Having Fun

Of all the girls, Willa seems to love being over in Nahahum Canyon the most.  She is clearly a "county girl."  She has gotten used to the coyotes at night, the Great Horned owl, the quail in the morning, the deer...she simply loves being able to go out the door and explore.

A lab.

And she realizes this is Murphy's Canyon.  But seems determined to make it "Willa's Weekend Abode."

Murphy's Day.

Gang of Three

You know how the press is always describing coalitions as "gangs?"

Well, these three are definitely the "Gang of Three."  A pack, a herd, a group....

They had a great time being out of the city.  And we'll head back on Saturday.  Hopefully even find some spots to fish.

Gang of Three.

Murphy's Day.

It's Not About The Ball

Well, we're back in Seattle.

After a wet and nice weekend away.

Mostly playing ball with the girls.

They are, in a nutshell, obsessed.

Really obsessed.

Murphy's Day.

There Was A Time

There was a time when my alarm clock was a pup.  Now, she is approaching two.

She still doesn't understand why I want to sleep in on the weekends.

Or why she can't sit in the back yard and bark at any passing bird.

Or why not everyone carries treats when she is out for her run with me.

Or why she can't steal Sage's pig ear.

Or why she can't get into Annie's dinner bowl....

But she does understand that this is going to be a long weekend.  And that we'll be in eastern Washington until next Tuesday.  No leashes!  Lots of things to explore.

Life is good.

See you when we get back.

Murphy's Day.

Small Streams

This is what I mean by skinny water, or small streams.

A lovely spot where I have spent many a quiet summer afternoon.

Murphy's Day.

Rivers Flowing High

I am oh so ready to fish.  But it will be a little while longer, unless we drift down the Yakima.  We'll see.  Last time we did that, Annie and Sage were very reluctant crew in the Clackacraft.

But in a week or so some of the smaller streams may be in good shape.  Shorter fly rods, less weight lines...small, but gorgeous fish.

And labs in the water.

Doesn't get much better.

Murphy's Day.

Annie Among the Sage

Annie loves nothing better than a lake.  Ok, maybe a lake with someone to throw sticks.  Ok, maybe a lake with someone to throw sticks and her sisters swimming with her.  Then a game of tug o' war over the sticks.

Hopefully we'll get to do somethings like this this coming weekend.

Murphy's Day.

Sage Among the Sage

Two weekends ago, we took a hike to one of my favorite places, Dusty Lake.  I just needed to cast a fly rod, and the girls wanted a hike.  It's not far, about 1 mile to the lake, but it's like descending into time, scrambling down the basalt cliffs to a desert lake.  Lots of sage along the way, which Sage loves to smell.

Does it get any better?

Murphy's Day.

It Will Be Painted

The next time we're here, it's going to finally be painted.

Murphy's Day.

Laying in the Grass

Other than the ticks, there is nothing better for a lab than laying in the grass.

It's supposed to be a bad tick season, so the girls did get tick medicine.  I don't have the heart to tell them they can't find a patch of sun and lay down.

Murphy's Day.

Birthday Cards

The great thing about being owned by labs is that every birthday card I get has a lab on in in some variation or another.  I simply love it.

This was one of the cards I received this year.

I am told Annie Oakley was the photographer and she urged Sage and Willa to chase the tennis ball...not telling them there were rapids ahead.

I can't imagine Annie doing that.

However, I can imagine Sage and Willa chasing the tennis ball just like this!

Our motto, again, for this year is: "Life is an adventure.  We're in it!"

Murphy's Day.

Afternoon Walks

As you know, every late afternoon, the girls and I go for a long walk.  On occasion, we slink around a City of Seattle park, off leash.  But most of the time, we head north of the city limits to a secret spot made just for labs (or so my girls think).

It's got woods, hills, a creek, and a lake (although I don't let them near the lake since the main source of it's water is storm water run-off which more than likely carries more crap than I want to think about).

It's a great way for me to end my work day...ok, yes, I usually am still working when I walk the girls...and a wonderful time for them.  Especially if the weather is nice (there have been way too many times we have done this walk in storms).

One of the reasons to be owned by a dog.  They get you outside.

Murphy's Day.

As Good As It Gets

This is morning in Nahahum Canyon.

There are reasons the girls love being over there.

Murphy's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!

My mother knew Sage and barely knew Annie Oakley.  She would have adored Willa.  "Full of the ol' Nick" she would have said.

And they would have adored her.

Happy Mother's Day!

Back Home

We're back home and settled in.  Annie is following sun spots around the house like a cat.

Can't blame her, so am I!

Murphy's Day.

Nice Time

We had a lovely time away.  Great weather.  And a chance to hike to one of our favorite lakes.

Getting old isn't for sissies, but celebrating with the girls is great.

Murphy's Day.

Off for a Few Days

It comes once a year.

So we're off for a few days to relax and enjoy one more year in our waders.

Back in the middle of next week.

Murphy's Day.

Run-off

Sometimes during this time of year, we rent a drift boat and float the Yakima Canyon, in search of fish. And most times the water looks like the river in Willie Wonka's chocolate factory.  It's called run-off.

This year, if we do it, we'll have to figure out how to do 3 dogs, fly rods, and food...

Or not.

Murphy's Day.

New Month

I frequently wonder whether dogs are as surprised with how time flies as we humans profess to be...or if their clocks revolve around seasons, ball throw, and meals?

I was stunned to realize it's May.

Time for ball throw?

Murphy's Day.