More Puppy

Recently, Sage has decided to be more puppy. Mad dogs around the yard, mad dogs at the park, mad dogs inside. She picks up tug toys and shoves them in Annie's face, with the predictable result. It's really great to see. She seems happy to go on her walk, excited near water, and particularly thrilled at meal time.

All this is good.

Murphy's day.

Ah, To Be So Young

Annie is a child. I keep reminding myself...yesterday morning she wanted to roll. Like Murphy, she loves getting on her back, legs in the air, and rolling back and forth. No, not on something stinky, just the shear pleasure, I think, of rolling in grass.

So, we stopped on our run. The grass banked up a hill. Annie ran to the top of the hill and rolled down. Then did it three times before I finally decided we needed to finish our run (read: I needed coffee).

But boy, was it cute and funny. Like kids rolling down hills. Labs are not that much different from kids and Annie is as close as they come.

Murphy's day.

Autumn Pleasures

One of my favorite things to do in Autumn is fish. Haven't been out much this season, but Annie is looking forward to it. She has become quite the fishing dog, trying to find bugs, looking for sticks.

But there is just something about being outside, on a river, in the cool sun, looking at the Poplars and Willows turn color.

Can't wait.

Murphy's day

Stepping Up

You know, I worried about Sage after Murphy died. She adored Murph. For awhile I thought we'd become old and quiet together. She'd follow me around the house, not letting me out of sight, but just being quiet.

But now, now she has stepped up. She's the older sister, showing Annie how life is lived, but also just being a wonderful friend for me. I think she is healing from a tough tough year.

Murphy's day.

The Lab's Football

Not a good weekend for many teams loved by this family. The UW Huskies, Cal Bears, Seahawks. But the labs did just fine. Annie went out for some long passes and seemed to enjoy being tackled by Sage. We're in a re-building year, having lost our best wide retriever, Murphy, but I think everyone is pleased with the progress.

Murphy's day.

Open Your Eyes

As far as I can tell, Annie knows one speed: fast forward. I am not sure when she re-charges or sleeps. Maybe when she is standing still?

So unlike Maggie, my niece's dog...

Murphy's day.

Football Weather

Weather has turned. On Tuesday evening, there was thunder then it poured. I took the girls to a ball field, trying to squeeze them in between kids and their soccer practices, hucking out tennis balls for Annie to chase. But they also had a lot of indoor play, or, er, practice for their football team.

We're getting better, or what do they say, this team is "re-building." It seems we have a little problem with who gets the ball. Not that much different from the pros!

Murphy's day.