Sunday, September 29, 2013

MAINE BOUND Photos on Photobucket

Try these links to view photos and from our trip in August.
A work in progress - uncut-unedited version.

8/25/2013
Drive up


8/26 - Monday
First Day (Film) 
Some of Willow Sunshine from New Hampshire

 
 8/26 - Monday



8/27 - Tuesday
Mid Day - Porch Time!



8/27 - Tuesday
Mid Day - Porch Time (Film)

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Skatutakee Hike - September 22, 2013, Roll #78 album






Rain fell during the early morning. The hour was five thirty. We were still in bed. It was time for our morning digestive nap after breakfast. By ten thirty we were heading up the mountain. The weather was delightful, crisp air and clear skies. The rain ceased and a beautiful fall day ensued. A slow easy pace eventually us to the top. Nash's arthritic toes were acting up, so we stopped along the way to take photos and the girls hunted chipmunks.




We found only ourselves at the top, among the Monadock's, blueberry bushes, pines, granite boulders and the expansive ocean blue sky. The top of a mountain, I have decided, is much like sitting sea side on a timeless porch in Maine. 







Wet earth from the morning rain didn't deter us from taking a top side siesta. Time was lost. While I watched the dogs scurry as investigative specialist, devoured new smells. My nap interrupted periodically by Willow Sunshine's gleaming exuberance of tongue kisses, ear nibbling, and pouncing. Pearl's main attraction was a blueberry bush which contained a stow away treat. She hovered from bush to shrub looking for left over peanut butter pine cones from the following winter, in addition to rodent holes. Nash circled the top testing the shade under select bushes, eventually he decided to dig a nest under a cedar shrub, and blueberry bush. His coat delightfully sweet when he crawled out for our downward hike.





Up the mountain, down the mountain. That is the way it went with our easy steady pace. No hurries today. Pleasantly surprised to see half the day remained once at the bottom. Home in time for lunch, just past the one o'clock hour. 



 

Friday, September 20, 2013

Beginner Agility with Willow Sunshine 20 Months old

      Willow Sunshine started agility at 5 months old. We did two sessions with Elise of Breeze Thru Agility, then took a break.  As of today she has completed her first Beginner session of agility.  She did very well in class considering no practice since she was 5 months old, a year and a half ago.  Enjoy the video.  Onward to Advanced Beginner in October.







Monday, September 9, 2013

Porcupine

Thank goodness for a recall, or quizzical labs with in check prey drive.  While on our second walk of the day, or evening outing, we came across another porcupine.  This time in an open field with cover.  I knew something was out there, since Willow Sunshine was air scenting and switch backing through the brush cover.  It was most impressive.  Nash was with me, and Pearl, unaware of Sunshine's behavior, explored a remote area of the field. 

I knew Willow Sunshine had zeroed in on her prize when she landed a most spectacular point, frozen with rigid contemplation.   Her body clearly saying, " What is that!"  By now Pearl was enroute, now clued in by Sunshine's body language.  The pair have become avid hunters together, and set a solid base of communication.

Once I saw Willow Sunshine hit the point, I ran ahead. A tree was blocking my view.  I suspected a porcupine and my intuition was spot on.  That is when I began the recalls,  both girls looked poised to chase, but held back, when they heard my frantic calling.  Needless to say the recalls were not obediently obeyed, but when Nash and I ran in the opposite directions, and my tone more serious, the two girls decided it best to leave alone.  One last look by Pearl, and she came on the heals of Willow Sunshine.  Few!  Catastrophe, and vet visit,  diverted, once again.