Merry Christmas!

We are going to be off until the New Year.  To find snow, to play with friends, to have some peaceful time to think about how life can and should be filled with joy.

It has been a wonderful 2012.  I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing the "girls" and our adventures with each of you.

Have a wonderful Christmas and here is to a marvelous 2013.

In the meantime....

One the first day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 1 milk bone
One the second day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 2 dirty collars
On the third day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 3 tennis balls
On the fourth day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 4 filthy towels
On the fifth day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 5 daily walks
On the sixth day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 3 pairs of beggin' eyeballs
On the seventh day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 7 tails a waggin'
On the eighth day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 8 barks at Mr. UPS
On the ninth day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 3 X 3 daily treats
On the tenth day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 10 missing socks
On the eleventh day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: 11 muddy paw prints
On the twelfth day of Christmas my labradors gave to me: all of their love.

Merry Christmas.  See you in a week!

Murphy's Day.

We Are All Newtown

I haven't wanted to comment on this horrific tragedy.  But, I am, like so many people, familiar with Newtown.  I passed through there on my way to my research site when I was at Yale.  And, of course, like every one, I am appalled and deeply sadden by the events last Friday.  Losing a child, a loved one, a peer, a friend to unnecessary and horrific violence is unimaginable for each of us, but unfortunately becoming a reality to all.

It can be stopped.  It shall be stopped.

We are all Newtown.

Murphy's Day.

Frozen Precipitation

Who knew snow could bring so much joy?

Willa is convinced snow is her only Christmas present.  And she would be truly happy if that is all she got.

We have a lot to learn from her.

Murphy's Day.

Welcome Happy!

Today our dear friends Les and Ann pick up Happy, a yellow lab puppy.

There is no dog who is as lucky as Happy.  She is going to the very best home...and I could not be more excited for my friends.

Happy!

Welcome to the family!

Murphy's Day.

Long Weekend in the Snow

We left late Friday and stayed until we knew a storm was going to make the mountain passes unbearable on Sunday.

Nothing better in the middle of December than a long weekend in the snow.

Murphy's Day.

Memories of Murphy

One of my fondest memories of Murphy has to do with winter.  She came to me in the winter.  A fierce New York winter.  Her first night in New York she was "sledding" down the hill created by all the snow we had shoveled.

The the other three seasons came.

So, after Christmas, she went to Vermont.  And we stopped to let her out as we worked out way to Manchester...

Murphy went nuts.  Banking off the snow, tailed tucked, running like crazy.  Pure joy.

And the girls, this past weekend, were a lot like their predecessor.  Snow!

Murphy's Day.

So, What Do You Do In The Snow?

You lick the cover of the outdoor fireplace.  You romp.  You roll in the snow.  You do a happy lab dance.

Life in winter is very good for labs.

Murphy's Day.

What is This Stuff?

Snow!  We found snow at Nahahum Canyon this past weekend.  And the girls?  In ecstasy! Happy happy happy dogs.

Snow was made for labrador retrievers.

Murphy's Day.

Spoiled? Nah.

Pictures say a 1,000 words.  In this case, only one: spoiled.

Murphy's Day.

Riding in the Truck

One of the reasons for the truck is the 4 wheel drive (and yes, Bill, there are sandbags in the back) for the snow.

While it is an extended cab, it's still tight quarters for three labs.

They make it work (after a little snarling).  Always eager to go anywhere!

Murphy's Day.

Lab Sandwich

Off for the weekend!

Murphy's Day.

The Ideal Lab Holiday

Don't ya' think this is it?  The ideal lab holiday?

Murphy's Day.

For Les and Ann

My dear friends, Les and Ann lost their beloved Kol.  And after a long time, they are now beginning to think about letting another dog enter into their lives.  They should.  They are the perfect dog parents.  Kol lived a great life, and any pup who comes to the wonderfully warm house in Deadwood, Oregon, will believe it's in labrador heaven.

So, Les and Ann have been Black lab people.  I had been a Yellow lab person.  Until Willa.  Actually I was a terrier person until Murphy.  I wasn't sure I could "handle" a lab.  But Murphy, well, she came into my life and just swept me away.

And I think, now, it doesn't really matter what color...it's about whether the dog has wormed it's way into your heart and whether you're heart is open.

I remember Murphy as a pup.  Full of energy.  And then, at night, while I was watching TV after a long day, her head would rest on my lap.  As if to say: "there is nothing better."  Didn't matter what color Murphy was, she just wanted to give me her love.

Murphy's Day.

Waiting for Action

Annie waits for action.  When we walk at night, she eyes Sage, anxious to see if Sage will run after something, anything...a cat, a scent...then Annie will try to bolt.  She is a hunter, a dog of action.

But she is also so sensitive.  Of all the girls, she really is keyed into my moods.  If I am tense, anxious about something, she is close by, ready, willing, to see if she can help.

Annie should be an action-doll.

Murphy's Day.

As We Enter December

We can not believe we have less than 30 days until 2013.

We spent this weekend at home, anticipating the next number of weekends will be east of the mountains.  The girls endured many errands, then listened as plans were made: Christmas, the week after, New Years....

And after Christmas, Sage will turn 9.  Nine!  After two days of running in the cold, wet, damp Seattle rain, she seemed stiff on Sunday evening.  Found her bed, watched TV...Nine!

We're entering the holiday season.  Advent calendar is out.  The dogs know...Monday is Annie Oakley's day.

Murphy's Day.