Be-HAVE !

Of course, she's not perfect and I've been told, neither am I. But, I confess that I do have an obsession with trying to be. I figure if we can at least get close then we are doing okay. I am being cheeky here. It is just that it is coming up to a year since PG has bounded onto the scene and she has come a long, long way. But she still has a few itsy, bitsy, teeny, tiny issues. Here is one of them that I could use some input on. With most dogs her size or bigger she is very docile and playful but with smaller dogs she is a bit rough. She tries to step on them and growls. After a few minutes, everything is okay and they start playing, but she is still too rough for the little ones. In almost one year, I haven't seen any serious aggression but I admit, I am a little tense and watchful when she is around smaller dogs. I am hoping that with more exposure this will work itself out and I always stay at the ready to intervene if necessary.

Don't Hate me Because I Blog

I used to feel so conflicted about blogging. Before I started blogging I would destroy anything I had written down. The reason being that whenever I would re-read my writing, it always seemed so trite, so simple-minded, and so, well, so, stupid. Starting a blog and putting things out there to the 'world-wide-web', was a risk. A BIG risk. Now I think... no big deal. Although I do temper myself somewhat, this has been a such a rich experience. It has provided a great forum to work things out. The blogging community has gotten me through the darkest of days and has expanded my view of the good world. I feel grateful to have shared such intimacy with all my newly made 'blogger pals' and with all my 'real world' pals. WOW. Now this may be borderline 'trite' but hey, forgive me my trespasses and please keep on blogging. I love reading yours.

OH...You Dirty Dog!

Who knew that mud could be so much fun? It is apparently 'joie de vivre' to the max for this rascal. This is the dog that was scared of everyday things a few months ago and now will dive into a black hole if it smells good enough. She has never been frightened of thunder or any loud explosive noises on the other hand. This is a very good thing as we have the most lovely thunderstorms here all summer long. It's great to sit on the deck and watch them rock & roll their way in and have her peacefully watching as well. Oh, and one other thing...she knows the names of her friends. Tell me you haven't done this with your dog, "Hey is that Lilly? Ry? Raja? Q? Koda?". They fall for it every time...can't help it...it's funny.

SHOES

Well, I could have posted all the usual, unbelievable and beautiful scenes of summer that are gushing all around us here in the great white north. But, as you can clearly see, my new flip-flops have won out. Yes, the garden is blowing out beets and peas and squashes. Yes, we are having our vital greens every night. Herbs are getting chopped and added to every dish. It is a veritable vegetable carnival. It is almost like this is a different place. In fact that is what I love about living with four seasons. Life is totally changed four times a year. This time of year, life is almost constantly lived outside and compared to winter we wear hardly anything. Hence, the wonder of the flip-flop. In just a few months we'll find ourselves transported to a winter wonderland without going anywhere. We're definitely not in California anymore. (okay, a little summer peek)

Swim Worthy

It appears that the dog can swim...and swim...and swim. I am so pleased that PG has taken to the water so enthusiastically. She has even crossed that fine line of just going in and swimming around just for the sheer joy of it. I was finally able to get these shots of her down at the lake a few days ago. It's fun having a water dog. The only problem now is with the kayaks. She assumes the kayaks are hers and insists on going on any and all excursions on the water. If only she could be reasoned with or bribed or distracted, but that does not seem possible at this time. So for now, we indulge her and let her have her way.

Water Therapy

Pardon my angst. I'm back from my quick trip down 'town' so to speak and in the saddle again. Recovery has to be the dunks in the lake that I have taken this past week. The first time was after a long hike that ended lakeside and PG went right in for a cool down. I was so hot that I couldn't resist either. I stripped down to my skivvies and followed her in -- she was so surprised and pleased. I swear, she was laughing while swimming right along beside me. The lake was very cool, well, actually freezing and I couldn't stay in long. It did indeed feel good and the hot sun afterward felt divine. I love lake swimming... especially in this clear, clean, Canadian lake. Those rocks by the way, are shot through the water. Yup.

fragmented

I have been set spiraling. It's just an observation, just a curious case of introspection and dissection and, yes, a whole lot of rumination . What is it that can cause this feeling of just not being so together anymore? So...complicated and so...pathetic that I am, here I go trying to figure it out. Perhaps it is my FANTASY life thinking that it is my REALITY life...God don't you hate when that happens? You are going along , la-di-da-ing, when something 'real' sucker punches you. I know I am not being clear here but I am just a jumbled up mess of contradictions and nonsense today. I feel like I am in bits and pieces, scattered here and there. Broken things that need fixing. Is there anyone out there?

"Having Said That"

Sometimes you can choose your relatives. Even though our 'familial' tie is a bit of a stretch (too complicated to explain) we have decided that it is enough to consider ourselves 'cousins' of a sort. The last 3 weeks here with Kathy have been hilarious & ridiculous. You know how it is when you are with someone who gets your humour and is also a really good sport about being the object of the joke, as well. Plus, she lets me dress her, which for anyone that knows me, knows that is one of my secret thrills. "Having said that", I was confounded, befuddled and perplexed about which photos to post that would accurately reflect our visit. I could have just gone with the beautiful pictures that Kathy took of the lake and here they are. But, the temptation to include one, just one, dress'-up shot was too much for me. I am weak. I am tweaked. I know not what I do.

Swimming With the Fishes

This is the first time for PG on the kayak and she only dumped us once. I say, not bad, considering her, uh, 'giddy' personality. The capsizing occurred when she spotted a large, white & black, round buoy that we were serenely rowing towards. I noticed her rapt attention and then her low growl. So, I decided the best thing to do was just get closer to it and let her see that it was just a big ball in the water and nothing to be scared of. Of course, we now know that I totally misjudged this one. As we got closer and closer she started to get panicked and before I could stop, change directions or do anything...she bolted. First though, she jumped on me and using me as a springboard dove into the lake. The kayak flipped (in slow mo) and I followed. Man, it was cold. I was so happy we were both wearing our life vests as it took a moment to figure out what to do. We were not too far from shore but way over our heads. First thing I had to do was grab her (as she was trying to climb up on the upside down kayak) and point her towards the shore and push her away. So as she was paddling towards land, I started towing the kayak in as well. Swimming is hard when you are not used to it and I am not, but slowly I made it and all was well. I caught my breath, righted the boat, got back in and after a few minutes convinced PG to get back on with me. We steered clear of that horrible, scary, buoy. No, I have no pictures and there was no one around to see us (or even save us ) but a good lesson learned by me. STAY CLOSE TO THE SHORE....WEAR A LIFE VEST NO MATTER HOW HOT IT IS...GO WITH ANOTHER BUDDY....DON'T FACE THE DOG'S FEARS WHILE ON WATER...GET BACK ON AND RIDE AGAIN. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

So anyway, here is the thing.