Three Peas in a Pod, Minus One

Happy Wednesday to you. Although it looks like spring here in Colorado, the temp is only 38 degrees. This photo was from last week when Hunter was sporting his Irish bandana.

Here's Lilly, she's starting to show her age-10 years and lets the pups know when they need to back off.

Copper is such a good dog, most of the time she is really mellow.  You should see her run in their yard though; when Hunter is playing tag with her, she actually grabs his tail in her mouth~something she learned from Lilly.

The one pup missing is sweet Petrol....I'll have her tomorrow and Hunter will enjoy their play time.
I'm taking a neighbor to lunch for her birthday and then hope to do some sewing.
I hope whatever you have planned today includes something that makes you smile.
Hugs,
Noreen and the pack

One Big Old Boy

Good Morning Friends! Today's post is a tribute to our daughter and her family's first dog Sampson. Kim and her hubby got Sampson when they were a young married couple expecting their first daughter. Kim and hubby had been looking for a Great Dane when they came upon this fellow-a big adult Newfoundland mix. I met them at the Humane Society to check this dog out and couldn't believe how big he was, how much fur he had and how high he could bounce. I didn't say jump, because he'd get all four feet off the ground. Sampson was approximately 2 years old and not quite fully grown-he was thin as most strays are. I remember he got a deep gash on his leg shortly after they got him and when sil took him to the vet for stitches he was told that Sampson had a high pain tolerance. For some reason this fact stuck in my head. He loved being outside and preferred it over being in the house. He also loved to run and when he had the chance would go out on a long run, with sil chasing him. Hubby and I often got called into the chase as well. Kim's family grew and before you knew it we were all moving to Colorado, in the winter. Sampson showed that he loved the snow and so he had a dog house in the garage and a doggy door leading to the yard, plus lots of blankets for his bed. The cold never stopped him. This first photo was taken probably four years ago at their old house. Sampson has always been a wonderful watch dog, mainly because of his size, weighing in at approximately 120 lbs.  At their old house one day, years ago, he was outside with Kim's oldest and her youngest at the time, when he started barking and wouldn't stop. Sil opened the door and told him to be quiet and again he wouldn't stop. Sil went out and Sampson was standing between the two girls and a large snake. At first sil thought it was a rattler and Sampson would not let it anywhere near the girls. It ended up being a bull snake, which a policeman told us all after it was killed. This is the yard where he protected the children.  On another note, when the family moved to their current home two years ago and backed up to Open Space, there was no way of knowing just how many bull snakes would venture into their yard.  As always, Sampson would alert the family and stand between any of them and the snake. In recent months however, as soon as Kim or her man would be there he would go into the garage and nap-as if to say "I've done my job".

These next two photos were taken this week.  The years have passed and age has taken its toll on this incredible dog.  Kim's hubby had a job where he had to travel internationally on a regular basis and having Sampson at their home always made everyone, including this mom, feel more secure.  Nobody would have been allowed in their yard or home.  Sampson is now about 14 years old; it is becoming obvious that he is suffering from weak hind legs-probably hip dysplasia.  He has truly been the best dog ever and it is with a heavy heart that Kim and her hubby have made the decision to do the second kindest thing possible for him-to set him free.  The first kindest thing was to adopt him and give him the best home possible.

As I type this, it grieves my heart, not for what will happen this week but for what a fantastic, loyal, loving dog he's been and how much I will miss him, let alone the family.  As I've watched him the last couple of weeks, it is absolutely apparent that it is time.  I was going to post this after the fact, but know I won't be able to.  I am so thankful he was the first dog Kim and her hubby had-it is amazing that he has lived to such a ripe old age, given his breed and size.  Well done Sampson. Thank you for being there and watching over all of us, especially my grands.  WE will always cherish the dog you have been.
When the time comes, Old Boy run free.

A Dog's Life

It's Thankful Thursday and today I am so very thankful for the dogs that make up part of our family. To me a house isn't a home, without a dog living there. I have a sign in my sewing room that says "Life without a dog, I don't think so" and that sums up my heart on the matter. So we had Lily over last weekend and Hunter just loves her. They are so much alike and get along so well.

Of course, Copper has stolen our hearts as well. She has the sweetest temperament of any dog I've ever known, besides Hunter of course. She is so intelligent and loves to please.

The two other dogs I love to pieces belong to Kim's family. Sampson, now around 13 yrs old, is a huge Newfie mix weighing in at 120 lbs. He is one incredible dog and has saved the family and little ones from many snakes. While he does shed, he is worth his weight in gold. It's going to be a sad day when Sampson is no longer around. The smallest pup in Kim's household is Petrol~a miniature Schnauzer who is more the size of a toy. She is smart and loyal and fits in perfectly.
I'm off walking this morning and then will meet the girls and grands at the pool, for water play and lunch.  I hope you have a fantastic, blessed Thursday.
Joy to you!
Noreen

Playtime

Happy Friday to you! Yesterday was a very full day for hubby and me~we did two loads with our daughter Carrie and sil; furniture, bikes, misc. boxes, beds, etc etc. Before the unloading began though, I brought Lily here to stay with us for a few days. They felt it would be less stressful on her when to be here when their house was emptied. Hunter couldn't have been happier to see her. After finishing unloading with them, we headed to Home Dep**, to get 45, yes 45, bags of mulch for our yard. We had spread out 8 bags in the front bed; today while hubby primes our front railing, I will begin to move bags to the back yard. This morning the dogs were playing tag and wrestling; I tried to get some action shots, but I'm just not quick enough. Lily insisted on being at my feet, so I was not able to get front photos of her.

I love seeing Hunter's expression-really looks like he is teasing her.

Here they are having a stand off at the doggy door.  Hunter is waiting for her to join him, so they can blitz in the yard and she is expecting him to come back inside. 

These two are just so cute together.  Lily will tire of Hunter's pestering, but will also let him know when enough is enough.  It is good that we can have her here with us, while the family is moving; Hunter will also spend time with them when we are on vacation.
I hope you have a beautiful day and find many reasons to smile today.
Joy to you!
Noreen

Playtime With Pups

Hunter had his best buds over on Friday; we are actually having a friend's daughter dogsit in a few weeks and wanted her to meet them. It is funny that although there were three dogs, only two played together at a time.

This was the only photo that I nearly got with all three dogs together.  As soon as I pointed the camera, Lily and Hunter moved.

Hunter actually looks like his is smiling here; I think he is happy to have his buddies to play with. What is even more interesting to me is that when there are other dogs here, Hunter eats his kibble. Someone once said he must be a social eater; it's that or when he is home alone, he thinks he is a person and wants our food. Yes, he is spoiled!

Most of the photos show Petrol and Hunter together or Lily and Petrol, but Hunter was almost always with Lily.  Poor Petrol would stand, watching them play and bark as if to say-come on, let me in.

They all settled down after about three hours and from there it was smooth sailing.  Even bedtime was easy-Petrol is so obedient and well behaved that she slept at the bottom of the bed, while Hunter and Lily rotated spots between hubby and I. I'm so thankful that the pups all get along well!  I'm also thankful for our daughter's having small dogs, because otherwise we would definitely have another Bichon or maybe even a Miniature Schnauzer. 
I hope you had a good weekend; I'm off to the dentist to get a crown this morning-such fun!!!
Hugs,
Noreen & Hunter