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.