The Bank Teller

It's one of those mundane tasks I usually never give any thought to, going to the drive-through bank teller.  Except, if the girls are with me, Kelli, "my" teller, goes nuts.  She meows at the dogs, barks at them, talks with them.  And Sage is one of her favorites.  She is always commenting on Sage's soulful looks.

Sage.  She knows how to make sure the vacuum tube has not just my receipt, but treats.

Murphy's Day.

It's A Dog's Life

I think I am still in compensation mode for Sage.  Her surgery, two years ago, is fresh in my mind.  So, I continue to try and make her as comfortable as possible.  If Annie tries to play too hard or I think Sage has over done the romping, I make sure she is comfortable, warm...and of course, a treat is involved.

Nothing better than pampering.  It really is a dog's life.

Murphy's Day.

Newness

My friend's son just got a yellow lab puppy, Duke.  She sent pictures of her granddog.  And I thought about Sage and Annie.  How Sage tormented Murphy, how Annie still torments Sage.  Yet I also remember after Murphy died, how Sage wandered all over looking for her friend.  And how I know Annie is so tied into Sage.

Sometimes I don't think I have the energy for a puppy.  Then I saw the pictures of Duke...

Murphy's Day.

Mud Pie

There really isn't a whole lot I can say about this picture.  Annie chased a ball into a huge mud puddle, dove in face and front paws first....

Except to say this is a lot like Murphy.  Murphy used to do the same thing.  I would call her my New Guinea Princess Warrior.  And look at the tail, wagging of course, totally proud of herself.

My Mud Pie.

Murphy's Day.

Understanding Her Place

Annie is understanding her place.  She is still deferential to Sage, but she also knows she can sometimes dominate the household.  I think it's her energy.  Nothing, absolutely nothing, gets this dog down.

So, in a world shaped and defined by sadness and sorrow, why not let this character "take over?"

Murphy's Day.

Sometimes HIding Is The Best Option

My brackets are in flames, the world is exploding, the weather isn't changing...

Sometimes it's best to just hide.

Murphy's Day.

Float Trip

It's a major hatch on the Yakima River.  Annie has never been in a drift boat and I am thinking it is time for her to learn how to do a float trip.

Sage's first float trip was on the Yakima for my birthday.  It's when she discovered her love of bugs.  There is nothing cuter than a yellow lab sniffing, trying to figure out what this thing is...

Yep, time for a float trip.

Murphy's Day.

Thinking About Murphy

As we enter into Spring, I have begun thinking about Murphy more often than usual.  Like Sage and Annie, Murphy loved just laying out in the sun.  Dare I say, cat-like?  I think the warmth of the sun would just penetrate her body, warming all the bones.

Another Spring tradition, March Madness was something that Murphy knew how to endure: my yelling, my head in my hands, my whimpering as my brackets ended up in smoke.  Sage ignores the whole thing, and Annie is just beginning to learn how to stay away from me when I watch the games.

I miss my Murph.

Murphy's Day.

Can't Be In Palm Springs?

Finally, last Friday it was warm enough (barely) to let the girls hang out in the back yard.  First, a note about the back yard.  We have had one of everything this winter, but mostly rain.  The back yard, mostly due to Annie Oakley, looks like a mud bath.  I foresee a whole lot of garden work this spring.

But, all three of us thoroughly enjoyed the sun.  I felt buoyed by the solar energy.  And the girls knew it was gorgeous out, the kept going to the back door, giving me "those eyes."  Although we can't be in Palm Springs, the small taste of warm weather to hopefully come...

Murphy's Day.

Sweet Pea

I realized the other day that I have all sorts of names for the girls.  Sweet Baby Sage or Sweet Pea are my favorites.

On Tuesday I had to work in the evening, a meeting, and when I came home who was at the door, tail wagging, her little "jump ups?"  Sweet Pea.

She is an amazing dog, continuing to be stoic and tough until the thunder hit on Tuesday.  Then she was a shaking mass of yellow lab under my desk.  She knew where to come and who would try to comfort her.

My Sweet Pea.

Murphy's Day.

St. Patrick's Day

I used to have two dogs, Riley and Murphy.  Now, it's Sage and Annie.  And even though they don't have Irish names or heritage, they are, as my mother used to say: "full of the ol' Nick."

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Murphy's Day.

Changing the Clock

It always takes me a few days to adjust to the "spring forward" time change.  Losing an hour  is a big deal to me.

And this year I am surprised that it is a big deal to the girls.  Both seem shocked when I get up.  

Dogs really are routinized, rhythm driven beings.  They like to know how and when things are going to work.  So a shift, even in timing, gets them a little worried.

Nonetheless, it hasn't dampened their spirits!

Murphy's Day.

Will It Ever Stop Raining?

Ah, to have weather where we need a fan.

I remember the last time my mother was in the hospital.  I opened the curtains and said: "wow, you've got quite a view."  We both looked out and it was dark, gray, raining, as it had been for weeks.

My mother said: "I hate the gray."

Amen.

Murphy's Day.

Worried About Japan

Living here on the Pacific Coast, we have a closeness with Japan.  Trade, culture, sensibility, the same or similar fears of living on the "ring of fire."  While I was growing up, my parents were fascinated with all things Japan.  They were into the art of Bonsai, Japanese art, and of course, food.  I distinctly remember many trips to what was then a small little Japanese general store that has now become a huge business, called Uwajimaya, in search of Bonsai pots.

And my Grandfather, a grocer himself, was legendary in establishing his relatives in Japanese strawberry fields during World War Two, to make sure people didn't try to take the property of his Japanese friends while they were interned.  Those families have been friends of the McDonalds forever.

And so, we now turn to Japan.  Our friends.  Waves of earth movements and salt water have wrecked havoc on these small islands.  Sure, they were prepared, prepare more than we, here in Seattle, probably are, but there is still enormous suffering and sorrow.

Our hearts are with you.

Murphy's Day.

Orvis Pose

For the past several years Orvis has been asking for submissions of dog pictures.  They then use them for their dog product catalog.

I keep thinking my girls are prime candidates for a picture submittal.  Of course, I can rarely catch them in some adorable picture.  Annie, Miss Attention Deficit Disorder almost always takes off before I can click the camera.

But here she is, mugging for the camera.

Murphy's Day.

Does It Get Any Better?

Here are the ingredients:

Lot of Sun
Melting Snow
A lot of Mud
A Sopping Wet Tennis ball
Sage
Mommie With the Chuck-it

Doesn't get any better.

Murphy's Day.

No Fighting No Biting

When I was a kid my mother gave me a book: No Fighting, No Biting.  I think the subversive idea was to make me a better sister to my brother.  No fighting, no biting.

I need to see if it's still in print for Annie.

Or, maybe I should just get Go Dog, Go!


Murphy's Day.

Happiness Factor

So, there apparently is some group in Seattle that is trying to figure out whether people here are happy.  Me?  Well, I frankly feel Seattle is a little too (ok, I'll be honest, way too) uptight about dogs, among many things.

But I do know that the girls feel total happiness when they are off leash romping around in the country.  And when they are happy...

I don't know.  Cities are beginning to give me the heebeegeebees.  Too many people, too many agendas, too much conflict.  Not that the country is much better, but at least I can pretend everything is ok 'cuz I rarely see anyone!

My happiness factor is totally relational to the girls.  As it should be.

Murphy's Day.

Out and About

We decided to get out and about this weekend.

Annie had a blast chasing a tennis ball in the snow, or what little snow we could find.  And as always, when she couldn't find it, Sage came to the rescue.

We came home to daffodils beginning to show.  Doesn't get much better.

Murphy's Day.

Rock and Roll

Annie wants to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  She has her thank you speech already to go.  Or maybe she should think about joining a dance troupe....Alvin Ailey?

We can never say Annie doesn't rock and roll!

Murphy's Day!

Happy Birthday Big Brother (you need to scroll way down from the pic)!

What?  Was this picture taken 25 years ago?

Ask your fantastic wife to give you a big hug from me...

Much love,

Yer sis.

Isn't It Tomorrow?

Ok, so if you're about to turn...what is it?  Don't you spend time looking forward?  You have a great life.  Two amazing daughters, two great sons-in-law, three fantastic grandchildren... and a sis who loves you!

You have so much to look forward to, such a great life!

Murphy's Day.

Countdown to 60

No, not me, not either of the girls.  Someone in my family.  Hopefully this week he is finding his inner joy.  Getting lots o' love from his family.

Two more days....

Murphy's Day.