Skip navigation

Author Archives: Teri J Pieper

Rest in Peace Old Friend

Stella Luna Doodle Bounce

October 7, 2006 – November 9, 2022

Luna was the happiest, friendliest dog I’ve ever known. She never met a person or dog she did not want to get to know. Even those that seemed unfriendly towards her. She was also an independent thinker and sometimes would figure things out for herself. She always wanted to go for a car ride, even as she grew weaker and weaker in recent weeks. It was hard to get out the door and leave her behind. She loved a campout in the forest or at the beach. She loved to meet new people. She really loved a good party! She was always in the middle of it. She was a wonderful big sister to Sky. Luna was alert to the world around her. She rarely growled but if she did, it was time to pay attention. Cougars and bears would make her growl. Cats too. Sixteen years is a long time for a big dog but it’s never enough when we lose our animal family members.

Portrait of a Dog

Sky is used to having her picture made. As a puppy, she learned to sit for the camera from Luna. I have many charming photos of the two of them together. Being a labrador, the promise of a cookie when we are finished is all it takes to get her to sit and stay and be a good girl. We used to do lots of photos of dogs on rocks with both of them and other dogs too. Yesterday, as I looked at this big boulder above the trail, she knew what I was thinking. First she went to the front which is way too high for her and then I said ‘Go round’ as if we were doing agility and she went to the backside and found an easy path to the top. She’s a good dog. And the picture of her on the trail shows just how tall the grass grew with our prolonged spring and early summer rains.

All the Colors

Sky and I had a nice walk in the hills yesterday. I think it was the first hike this year where we did not encounter anyone else. It seemed like such a luxury after all the days of busy trails. Even at midday, the colors were astounding and nothing beats the light this season. There were layers upon layers of color from the various plants and trees and water and sky and distant hills. Oregon grape is notoriously difficult to photograph so I tried the same plant in sunshine and shade. The aspens were all colors of yellow to orange to dried up and brown.

Wind and rain and maybe snow are in the forecast so these days are probably numbered.

I made lots of pictures of Sky too. You will see them soon.

Good Dogs Out On the Trail

A few members of the Good Girls’ Club got together to enjoy a fall meeting/walk recently. Topics on the agenda included fall colors, sticks, pine cones and cold water. Since Luna no longer attends these meetings, there were no notes taken so we will never know what decisions were made.

Fall Images

Fall is finally here with cold, frosty mornings, occasional fog and sometimes rain although it remains oddly dry and dusty. Fall colors are finally coming on here in the valley. Here are a few images from our hill.