Going to Hang Out

We're just going to hang out for the next few days, lay low in the heat. We'll be back on Monday!

Murphy's day.

Ode to My Fan

My Mommie bought me a fan

It's part of her surviving the heat plan

So while Annie is left to pant

I'm as cool as a cucumber plant.

I sleep downstairs at night

And now this fan makes it right

All I need now is my own swimming pool

Then I know I will definitely rule.

--poem by Sage.

Murphy's day (pant pant).

Hot Dogs, Hold the Mustard!

This is what a hot dog (without a bun) looks like.

Phew. And it's supposed to get even warmer!

Murphy's day.

Camera? Oops

Sometimes, in fact, quite often, I forget to take my camera. This weekend...well, a trip to the mountains to find cooler weather and a day trip to a friend's place on the Sound...no camera.

So let's do this the old fashioned way. Just imagine two gorgeous labs running into Puget Sound off of an island, chasing sticks, romping at the beach. Then imagine those same two labs the next day cavorting in a mountain meadow, wildflowers blooming, the mountain air...got a picture? Yep, that's Sage and Annie.

Murphy's day.

Friday

Finally, it's Friday. It's been a very long long week. We're not sure what we're going to do on the weekend, but sleeping is the priority. And it's supposed to be hot, so who knows what we'll actually "do." Of course, with active labs, "doing" is what we do!

Have a great weekend.

Murphy's day.

Running Into Old Friends

Yesterday on our late evening walk, we ran into old friends. Or I should say, Annie found them in the woods. We all chatted then walked our separate routes. Packs come and gone.

Murphy's day.

I Don't Need No Stinkin' Leash

Oops. I don't know how I did this, but yesterday I accidently left part of Sage's leash dangling from the car. The result? A broken leash. Unusable. Ouch.

But, I've been hankering to get her a new leash and Annie a collar from my favorite company. Tailwags! So perfect for these two girls. A quick Internet visit and voila, Sage will have a new leash in a few days.

In the meantime, I found an old red leash of Murphy's that I bought at a wonderful little store in SoHo. I told Sage the story about getting it, the guy who ran the store who was great. Lugging home on the subway then train bags of dog food for Murph and Riley. Ah, New York. And this leash, bought probably 14 years ago is in great shape. Sometimes it pays to save everything! Most importantly, Sage is ready for walks.

Murphy's day.

It's A New Day

I shared with an acquaintance that Annie came into our lives a few months ago. And how much energy she has, how I was, er, well, really not prepared for all that bouncing, running, exuberance. Then I paused and reminded myself that for Annie, it is still all new, that each day is a new game plan, a new routine, a new world. Her energy is a reflection of the joy, the excitement she feels for each sunrise, each awakening that the day is here, ready for her.

Really, for those of us who have managed to get out of bed almost every day for way too many years, we can learn from Annie. It's a new day. Something spectacular, large or small, will happen today. And that is amazing.

I realized, too, that Murphy was like that, really, until the end. And Sage, while no longer as bouncy, still gets pretty thrilled after she has finally woken up. Yep, we can learn from them.

Murphy's day, a new day.

Changing Routines

It was a stay home weekend. You know, weeding, painting some old yard chairs, tennis, good home cooked meals. Stay at home.

Sage loved it. The weather was warm, but not too hot. She lolly-gagged out in back, keeping an eye on every move. She even celebrated her knee by going for a nice run in the woods.

Annie was doing well until the middle of the wee-hours of Sunday morning when she realized her body was oozing with energy.

Needless to say the luxury of sleeping in just didn't happen. How do you parents of young children do it?

Murphy's day.

In The Heat of the Day

It's hot. Very hot. Time to get the girls into lots 'o water. Lab's natural habitat.

Murphy's day.

The Puppy Explosion

Yesterday I found some pictures of my Wheaten terrier, Riley. Which means I also found pictures of Murphy. And I went down memory lane. Murphy was one active pup. And Annie is so much like her it is scary. Every day I try to figure out how to wear her out...and every night, when she is peeling around the house I realize I am unsuccessful. Did I ever wear out Murphy?

Yikes!

Murphy's day.

Sage

Since Annie's arrival, this lab who leaps into every day like she is being shot out of a canon, I have not written about Sage very much. Yesterday I watched her and realized how well she is doing. Unlike Murphy, who let Sage run all over her, Sage keeps Annie in check. And she also seems to enjoy the play time with the pup. I get a sense, as much as you can with a dog, that she is doing good.

Her left knee seems better, her weight is down a tish, she plays yet rules the roost with Annie. I've doubted my decision about bringing Annie here, but I sense Sage feels ok about it. I suppose that is all that matters.

Murphy's day.

Phew

It's benign. The vet told me not to do anything and Annie's lump will go away in a month or so.

Phew.

Murphy's day.

Waiting

We're still waiting for lab (pun, I guess intended) for Annie. Hopefully we know something today.

Meanwhile, she is still wild!

Murphy's day.

Play Date

Ok, well maybe not a play date. Sage and Pele have been friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, wrestling buddies since Sage was a pup. Pele is a gorgeous Black lab a half year older than Sage.

But Pele's mom has been without a car for awhile, so meeting up for long walks has been, er, well, rather difficult. Whenever Liz gets access to wheels, though, we meet up. And it's on!

Annie adds a whole new dimension. She and Pele are now best buddies with Sage being, I think, just a little jealous. But they are a pack, working through their "issues," and trying to figure out just how many biscuits I have in my pocket! It's a lab's life.

Murphy's day.

Visit to the Vet

Well, it was Sage's first trip back since her stitches were removed almost a year ago. And as I predicted, she was cranky about it. We ended up giving her her shot in the parking lot!

Then Annie. She trembled, wouldn't get on the scale (she is 67 lbs), and tried to leave. We held her down, though, to get the needle in for a biopsy (we'll know more today), but the vet thinks it's an ulcerated benign tumor which will disappear at some point. We hope. But she, like her sister, does not like the vet.

Their treat? Meeting Pele at the park. Liz called, had wheels, and we were on! Two Yellow labs, one Black lab...running amok in the park. It was great. Sage was happy, Annie had a blast, made the trip to the vet all worth while (or so I thought!).

Murphy's day.

Trip to the Vet

Today we all go to the vet. Annie has a bump on her chest that worries me. And Sage has her annual check-up. Oh, that sounds so wonderful. Just an annual check-up.

It's been a year. I am sure the vet, Dr. Mark, will remind me to get Sage's weight down. And I worry about Annie. But it is Sage who will have problems at the vet. She has always hated being in the building, much less try to be nice to the vet.

To the vet. One year later. Only a few months since Murphy's death. Annie has not been back since her shots. It all seems like some sort of milestone.

Murphy's day.

One Year

After feeling slightly nervous about the first time in the rubber raft, Sage seemed ready to go again the next day. Of course, it's deflated!

It's been a year since her knee surgery. She seems much better, but I notice I continue to remain conservative with her, cautious about her running, her gallivanting around. But I am tickled, no pleased, with her progress and sing praises of her vet. You're the man Dr. Mark!

Despite her uneasiness with the raft, Sage really is a brave dog. Defending her car, her home, her sister, me. And she went through the surgery without out a whimper. It was harder on mom than her, I think. My brave yellow lab.

Murphy's day.

We're Doin' What on the 4th of July?

Well, I knew it would be hot hot hot hot in eastern Washington. The dilemma is how to keep the girls cool. Ah, there are rivers!

So, inflatable rafts came out of the dusty garden room, pumps were found, and then dog life jackets. Annie's first time in one!

And indeed, on the 4th of July this armada floated down Icicle Creek from the fish hatchery to close to the mouth or confluence with the Wenatchee. Annie was fantastic, Sage, who has been in drift boats many times, was a little unnerved with the inflatable raft or swimming for so many river miles...but she did it and was quite proud of herself afterward, or at least was a heck of a lot cooler.

While we didn't completely avoid firecrackers we escaped most of them. We were still quite patriotic, gazing out over some amazingly beautiful landscapes. America. It's truly beautiful.

Murphy's day.

Happy 4th of July

I was going to take a picture of the girls wrapped in American flags but I forgot...

So here they are in one of their usual habitats, the Wenatchee River. Staying cool during the 4th.

We heard firecrackers and fireworks last night. So far Sage seems ok, although she was anxious this morning. Poor girl. Annie, of course, oblivious.

Have a great holiday!

Murphy's day.

Lots of Orange

There is lots of orange on the weather forecast for eastern Washington. Good thing there is water.

Murphy's day

Back When Life Was Simple

Ah, we're sorry the posts have not been getting published in the morning. It's not us, it's the blogging site I use. Life used to be simple, now technical glitches emanating from some Silicon office complex can totally ruin a Murphy's Day post! Think of it!

Ruminating on simpler times and the 4th of July. Aside from the loud noises, I actually love the 4th of July. I like the romantic idea of picnics, horse shoe games, bands playing Souza, and that dewey-eyed patriotism. I remember Murphy's first 4h of July. A co-worker who had married and divorced well, invited me to her "country" place in Litchfield, Connecticut. For those who do not live in the greater New York area, Litchfield is "second home" country to the really wealthy. The ones who don't want their names splashed all over society pages, but rather go to their homes for lovely weekends of tennis, walks in the fields, birding, well cooked meals, you get the idea.

So off we went to this home, spread over 40 acres, a lovely little stream running through it (a trib, I think, of the Housatonic which Murphy and I frequently fished), wide open fields. Riley, my Wheaten Terrier found a cool spot on the gorgeous kitchen tile floor, keeping an eye on the meal, the kids, and the food. Murphy, on the other hand, went nuts. Sitting in the kitchen all I could see were streaks of yellow as she ran all over the place. When I finally left, I collected her, sopping wet from hanging out in the stream. We drove home, Murphy riding shotgun, with her wet puppy head on my lap as we watched fireworks from Danbury, Connecticut to Rye, New York. It was a memorable day and sometimes I can still feel her wet head resting on my lap.

Murphy's day.