Happy Halloween

They are going as labs.

Wet, sandy labs.

Murphy's Day.

We'll See You in Bend!

Our dear friends, Scott and Paula are moving to Bend.  They have been commuting there for a number of years, but finally decided this big, messy, intense city was not for them (and I can not blame them...we are two steps behind them...remember the painting job, it's called getting the house ready).

The girls need room to romp.  And here in Seattle, doing what they are doing in the picture above, playing at the beach that is less than a mile from the house, is illegal.  Yep.  Illegal.  It's a HUGE fine if we had been caught ($500 per dog, that's a lot of dog biscuits).

That the thing about living in a city.  It may be full of interesting things to do (although I do believe almost every city in America has become homogenous, with the same stores, the same bike lanes, the same "artisan" restaurants (can I just howl the next time some hip waitress tells me my salad is locally sourced?"), and chock-a-block full of nanny "no-no" rules.

Bend.  Missoula.  Boise (ok, a tiny city).  Ketchum.  We are a few steps behind you two and can not wait to see you both when we come down to Bend for our dose of sanity!

Murphy's Day.

Weekend in Seattle

A weekend in Seattle.  First, it was very wet and wild on Saturday.  We went for a run, that literally could have been classified as a swim.  Then, the whole house was turned upside down (ok, not the whole house) when I decided to begin a long needed job: painting the main downstairs room.  It only took me a zillion years to chose the color!  So, if you see Willa looking Parchment, rather than black, it's because her curiosity over the DIY painting job got the better of her.  It's one wall at a time!!!

Of course, staying at home always has its risks, such as watching football, or fiddling with tech stuff...but we managed to get a lot done and the backyard, having had three dogs romping over it, looks like a mud-bowl.

It was nice, though....nice to stay home.

Murphy's Day.

Sage on the Wenatchee

Sage has many favorite places.  But this little sand bar...it's her absolute favorite.

And I simply love it when the river gets low enough that she gets to stand in the sand, watching the river flow.

Sage.

Murphy's Day.

Sweet Annie

I don't think I have ever met a more sensitive dog.  Annie is totally attuned to the world around her and if something is amiss, Annie is on it....

Sweet Annie.  She is a reminder why labs, all labs, are the best dogs.

They make each day worth the effort.

Murphy's Day.

Pile O' Labs

I simply love this picture!

It's like "Can You Find Waldo?"  Can you find Willa?

Of course, she is probably the happiest of this pile of labs!

Murphy's Day.

Hard at Work

I took this photo while I was working.

Clearly I need to be much more firm with Willa's union!

Murphy's Day.

Seasons Changing

We woke up on Sunday morning to temperatures below 30º.  Frost on the ground.  Annie was ecstatic, she rolled in the frost (pretend snow in her opinion) and the girls did seem to have an extra bounce in their step.

Me?  I shivered.

Murphy's Day.

In the Field

Labs are field dogs.  There is a fair amount written about whether a lab is "field" or English (which is mostly about conformation of their bodies...boxy or narrow head, tall or short, etc).  But labs, all labs, are bred for the field.  They have keen noses, sharp eyes, and a quick sense when there is something moving, even a mile away.

I thoroughly enjoy getting the girls out in Nahahum Canyon.  Although this time of year, with all the deer hunters crawling around, I am very careful, I love watching them scent a quail, find a deer, or search out the pheasant that is near-by.  It's like watching a craftsman do his work.

Hopefully this weekend, we'll get out in the field.  Enough of the city!

Murphy's Day.

When the Weather Changes

I have a new client in eastern Washington, requiring some field work.  And the weather is changing.

After a long day in the field, my assistant is rather exhausted and I think I heard rumblings of asking for a raise.

Murphy's Day.

Autumn Colors

I had my camera with me, but didn't take any photos when I was guiding the two guys on Saturday...many of the Poplars were changing colors and it was stunning (aside from the pouring rain).

I really love Autumn colors.  And couldn't resist this mum....yes, Ann B., it's from Swansons!

Murphy's Day.

We Stayed Home

It was the opening weekend of hunting and I had to "guide" some novice, and I mean novice, fly fishermen on the Yakima (I donated a trip for some neighbor's son school auction), so we stayed home. The girls didn't even get to go fishing....I wanted to focus on the guys, not worry about Willa rolling in some dead salmon (ah-hum, like she did last time).

So, we stayed home.  By Sunday the girls were ready to play.  It was muggy and wet, but we found ways to stay entertained, including getting paint samples to begin the long long long awaited and much needed painting of the living room-dining room whose walls still have evidence of playing indoor soccer with Murphy!

For some reason, house projects just don't "cut it" with Annie.  And I am trying to figure out how to paint without having three dogs covered in it!

Oh dear!  The last major interior house project (aside from the much loved windows) was a tile project. At least then I had Mom and Dad who came over and chaperoned Sage, Murphy, and Riley while it got done...now, it's going to be a little tougher!  Maybe I need to chose a color that will look good on the girls, too!

Murphy's Day.

Operation: Dinner for Three Hounds

I can only imagine what my nieces go through, feeling their children.  It's a tactical operation, I suppose.  It certainly is with three hungry labradors....although Annie Oakley is not very food driven, Sage and Willa are, and I can hear paws tapping the floor, waiting for dinner or breakfast...

Plus, I do this somewhat complicated meal: kibble, then a bit of wet food, then some sort of topping (like cheese or a bit of bacon...you want to eat at my house!).  It's an operation.  You can only imagine what it is like to pack for travel!

In the end, though, they are happy.  Isn't that all that matters?

Murphy's Day.

Hunting Ethics

So on Sunday we watched our neighbor drive up the driveway with  commercial apple crate.  He is a huge hunter, and opening season of deer opens tomorrow.

After he left, we went up to his land to explore (we have an easement) and indeed, as I suspected, he is baiting deer.

It's legal in Washington (God knows why).  And this guy thinks of himself as something of a big time hunter.

But as I think about it, he usually hunts in places where essentially the game is staked to the ground and he can shoot at it.  So why should I be surprised that he is baiting the deer.

Ethics?  He has none.  More than likely he'll get his buck.  And feel like he is a big man. But really, really, what did he do?  He baited the hunt.

Murphy's Day.

Treats

So, the girls get lots of treats.  One of their favorites are pig ears.  And Sage?  Her favorite game is to hold onto her treat as long as she wants, taunting Annie and Willa with her treat when they have already eaten their treats.

It's a whole dynamic.  Every day.  And I love watching it every day!

Murphy's Day.

Mornings Off Leash

One of the things I love about Nahahum Canyon is we walk out the door, no leashes, and go for a walk.

Ah, to be out of the city.

Murphy's Day.

Smells of the Outside

Sage is getting of the age that her nose is beginning to control her.  She is following her nose.  So when we head east, she gets to follow her nose for a long time.

She seems happy.  She is beginning to know that climbing stairs is not the best thing for her.  She is knowing her limits yet is thoroughly enjoying her life.  Dancing that lab dance when she is happy...

She is reminding me of Murphy as she ages.

Murphy's Day.

Getting Out of Town

Yes, there still is smoke in Nahahum Canyon.  And yes, the U Dub was going to play the Oregon Ducks (no offense Les and Ann, but arch-enemies of the Dawgs and every other Pac 12 team), but getting out of town was priority number one (other than celebrating Jacob's birthday.  Happy Birthday Jacob!!!!!).

And boy did it feel good.

Even Annie's paw seemed to get better (she split a nail last Sunday).

Murphy's Day.

Yes, We're Going Back

Long Week.  And the girls are ready to get out the city.

Me too.

Murphy's Day.

Here Fishy Fishy

Really, there once were fish in this hole.

Murphy's Day.

So, You Wanted to Fish?

So many fly fisher folk are somewhat "particular" about their fly fishing ambiance.  Having three dogs trying to share the same "great place where I am sure there are lots of fish" is not something you're going to see in the chi-chi fly fishing magazines.

But I have to say we all had a blast.

Isn't that what matters?

Murphy's Day.

Morning Smoke

No, I haven't taken up the habit...rather, here is a picture, facing south from Nahahum Canyon, of the smoke.

This was taken at 6:45 AM, and by 11 AM smoke was shrouding the canyon.

Murphy's Day.