Dogs In The Fog

Please visit my website to see more photos of a beautiful afternoon wandering in the foggy fields.

Autumn Light

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."



Autumn

My beautiful red dog enjoying the trails of another autumn before the winter slumber.

 

I have always found that Zephyr suits the fall colours best. I love photographing him this time of year. He is coming onto 13 years of age. I officially retired him at the end of this summer. His back end is starting to weaken so no more agility. He pushes himself far too hard and I never want him to overdo it. So now it is our daily hikes and walking with the kids to school.

 

I just love older dogs. Such dignity they have.



Fields of Gold

How summer does fly....of course I guess life does generally. Zephyr is 12 1/2 now.....oh boy. Sometimes I have these moments where I go in to a momentary panic when I realize that he won't be here forever. Breathe.....We have been so blessed to share his life, such an amazing dog. I have known right from go that this was one special dog.

He is slowing down some now, of course. On the hilly hikes he walks the last hill with me instead of the usual running ahead. Sigh. I just enjoy every sunbeam with him and feel blessed.

I Will Miss You Shiner

Some dogs touch the hearts of everyone who knows them. That was the case with Shiner, Zephyr's half-sister. My heart goes out to my friend who had to say good-bye to her last week. Shiner was 16 years old...I still remember when I first met her when she was a puppy. She was a very special dog.

Summer Mornings

 Summer is here is all it's beauty. After this past winter which was so very long and cold, it is welcomed so much. We are enjoying the trails almost daily, being back to outdoor agility, and on this morning a few weeks ago we enjoyed the lake at sunrise.

First Swim of the Year!

Blinding sun and nice warmth! Happy dogs!! I am sure it was cold but they were in!!

Awakening

 Finally after a long harsh winter for Southern Ontario, spring is here. The snow is gone, the days are slowly getting warmer and things are soon going to be green again. It has already started. Nothing feels so good as the warm sun on your face, the soft earth under your feet and the smell of it.

These are the days to wander when you can. To see the light change as the leaves unfurl in the woods and to watch the forest wake up. What could be better? Having the dogs wander with me, wordlessly but so perfect in understanding of it all.

My mind often wanders on such walks. Sometimes just to the moment and my surroundings but often to the other parts of life. To my children, to friends, to people in my life. To ideas to photograph, to music to anything. But I try to just enjoy the moment, time for reality when we get finished our walk.

Then we can deal with a positive Lyme test, and to Zephyr's upcoming dental surgery and my fear or how he will deal with the anesthetic this time. Such a journey life is.

Ten Years Later

Thinking back today to ten years ago when my first dog Chase and myself were run over by a car out walking. Yes we had a lot of rehab to get through both in body and mind, but we were both so lucky that day. An experience like that reminds us to live fully each day we are given. You never know how life can change in an instant or be gone all together. Yes we were lucky.

Like A Dream

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost."



Sunny Day

Finally it felt a little bit like spring today! The sun was shining and the snow and ice were melting somewhat. We even saw mud!! Of course snow in the forecast for tonight, but it was enjoyable while it lasted!

Winter Lingers

 

Here we are again yesterday, slogging through almost a foot of fresh snow....waiting for spring!!!

Zephyr Steeplechase March 9th, 2014

I had the fun of trialing yesterday with the Dog Agility Ontario club. Great day with friends and our dogs. Zephyr is now 12 years old but still doing great. I won't run him more than twice in the trial although I am sure he would be fine to do so. Still moves so well, and has such fun! I just love him so much and have such a wonderful time with him!

Goodbye Fergus

I was so upset to hear yesterday, about the passing of Fergus, Zephyr's older brother. A most special dog, loved so much by his family and all who knew him. The above photo taken 9 years ago when we started to trial together. Zephyr and Fergus ran as team partners back in the day of passing the baton, his owner and I becoming friends.
 Our dogs give us so much. They leave great big holes in our hearts when they go however. In time we heal and smile at all the memories, but still so hard to say goodbye. He will be missed.

Winter Continues

Zephyr still enjoying the snow!

Getting Through The Long Days Of Winter

Yes as so often I have neglected this blog. Life gets just so darn busy!! But all is well! After many huge life changes last year things are finally into some sort of routine and rhythm. Not sure how long that will last, as well, this is life after all!! 

 

We have had a hard winter here in Southern Ontario so far. Too cold and lots of snow! But I still try to get the dogs out hiking most days. I am getting itching to get back outdoors for agility too, so tired of training indoors! That will be months yet! I trialled Zephyr last September just for fun, felt fantastic to be running him. I am going to trial him in March too. Just a run or two, more for fun than anything.

 

Is there anything more perfect than an older dog? Zephyr turned twelve years old two weeks ago. I hope he is here for many more years. He is my once in a lifetime dog. He still enjoys the snow and running and running and just being his happy self! How blessed I have been to share all these years with such a wonderful dog. 

 

So I go out and take his photo while he enjoys our outings. LOVE you red dog.