Willa in the Wildflowers

Willa really is a poser.  She knows just which side is her "best side," and how to pose for pictures.

I love this one.

Murphy's Day.

Nothing

My father used to tease me, a lot, actually.  One of his favorite teases was when he would ask what I was doing and I would answer: "nothing."

"You're always doing something," he would say.

True.  But sometimes, just hanging out, feels like nothing.

And that is a good thing.

Murphy's Day.

Long Weekends

Ok, so maybe the girl's adventures this past weekend didn't include paddling a canoe to catch an errant tennis ball, but they had fun.  From Portland to Cashmere, they romped and played.

Sigh.

We miss weekends.

Murphy's Day.

Memorial Weekend

It's a time of reflection.  Thinking about all those folks who have died before you, and in my case, the dogs in my life.

I am grateful for everyone and every pup.

Back next week.

Enjoy the long weekend.

Murphy's Day.

"Because I'm Happy..."

Sage simply loved the warm weather we had last week.

Me too!

Murphy's Day.

Surveillance

Years ago, this was Murphy's favorite spot.  She can look out through the front door and out three side windows.  Covers a lot of the street in Seattle.

Both Annie Oakley and Willa enjoy this same spot.  In fact, it's quite normal for me to find both of them, one on each step.

I've been talking with alarm companies, recently, because there has been a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood.  But then I think, "well, if I just keep feeding my surveillance system..."  From their watchtower, they let the Post Man, the UPS delivery woman, the sauntering dog walker, and the mother with the stroller, know whose turf this is and that they need to keep moving.

Of course, if it's a thief, more than likely they will welcome him or her with wagging tails!

Murphy's Day.

Sweetness of Labs

Each person owned by a dog is convinced their dog is the best.  And they are.

One thing that has kept me enjoying labs is their sweet temperament.  There simply isn't an angry bone in their body.  It doesn't mean they won't protect and defend, but on the whole, they are gentle dogs.

Annie has a special spot in the house, near the coffee table in my office.  It's where she collects her stash, mostly old chews, sometimes a toy, often a tennis ball.  If Willa gets within a two foot radius, Annie snarls, letting her know not to trespass.  Then tails wag, and usually a game of chase begins.

Sage always has to bring me something when I come in the door.  She will run back into the house and find a toy, a chew, something.  A gift for me!  And Willa...it's the gentle use of my legs as her nighttime headrest, or the mad dog that she is excited to see me.

Sweetness of labs.  Doesn't get any better.

Murphy's Day.

Taking that Tolerance Thing a Little Too Far

Ok, sometimes Willa pushes Annie's buttons....

Murphy's Day.

Paradise for Labs

In Nahahum Canyon.

Hills, fields, a near-by river, snow, and now, now, sun!

Lab paradise.

Murphy's Day.

Ready!

Because after those moments of being laconic this is what a lab looks like, ready for anything.

And trust me, Annie Oakley is always ready!

Murphy's Day.

Laconic

One thing about labs is they can often look laconic.  As if there is nothing in the world that is bothering them.

Ok, well, let me tell you that moment lasts for about, oh, 2 seconds.

Murphy's Day.

Tolerance

Of course tolerance is something we all need to learn.  The girls have mandatory lessons, mostly when they are in close quarters.

And they do well!

Murphy's Day.

Sometimes

Sometimes you just have to wonder what goes on in Annie's mind....

Murphy's Day.

Sun Bathing

I somehow don't think it's bad for Sage to hang out in the sun.

The heat must feel good on her legs...and she just loves it.

So do it...don't tell my doc!

Murphy's Day.

Holy Cow

How the heck did I get to be so old?

Murphy's Day.

The Best

I simply love this picture.

Sage with a little bit of soot (still some remnants of the fire in Nahahum Canyon) on her forehead.  Annie enjoying being close to her big sister.

Love them.

Murphy's Day.

Annie Oakley in the Sun

Absolutely gorgeous weather recently.

And the girls have been enjoying themselves.

Annie in the sun.

Doesn't get much better.

Murphy's Day.

Vacation

So, we're beginning to plan for vacation and I reminded myself of one of the last road trips when Annie walked into the hotel room and heaved up God-Knows-What that she had gotten into during one of the stops along the way.

Nothing more relaxing than having been on the road all day and spending the first hour and a half cleaning up puke!

Murphy's Day.

Board of Directors

So I am submitting a grant proposal for our new project and they ask about the board of directors.

Should I send this photo or not?

Murphy's Day.