Murphy's Day

It's Another Weekend

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's another weekend, with snow. Not here in Seattle, but we'll be on the east side. And that means snow. Finally. There is snow here in Washington.

But we'll have to take it easy. Stitches. Willa's stitches.

And so we will. A little play. A little quiet. A whole lot of love.

Murphy's Day.

Annie Oakley

2012-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

When we were coming home from snowshoeing, Annie licked Willa dry, as if Willa was one of her pups. I know I have been perplexed by Annie, a very spirited girl. But recently, I have been realizing that Annie is a remarkable dog. In many ways she channels Murphy. The love of life, the spirit, the silliness...and the loving. The loving.

Annie Oakley. Nothing better than a walk in a field on a brisk morning with three great dogs (to paraphrase the human Annie Oakley).

Murphy's Day.

Tuckered Pup

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

Willa's first snowshoe. Not too terribly long. But boy, was she was tuckered out...she got spayed yesterday, so it's quiet time for the next week or so.

Murphy's Day.

Leaving Sage at Home

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday we decided to snowshoe. By the time the car was packed and we were ready to go, Sage was still snugly asleep on a bed (yes, a human bed). So, at age 8, she got a "pass," and stayed home. Off went Annie and Willa (for Willa's first snowshoe).

When we got home Sage was still sleeping but seemed happy to see us. She got her own walk around the neighborhood, special treats at dinner, and seemed content watching the end of the 49s v. Giants game.

We all age. There are times I want to stay home, laying around in bed.

Murphy's Day.

Change of Plans

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

So after our last post, Carol and I decided it was not a good time for her to come, so we postponed. Too much ice. Then we thought about heading east, but after a long and gusty wind storm on Friday night which I didn't sleep because I spent the whole night wondering whether I would have a roof by sun-up....we decided to stay home, at least on Saturday. Sunday, we'd ski or snowshoe or something....

I wonder whether the girls know about plans. They certainly understand their routine and when the routine changes it startles them. Annie has spent the past few days on a terror, mostly, I think, because her routine was changed with the snow. So she "lost her pawing" as we say. Plus, I suspect the winds scared her. They did me!

This week the weather should be back to a bit of normal. In other words, in Seattle, lots o' rain. And tomorrow, Willa goes in for her spay. So, we'll hunker down with work and quiet time...

Murphy's Day.

Off to Find Snow

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

We're off with our friend Carol to find snow.

Back on Monday.

Murphy's Day.

Rogues

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

As I have said, Annie really didn't have a puppyhood. Most of it was shuttling back and forth between home and my parents, sitting in the back of the Honda Pilot,

So the best thing for her renewed sense of puppyhood is Willa. She is challenging Annie in the crazy, zany, silly things that puppies do. They come inside and run around like it's a huge field. They go outside and continue. They play with toys, tug, chase, "king of the mountain." It's a delight to watch.

I am grateful, but worried I now have two rogues! And you should see them in the snow we have! The snow will be gone probably by the end of today, but in the meantime, these two have been going nuts. Snow days!

Murphy's Day.

Drive Through Tellers

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have been with this one particular bank for ions, Before it was this one particular bank, when it was actually "locally" owned. In fact, when it was a whole other bank before being gobbled up by the locally owned larger bank....and I keep thinking I should change because it is now so large that really it is a warehouse for the small amount of money I keep in an account.

But the girls won't let me change because of Kelli. Kelli is the teller at the drive through bank in my neighborhood. And she loves the girls. If I tell them they are going to the bank, they rush to the back door and hop into the car. Kelli sends dozens of biscuits through the vacuum tube, meows at Sage through the intercom, and if she is not too busy, comes out to tease them all. It is quite the scene.

And Kelli is wonderful. She has helped a homeless man who is owned by two Parson Russell terriers who was sleeping in his truck at her parking lot. She has managed to work with Sage to the point Sage will not bite her hand off as she reaches in the car. How can I change banks when there is Kelli.

And that is what it's all about, isn't it?

I thought about writing the head of the bank, who is so far removed from this small neighborhood world, to tell him about Kelli. Then I realized that he doesn't care. It's not big money to him. It won't solve his problems of daily stock quotes and eking out pennies from every customer. In fact, she might be fired if he knew how personable she is....

And that is also what it has become....which is terribly sad.

In the meantime, we love visiting Kelli.

Murphy's Day.

Waiting for the Snow

2012-01-17T05:00:00.001-08:00

There are several requirements for living in this neck of the woods. One is to laugh at the breathlessness of the news when it comes to significant weather changes. Since our weather is usually 47℉ and a dull grey drizzle, anything other than that brings out the excitement and hyperbole in our weather "forecasters." So this weekend, the newspapers were all a buzz about snow.

I happen to love snow. I really love snow in the city. It changes the landscape of our daily life, slows us down, makes everything look different.

So we waited for snow this weekend.

Murphy's Day.

I Have A Dream

2012-01-16T05:00:00.001-08:00

Still as relevant today as it was in 1963. I have a dream....

Martin Luther King.

Murphy's Day.

Happy Birthday Megan (one day late) !!!!!!

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

If we could sing "Happy Birthday," we would.

We hope you enjoyed the day!

Murphy's Day.

Future?

2012-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

I dunno, I seem fixated on this part of the world. My key question is whether I could keep three labs from running across a field to chase the Snow geese? There probably is a Migratory Bird Act or Waterfowl Preservation Act that they would be violating....

But....

Murphy's Day.

Skagit Valley

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

When we moved back here from New York, my father really wanted me to live in the Skagit Valley. Both of my parents had a life-long love affair with that neck of the woods. The artists enthralled them (Gilkey, Anderson) and they landscapes somehow spoke to both of their souls. But for me, the commute to Seattle where I was attending graduate school seemed long and arduous.

Now, I return to the Valley, thinking maybe this is where we should land...a landscape of the soul?

Murphy's Day.

Snow Geese

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

So majestic. The Snow geese in the Skagit Valley are simply majestic. It was a magical day showing the girls this neck of the woods. Of course, the minute Annie heard shotguns, she headed for the car....so much for that hunting pedigree....

But what a wonderful sight.

Murphy's Day.

Birding

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

I am owned by three labs. One was weaned in a pen with a dead duck. Her father (this is Annie) is a hunting champion. Sage was bred in duck hunting heaven, Easton, Maryland. Surrounded by water, she was born to look gorgeous, but also to hunt. Willa's parents, both of them, are flushers of upland game.

With this in mind, we set off to go birding. Not just any birding, Snow geese. The Skagit Valley, north of us from Seattle, is known for attracting migrating Snow geese. They love the seeds in the fallow fields. Along with the geese there are usually Bald eagles, down from Alaska finished feeding on Alaskan salmon, looking now for spawning steelhead. And various other waterfowl....

It was about time to teach my bird dogs how to bird.

Murphy's Day.

Three?

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

People keep asking me what it is like to have three big dogs. I have to admit it's work, but really, all three of them are going out of their way to make this easy for me. Willa is a character, full of the ol' Nick as my mother used to say. It helps that Sage is a very mature dog, she is, in a sense, able to take care of herself. She loves attention, her belly rubs are vital, but she walks without a leash almost every where, and is patient when it comes to food, chews....plus, she lets Willa and Annie for that matter, know who is top dog. It's Sage!

Annie is having a puppyhood. She really didn't get a lot of time with playing with other dogs when she was a pup. So every day the house withstands chases, catch-me-if-you-cans between both dogs. They wrestle, play, and nip with amazing energy.

And Willa? Well, she is a fast learner. She is finding her place in the hierarchy. It's great. I love watching her figure it out. She has the "scratching her head" look perfected.

Three?

It's not easy, but it's absolutely worth it!

Murphy's Day.

Sometimes We Think About Other Places

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

I know I keep saying this, but sometimes we sit here in Seattle and think about being east of the mountains. The girls can go out the door and into a gorgeous Aspen stand. In the mornings we can take walks with vistas like this. Does it get much better?

Murphy's Day.

Figuring It Out

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Willa is an amazingly sassy pup. She has figured out how to connive her way into Annie's sacred space (otherwise formerly known as my bed), she gets her choice of toys, is now a connoisseur of chewies and will let me know exactly which ones she wants and doesn't want.

Gotta' love that attitude. She has the whole house whipped into shape. It really is a joy to watch her figure things out.

I think we're all falling in love...ok, well Sage is learning how to tolerate....

Murphy's Day.

Into January

2012-01-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Poor Willa didn't quite understand all the activity yesterday as we went from one cleaning-up project to another in the house. Counters, fridge, dog toys, desk (ok, not really, but I thought about it), stacks of papers, stacks of magazines, stacks of catalogs....into the new year with clean....or so I hope.

Annie just found a soft bed and hid, while Sage thought about supervising then thought the better of that.

It's the beginning of a "work week," so off we go....more home schooling for Annie and Willa and sometime this month, gulp, the spay. Ugh.

But for now, it's all looking a little cleaner!

Murphy's Day.

Looking Forward

2012-01-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

New calendars hung? Check
List made for today including cleaning and writing resolutions? Check
Christmas decorations to come down? Check
Football to watch? Check (go Wisconsin, beat Oregon....sorry Les and Ann).

As always we're feeling a little frisky at the beginning of the new year. Thinking that anything is possible (aside from the HUGE bruise on my butt from attempting to skate ski on solid ice which should tell me that maybe I am not cut out to be a skate skier????).

Not only do we look forward to this year, the changes and challenges, including our on-going thinking about whether to stay in Seattle or finally get on the road to being a trout/ski bum, we also think back to last year. The great fun of meeting "old friends for the first time" as Richard said, a new great niece and great nephew (welcome Madeline and Connor), and of course this bundle of black fur, Willa. The girls are reminders of what we can do if we march into each day, confident that we'll be loved and cared for, that we can find adventure and fun, and by the end of the day, a warm, soft bed.

Happy New Year!

Murphy's Day.

A Puppy's Christmas in Washington (with apologies to Dylan Thomas)

2011-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

"One Christmas was so much like another, in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all the sound except the distant speaking of the voices I sometimes hear a moment before I go to sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and nights when I was twelve or twelve days and nights when I was six...."

Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Sage, Annie, Willa and I are going to spend a week trying to find snow, playing with our new toys, and enjoying some time off. We'll be back after the New Year.

All the best,

The Girls.

Murphy's Day.

Looking for Santa

2011-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

Sage carries on Murphy's tradition of getting excited about her stocking. We're getting close...and she's looking for Santa. In typical lab fashion, she is fully prepared to walk to the North Pole to find him (why catch the Polar Express when you can walk with Sage?).

Murphy's Day.

Will It Ever Snow?

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's been the driest December in a long long time. I'm certainly not complaining...but the girls mentioned they would like a little bit of snow for Christmas.

Murphy's Day.

Growing Up

2011-12-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

My mother used to tell me stories about how she would cry at milestones as I grew up: walking to school the first day of kindergarten, the day I switched from pencil to cartridge pen (yeah, that sure ages me), when I entered junior high...you get the drift. She admitted to me that she always wanted me to stay little.

This is a picture of Annie when she was about 5 1/2 months old. She seems so little. But the great thing about labs is that they stay young in spirit and energy for years and years. While they don't stay "small," (which by the way, there is no such thing as a small lab...), they stay young.

It's something to think about. I am not sure my mom ever saw me dance in the grocery store aisle to "shopping" music, or heard me sing my country-western songs in the shower, or heard my screams of delight when I caught a gorgeous west slope cutthroat. But she did know I was young...it was our gift to each other because I also watched her youthful delight in life, especially when she was around the "girls."

It's that lab symbiotic relationship with people they know love them. Labs make us young.

Murphy's Day.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today was my father's birthday. He was an amazing man. Years ago he made this book case for me. It's nice to be able to look at these and other things he did, every day, and think of him.

Happy Birthday Dad. I miss you.

Murphy's Day.

Duck Blind?

2011-12-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Somehow I can't see either of these two willing to sit for hours in a cold duck blind...oh well, maybe I can train them to take out the garbage?????

Murphy's Day.

What is it About Snow?

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

What is it about snow that brings out the goof-ball in just about everyone, but particularly Annie? I suspect if she lived in the Arctic she would still do something like this every single day.

And that is a good thing.

Murphy's Day.

Wake Me When It's Dinner

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

As I said, Sage is slowing down...just a bit. She is keyed into several things: meals, walks, a few runs, chews, and play time. Play time means anything around chase or football. She also continues to thoroughly enjoy finding her place in the center of things and just observing, making sure we're all following "Sage's Guide to Well Behaved Humans and Other Dogs Not Mentioned By Name."

She is my Sage Bean. And I adore her.

Murphy's Day.

"Let's Raid the Closet"

2011-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago there was a 15% coupon for a number of stores at a local shopping mall near the University of Washington. The fantastic news was one of my favorite pet stores, Mud Bay, was participating. So off I went, coupon in hand, shopping for the mischievous elves in the house.

Hiding things around labs is a problem. Their noses may not be Beagle or Basset quality, but they are pretty darn good. I have a closet in my study that usually works, but recently I have been noticing all three girls have been circling near the closet entrance. There is no doubt that Willa is trying to convince Annie to investigate what "Santa-Mommie" might be hiding....

Time to remind them about the naughty and nice equation oh-so helpful to mothers during this time of year!

Murphy's Day.

After Such a Rough Time....

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

As I began to write out my Christmas cards I became reflective. Just what happened this year and what can I expect to happen during 2012. The past few years have been, as they say, a "rough patch," with the deaths of Murphy, my parents, and several good friends. This last year, while there was loss, was a bit calmer, allowing me time to catch my breath and begin thinking about the next phases of my life. Where do I want to be? What do I want to be doing? How can I realize dreams?

This past weekend we stayed home, getting a few things done including the "dreaded" Costco run, leaf raking, and general household duties. I also went to a neighborhood where my parents lived the last few years of their lives (and I haven't been back in about a year) only to find their favorite breakfast place totally changed! Sigh. The world moves on and on.

The girls seemed to enjoy a slower weekend, despite runs and walks, it was slow for us. And in watching them I realized how lucky we are. Three years ago Christmas Day my friend Mary Tydings called with news about a litter of yellow labs and a little over a week later Annie Oakley came into our lives. And this year I met a neighbor and now good friend who told me about her nephew's gorgeous yellow Sydney and at the end of September came Willa. While three active labs is certainly a handful (and let me tell you how many people want to tell us that as we walk: "my, you certainly have your hands full!") at this point I couldn't imagine our lives any other way. Willa burst onto the scene and hasn't stopped working her way into our daily lives. As I exercise I keep reminding myself that I have to stay somewhat limber as I age just to keep up with Annie and Willa (Sage is finally beginning to slow down a tish).

So after such a rough few years, where our lives were consumed with doctors, cooking breakfasts, lunches, dinners, cleaning two houses, running errands, grocery shopping for two households, vets, trying to run my consulting business....it's been a little quieter this year. I have time to enjoy the two "nuts" in the picture as they wrestle and cavort around the house.

Murphy's Day.

Let's Get It Started

2011-12-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

She is Mighty Mite, hurling herself into any activity her two older sisters are doing..."Let's get it started..." is probably the song going through her brain.

Scary.

Murphy's Day.

Essence of Annie

2011-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Annie is one of the quirkiest dogs I have known. She is an amazing athlete, even more agile than Murphy, yet she is timid around many other dogs and seeks out lots of comfort from me. She loves to be close, even putting her head on my lap when I am in the bathroom (more detail than you wanted?????), yet often will totally ignore me when I want her to come. She is close to Sage, eager to play with Willa, but given the chance, will be stretched out on my bed, snoring.

I totally love her quirks. There have been times I have wanted to skin her alive (like when I really need her to come) but I have learned to adapt, and have found a "stern voice at high volume" works with her. She is like a troubled teen who wants attention and even getting told "sit down, and I mean it," seems like an admission of love to her. Hopefully some of those quirks are not from the nurture, although I feel guilty that she had to spend so much of her puppyhood in the car as I raced between my home and my parent's, doing caregiving. I do remember great walks at dusk through the Arboretum, laughing as Annie found a stick and ran around Sage, but perhaps her quirks are a result of all that time in the car and sensing my stress....

And then, her essence is kindness. She also learned that a head on my lap, a greeting with tail wagging, lowered my stress enormously.

Annie Oakley. Riding the range....

Murphy's Day.

My Bed

2011-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Despite Willa's on-going desire to adversely possess Sage's LL Bean bed, Sage is quite successful at maintaining her boundaries! Sage loves this bed, in the middle of hardwood floors (she is not a fan of hardwood, too slick), also in the middle of lots of activity which she can monitor and participate if she wants. Plus, it's next to a heat vent, an important location in cold eastern Washington.

Annie stays away from Sage's bed. And we'll see how Willa and Sage arrange their bed sharing over the next few weeks. But I suspect it's going to take more than Sage circling around the bed while Willa is on it, to get Willa to move....I have a funny feeling I will be refereeing a few snarls!

Murphy's Day.

Ode to Joy

2011-12-06T05:00:00.001-08:00

If I could figure out how to put music to the blog, Ode to Joy would be this song. Annie got into a little bit of snow in eastern Washington. It was slick, and I mean slick (I can show you the bruise on my butt), but the girls thoroughly enjoyed the brief trip.

Ode to Joy!

Murphy's Day!

"I'm a Big Dog, Really, I Am"

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

There are some universal behaviors in labs. Food driven, that is for certain. But one that is also a guaranteed behavior is "the rush" to prove they are big dogs. "If you can do it, so can I." Willa still sleeps in a crate, and when I am not at home, she also is in a crate unless I'm only gone for a few minutes. But she has taken to the idea of a dog bed, especially if it is Sage's.

Willa has a problematic relationship with Sage at this point. Sage accepts her, tolerates her, but also lets Willa know, on a daily basis, who is the top dog in the family. A snarl, a growl, a nudge. Willa follows Annie like "a puppy," but she really is intrigued with Sage and wants to be just like her (in fact, I think she will be more like Sage than Annie, she doesn't, at this point, seem as "hunt" driven as Annie). On Sunday, when we came back from a walk, she scampered into the house, beating Sage to her dog bed, camping out as Sage circled trying to figure out how cranky she should be over this "black dot" on her bed.

Guess who won that battle?

Sage de-camped to my bed.

Murphy's Day.

Advent Calendars

2011-12-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

While I was caregiving for my parents I found I didn't have time to actually shop for "the big" Christmas present. So I pulled out a gorgeous Advent Calendar my mother gave me many years ago, marked off the calendar, and every few days each of us got a small treat.

Today begins the Advent, and in our minds, winter. So a little door will open and a treat...of course, I have yet to tell Willa about the only other Christmas tradition I keep, stockings!

Murphy's Day.

Holiday Dress-Up

2011-12-01T05:00:00.002-08:00

Normally, the girls wear collars from Orvis. The collars are nylon, extremely durable, and have their names and my cell phone number embroidered on them. Plus, they are adjustable, so I can get one collar and it essentially lasts much of their lives....but for holidays, they have special collars. This is a tradition started by my mother who gave me a holiday collar with jingle bells, for Riley, my wheaten terrier. From there, I have gone through an assortment of holiday collars until I found these wonderful collars from Sun Valley.

And so, on Thanksgiving, all three girls got on their holiday best, and romped in the snow.

We had a marvelous time: good food, great friends, the dogs played and played, nice walks. As if on cue, it snowed on Thanksgiving, so we taught Willa about snowballs. It was a nice day...

Murphy's Day.

Sage's Dog House

2011-12-01T05:00:00.001-08:00

For those who haven't see it, this is Sage's dog house in eastern Washington (or more technically, North Central Washington).

The girls love it over there, and there is not much better than waking up to snow falling, Aspen and Ponderosa pine swaying in the wind...sunrise over Burch Mountain. For this, Sage doesn't mind the command: "Sage, in your dog house!"

Murphy's Day.

The Orvis Shot

2011-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Orvis has a contest where you can send pictures of your dog (or in my case, herd) for the cover of their Orvis catalog of all things dog. No matter how hard I try, I can not seem to capture a "still" shot of the girls which would get them on the cover (I have already spent the "winnings" in my mind...don't you think the girls want a new fly rod?).

Orvis did a cute little video of Betty White (found here) trying to get her dog on the cover. Maybe that's what I need to do!

That said, I certainly think the girls look "Orvis" in this picture....of course, not looking for the upland game....

Murphy's Day.

Sage Adds Spice

2011-11-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

So, speaking of holiday collars...normally, Sage does not wear a collar. She did for a long time, but with Annie, who grabs at Sage's neck when they play, I took off Sage's collar and haven't put it on unless I worry she needs identification. However, she does get to wear her holiday collar, and when I put it on her at Thanksgiving, she literally danced. Up and down, around in circles. It was way too cute.

Of course, after her dinner, some turkey scraps, and way too much romping with her younger sisters, Sage, like any elder, headed for "nap time."

No matter what, though, she adds spice to any day. Sweet Sage.

Murphy's Day.

Before....

2011-11-20T18:00:00.001-08:00

Right after my mother died on November 22, 2009, my Aunt Bonnie said: "why does it always happen in November?"

It does seem that way, that the holidays also bring enormous pain and sorrow. This week I am remembering my mother and Murphy, both who died just before Thanksgiving.

So, we'll be taking a few days off to reflect and be thankful for our family and friends. The picture above is of my parents, my Grandmother, Aunt, Uncle, cousins Mary and Tom and Tom's then-wife, Robin. Happy times. I miss my grandmother, aunt, uncle, and my parents....

Have a wonderful holiday and we'll be back on Monday, November 28th.

Murphy's Day.

Murphy's Day

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

This is one of the first pictures I took with my first digital camera (I was late to this technology).

It's been almost three years since Murphy died. Two years since my mother died. It's been a long long long several years.

I miss them terribly.

Murphy's Day.

Snow and Willa

2011-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

I simply can not wait to see what Willa does in the snow. Coming soon, I suspect...not in Seattle, but the mountains and eastern Washington. Which is why, today, it's snow tire installation day. Making sure this pack of labs travel safely, and that we can get Willa into her first snow!

Snow!

Murphy's Day.

Stairwells

2011-11-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Labs love stairwells. The corner of the stairwell gives them a high position to see everything on "the street," hear every thing in the house, and control the movements of the other pups.

Plus, it's a wonderful place to play!

I always worry that sooner or later someone will go tumbling down...but so far, after being in this house for 16 years, no one has. So the tradition continues with Willa, realizing "this is the place to be."

Murphy's Day.

Problem Solving

2011-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Since Sage's knee surgery, she has become tentative on linoleum floors. My kitchen. So, for awhile I had a sisal rug there, and recently she has become tentative, again.

So, I spent a week watching her, and on Sunday, bought a bigger rug. She literally danced on it when it went down.

My heart soared.

Murphy's Day.

Weekend at Home

2011-11-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

We thought we'd head east, but finally decided the tons of errands were a higher priority than going east of the mountains. Plus, there was snow in the passes and snow tires were not yet purchased much less on the car. Errand number one: research and get snow tires.

Notwithstanding the fact we were in the city, the dogs found lots of places to play. We had a wonderful Sunday afternoon with Murphy, Willa's sister, plus a nice walk at Sage's Discovery Park, on Saturday.

And lots of things crossed off the errand list.

So, hopefully next weekend we'll head outside.

Murphy's Day.

Can You Find Willa?????

2011-11-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Murphy's Day.

Modern Dance

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

In my younger days I attended a lot of modern dance performances: Martha Graham, Joffery, Merce Cunningham...but there is nothing more spectacular than two pups playing. Their paw movement, their expressions of joy and happiness, their intensity!

The Annie Oakley Dance Company.

Murphy's Day.

My Gorgeous GIrl

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

In all the hub-bub of the new pup, I haven't said much about Sage. The thing is, she is such a great dog, I really don't need to say much about her. She was one of the easiest dogs I have ever trained. And she still, even when she has her momentary lapses going rogue, behaves. If she is off getting into something she "shouldn't" I can call, or rather bark at her, and she comes scampering out, looking guilty, sticking by my side...

With Willa she is making sure the young "mighty mite" understands who is top dog. Sage has been through a lot, and I encourage her to let Willa know who deserves homage...she is my gorgeous girl.

Murphy's Day.

Best Buds

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

This picture says it all...

Murphy's Day.

Connor Mark

2011-11-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

My niece Brooke, had her third child (ok, she and Doug had their third child) on Saturday night.

Jacob, Claire, and Connor. My brother has five grandchildren, as he says, "a basketball team." I reminded him that his two granddaughters, Claire and Madeline will be the point guards, directing traffic in the family for a long time to come.

There is no more affirming statement to the world than having a child: hope, joy, excitement, anticipation, love....

Congratulations all of you! I miss you and can not wait to meet Connor!

Murphy's Day!

Upland Game

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

I keep thinking I should train Annie to be a flushing dog. I can think of nothing better to do (ok, maybe fishing) on a cold, crisp, Autumn morning, than walking in the fields with the dogs. So why not give her a purpose? Find quail or pheasant or chucker....

Annie: 0
Birds: overwhelmingly winning!

Sigh. Ok, maybe just a walk in the fields will do!

Murphy's Day!

Sage

2011-11-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Of course, nearly everyone wants to know how Sage is dealing with the puppy.

Sage established her boundaries early (she'd be a good relationship counselor!) and has not backed down on where she eats and where she sleeps.

But over the weekend, Sage and Willa were seen watching TV together, I kid you not. Sweet Baby Sage. She might not show it all the time, but she is the sweetest dog.

Murphy's Day.

Sisters

2011-11-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

One (of many) reasons I decided to get Willa (or to have Willa "get" me) is because her sister, Murphy, would live close by. Three blocks east of me. Sharon and Joe are Murphy's parents. I met Sharon through work, she was one of the neighbors who retained me to help them with the non-function rain gardens Seattle Public Utilities imposed on the neighborhood (it's all about infiltration!). It's Sharon's nephews who bred Maverick to Sydney and it was Sharon's sister, Julie, who brought both girls to Seattle.

So, almost every weekend since they arrived, Willa and Murphy have spent time together. On Sunday, we stopped by on our way back from a long and wet (and as a consequence, muddy) walk through our favorite park. These two just love to romp and clearly know they are a bond.

And, I get the joy of spending time with two great people, Sharon and Joe. Truly, all great people are dog people! When Sharon told me she was naming her pup Murphy I almost cried. They never "knew" Murphy (I think Sharon may have met her on her morning walks years ago), so I got the chance to regale them with Murphy stories. This pup has big paws to fill but will do it and more!

It's nice to have family!

Murphy's Day!

Lab Heaven

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

A picture says a thousand words. Or a thousand hand-me-down toys that someone thinks are just for them!

Murphy's Day!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

Waiting for all the ghosts and goblins here in Ballard!

Murphy's Day!

Ready to Be Outside

2011-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was at home. We're ready to be outside. Last weekend was nice, even the trip to Costco...but it will be nicer to get outside, play in the remains of fall.

"Most of all, we love the fall...."

Murphy's Day.

Sweet Girl

2011-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Is there anything sweeter than a puppy making sure no one else gets her toy? Of course, this toy was once Sage's, then Annie's.....

Thank goodness for hand-me-downs, right?

Murphy's Day.

Integration

2011-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Need any more evidence how well Annie is enjoying Willa?

Murphy's Day.

Thinking about Newcomers

2011-10-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

We've been thinking about newcomers. Obviously Willa is the newcomer, and this (see above) was the welcoming committee.

Willa, like Annie, has held her own. In fact, just before this picture was shot, in the upper right hand corner was Willa, a triple lab threat on the stairs!

I dunno, if I was new in this 'hood, I think it would be pretty good to be welcomed by the dos amigos!

Murphy's Day.

Taking the World By Storm

2011-10-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Willa has been with us for four weeks, now. She has taken her new neighborhoods by storm...Nahahum Canyon and Sunset Hill. Scott and Paula came by for puppy kisses (and love with Sage and Annie). Willa visited her sister, Murphy, and rollicked.

Like any and every great lab, she is taking the world by storm. And the world needs it, right now.

Murphy's Day!

Progress Report

2011-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we're sleeping until 4 AM, then back to sleep until 5:30 AM. We are getting outside, most of the time, to pee and poop. And best of all, we're following Annie's lead.

And that is a good thing, right?

Murphy's Day.

In the Field

2011-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot, lately, about my so-called hunting dogs. Sage wasn't bred for hunting as much as she was bred to be "in the manor born." A good looking girl. Annie comes from hunting stock, as does Willa. With quail and ducks abounding here in both western and eastern Washington, maybe I need to get these girls in the field. Let them do what they are bred to do.

On the other hand, me with a shotgun??????

Murphy's Day.

Ode to Joy

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Annie actually seems happier. Can you tell when dogs are happy? I can. Annie has more energy, more spirit. She takes toys out of the toy basket and plays with Willa. She is playing more with Sage.

We all seem more energized, except for the 3 AM wake-up calls.

Murphy's Day.

Re-Booting

2011-10-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sage came in the middle of my father's decline. And Annie came as both of my parents were dealing with serious health issues. Now there is Willa. It's time to re-boot. I've been in a funk since my parents' deaths and in the several weeks since Willa has been here, I find myself taking the time to gather my life together...re-booting. I'm not letting go, by any means. In fact, Willa proudly uses one of Murphy's old leashes. Years of history in that leash.

But new life certainly helps to make the old life seem more comfortable, less sad.

Murphy's Day.

Most of All, We Love the Fall

2011-10-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

A great Hemingway quote: "most of all, he loved the fall," applies to us. A wonderful week of fishing (skunked), hiking, exploring. Willa got a chance to get to know her big sisters, Annie learned how to play, again, and Sage showed us a maternal side I never knew she had!

Glorious fall colors. And we're learning that if we take a picture of Willa, there has to be a light background!

Murphy's Day.

All Lambs

2011-10-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

You know that saying, about lions laying down with lambs? Well, the girls are all lambs.

Murphy's Day (still in eastern Washington).

Dogs of The Wenatchee RIver

2011-10-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Willa is fitting right in, if any lab can fit in with chaos! She hurled herself into trying to be like Annie, which has it's pluses and minuses....but all three of the girls seem to be enjoying this brief time away from Seattle. So many things to explore, so many things to get into, and so many strange sounds...Sage and Annie are accepting Willa into their pack. Annie loves to play and Sage seems to have taken over the role of big protector. It's very sweet, actually.

We're still into the early AM wake-ups, not every night, but still I have a whole new empathy for my nieces, one who has a new baby and the other who is about to...

Murphy's Day.

Fly Fishing Guide Dogs

2011-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, all three labs went to the upper Yakima to help me guide. It was Willa's first day on a river, which Annie and Sage made sure she got into all sorts of trouble: dead salmon, cold water, elk crap...

She seemed to enjoy it, though. Good thing. We get out on rivers a lot!

Speaking of that, we're off tomorrow for a few days. We'll be back soon, just heading east of the mountains for some time in an aspen stand!

Murphy's Day.

Sisters

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Does it get any better?

Murphy's Day.

Murphy, Too

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

The great thing about this pup is her sister lives three blocks east. Literally. It takes 2 minutes to get there.

On Saturday, after 24 hours separation, the two sisters, Willa and Murphy, met again. And wow. Blood is thicker than...the two pups romped, stomped, rolled, nuzzled...it will be a delight to watch these two grow. Murphy is the runt of the litter. Smart, full of sass. And Willa has gumption.

Murphy owns two friends of mine, who haven't been owned by a dog for a long long time. It is a delight to watch them fall head over heels with Murphy.

And for me, to be around another Murphy...doesn't get much better.

Murphy's Day.

Glad I'm Still Young

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Phew, I forgot how much energy a puppy uses and I use to keep up with her. This is one moment of quiet. The girls have gone from snarling every second to ignoring to finally cuddling up a bit. A bit. We're not at kum-bye-ya quite yet.

But I see glimmers. Meanwhile Willa is contemplating a pre-mature run for mayor. In her initial visit to University Village shopping mall, she totally wrapped everyone around her paw.

I need to re-charge my batteries!

Murphy's Day.

Willa

2011-09-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in this mass of black lab is Willa. New member of the family.

Murphy's Day.

Expanding

2011-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

No picture today. Hopefully more tomorrow. We're deep into negotiations about expanding the league, herd, team, family.

More tomorrow!

Murphy's Day!

Hmmmm

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Shhhhh. A surprise!

Murphy's Day!

Learning to Swim

2011-09-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

I remember taking Sage to Rattlesnake Lake, wading out to my knees, and putting Sage in the water...like my Dad teaching me how to swim (except I seem to remember him throwing me in the pool). Sage now loves to swim, as does Annie. But Sage will just go into the water. Annie wants a stick or ball...then she'll go forever.

And now....?

Murphy's Day.

Saturday

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went fishing to a spot that I hadn't fished in a long long time. In fact, the last time I was there, Murphy was still alive. Sage imitated Murphy, finding a warm spot in the sun and just enjoying the turning Vine maples, the elk bugling. It was a gorgeous, memorable day. Annie seemed to love it, finding all sorts of odd smelling things to roll in...gotta' love a lab and their amazing ability to find anything smelly.

It was a great day.

Murphy's Day!

Waiting

2011-09-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

At the risk of being coy, Annie and Sage are in waiting mode...something is about to happen....

Murphy's Day

Getting Old Isn't for Sissies

2011-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

This has been a hard summer for Sage. A variety of things slowed her down, a bit, including a contusion to her left front leg (she thought she was a barrel racing lab!). While getting old for us humans is hard enough, it's harder, for me, to watch the girls age. I have to be the one telling her not to do the third lap on her mad dog, or that she can't come running along Blackbird Island. For those of you who have had to tell your parents they can no longer drive, telling a lab she can't romp is similar. Not fun.

On the other hand, we're just trying to be "smart" about her aging, just like I am trying to be smart about my knees....ha!

Murphy's Day.

Not Too Much Longer

2011-09-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, other than dogs, or labs specifically, my other passion is fly fishing. And one of my favorite places to fish is a small but gorgeous mountain stream in North Central Washington. For years the fishing season ended in October, but because of some possible endangered species issues, the season now closes at the end of this month. This year we were unable to fish this stream very much because the run-off came so late. So, we got in late and now are in the waning days of saying "until next year."

The dogs love going with me. They can swim (I'm not uptight about them interfering with my fishing, for me it's more about being out than catching and releasing anything), hang out, find sticks, sniff all the wild animal scents...it's a perfect outing for the girls.

And so it is not too much longer. After the end of this month we'll walk the shore, looking longingly at the creek, scouting, perhaps, for new places to cast.

Murphy's Day.

Crossing Log Bridges

2011-09-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sage is a funny girl. As she has gotten older, she has become more nervous about things. On our Sunday hike she calmly walked over this log bridge on the way into the lake, but coming out, she seemed scared to cross it, carefully examining the water to see if there was a way she could fjord the stream rather than walk over the bridge, backing up, looking at me...so, I got behind her, encouraging her that it was ok, I was here....she literally took a deep breath, tucked her tail, and scooted across.

I suspect that part of the problem is she gets tired then stops trusting her legs, then gets scared. But she really is a brave, stoic dog. And once she knows someone will cross the bridge with her, she will do it.

Metaphoric, don't you think?

Murphy's Day!

Sympathy Cards By the Case

2011-09-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

"I should be buying sympathy cards by the case, " I said to a friend last week. Good friends losing parents, a close friend of my parents, and just yesterday I learned my friends Richard and Judy lost their Bassett, Romeo. Hard on both of them, of course, made even worse because Judy had to be there with Romeo while Richard was driving around the West looking for rivers to fish. Romeo was Richard's buddy, helped raise their daughter, and provided every one a laugh with his antics.

It is hard on our hearts, to love and lose. And there comes a time in life when it seems every day brings news of another loss. Years and years ago, a wise woman told me: "to love again after such a loss is a tribute to the love you had."

Murphy's Day.

New Meetings of Old Friends

2011-09-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

Les is on the left, Richard on the right

As my friend Les would say: "these are meaningful moments." And they were. I finally met Richard, from Massachusetts, the basketball March Brown Madness pool bamboo fly rod Hardy reel guru. After we lunched just outside of Portland, Oregon, we drove to the Oregon Coast Range, somewhere between Junction City and Florence, and met Les and Ann. It was delightful. Ann prepared an amazing meal, Les grilled humongous steaks, and we talked about things that matter to us. The next morning I ran with Les to his son's place, then had yet again another amazing meal. It was very difficult for me to leave...in fact, as I was driving up I-5 talking with a close friend I said: "I left part of my heart down there."

It still simply amazes me that people who have never met can be so familiar and comfortable. Fishing stories zinged back and forth, discussions of children, schooling, and food...despite our political similarities, we rarely mentioned politics. We just had fun.

I am looking forward to more time together. As my world seems to have changed more and more, loss of parents, trying to figure out what I want to do in my life...it is so very nice to know there are friends there, who care, who worry, and who will be there.

And did I mention Les and Ann's dog, Kol? Great black lab. I didn't take "the girls," so he certainly helped me not to miss them as much.

New meetings of old friends. Can't get much better.

Murphy's Day.

An Overnight Visit

2011-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

As many of you know aside from "the girls" my other passion is fly fishing. I don't get out as much as I would like, and with all the endangered species issues in Washington, fishing can be a frustrating experiences of spending way too much time trying to divine what the fishing regulations will allow you to do. But, once I am out and on the water, I am usually a happy camper. It gives me time outside, time with the girls, and time challenging myself.

One of the great things about fly fishing is people who do it like to talk about it. Long before Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, a professor from Kentucky set up a list serv that over time acquired around 1,000 members from all over the world. The number has dwindled over the past 15 years, but through that list I have met some wonderful people. Several artists from Canada, my good friend Bill in Wyoming, and my dear friend Dave Lewis who died two years ago. From this list serv, a smaller group of us have corresponded over politics, life, and food. One of my friends, Richard, is on his sabbatical from teaching, winding his way West fishing. Today I am off to meet him, finally, face-to-face and to journey to Oregon to meet another member of the list. The girls will stay home, since we're visiting another friend with cats...and we all know where that would end up.

Back home tomorrow, back on the blog on Friday, I hope!

Murphy's Day.

What Do You Do With A Dog Named Annie?

2011-09-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Murphy had her own song...ok, it was really Louie Louie with the lyrics changed to Murphy Murphy, oh oh, we're going to go now, whoa whoa whoa whoa....And Sage has a version of James Taylor's Sweet Baby James, which is, of course, Sweet Baby Sage.

Only the amazing Rogers and Hammerstein could come up with Annie's song. From the Sound of Music, we need to substitute the nuns singing What do we do with a girl named Maria? for me singing what do we do with a lab named Annie?

The "theme" songs are fun and it's amazing, but with Murphy, she really did recognize her song. I do remember holding her at the end, stroking her head, and singing Murphy Murphy. I'm sure she still dances to it.

Murphy's Day!

Another Weekend, Another Lake

2011-09-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

We stayed in Seattle this weekend. Lots of things to get done: do you have any idea how cathartic it is to recycle all the "dead" electronics that reside in your basement? Two trips! Three TVs, countless cell phones, mice, screens, keyboards, USB cords....then, since it was hot, we finally got the kayaks out and roamed Shilshole, the marvelous body of water just below the house. Of course, we kept our eye on the U Dub game (yeah Dawgs) and thought about, yes, I'll say it publicly, whether to get the puppy that has been offered to us...

Sunday was hike day. I'd heard about two lakes near Crystal Mountain, near where we took the gondolas. So after some morning errands, we left on the hike, my fly rod in hand. It was hot, the hike was hotter, but the reward was this great lake. No fish there, but some in the outflow stream...a great afternoon.

So, the puppy. It's a long story, but a female black lab is available. She is gorgeous, from a family breeder (which I prefer), mom is a yellow, father a black hunting lab....three???????

But it was good to get out. We thought of all our friends in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Those horrifying moments we all witnessed, shared, grieved, lost. And we thought of our friends who just lost their mother and mother-in-law. And then we heard Annie cannon-ball into this lake. Like no one I know, she can seize the moment. There is something of value in that.

Murphy's Day.

Doug Mason's 61st Birthday

2011-09-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today would have been Doug Mason's 61st birthday. This summer we lost his mother, Evelyn Mason Brueggeman. There are few things worse for a family than losing a son, brother, husband at an early age.

For me, every time I'm in the mountains, I can feel Doug. We created many memories in the Cascades, Olympics, and Rockies. I think he would have loved the labs, enjoyed fly fishing, and reveled in the hikes to high alpine lakes. Even though it's been many many years, I miss being able to share the adventures I have, the friends I have made, the life I now live.

Happy Birthday, Doug.

Swimming with Diamonds

2011-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

I simply love this picture. Sage and Annie at Cutthroat Lake. With the light, it looks like they are swimming with diamonds. And in a sense they were...a high alpine lake, time outside, cool water (or escape from the swarming mosquitoes, which I have been eaten alive by them these past few days so I finally learned how to spell mosquito correctly).

I really enjoy these kind of outings with the girls. The trail was not that hard, and, of course, Annie did twice the distance than the rest of us, but for both girls when they got to the lake, their eyes opened wide and it was stampede time to the water. They seem to love the scents, the mere activity of hiking, and I love watching them enjoy themselves. We are creating memories that last forever. I still say: "remember when we took Murphy to...."

Murphy's Day.

Ye-haw!

2011-09-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am a rodeo fanatic. Possibly because I attended many of them when I was growing up. Perhaps it is that no one knows how to starch a shirt better than a rodeo cowboy. Or maybe it's the sense that part of history is being played out...so on Sunday, I went to the Ellensburg Rodeo. It was "tough enough to wear pink" day, the day that rodeo participants show their unity with breast cancer victims. And phew, do cowboys know how to wear a pink shirt!

It was hot, dusty, and fun. The girls stayed home, anxiously waiting for dinner and some play time. I came home with ideas of horses, saddles, and starched shirts! Ye-haw!

Murphy's Day.

Cutthroat Lake

2011-09-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

A summer tradition for us is to hike into Cutthroat Lake (in the North Cascades). It's one of the stunning high alpine lakes in the Cascades. Saturday we left, got to the trailhead in the afternoon, and hiked in. And it was indeed it was gorgeous. The dogs leapt into the lake, and I fished (dodging, again, some aggressive mosquitoes. With the late snow melt, every lake has a bog and bogs bring on mosquitoes.). Fishing was great, I caught some beautiful Cutthroat trout, dogs had fun, and it was a long day but a great adventure.

Every time I am in the high mountains, I think of people in my life who I have lost (and of course my dogs). I feel their spirits soaring in the mountains....it's good for me to get into the high lakes.

We're still over in eastern Washington, home later today.

Murphy's Day

Wildflowers

2011-09-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Of course, there were the great views of Mt. Rainier and other mountains, but also, magnificent wildflowers. It was an absolutely stunning day.

Have a great long weekend! We're off for other adventures.

Murphy's Day!

Heading for the Barn (or car)

2011-09-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sage has a horse-like attitude about our adventures. They are fine for awhile but at some point, she feels, she has to take control and get us all back to the barn (or car). She becomes focused on the task at hand. Follow this trail.

Annie, still a pup really, is the explorer. She dove into every small mountain lake, ran through the meadows, rolled on her back in the middle of the wildflowers, and stopped to listen to the marmot. Both seemed to enjoy the day, even though it started with the strange gondola-thing. And I thoroughly loved being in this spectacular place with my two best friends.

Murphy's Day!

Summer Time Snow

2011-08-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

It didn't take much encouragement to get the girls off trail and into the first snow patch. Annie demonstrated her glissading techniques and Sage just rolled, allowing the snow to cool her down from the hot alpine air. They were delighted, thinking truly it was Christmas in August.

If I ran a national park, I think my sign would say: "Please let your dog play on the snow."

Murphy's Day!

Mt. Rainier

2011-08-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

And this is what we saw when we got off the gondola. The iconic mountain of the PNW, Mt. Rainier. The cool thing about this gondola/hike trip is that the dogs could go. Dogs are not allowed on any trails in Mt. Rainier National Park. In fact, on of my most favorite "anti-dog" signs was near the heavily travelled Paradise area of Mt. Rainier. It said: "No Dogs On Snow."

So, at Crystal Mountain, dogs were not only welcome but embraced. When we got to the top there were at least a dozen dogs. Of course, only Sage and Annie had to hike all the way down!!!!! And indeed, we found a patch of snow.

Murphy's Day!

On The Gondola

2011-08-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

So I get this idea that I need to take the girls to the top of Crystal Mountain, which is where I used to ski as a girl (and now ski as a semi-crazed adult). Last year, Crystal installed a gondola to the top of the mountain and they have it open for the summer. At the top are the most amazing views of Mt. Rainier.

Sage has been on a tram, at Squaw Valley, years ago. Years ago...and Annie, who barely got into a drift boat...so the strategy was to run, excited, into the gondola. Worked for Annie, although she got nervous, but Sage. She dug in. A guy finally helped, shoving her in and for much of the ride she laid down on the floor, pretty darn mad at me....but, it all worked out and boy, did we have a fantastic day...details to follow.

Life is an adventure. And these girls? Well, their lives, either or both of them, could have been just fine on some plantation on the eastern shore of Maryland. But they ended up with me and if it's a gondola ride on a hot summer day and a 4 mile hike to the base....

Murphy's Day.

Happy Birthday Carol!!!!

2011-08-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sage and Annie know who helped get them from Maryland to here...

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Murphy's Day.

Thinking About Road Trips

2011-08-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I am a "classic American girl" because I like "classic" American things: hamburgers, milkshakes, long road trips. And I have figured out that long road trips are far far better with the dogs. They add great memories.

I remember when I drove from New York to Seattle, with Murphy and my Wheaten terrier, Riley. We were in the middle of North Dakota and I got the girls out, on a dirt road, for a long walk. We strolled down the road, the girls investigating the culvert, the fields, when the road made a corner around the section line. Riley refused to go any further. We'd been traveling for about a week, the Subaru had become her new home, and by-God, she wasn't going to let it get out of her sight.

The thing about road trips is you can see new things, revisit old favorites, and let your mind wander as you drive...plus, when traveling with dogs, you actually stop, a lot, and enjoy places that you might normally drive by.

It's been a summer without a long road trip. I need one.

Murphy's Day.

Community

2011-08-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

If I pause and think about my friends, most of them I know because of the dogs. We've met because of the dogs. It's amazing. And, when I need something, my dog-friend community always comes through, whether it's talking sports, serious life issues, or just a hand.

Sage injured her shoulder in a romp with Annie last week. Friends have given me names of acupuncturists (worked on their dog), some medicine that I ran out of, and ideas about massage.

Dog people know how to do community. If left alone, we probably could solve many of the world's problems....

Murphy's Day.

A Magical Day

2011-08-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

My friend Richard once said he stopped counting fish he caught (and released) at one...and I have followed his lead on this ever since. That said, I do remember epic days, when it seems every cast brings a fish to hand. It's been a long cold summer without much fishing, but on Sunday, I had a magical day. In only 90 + minutes of fishing, I caught one beautiful fish after another. It was the kind of 90 minutes I have needed.

And so, with only a few more weeks left, hopefully we can get out. Sage hurt her front left leg last week, in a game with Annie, so we're trying to keep her still, and hopefully nothing more serious than rest and a little Rimadyl is needed. I tried to convince her to not climb on all the rocks but she insisted and paid the price on Sunday night with a little stiffness. Of course, I was stiff, too. But happy.

Nearing the End of Summer

2011-08-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Not that we had one here in the PNW (there is a collective vitamin D deficiency for every resident of the PNW), but we're nearing the end of summer. So, we're going to hop-scotch through taking some days off. We'll be back on Tuesday after spending a weekend in eastern Washington with Carol, our friend from New York! It's probably much cooler here for her!

Murphy's Day.