Snow Falling on Labradors

We went to bed last night with snow falling and this morning, it was still falling...more than what the weather forecast predicted, enough to make labs quite happy.

Snow Falling on Labradors.

Murphy's Day!

Holiday Cheer

What a great Christmas.  A wonderful run in the morning.  Freshly baked pecan rolls and an omelet, the girls tearing through their stockings, time with friends, a long walk, board games, dinner and a movie...

Life doesn't get much better.

It's on to the New Year!

Murphy's Day.

We Are All Children on Christmas

There is no doubt that Christmas is a very special time of year.  And that we are all children during the Holidays.  The lights, the magic, the food.

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family.

Murphy's Day.

Black and White

On FaceBook among my dog friends, they are having a "5 days of black and white" pictures.

While technically Sage is a Yellow lab, we thought we would do a black and white (yellow) picture.

Murphy's Day.

Snow

We read yesterday that the Cascades were little less than 65% of "normal" snowpack.  And while we haven't been to eastern Washington in awhile, we will be there just after Christmas...and the girls want snow.

This picture is from Thanksgiving weekend, where we had a slight dusting of snow and the girls went crazy...nothing better than a tennis ball and snow for labs.

Hopefully they will get their Christmas wish!

Murphy's Day.

On The Couch

The girls get free roam over much of the houses, but furniture (except beds) is off limits.

That is, unless you can sneak on...

Murphy's Day.

Beloved Soccer Balls

Annie Oakley has a soccer ball that is much loved.  Way too much loved.  It used to have a cover, it used to have air in it.  And it's her favorite toy in the morning as she romps...

Sometimes, she looses the ball in the dark.

Like last Friday.  So Mom gets on her bike, rides down to the soggy field, to find the beloved toy.

Annie Oakley's soccer ball deserves all the royal treatment.  It's for a gorgeous girl.

Murphy's Day.

Afternoon Riot

There are many advantages to working from home.  It's comfortable.  No need to go out for lunch.

But, my three supervisors also want attention on their terms.  And toward the end of what they think is the work day, they begin to cause a ruckus.  Or a riot.  Close to my desk.

Time to stop and play with us!

Got to love it.

Murphy's Day!

Dog Friendly Christmas "Tree"

Since we're not home much, I have been reluctant to have a Christmas Tree.  So, poor Willa has never experienced the growl from me telling her to not think of the ornaments as hanging dog toys!

This year, however, I hankered for that "evergreen" smell in the house.

Boughs brought in, galvanized container found, and voila, a bit of Christmas on the mantle.

Willa doesn't get to experience the growl (and more than likely Annie doesn't remember when we had a tree), but she does get "nature inside."

Murphy's Day.

How to Watch a Seahawks Game

I don't have much more to say other than Willa was the most comfortable of all of us.

Murphy's Day.

Weekend!

Even thought it was a "short week" for us,  Friday night can not come soon enough.  A lot of work was packed into a short amount of time and next week will be even worse.

It's the weekend.  No idea what we will do, but with these three characters, there is no doubt whatever we do will be fun and filled with adventures.

Murphy's Day.

How Many Beds Does a Lab Need?

Over the Thanksgiving holiday there was some furniture moving.  For routinized labs, this is usually upsetting.  Except this time, one of the results is Sage ended up with two beds, one on top of the other.  She thoroughly enjoyed her "princess and the pea" moment!

It was a lovely weekend.  All the right elements: great weather, lots of exercise, fantastic food, and the very best friends.  The girls had a great time playing, romping, going for long runs and walks.

We're back in the city, a short work week, but still intense nonetheless.  And the girls are easing back into their city routines including hogging most of my bed.

The one change will be Christmas music.  24/7.  Love it!

Murphy's Day.

Snow and Cold

Ah, finally, two days after Thanksgiving, the snow arrived.  Just a dusting, but it was so cold (it is 5° as I type this) the snow is perfect "powder."

The girls had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  The played, they ate, and then they played some more.  I am truly grateful and thankful for these three remarkable dogs.  Each has a unique personality, yet they work together in mischief as well as taking care of each other and me.

We now swing into the Christmas season!  One of my favorites.  I took the girls stockings out from storage and noses went instantly into the air.  They know something is up.

Back to Seattle today.

Murphy's Day!

We Are Thankful

It is popular on FaceBook postings to list what you are thankful for.  We enjoy reading them, the expressions from friends on their lives, their children, their families.

As we wind our way to Thanksgiving, we thought we would share our thankfulness...for these goofballs in our life.  They make us laugh, giggle, laugh again, and smile every day.  No matter how blue or down or how bad the day has been, they are there, tails wagging.

We are thankful.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and we'll see you in December.

Murphy's Day.

Sage's Sister

This is Ally.  Sage's sister.  And Ally's new brother, Mac.  Ally has, what my friend Chris said is the same look at Sage.  "What can you do for me now?"  He nailed it.

They will be 11 in December.  And they are great dogs.

What can you do for me now?

Well, how about loving you?

Murphy's Day.

Snow!

Well, as we get closer to Thanksgiving, the girls saw there was snow in the forecast..in the mountains, more than likely not at Nahahum, but still....

Time to load the sandbags in the back of the truck, make sure the chains are close by, and leave a pair of gloves in the, wait, yes, glove box!

As much as I love summer, I think the girls love winter.  Nothing better for a lab than some form of water!

Murphy's Day.

Hey! Where's the Butler?

Sometimes...no, actually, all the time, the girls think they live in Downton Abbey and that I am the butler, the cook, the housekeeper.

Now that I think about it, they are right!

Ok, well, maybe they don't live in a swanky castle in England, but I certainly fulfill all those jobs for them!

Murphy's Day!

Crystal Mountain Dogs

I grew up skiing at Crystal Mountain here in Washington.  And whenever I stay on the wet side, er I mean west side, during the winter, I try to make it up to the mountain to ski.

A number of years ago two members of the ski patrol rode with me on the chair lift.

One of them them is pictured on this photo.

I keep thinking Willa would be great at this.  Lots of energy, intensity, and she would love the work.  Sage has already tried riding the gondola at Crystal and wasn't so sure.  Annie would be a great searcher, but might not enjoy the avalanche guns...

That said, it's great that the dogs do this work.  I'm thankful knowing they are there to help.

Murphy's Day.

A Great Day

Saturday we had a great day.  All of us spent most of it outside.

Sticks.

Chainsaws.

More sticks.

What is not to like for a lab (and their forester Mom)?

Murphy's Day.

Singing in the Rain

We're well into November here in the PNW.  While the temperatures remain mild, we have received a fair amount of rain.

Rain, of course, never deters the girls.  No matter what, they want to get outside.

So, rain jackets (mine) and their fur are always at the ready to head out the door.

We sing in the rain!

Murphy's Day.

Fall Trail Running

On Saturday morning we ran ~ 4.5 along a gorgeous trail just east of the Cascade Crest.  The fall colors were magnificent...and the girls thoroughly enjoyed the chance to romp along a swollen creek.

Does not get much better for a lab (and their mom).

Murphy's Day.

This is How We Roll

Coming home from the east side on Sunday the girls slept through a rather hard rain storm was we descended from Snoqualmie Pass.

Willa, it seems, doesn't mind being a pillow.

Got to love it.

Murphy's Day.

On Rainy Saturdays

Yes, it even rains in eastern Washington.

So on a wet Saturday, we took a nice walk up through the fields and onto the federal land.

Tennis ball came along, which, of course, makes a certain lab very happy.

Murphy's Day.

Are We There Yet?

Our routines have changed over the years.  It used to be I would routinely take all the girls to a park for a long walk late in the afternoon.  But then, with Seattle traffic, that became more than nerve-wracking.  On top of that, my rebelliousness would lead me to let the girls out without leashes, and I got tired of some crank yelling at me.

So we began the ball throw in the privacy of our back yard.

Until it rains.

And yesterday it poured.

So, loaded in the car and off to a park.

Annie was excited.

Murphy's Day.

After A Long Weekend

This is what two labs look like after a long weekend.

Murphy's Day.

The Wait

I often wonder about the attachments between the girls.  I think Sage could be perfectly happy being an only lab, until I watch her stay close to Annie.

I know Annie could not be an only lab, she adores Sage, and loves to romp with Willa.

But I have been curious about Willa.  There are times she seems perfectly happy hanging out by herself, no other dogs around.

Until I saw her doing this...waiting on the back porch, unwilling to come in, until Sage and Annie got home from their morning walks.

The Pack!

Murphy's Day.

Slow Motion Hiking

We took a long long hike in the rain on Saturday.  Did I mention it was raining?  Up to one of our favorite alpine lakes.

Despite the rain, the girls had a great time.  And Sage reminded us that heading to the "barn" at the end of the hike means picking up the pace!

It took us the rest of the afternoon and evening to warm up and dry off.  But it was worth it.  Wonderful way to spend a Saturday.

This week will be spent in school.  Not for the girls, but me!  So no blogging until classes are dismissed.  Have to spend time learning the new wetland delineation procedures...don't ask!

Murphy's Day.

Fall Fishing

A number of years ago I had the opportunity to fish the upper Yakima River during September and October.  A lot.  Gorgeous fall days, elks bugling in the distance.  Murphy was still alive then, and like Sage now, would find a spot in the sun and watch.

As I get older I realize there will not be many more of those days, and that I must take every opportunity to fish, spend time with the girls, and enjoy those moments away from my desk and this computer.  I won't regret it.  And the girls will love it.

Murphy's Day.

Changing Weather

We had a fantastic summer.  The weather allowed us to get out, a lot.  Hikes, bike rides, long walks, played golf (ok, the humans did, not the girls)), fly fished.  And now, after two mornings of dense fog, the weather forecasts predict cooler weather and yes, ugh, rain.

Guess I'd better find the "dog towels" for those moments in the backyard where I need to wipe off all the mud!

But, thank you for a great summer and early autumn.

Murphy's Day.

Some Mornings

Some mornings, like when I walk down this field with the girls, are better than others.

Murphy's Day.

Stoic

The other thing about labs, in addition to their ability to withstand lots of child crawling, is their stoicism.

Sage is Exhibit A of that trait.  She has gone through major surgery on her knee, lost her best friend Murphy, dealt with two new pups (Annie Oakley and Willa), lived in tents, trailers, hotel rooms, and willingly will do just about anything you ask of her.  She is amazing.

Sich a great breed.

Murphy's Day.

Labs Are Wonderful

Recently, on a group of Facebook pages of another breed that I am interested in, there has been a spate of issues over "aggressive dogs."

Many weighed in on the nature/nurture.  And many were upset over how people have dealt with aggressive dogs.

I have been both owned by and the victim of aggressive dogs.  On New Years day this year I was seriously bit by a dog while running.  Riley, my Wheaton Terrier, was a seriously aggressive dog toward small animals and small humans.

Which leads me to labs.  While labs are traditionally sporting dogs, meaning they are bred to hunt, they have also been bred, over the years, to be family dogs.  The first lab I seriously watched was in the patio of a Peets Coffee shop in Berkeley, California.  The dog was laying down while its family enjoyed coffee and pastries.  And a three year old child was crawling all over this dog.  Pulling on it's ears, poking at it's eyes, laying on its stomach.  The dog never flinched.

I am out in the woods with my girls.  People come up from behind me.  They stop and talk with me.  While the girls will bark, which I appreciate, they also wag their tails and envelop who ever if near me.  I have never ever worried about aggression issues.

Labs, labs are wonderful.

Murphy's Day.

The Land Ethic

Driving to and from Nahahum Canyon we listened to a podcast from a Yale School of Forestry celebration of Aldo Leopold, also a graduate of the school.  It was a marvelous podcast, focused on his The Sand County Almanac and his land ethic.

There was much discussion about human interactions with and humans as a part of nature.

During the weekend, of course, we got outside.  And I realized that part of my interactions with and being part of nature is because of my time with the girls.  We get out a lot.  No matter the weather and sometimes no matter what time.  We hear hawks, see deer, smell the pine, touch the soil, taste the cool water.  And we love it all.

Doesn't get much better.

Murphy's Day.

Climate Change

It is said how climate change will affect the Northwest is more rain, higher intensity.

We've had three days of it so far and all of us are already tired of it.

Murphy's Day.

Last Moments of Summer

As I type this it is pouring rain outside my window.  It's 5:30 AM.   Autumn has arrived in the Pacific Northwest.

But there are still a few moments of summer...

Murphy's Day.

Protests

Sometimes just lying limp on the ground is a protest...clearly, Willa does not want to head back to Seattle.

Murphy's Day.

This Is What Tired Looks Like

Long hike, much of it straight up hill.  Then swimming in a lake, hiking back down, bushwhacking to a small stream so Mom can fish, then finally, finally, finding the truck.

This is what tired looks like.

Murphy's Day.

Tribe

Recently a friend posted something on Facebook about the death of her older dog and how the younger was grieving.  She wondered if dogs grieve.

I told a story about Sage, wailing a few days after Murphy died.

These girls, they are a pack, a tribe, a team.  They play, eat, sleep, play some more...all together.

It's hard not to think they don't grieve.

Murphy's Day.

IT

Yep, this is how I feel when I do software upgrades!

Sometimes being your own IT is tough.

Murphy's Day.

Wednesday

It's mid-week of another long week.

I don't know about the girls, but I know I am dreaming of Friday and time away from my desk.

Murphy's Day.

Purpose in Life

I've been very deep in thought recently.  Wondering, as I go through my days, what is my purpose?  What am I really "doing here?"

And this morning, while making my coffee and letting Sage outside, I thought that indeed, one of the reasons I am "here" is for the girls.  We rely on each other, make each other's days as good as we can. They certainly help me to be a better person, and hopefully I help them to be better dogs (which, of course, begs the question of whether they really are dogs).

Knowing that, knowing I am a "dog person" helped in my thoughts.

Murphy's Day.

Still Dry

Yesterday, when we headed to Leavenworth for our morning run, we saw smoke.  

Indeed, another fire.  This one, more than likely, human caused.  On the hills just above the entrance to Tumwater Canyon.

You have got to feel for the fire fighters this summer, they have been on duty, risking their lives, nonstop.

As of last report this fire has grown, smoke is not good.  

Be careful out there!  It's still fire season.

Murphy's Day.

Waiting All Week

Annie Oakley has been waiting all week for today.  It means work in the morning, little more work this afternoon, then maybe loading in the truck for a weekend...

Can't wait.

Murphy's Day.

What We Feel Like Doing Today

Ok, so this is a much longer story...the gist of it is my current cell phone is dying.  Well, sort of.  And I've been waiting, like some teenager, for the new Apple phones to arrive.

Tomorrow is pre-order, a week after that, we can pick up.

I'm way too excited.  Annie tells me I just need to chill out with her in the stair well.

She's right.

Murphy's Day.

Selfie

Mom?

Yes, Willa?

Do you really need to post my selfie?

Murphy's Day.

Good Sign

Fly rods stashed in pack.

The girls view that as a very good sign.

Murphy's Day.

It Can't Be Monday!

There are some Sundays when we wonder why God invented a Monday...it was absolutely gorgeous on the east side this weekend.  The girls had a blast (even though a neighbor was shooting guns).  Laying in the sun, swimming in both the Yakima and another stream, fishing, running, ball chasing, watching deer...

But, we're back at our desks, ready for Monday.

Sigh.

Murphy's Day.

And Another Day of Fishing

Gotta' love Facebook.  I just watched a 4 minute video of a guy fly fishing with his wife and two dogs.

Sheer joy for all 4 (two dogs).

And we feel the same way.

So, that seems like a pretty good thing to do this afternoon after a morning of work.

Murphy's Day.

At Rest

On Monday we hiked into one of our favorite high alpine lakes.  The girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves, going crazy, bushwhacking to a nice spot.  I fished.  They watched.

It was a great way to cross that symbolic line, Labor Day, into the fall season (even though we still have about 20 days of summer left!).

Back to work tomorrow...

Murphy's Day.

Apre Hike

This has been a wonderful summer for hikes (and fishing).

Sage has truly been a trooper, making her way back into Spider Meadows, and up to Lake Valhalla.

That said, when we turn around and head back to the trailhead, she is like a horse heading to the barn.  The truck never looked so good!

Murphy's Day.

Swimming with Labs

In response to a neighbor's challenge, I swam with the girls this morning...

Murphy's Day.

Who Rescued Who?

One of my favorite bumper stickers is: Who Rescued Who?  And even thought none of the girls are technically rescue dogs, they certainly provide "rescuing" of a tired, stressed, anxious me...

Nothing better than throwing stick for the girls.

Murphy's Day.