Happy Halloween

Waiting for all the ghosts and goblins here in Ballard!

Murphy's Day!

Ready to Be Outside

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

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

Need any more evidence how well Annie is enjoying Willa?

Murphy's Day.

Thinking about Newcomers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Does it get any better?

Murphy's Day.

Murphy, Too

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

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.