Sunday, 8:30am

Wally at the lake this morning. The boys wanted to scent, but didn't seem to cover much ground. We walked about 1/4 mile in about 45 minutes. 

fog

Bean and Wally at the lake on April 24th at 7am. Somehow a short walk always seems to take much, much longer. Dogs stop to smell the roses, and pretty much everything else. 

Bean

So cute. And he knows it. 

Tulip - 7:20am, front yard

The people before us planted some wonderful tulips in the front yard. They appear to thrive on neglect, so I give them an appropriate dose. 

I'm Not Happy

My owners took me to the vet yesterday. This is how I looked when I got home. They gave me too many shots (though even one would have been too much). They looked deep into my ears and even made me get on a table. Such indignity! I complained to no avail. It seemed to take forever. It is only once a year, right? My owners owe me.
-Wally 

This Morning's Walk

took the day off. The boys were very excited about something that jumped in the water here. They're also feeling very proud of their hunting prowess after what happened yesterday.

Some little kamakaze squirrel kept following us toward the end of our dinnertime walk. I tried to keep the boys away, but the little squirrel kept pressing his luck, which eventually ran out. I got Bean to drop it, but too late. Then Wally wouldn't let go after he grabbed it. A nice neighbor saw the commotion and brought some dog treats to distract him. Eventually we were able to get him to drop it, but somehow he managed to eat a few treats while the squirrel was still in his mouth. I called the vet, but they didn't seem too concerned about the adventure. Just to be sure, I also called the Health Dept, but same response there. Apparently squirrels pose little threat to pets, but probably more to themselves. 

Oscar
One of my last photos of Oscar (left) on a walk under the powerlines with my wife and our hounds.
He had a good last day, rode in the truck, went to the pet store, even had enough energy to romp around a little. He got extra doggie treats.
Oscar was a great dog and will be sorely missed. I think of the old Twilight Zone episode with the hunter and his dog who end up at what he's told is the gate to heaven. All he'd have to do is leave his dog behind. Of course he wouldn't. Turns out that the gatekeeper wasn't for heaven. He later was approached by another fellow who said of course dogs are allowed. The other side just doesn't give up until the last minute. So he goes.
Non-dog owners may not understand, but I think those we love, even our pets, will be waiting for us when it's time.