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Category Archives: dogs

Sky Goes Swimming

Sky swam a little bit in the river late this winter but just for short distances and not very much. On a warm day this week I took her and Luna to one of the few thawed lakes to see if she really liked swimming. She’s a labrador puppy and indeed she likes swimming and took to it naturally as we expected. She is nearly eight months old and weighs sixty pounds. I had hoped for dog that weighed no more than fifty. So much for that idea. She is all muscle and a beauty of a dog. And a natural swimmer.

Sky splashed a lot in the beginning til she figured out that did not have to work that hard
There were two toys but they always seemed to want the same one
Luna leads the way
Sky is catching her already
There are easier ways to carry the toy
Luna is looking for the toy
Got it.
Sky wants it.
Ironically, Luna did this to Sam for years. It wasn’t til Sam was older that Luna could get the toys from her.
Like everything she does, Sky approached swimming with enthusiasm.
Wagging while swimming.
I can’t find it.
That’s easier
I’m bringing it to you.
On the shore she quivered with excitement.
I had to make the dog wait, throw the toy AND I had to get the picture.
Fun times ahead.

 

Dogs on the Beach

How much fun can dogs have on the beach?

One of many treasures that Sky found
She tried to get the lid off of this peanut butter jar
Playing with Frida
It’s possible she had too much fun. She was incredibly tired but really never wanted to quit.
Sky was so tired she fell asleep on top of Luna
Running out to see Ken
Can’t we just keep doing this?

Black Dogs in the Snow

What kind of photo situation is the most difficult? I am always challenged with photographing my black dogs and today to make it worse, it was snowing this morning, the light was flat and there was more than half a foot of new snow. But how much fun is this? These dogs like snow and they know how to have fun. It looks like they are fighting and trying to hurt each at times but they never do. Well, when Sky was younger and had her puppy teeth, she did make Luna’s ears bleed more than once. Speaking of Sky, she is now over six months old and weighs more than 50 pounds! How big will she get? Luna is 65 pounds and she has lots of long curly hair. She needs a haircut soon. I know, this is a lot of images of black dogs in the snow but we like dogs.

Here comes Sky
Yes, that is my stick, why do you ask?
Luna’s white beard
Oh look, the neighbors are going to church.
Let the games begin
Break
Luna pushes Sky into a snowbank
Sky explodes out of the snowbank
Shake
Even with all that shaking Luna is still covered with snow
Sky nearly flies down the hill
Why yes, I do have another stick.

Late November

No snow on the ground here in the valley. It came and went earlier in the month and recently it has been mostly just cold and clear. Good conditions for walks with dogs and watching wildlife. There is some skiing up on the pass but it looks like it will be a while before our local trails have any snow for grooming. Seems like last year there was skiing at Thanksgiving weekend. Maybe I am not remembering right.

Handsome fellow
This one was just across the street
Coyote running away
Hi. Do you need your screen licked?
Cold mornings make for great images
Pipestone Canyon from up on top
This one was at our house
Osprey nest, also used by Canada Geese earlier in the season
No wonder she drives Luna crazy
There were lots of swans around the valley earlier in the week. Most of the smaller lakes are now frozen. This photo is from Tuesday and by yesterday, Sunday, folks were ice skating there.
Downy Woodpeckers are plentiful this time of year
A Clark’s Nutcracker caches seeds in the loose bark for wintertime foraging
I got the stick!
Shiny
I got the bone!
Is that a jackrabbit?
A boy and his dog and a photo bomb
I’m taking my stick and going home now

The Latest Addition to the Family

Our old lab, Sam passed away in June leaving Luna an only dog. We knew we would get another dog, in particular a hunting dog for Ken but also a pet and friend for Luna and maybe she’d be an agility dog too. Who knows? And we had decided that fall would be a good time for a puppy. Summer is just too busy around here.

Friday morning Ken got up and one of the first things he said was “Did you see what was in the (Omak) Chronicle yesterday?” And I’m thinking to myself, “besides the weekly diatribe against the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife” and he said “Puppies in Omak!” Uh oh, I thought, I guess the time has come.

He called the fellow and we got over there before midday and sure enough there they were – seven lab puppies, five black ones and two brown ones. One brown male was spoken for. I prefer female dogs and we both gravitated towards the brown female. She was on the smaller side (also a preference) but not shy or timid. All the puppies were well socialized and both parents on site. The dad is a stocky yellow lab, maybe with some English lab in him. The mom is a petite chocolate.

Before we left, Ken had written a check for the deposit and we will pick her up next week! How exciting is that?

Oh, and we are looking name suggestions, in case you have any good ideas.

 

Getting to know her
Puppies on the move
They haven’t missed any meals
They don’t stand still for pictures
Til they go to sleep
Reuben is stocky with a broad chest and looks like he might be an English lab
Nasha likes attention
The mom, getting to me
What a pair!
Smitten
Ahhhh.