Off for Awhile

Heading off for a week or so.  Not going far, just east of the mountains.  But we have a long list of hikes, some work, fishing, floating the river, more hikes, golf, and just sitting around.

We'll be back sometime after August 10th!

Until then, "when you're having as much fun as your dog you're doing something right."

Murphy's Day.

Looking Forward

Holy Cow, where did July go?

As we begin to turn the calendar we're looking forward to several things: vacation and Hood to Coast (yes, I am running it this year....then heading to a mental exam!).

Annie wonders why vacation is so important...then she realizes she witnesses all the stress when I am working.  Pros and cons of working from home.

Murphy's Day.

Staying Cool

This is Willa's father and brother.  Both live in Colorado.

And on a hot, sunny day, for them, there is nothing better than a quick hop in the horse trough before resuming ball throw.

Is that cool or what?

Murphy's Day.

Summertime

Nothing better in the heat than shade.

Enough said.

Murphy's Day.

Shy Annie

They say the "real" Annie Oakley was shy.

That she had to overcome stage fright to perform her amazing shooting shows.

Annie Oakley, the gorgeous yellow lab, is also shy.

The slightest noise out of the ordinary, a dog she doesn't know, a human out of context....

Sensitive dogs are great....but can leave Sage and Willa wondering....

Murphy's Day.

What I Notice

Sage is almost ten.

And I am noticing she is slowing down.

She doesn't want to chase ball (but that doesn't stop her from wanting to possess the ball...ever the capitalist, that Sage).

She isn't all that interested in chasing her sisters.

But, she is still the top dog.  And she still makes sure every single one of us knows that.

Good for her.

Murphy's Day.

We're Going Where?

The amazing things about dogs is when you say: "let's go," they don't question it.

The girls just want to be with me, to be doing "something."

Even if they have to put up with each other in close quarters.

Murphy's Day.

How Cool is This?

We think we mentioned that Willa's sister, Murphy, went on a road trip earlier this summer.  She went to Colorado to visit family (Willa and Murphy are from there, as is Sharon, Murphy's mom).

Here is a great picture of Sydney (they yellow, who is the mom), Buckley (a brother), and Murphy.

Murphy was the last pup born, "the runt."  Willa is slightly bigger, but I was tickled to see Sydney, who still looks a lot like Sage.

These are smart dogs, very intense.

Murphy also spent time with her father, Maverick and another brother Caleb.

How cool is that???

Murphy's Day.

Do You Bath Your Dogs?

Sure do!

"Sage, fetch the stick!"

Sage ambles into Puget Sound.

Bath time!

Murphy's Day.

Enjoying a Float

No, not the soda and ice cream kind, although those are good, too, in the summer.

But it's warm, and the dogs love to float down the Wenatchee with us.

Keeping cool...

Murphy's Day.

Road Trips?

We have been vacillating about a road trip this summer.

It's a little hard to get motivated with the girls seem so "at home" in Nahahum Canyon.

The longer we delay....

Murphy's Day.

Summer

I love summer.

Unfortunately, they don't allow dogs on the golf course.

And Willa would love to chase the balls....hmmm...maybe that is why no dogs.

Or do you think it's because not everyone picks up after their pups?

Murphy's Day.

Thinking About Things

Last week I went for a bike ride.  And for some reason, I started thinking about Murphy.  Then I thought about all the dogs that have owned me.

Our time on Earth, my mother used to say, is short.  For dogs, it's even shorter.  But as I was riding, I thought about how Murphy, Riley, and Alex have stayed inside my heart.  And how they have stayed inside my soul.  They have "made me."  Their legacy is my love of Sage, Annie Oakley, Willa and maybe others...

I was once told that the greatest compliment I could give someone who I'd loved and died, is to love again.  It shows how magnificent the love was the first time.

Indeed.

Murphy's Day.

Another Summer Weekend

Ya-hoo!

End of a long week.  Another summer weekend!

We're ready and hopefully our Icicle Creek is ready for a few flies!

Murphy's Day.

Sail On!

I love the America's Cup.  It's changed a lot since the old, gorgeous boats off of Newport, Rhode Island, (now it's all about litigation rather than sailing) but here it is in San Francisco Bay.  How cool is that?

Sail on!

Murphy's Day.

On the Other Paw

Willa isn't such an observant boss.

Matter of fact, she barely notices I am working.

Murphy's Day.

Now That We're Home

Sage is back to supervising me.

She is a tough, but fair boss.

Although she does work me until it's play time.

Murphy's Day.

Escaping Fireworks

Sage is becoming oblivious, Willa is too young to notice, but Annie.  She hates fireworks.

It's a good thing we have a dry, hot, place to run to during the 4th of July weekend.  Fireworks are not only illegal, the sheriff will arrest you if you set them off because they are so nervous about fires.

I suspect Annie Oakley had something to do with that regulation.

Murphy's Day.

Off for Awhile

We'll be back in a few days.  Off to celebrate the 4th of July, maybe hike, fish, play some golf, and simply enjoy the wonderful summer....it's been a long 6 months.  We're ready for some fun.  

Murphy's Day.

Backseat Love

I've written a lot about the back seat of the truck.  The girls really are getting used to smashing together for a ride.

Then I introduced myself.

And it became back seat love!

Murphy's Day.

Annie, Worried About the 4th of July

Not a dog's favorite holiday.

Annie, the sensitive one, is already worried....

While we celebrate life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the girls pant and get stressed.

We'll be leaving town as soon as we can.

Murphy's Day.