It's one of those mundane tasks I usually never give any thought to, going to the drive-through bank teller. Except, if the girls are with me, Kelli, "my" teller, goes nuts. She meows at the dogs, barks at them, talks with them. And Sage is one of her favorites. She is always commenting on Sage's soulful looks.
Sage. She knows how to make sure the vacuum tube has not just my receipt, but treats.
Murphy's Day.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
It's A Dog's Life
I think I am still in compensation mode for Sage. Her surgery, two years ago, is fresh in my mind. So, I continue to try and make her as comfortable as possible. If Annie tries to play too hard or I think Sage has over done the romping, I make sure she is comfortable, warm...and of course, a treat is involved.
Nothing better than pampering. It really is a dog's life.
Murphy's Day.
Nothing better than pampering. It really is a dog's life.
Murphy's Day.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Newness
My friend's son just got a yellow lab puppy, Duke. She sent pictures of her granddog. And I thought about Sage and Annie. How Sage tormented Murphy, how Annie still torments Sage. Yet I also remember after Murphy died, how Sage wandered all over looking for her friend. And how I know Annie is so tied into Sage.
Sometimes I don't think I have the energy for a puppy. Then I saw the pictures of Duke...
Murphy's Day.
Sometimes I don't think I have the energy for a puppy. Then I saw the pictures of Duke...
Murphy's Day.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Mud Pie
There really isn't a whole lot I can say about this picture. Annie chased a ball into a huge mud puddle, dove in face and front paws first....
Except to say this is a lot like Murphy. Murphy used to do the same thing. I would call her my New Guinea Princess Warrior. And look at the tail, wagging of course, totally proud of herself.
My Mud Pie.
Murphy's Day.
Except to say this is a lot like Murphy. Murphy used to do the same thing. I would call her my New Guinea Princess Warrior. And look at the tail, wagging of course, totally proud of herself.
My Mud Pie.
Murphy's Day.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Understanding Her Place
Annie is understanding her place. She is still deferential to Sage, but she also knows she can sometimes dominate the household. I think it's her energy. Nothing, absolutely nothing, gets this dog down.
So, in a world shaped and defined by sadness and sorrow, why not let this character "take over?"
Murphy's Day.
So, in a world shaped and defined by sadness and sorrow, why not let this character "take over?"
Murphy's Day.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sometimes HIding Is The Best Option
My brackets are in flames, the world is exploding, the weather isn't changing...
Sometimes it's best to just hide.
Murphy's Day.
Sometimes it's best to just hide.
Murphy's Day.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Float Trip
It's a major hatch on the Yakima River. Annie has never been in a drift boat and I am thinking it is time for her to learn how to do a float trip.
Sage's first float trip was on the Yakima for my birthday. It's when she discovered her love of bugs. There is nothing cuter than a yellow lab sniffing, trying to figure out what this thing is...
Yep, time for a float trip.
Murphy's Day.
Sage's first float trip was on the Yakima for my birthday. It's when she discovered her love of bugs. There is nothing cuter than a yellow lab sniffing, trying to figure out what this thing is...
Yep, time for a float trip.
Murphy's Day.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thinking About Murphy
As we enter into Spring, I have begun thinking about Murphy more often than usual. Like Sage and Annie, Murphy loved just laying out in the sun. Dare I say, cat-like? I think the warmth of the sun would just penetrate her body, warming all the bones.
Another Spring tradition, March Madness was something that Murphy knew how to endure: my yelling, my head in my hands, my whimpering as my brackets ended up in smoke. Sage ignores the whole thing, and Annie is just beginning to learn how to stay away from me when I watch the games.
I miss my Murph.
Murphy's Day.
Another Spring tradition, March Madness was something that Murphy knew how to endure: my yelling, my head in my hands, my whimpering as my brackets ended up in smoke. Sage ignores the whole thing, and Annie is just beginning to learn how to stay away from me when I watch the games.
I miss my Murph.
Murphy's Day.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Can't Be In Palm Springs?
Finally, last Friday it was warm enough (barely) to let the girls hang out in the back yard. First, a note about the back yard. We have had one of everything this winter, but mostly rain. The back yard, mostly due to Annie Oakley, looks like a mud bath. I foresee a whole lot of garden work this spring.
But, all three of us thoroughly enjoyed the sun. I felt buoyed by the solar energy. And the girls knew it was gorgeous out, the kept going to the back door, giving me "those eyes." Although we can't be in Palm Springs, the small taste of warm weather to hopefully come...
Murphy's Day.
But, all three of us thoroughly enjoyed the sun. I felt buoyed by the solar energy. And the girls knew it was gorgeous out, the kept going to the back door, giving me "those eyes." Although we can't be in Palm Springs, the small taste of warm weather to hopefully come...
Murphy's Day.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sweet Pea
I realized the other day that I have all sorts of names for the girls. Sweet Baby Sage or Sweet Pea are my favorites.
On Tuesday I had to work in the evening, a meeting, and when I came home who was at the door, tail wagging, her little "jump ups?" Sweet Pea.
She is an amazing dog, continuing to be stoic and tough until the thunder hit on Tuesday. Then she was a shaking mass of yellow lab under my desk. She knew where to come and who would try to comfort her.
My Sweet Pea.
Murphy's Day.
On Tuesday I had to work in the evening, a meeting, and when I came home who was at the door, tail wagging, her little "jump ups?" Sweet Pea.
She is an amazing dog, continuing to be stoic and tough until the thunder hit on Tuesday. Then she was a shaking mass of yellow lab under my desk. She knew where to come and who would try to comfort her.
My Sweet Pea.
Murphy's Day.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
St. Patrick's Day
I used to have two dogs, Riley and Murphy. Now, it's Sage and Annie. And even though they don't have Irish names or heritage, they are, as my mother used to say: "full of the ol' Nick."
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Murphy's Day.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Murphy's Day.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Changing the Clock
It always takes me a few days to adjust to the "spring forward" time change. Losing an hour is a big deal to me.
And this year I am surprised that it is a big deal to the girls. Both seem shocked when I get up.
Dogs really are routinized, rhythm driven beings. They like to know how and when things are going to work. So a shift, even in timing, gets them a little worried.
Nonetheless, it hasn't dampened their spirits!
Murphy's Day.
And this year I am surprised that it is a big deal to the girls. Both seem shocked when I get up.
Dogs really are routinized, rhythm driven beings. They like to know how and when things are going to work. So a shift, even in timing, gets them a little worried.
Nonetheless, it hasn't dampened their spirits!
Murphy's Day.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Will It Ever Stop Raining?
Ah, to have weather where we need a fan.
I remember the last time my mother was in the hospital. I opened the curtains and said: "wow, you've got quite a view." We both looked out and it was dark, gray, raining, as it had been for weeks.
My mother said: "I hate the gray."
Amen.
Murphy's Day.
I remember the last time my mother was in the hospital. I opened the curtains and said: "wow, you've got quite a view." We both looked out and it was dark, gray, raining, as it had been for weeks.
My mother said: "I hate the gray."
Amen.
Murphy's Day.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Worried About Japan
Living here on the Pacific Coast, we have a closeness with Japan. Trade, culture, sensibility, the same or similar fears of living on the "ring of fire." While I was growing up, my parents were fascinated with all things Japan. They were into the art of Bonsai, Japanese art, and of course, food. I distinctly remember many trips to what was then a small little Japanese general store that has now become a huge business, called Uwajimaya, in search of Bonsai pots.
And my Grandfather, a grocer himself, was legendary in establishing his relatives in Japanese strawberry fields during World War Two, to make sure people didn't try to take the property of his Japanese friends while they were interned. Those families have been friends of the McDonalds forever.
And so, we now turn to Japan. Our friends. Waves of earth movements and salt water have wrecked havoc on these small islands. Sure, they were prepared, prepare more than we, here in Seattle, probably are, but there is still enormous suffering and sorrow.
Our hearts are with you.
Murphy's Day.
And my Grandfather, a grocer himself, was legendary in establishing his relatives in Japanese strawberry fields during World War Two, to make sure people didn't try to take the property of his Japanese friends while they were interned. Those families have been friends of the McDonalds forever.
And so, we now turn to Japan. Our friends. Waves of earth movements and salt water have wrecked havoc on these small islands. Sure, they were prepared, prepare more than we, here in Seattle, probably are, but there is still enormous suffering and sorrow.
Our hearts are with you.
Murphy's Day.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Orvis Pose
For the past several years Orvis has been asking for submissions of dog pictures. They then use them for their dog product catalog.
I keep thinking my girls are prime candidates for a picture submittal. Of course, I can rarely catch them in some adorable picture. Annie, Miss Attention Deficit Disorder almost always takes off before I can click the camera.
But here she is, mugging for the camera.
Murphy's Day.
I keep thinking my girls are prime candidates for a picture submittal. Of course, I can rarely catch them in some adorable picture. Annie, Miss Attention Deficit Disorder almost always takes off before I can click the camera.
But here she is, mugging for the camera.
Murphy's Day.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Does It Get Any Better?
Here are the ingredients:
Lot of Sun
Melting Snow
A lot of Mud
A Sopping Wet Tennis ball
Sage
Mommie With the Chuck-it
Doesn't get any better.
Murphy's Day.
Lot of Sun
Melting Snow
A lot of Mud
A Sopping Wet Tennis ball
Sage
Mommie With the Chuck-it
Doesn't get any better.
Murphy's Day.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
No Fighting No Biting
When I was a kid my mother gave me a book: No Fighting, No Biting. I think the subversive idea was to make me a better sister to my brother. No fighting, no biting.
I need to see if it's still in print for Annie.
Or, maybe I should just get Go Dog, Go!
Murphy's Day.
I need to see if it's still in print for Annie.
Or, maybe I should just get Go Dog, Go!
Murphy's Day.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Happiness Factor
So, there apparently is some group in Seattle that is trying to figure out whether people here are happy. Me? Well, I frankly feel Seattle is a little too (ok, I'll be honest, way too) uptight about dogs, among many things.
But I do know that the girls feel total happiness when they are off leash romping around in the country. And when they are happy...
I don't know. Cities are beginning to give me the heebeegeebees. Too many people, too many agendas, too much conflict. Not that the country is much better, but at least I can pretend everything is ok 'cuz I rarely see anyone!
My happiness factor is totally relational to the girls. As it should be.
Murphy's Day.
But I do know that the girls feel total happiness when they are off leash romping around in the country. And when they are happy...
I don't know. Cities are beginning to give me the heebeegeebees. Too many people, too many agendas, too much conflict. Not that the country is much better, but at least I can pretend everything is ok 'cuz I rarely see anyone!
My happiness factor is totally relational to the girls. As it should be.
Murphy's Day.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Out and About
We decided to get out and about this weekend.
Annie had a blast chasing a tennis ball in the snow, or what little snow we could find. And as always, when she couldn't find it, Sage came to the rescue.
We came home to daffodils beginning to show. Doesn't get much better.
Murphy's Day.
Annie had a blast chasing a tennis ball in the snow, or what little snow we could find. And as always, when she couldn't find it, Sage came to the rescue.
We came home to daffodils beginning to show. Doesn't get much better.
Murphy's Day.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Rock and Roll
Annie wants to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has her thank you speech already to go. Or maybe she should think about joining a dance troupe....Alvin Ailey?
We can never say Annie doesn't rock and roll!
Murphy's Day!
We can never say Annie doesn't rock and roll!
Murphy's Day!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Happy Birthday Big Brother (you need to scroll way down from the pic)!
What? Was this picture taken 25 years ago?
Ask your fantastic wife to give you a big hug from me...
Much love,
Yer sis.
Ask your fantastic wife to give you a big hug from me...
Much love,
Yer sis.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Isn't It Tomorrow?
Ok, so if you're about to turn...what is it? Don't you spend time looking forward? You have a great life. Two amazing daughters, two great sons-in-law, three fantastic grandchildren... and a sis who loves you!
You have so much to look forward to, such a great life!
Murphy's Day.
You have so much to look forward to, such a great life!
Murphy's Day.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Countdown to 60
No, not me, not either of the girls. Someone in my family. Hopefully this week he is finding his inner joy. Getting lots o' love from his family.
Two more days....
Murphy's Day.
Two more days....
Murphy's Day.
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