Football

Those who know me ignore my football addiction.  They cover their ears as I yell at the TV or radio when my Huskies fumble, drop passes, or fail to score in the "red zone."  This weekend, the UW has a big game and I just know I will be unable to contain myself as the most hyped team in the Pac - 10 gets torn apart by USC.

Fortunately, the Lucky Labs, our own home schooled team, is having a great season.  A little rough around the edges, but we're hanging in there.

Murphy's Day.

Searching for Fish

One of my passions is fly fishing.  I am not particularly fussy about it, I mostly like to fish small streams for small, beautiful fish.  But I thoroughly enjoy being outside, having the dogs with me, absorbing the scenery.

I worried that Annie was a little too active to be a good companion.  Sage usually goes for a quick swim then finds a spot to lay down and take a nap (which now that I write that, sounds like a good idea).  Indeed, Annie is more active.  She wanders around, looking for sticks or things I probably don't want to know she has.  But she has a blast and stays within sight.  And she has learned to kiss the fish....what can I say?  Now, if only I can teach her to find the fish!

Murphy's Day.

Recovery

The grass in this field had been scorched, completely gone, from the fire at the end of July.  But it's been unusually wet over in North Central Washington (the ranch down the road, usually struggling to get it's third cut of hay in during this time of year, now has several barns filled to the rafters with hay and the cattle have been moved into the fields), so grass is already growing.  The girls thoroughly enjoyed the romp...ok, maybe Sage didn't particularly enjoy Annie bugging her, but hey, she is the little sister after all!

Nature's ability to recover is amazing.

Murphy's Day.

Sage and Annie Ride the Range

We took a nice hike on Sunday, way above Nahahum Canyon, to look at the fire damage.  Really amazing to see how the fire moved.  Sage and Annie loved the hike.  They finally stopped and scoped out the views.  I should have named Annie "Velcro" because she really does stick to her sister...

Murphy's Day.

Do I Have to Share?

Sage spends much of her day on a bed.  It's her bed.  And since Annie came, she has been dying to join Sage.

This is the uneasy result of Annie trying to take over Sage's spot.  Soon after this picture was taken Sage reminded Annie who owned the real estate and Annie was evicted.

Sometimes sharing is a concept that doesn't work around here.

Murphy's Day.

Patterns

It is said, as part of chaos theory, that from chaos, patterns emerge.  Living with two Yellow labs can be chaotic.  But truly, patterns do emerge.  And like many dogs, routine and rhythms are appreciated.

As if they both wear watches, they certainly know meal times (they eat twice a day), that they get chew treats after eating, and when they go for walks or romps.  I can be intensely staring at my computer around the end of the work day and hear the thump of Sage getting off a bed upstairs to come down and nudge me about going outside.  It's amazing.  I don't have to wear a watch!

Patterns from chaos.

Murphy's Day.

Open Your Mouth Annie, Let's See Murphy In There

Everyday I see signs how Annie is like Murphy.  Every time I take meat from the fridge, Annie is there.  She now demands a ball throw time just after I finish lunch.  She brings tennis balls (covered with mud) inside.  And she absolutely needs to be the Center of Attention.

I swear Murphy's angel is inside Annie.

Murphy's Day.

Autumn

It's the equinox.  Season change.  Windy, wet, we have seen it all the past few days.  Not quite time to hunker in, but close!

Murphy's Day.

Sunday Morning at Home

We stayed home this weekend.  Long story, but had a lot to do with needing new tires, a lot of rain, no sleep on Friday night because Sage didn't feel well...

So, here the are the girls on Sunday morning, waiting for a decision about where to run.

It's simply amazing to me how accepting Sage is to Annie.  And how close Annie is to Sage.

Sunday morning.  Family time.

Murphy's Day.

Going to the Beach

One of the insane "rules" in Seattle is that dogs are not allowed on any beach.  Any beach.  That included the sewer and storm water drains, the small pocket parks, along miles of Lake Washington and Puget Sound.  Nope.  No beaches (unless you happen to own it).

Alas, we're wily here, and manage to figure out how to get the girls out.

It's Annie's preferred methods of exercise.  A good swim then a romp.

Outlaws in Seattle.

Murphy's Day.

On Guard

I work from home.  And my "water cooler" buddies are Sage and Annie.  It's fascinating to sit in my study and cock my ear to listen to the rhythms of the dogs throughout the day (just as they cock their ears and listen for mine).  The various sounds which they know don't even get a stir.  Except the mailman, he always gets a bark.  Deliveries are also received.  But usually the girls don't stir until lunch (they know they will get some time out in the yard with me after I eat) and late in the afternoon when I finally push back my desk chair and get ready to take them for their long walk.

But it's nice to work with them around me.  They are attentive, on guard bosses!

Murphy's Day.

Asserting Herself

Sage waxes and wanes on asserting herself with Annie.  Recently, she has been waxing.  She took command of a choice "find" chewie from Annie.  On Monday, she let Annie know she was not welcome near some shrubs where Sage had apparently hidden the remains of another chew.  And when playing football in the morning, Sage has taken to tackling Annie.  I think it's  good.  Annie is so energetic and as Sage ages, it's important that Annie know there are some boundaries with her sister.

It's just fascinating to watch as they continue to develop their relationships.

Murphy's Day.

In Her Element

Annie Oakley, dog of the West.  She is in her element among the Aspen, sage, and tall grasses.  It's hard to even get her focused on eating food when she is having so much fun.  And that is amazing for a lab, to avoid food to play.  She has a lot of Murphy in her.  Murph could have played fetch with her tennis ball until she could no longer walk.  It's a little hard having such an energetic dog, but on the other hand, I am not sure I would have it any other way.

Murphy's Day.

Shelterwood Consulting's Corporate Box

This weekend was the opening weekend for both professional football and some of the Ivy League's football teams (many colleges opened last weekend  -- Go Yale, beat Harvard).

Last week, I was privileged to attend an event at Qwest Field and got to sit in the "owner's box."  It was very impressive.  Lots of perks.

So, here I am listening to the Seahawks opening game while sitting in the Shelterwood Consulting luxury box.

Doesn't get any better than this!

Murphy's Day.

What We'd Rather Be Doing

If given choices in life, I think we'd rather be on a trail.  Sage and Annie love the action, being able to romp and play.  I love the meditative, reflective part of just putting one foot ahead of the other.  And then, of course, there is the destination (I know, it's about the journey).

The last time I'd been to Cutthroat Lake, I took Murphy.  I have some great pictures of her, laying in the heather waiting for me to stop fishing.  She seemed happy, content, enjoying just being in this spectacular place with me.  I miss her terribly, still.  But it is also nice to have some new memories.  I could feel Murphy there.

Murphy's Day.

100% Energy

As we continue the national conversation about energy independence and green sources of energy, may I suggest my own producer of BTUs, Annie.  She is a self-contained power plant.  In two years I have yet to see her without energy.

Few cups of dog food, a treat or two, and she is good to go.  No oil spills (ok, some poop...).

Murphy's Day.

Sage's Playfulness

Sage is 6 years old.  Yet often she acts as if she is a puppy.  Inherent, I think, in lab's genes, is this playfulness.  Probably one of the reasons labs are the most popular dogs.

Over the weekend I took the girls to the beach.  And Sage romped in her own independent way until we began heading back to the car.  Then she initiated a game of "chase" with Annie, scampering through the sand dunes, peeking out through the grass until Annie found her, then tucking in her rear end and running again.  It was hilarious and sweet.

At times I wonder whether having Annie is a good thing for Sage.  But then I watch these moments and realize Sage wouldn't have been so playful without Annie.  It works for her. I suspect like us, labs are pack oriented.  We all do better when we know there is someone looking for us while we hide in the grass.

Murphy's Day

Hikes and Lakes

There really is nothing better if you're a lab than a hike with a lake at the end.  Sage and Annie hiked up to Cutthroat Lake on Friday.  The cannon ball noise at the end of the trail was Annie, leaping into the lake.  Then there was bog-mud.  It really didn't get any better for her.

Murphy's Day.

Off to Refresh

Labor Day weekend.  We're off to hike to Cutthroat Lake, spend some time in eastern Washington, try to refresh and re-charge.  The weight of the past year is really weighing on me, despite Annie's attempts to make me laugh and Sage's soulful eyes.

We'll be back after Labor Day.

Murphy's Day.

September Wish List

One thing I haven't done as much as I like is to fish.

Both Sage and I are thinking, hoping, that this September we can fish a bit more.

You can always hope, we both believe, as we gaze at the still unpainted wall on the house.

Murphy's Day.