, but we’re starting her slow. Little by little, she’ll find her mountain legs. Until then, she’s happy being the shadow to Kuma’s legend.
Check out these shots of the "Duffus" conquering the peak today, and some of the new kid trying to keep up.
Until next time, see you on the trails.
