Little Sisters

I've written about this seemingly endlessly.  Being a little sister myself, I know a fair amount about taunting an older sibling.  Willa has perfected the fine art of taunt.  Whether it is just before a meal, when she scurries into the house, grabs a toy, and begins the "chase" with Annie, or it's barking at Sage trying to get Sage to give up a chewie or tennis ball,  Willa isn't accepting the fact she is the youngest in the family and still learning the hierarchy.  Willa doesn't seem to know that she is "low dog" on the totem pole.

It's fun to watch all this.  Annie is certainly enjoying much of having a younger sister, although the is way too kind and gentle with the pup, letting her take her toys.  Every once in awhile, she'll growl or snarl to let Willa know she has crossed "the line."

Every day I get a chance to see these pups change and grow.  I love it!

Murphy's Day.

Weekend in the City

It's rare, but we stayed home this weekend.  Did "normal" staying at home on the weekend kinds of things (I could have sold the lawn clippings for hay!).  The girls didn't like it.  Too many firecrackers, not enough being able to romp.  But we got a chance to catch up on the Tour de France.  Have dinner with good friends....indeed there are people in this world who have incredible views from their homes!

But we're looking forward to a busy week and then, maybe a weekend out of town and back to some eastern Washington heat.  The weather in Seattle over the weekend was quite interesting, between thunder and lightening, fog, mist, sun, humidity...

We're now well into summer (still don't really know that in Seattle).  Why is it summer always goes by way too fast?

Murphy's Day.

Friday with Annie

As I have said, Annie is a sweet girl.  And she can not wait until the weekend when I can spend much more time with her.  Labs are people dogs and they love time together, whether it is out for a walk, ball throw, lounging on the bed, watching TV together....in our case, smelling the flowers!

Murphy's Day.

Waiting for the Weekend

It's been a busy week, now that we're back in the city.  Annie can not wait for the weekend....me neither!

Growing Up

It's inevitable, Willa is growing up.  In a few weeks she will be a year old!  And now, when we're in eastern Washington, she has begun expanding her world, exploring on her own, the smells and sounds. She has grown more intense, more agile (you should see her catch anything in the air), and more demanding as she exerts herself into the world....into the pack.

It's been a long year and sometimes I scratch my head and wonder what I was thinking bringing into this family a third dog.  It's a lot of work.  But she is great and right now, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Murphy's Day.

A Little Like Murphy

Willa.  Phew.  She is a little like Murphy.  Totally addicted to ball throw, in fact, impatient if it is not thrown at the speed she wants.  Always ready to play.  She is intense.

But it's Annie who has Murphy's sweetness, so very gentle.

It's nice for me to have two dogs that have so much of Murphy in them.  And while I know I shouldn't compare, really, once a lab is inside your heart, you do see much of them in other labs.  That's good.  It's what is part of the "breed standard."  Personality.

Lab breed standard: silly, sweet, intense, loving, kind, protective.

Murphy's Day.

Post-4th of July

Other than an initial thunder/lightening/rain storm last Saturday, the week away from firecrackers, fireworks, and all things loud, went well.  Lots of walks, fishing, playing, romping.  The girls seemed reluctant to return to the mess of Seattle...

It was wonderful to be able to open the door and let the girls just go, leashless, up through the Aspen stand, or down toward the county road, or romp in the fields.

And the weather was nice.  Slowly, gradually, escalating to 90° by the time we left.

Summer is here and the girls are ready!

Murphy's Day.