Wordless Wednesday

Devo and Cosmo, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 1998
--- notice the license plate !

Golden Smiles again

Just wanted to let everybody know that Lady is back to normal. I think she was down with some post puppy aches and pains....let me explain. We have a new neighbor here in Phoenix who has a 10 month old, mixed breed puppy (pictures later when he actually holds still for a minute!). We think Lady is 9 or 10 years old, but when she goes to the dog park or (as in this case) plays with a puppy in the back yard, she thinks she is 3 years old again. Just like some of us weekend warriors, she will sprain this or tweak that and moves a little slow for awhile. So an aspirin here, massages and belly rubs there will usually do the trick. During her daily long walk, she does just fine, especially after we both warm up! So here she is, back in her favorite GO place (she jumps in with no problem, but Dad always helps her out). I believe the ramp will be coming out soon and will be a permanent part of the GO place! Think we will go see Logan this weekend (but taking it easy, cause he is a maniac of kisses and energy).

A great video about cleaning house

Blue Tuesday

Lady's energy seems a little off lately. She was fine on our morning walk, but has been moping around the house the last few days. This is very much out of character for Lady. Here she has gone to the comfort of her fuzzy bone as she found a private spot next to the guest bed. We have been down in Phoenix for 4 months now, and I get a little concerned about Valley Fever when our dogs show low energy level and general lethargy. She usually snaps out of it, so I'll keep a close eye on her and work extra hard to make everything fun today. She really responds to that.

Sunny Saturday - Logan update

Met up with Logan and his peeps this morning. He is growing like a weed, almost 45 lbs at 22 weeks of age. As you can see, he is one handsome, blond boy. Getting a picture of him is like nailing jello to the wall! Squirmy, sassy and curious about everything. Finally wore him out enough to snap a couple of decent pix. Lady is very patient with him and he is always licking her mouth whenever she is in range. Soon we hope to let them play together off leash in a fenced area. Will have to capture that on video.

Lady and Logan, March 2010

Wordless Wednesday

Meet Buddy

This is Lady's pal Buddy. He lives in Snohomish, WA with his hoomans: Charlie, Michelle, Morgan, Bailey and Payton. Buddy is a very nice 4 year old boy, but has LOT's of pent up energy and brattyness. Loves to steal anything that isn't nailed down so anything with two or four legs can chase him! He comes to our house sometimes to visit or to spend a few vacation....er I mean rehabilitation days when his hoomans go off to soccer tournaments or dirt bike weekends. Mr. Alpha gets to teach him how to walk on a leash and come when he's called (OK, he's a slow learner and just need more time). Bailey is working hard at home to turn him into a gentleman dog. We love her dedication.

The first picture was when he was a pup and copied everything that Devo would do, so he slept under the desk and farted too. When we get back to the Northwest, we want to take Buddy to the new dog park in Shoreline and run him good. Lady will love the company, cause she gets to go twice a week. Buddy is home taking care of his Dad Charley this week. So, this is our shout out to Charley to get well soon. He hurt his leg saving a kitten stuck in a tree....oh wait, no I think he was jumping up and down in the gym (or something like that).

Sleeping Saturday

Lady is an unusual Golden. She is like a Milan or Paris or New York model: girl with a hundred different looks. I see them all the time, but can't seem to catch many of them on camera. It's pretty easy to capture her in snooze mode, so here are a few you haven't seen. I'll try harder to snap a pix of her looks....like: the Westminster Trot..or..The Oh I'm so ignored, see how cute I am..or..Here is my puppy face, lets play ball..or..I'm way too cool to get excited over chicken left-overs included in my crunchy supper. Well, you get the idea. She definitely keeps me on my toes. Love those mysterious women!!!

Feed me or the slipper dies

Lady was quite pleased to be back in her familiar environment after spending 5 days in Anthem with Rocky. For some reason she seemed a little off kilter the whole time. Not really sure what that was all about, but the dogs seemed to enjoy each others company just like they did this last Holiday season. Must have been the fact that I was gone for 12 and 8 hours at a time while the Phoenix Open golf tournament was in full party mode. It was half rock concert, half golf tournament! I really did go to see Phil, Freddy, Camillo and the eventual winner - Hunter Mahan ply their trade. Not sure what was more amazing: the supernatural skills these guys possess or the supernatural show ponies, prancing the hollowed grounds of TPC Scottsdale. Oh well, either way it TRULY is "the greatest show on turf".

Thanks to Uncle Bob for the awesome corporate suite passes (no names please ;-). Overlooking the 17th green, free binoculars, camping stools, libations, yummy salmon and back slapping bankers (now go to iTunes and download "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by The Undisputed Truth).

P.S. Lady's dinner mat is the source of today's post title. And she means it too !!!!

A 180 from W.W.

Thanks to Terri at Bulldog rescue for sharing this story:

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special. It wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals on the pathway...the ones who had been at Rainbow Bridge for a while...knew the story of this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far too many times.

Although it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he was totally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had not been restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor vigor. He approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who were by now watching him. He knew he was out of place here. This was no resting place for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he came closer to the Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who spoke softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their special people could pass over the Rainbow Bridge. And he had no special beloved people...not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below. With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the fields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted a group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm. Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren't playing, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserably staring out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrival knew he had no choice but to join them. And so, he took his place among them, just watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it to him. "That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew tired of him. The way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, cloudy eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels. He never made it out and passed on only with the love and comfort that the kennel workers could give him as he left his miserable and unloved existence on Earth for good. Because he had no family or special person to give his love to, he has nobody to escort him across the Bridge." The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?"

As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen a single figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary...a person who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. This figure turned toward a group of the sad animals and extended outstretched palms. The sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoed gently above them and all were bathed in a pure and golden light. Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as they had been in the prime of life. From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.

The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What happened? "That was a rescuer," came the answer. "That person spent a lifetime trying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of such unselfish work. They will cross when their families arrive. Those you saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor pets that couldn't be placed on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge. You see, all animals are special to them...just as they are special to all animals.

"I think I like rescuers," said the recent arrival.

"So does Heaven, my friend. So does Heaven." was the reply.

Wordless Wednesday

Cosmo 2001

Did you see that ??

Lady spies a bunny bolting from the bushes. A refreshing rain had just blessed the desert.

A special video you won't want to miss

Wordless Wednesday 2-24-10

Olivia loves Lady - Dec.09

Sunny Saturday

You may remember Logan from a post just before Christmas. He is now 18 weeks old and growing into quite the handsome devil. Lady met Logan for the first time this morning. It was very cute; Logan just couldn't stop kissing her! This was the start of a very big "dog-day" for Lady. She got a bath this afternoon then took a long walk with Ollie the bulldog. Its now seven PM and we are finally home. Sleepy Saturday just started a few minutes ago. Lady is dog-tired and sound asleep at my feet. Nighty-night everybody.

Wordless Wednesday

Lady Feb.2010

Sleepy Saturday (kind of)

Lady - Always relaxed, but keeping an eye on Dad just in case he grabs a leash or the car keys. Ready to leap into action on this nice sunny day. But, in the meantime, better rest up for chow-chow time.

Wordless Wednesday - with video !!

Sleepy Saturday (beau-beau sytle)

 

Here are my original beau-beaus (Gold Sunny and Blonde Cosmo) from about 1993. Papa and baby enjoying a much needed snooze. What in the world is a beau-beau you ask? (could be spelled many ways). Twenty years ago this became the description of Sunny (papa dog) my first Golden Retriever. It seemed to be the perfect term to describe his big, handsome, powerful, happy head! The term expanded to include the head shape of a few specific breeds: Goldens, Labs, Newfies, Great Pyrenees etc. When Cosmo came along to make book-end Goldens in our house, the term was used to refer to both Goldens together (the beau-beaus). Yea, I know, we could spend the rest of our blogging lives talking about the nicknames we give our dogs, but this one has morphed into a broader dictionary listing, because no one can resist a beau-beau head, crow-barring your arm for attention!! I dare you to try.

Wordless Wednesday