Groovin

(Winnie 1994-2006)

I realize that term dates me, but it just seemed to fit here. After having two golden retrievers for their lifespans, this video made me want to go right out and get another one. Thanks to Jayne, for making my day.

The Scary Drum

I have been thinking about taking a course that requires a drum, so when I found this one at the Farmer's Market the other day I jumped on it. It was made by a Native American from New Mexico who sets up a booth here at Lake Tahoe during the summer. This booth has beautiful, authentic items, made by the lady and her husband. Anyway, as soon as I got it home I tried it out. This activity absolutely freaked Lucy out ! She not only ran up the stairs, but would not even enter the room that held the drum --- all day! Occasionally she would peek around the corner, but refused to be in the same room as the offending instrument.

Have I mentioned that my dog is neurotic?

On another note, I've decided to take a break from blogging. I'm hoping it will inspire me to finish up a writing project. I will be dropping by and visiting you, however. And I will occassionally post when I feel a topic is interesting or important.

I'm in a funny mood these days. I'm not quite sure what is happening, but it appears other bloggers are feeling the same way as I've noticed several of you are thinking about a blogging break. Is it the Dog Days of Summer or something more? I guess only time will tell. Take care dear blogging friends.

Happy Dog

I will leave you this week with a dog smiling, and looking strangely like its owner. There is controversy whether or not this is an actual picture, or one that has been photoshopped. However, since our very own Lucy has been showing her teeth lately in toothy grins, I say - real. What do you think?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Guilty!

I found this on California Girl's blog, Empty Nest Evolution, and couldn't resist passing it along to all of you:

New Grand Puppy

The decision has been made. Little Lhasa goes home with my daughter on Monday!

Some Drawbacks

There are definitely some drawbacks to my husband returning to work. Spoiled, I know, but I am quite used to having my coffee delivered to me in my chair by the window each morning.  I miss having my breakfast cooked and delivered to same chair by the window as I check my blogs. I have a humidifier that is constantly out of water, and I haven't had to vacuum in two years. Now I'm expected to remember the dry cleaning and to pick up the mail. Not to mention cooking. My husband now wants dinner. (Can you imagine?) Gone is the don't bother with dinner dear, I've been snacking all afternoon.

But the worst part about him returning to work? I have to do dog duty. Yep, without even my morning coffee to sustain me, I have to follow my dog around with a little pink bag at 7:00 a.m. after slipping and sliding down a damp incline and crossing a creek. That is so not right.

I have dog fever!

How can you watch the Westminster Dog Show and not want a dog? Or in my case, another dog? The Pembroke Corgi is one I've had my eye on for quite some time. A dog that's easier to handle (our lab is very strong) on a leash. One with short legs - and happy not to go ten miles, but maybe two or three. My husband loves running with Lucy, but I've wanted a dog more my speed. One that likes to take walks but is not big enough to jerk my arm out of the socket when she sees a squirrel or another dog. The Pembroke Welsh Corgis was bred to be a companion and family dog, as well as to herd sheep and cattle. Intelligent, sensitive, and easily trained. Sounds good to me.

(And you notice no tail - that's because Lucy's is lethal. We literally have to grab her tail sometimes so that she doesn't do damage to herself or others, especially around our grandson).

Of course, I'm just dreaming.

(I think.)

What about you? What's your favorite dog?

Frosty Update

Unfortunately Frosty (Ch Marionhill Morning Frost) lost in the Best of Breed part of the competition amid 30 contenders. A beautiful Siberian Husky by the name of  Ch Paragon's Red Wine won the title and the opportunity to go on in the competition. Here is her picture:

We are so excited that my cousin and Frosty had the opportunity to compete in the Olympics of dog shows and I suspect we may hear more about Frosty in the future. Thanks for all of your well wishes and congratulations to the beautiful dog that won. Now we can see how she does in the Best In Show.

Frosty

Here is my cousin's dog, Frosty, who will be competing in the Westminster Dog Show in NYC this week!





My cousin, a colonel and Marine fighter pilot, and is now retired from Continental Airlines. Having trained as a Top Gun on more than one occasion, flying F-4's and F-18's, he's a competitor at heart. He will be in the ring with her! When not training, she and her five Siberian Husky family members take turns sleeping with my cousin and his wife. They are dearly loved, and are also working sled dogs.

We're hoping Frosty takes "Best In Show!"

Goodbye Old Friend

(Roxy on the right, Lucy on the left, enjoying a Lake Tahoe swim.)

We lost a dear family friend yesterday. Dear little Roxy, my daughter's fourteenth birthday present. She was quite the personality. She "talked" - loudly and often. I can still hear my husband trying to shush Roxy, who was very loudly voicing her appreciation of going for a run, early in the morning as he was leaving the house. He was worried she would wake the neighbors. She was that loud.

She was the last puppy from a litter that should not have been. Her mother had been over bred, and when we arrived to see her, it was clear the family had been living off breeding their dogs. They lived in a tiny trailer in a small town 60 miles from Reno. Their children's beds were in the living room. Roxy was supposed to be a blond lab, but we found she was more red, and had a white splotch on her chest. We were assured that it not be a problem unless we wanted to show her. She was only going to be my daughter's pet, so we gathered her up and took her home. We knew full well that getting our money back, if there were a problem, would not be in the cards. We knew we shouldn't encourage such bad dog breeding. But she was already here, and we knew we could give her a good life, which was not assured if we left her behind for a better bred dog. No, not assured at all.

She was sweet, and we loved her dearly.

She was also naughty. Chewing through our beautiful Rose of Sharon, the big stalks belonging to our wisteria, and numerous other plants. We finally had to put chicken wire around all the trunks. Marley had nothing on Roxy. She was also a very industrious digger, excavating cavernous holes wherever she lived. She was busy, busy.

When we moved from Portland to Minnesota a few years ago my daughter decided to keep Roxy with her in Portland while attending college. I can still remember Roxy staring out the window as we drove away, wondering why Lucy was going and she had to stay. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do - leaving my children and Roxy behind as we moved 1800 miles away. But Roxy loved going to college. Stories abound of her leaving my daughter in the bedroom after a night of college partying to rejoin those still having a good time - all the while my daughter thinking she was sleeping in her bed. Roxy routinely slept in our daughter's bed when given the chance, the only clue being a warm spot right in the middle. She was also found on the couch - a big no no - by roommates on more than one occasion. Sneaking out and cleaning the counters of anything edible - including whole loaves of bread - plastic and all, was her favorite pastime. She loved beer, long runs, pizza, going in the car, garbage of any kind, swimming, all meals and snacks, and most of all - my daughter.

Our girl, home for the holiday, was getting bad reports all weekend. Roxy, the victim of bad genes, or so the vet said, was going downhill fast. After many vet visits, and thousands of dollars, the end was forthcoming. Our little girl was about to face life full on. After fighting with the vets to keep Roxy from suffering, and getting very little support, it seemed nature would take it's course. Her sister and brother-in-law were doing their best to keep Roxy comfortable until she could get home. Bless their hearts.

So dear little Roxy, the naughtiest dog we have ever had, as well as the one with the biggest personality, ended her struggle. My youngest, with her sister, took her to the vet for the last time. She fed her spaghetti, and spent the day home from work. Just as she did when we were still taking our daughter to soccer practice, Rox loved being with her person.

She was adored for eight years. She had the best food money could buy, warm/soft beds, exercise, experiences, and most of all - love. Rest in peace Rox, and say hello to Lady, Winnie and KiKi, okay?

Spring at 6500

I think spring has arrived here at 6,500 feet. It may not be lush yet, but there are certainly signs. I always love to visit blogs that show me pictures of what it is like where they live at different times of the year. So I thought you might like to see what early spring looks like at Lake Tahoe.

We took a walk that winds us around the golf course and homes that are only used for a certain part of the year. Where I live, only 30% of the people live here year-round. I guess they don't like to shovel snow. Anyway, it's quiet right now, but soon it will be bustling with tourists and the people who are only here for parts of the year.

Lucy was having a ball running on the golf course. But she will only be able to do that for a few more walks. We could already see someone preparing the course for the summer, and she is not welcome when the little golf carts start winding their way around. As you can see she is running at full tilt. We keep a close eye on her because if she hits us running like that there is no doubt you are either going down or breaking something. We don't call her Hulk Lucy for nothing. One time I was talking with a plumber in my kitchen in Minnesota, I was on one side of a high counter and he on the other. That house was large with a big open floor plan. Lucy went into "crazy lab mode" which is running as fast as she could around and around the room. She was able to get some speed up when she hit me right behind the knees. One minute I was talking to the plumber and the next I was looking up, red faced, as he peered over the counter to see if I was okay! 

You can see that the snow is fighting to keep hold on the green grass that has been buried, just waiting to take it's turn. I love the shadows on the snow and grass from the tree branches not yet in bloom.

I'm trying to visit everyone's blog that left messages. Thanks so much for your visits to mine. Have a great day!

New House Smell

After a rear-numbing ride home from Portland yesterday, we walked in to that new-house smell. After ten days or so in really old homes in a damp city, this smell was of new wood, new carpet, paint. Nice smells.

Until Lucy - who had helped herself to jerky, hidden under numerous coats, sweaters, books, etc., during our only stop where both of us got out of the car. She was able to climb into the front seat from behind, and not leave a trace of her sleuthing. (If I hadn't found some suspicious-looking scraps of plastic wrap back there, she would have gotten away with the caper.) Being the glutton she is, and time constraints, she ate the jerky - plastic and all. Then proceeded to up-chuck her newly eaten kibble all over the new carpet - many, many times once we got home. My husband spent the night sitting up in a chair in the living room. We are worried she has some plastic that is not moving through and will take her to the vet this morning, if the tiny little breakfast we gave her doesn't stay down. He will also follow her around during her "business" to see what is happening there, as well. (Thank Gob for husbands who will do this - no, really, Thank Gob!)

As for the new house smell? Well, lets just say, I won't wonder when it will go away anymore.

Love those Labs

Three of the couples from last night's dinner have labs. One couple always have two black labs at any one time. One couple always have chocolate labs, and currently has a very young one. And of course, there is our Lucy.

P.S. Will post the artichokes and chicken recipe when my husband sends me the pic he took. I think you might like to try it if you like artichokes and/or chicken.