Jake

I visited Connie last week & spent some alone time in her house. So I read, played Candy Crush on my phone & hung out with Jake, the golden Lab. He is good company. I took him for a short walk . . . or rather he walked me. He loves playing fetch with a tennis ball. And when he just felt like hanging out with me I took some pictures. He didn't seem to mind.

Clarabelle

Meet Clarabelle! She joined our family last Wednesday. She's two. We are adopting her from Basset & Beagle Rescue of the Heartland. She's adjusted well to her new home. She is much like Jack in many ways, so we are often reminded of him in watching her. I like that. I also like that she is already housebroken. She has so much energy & Zeke sometimes tries to keep up with her. We are happy to have her in our lives!

Rae & Nick & Maggie

I'm working on a project & want some practice photographing people with their pets. Rae agreed I could practice at her place (she thought I just wanted to photograph her dog, Maggie, though). Maggie is a ball of energy & knows quite a few tricks. (Something our Beagles were always too stubborn to learn.) I was able to get a few good shots of her before she was off running again . . .

goodbye, Jack

A week ago today we said goodbye to our best friend, Jack. He'd been a part of our family for over fifteen years & even though we knew this day was coming it made it no easier to bear. I didn't realize how big his personality was until it was gone. He didn't greet us at the door every time but instead stayed in the comfort of his chair & whined at us until we stopped to pet & greet him. He still enjoyed two walks a day. They'd become shorter & slower and I'd learned that I had to go in whatever direction he chose or else I'd just be dragging him by the leash. His favorite foods were peanut butter & chicken. We buried him in our back yard to keep him nearby. I'm not sure why I removed his collar; we'll never have a dog that can wear it like Jack did.

Molly & Misha

Marsha has been telling me for months that she wanted me to take some pictures of her & her husband, Charles, & their two dogs, Molly & Misha. Molly's health is precarious & I've worried that Marsha would put off having some photos taken & it would be too late. But finally this past Saturday with perfect weather I took a few photos on their front stoop & driveway. We meant to seek out some gorgeous fall foliage but found staying at home worked well too.

Marsha with Misha on the left & Molly on the right.

Charles is smiling because the Huskers won!

happy birthday, Jack!

Jack turned fifteen years old today. We think he's pretty old now. Walks are slower & shorter. He often likes to sit & rest on these short walks. When he commences to lie down I remind him that we are on a "walk" not spending time in the back yard. Often when he is in the backyard he likes to just lie down & watch the birds & squirrels. He long ago gave up chasing anything but he certainly knows how to relax & take it easy.

Jack

It's 7:15 am. That time of day. To walk Zeke
and the old dog, Jack.

Harnesses are fastened. Zeke has killed the brown fox
and is first out the door.
Following,
is the old dog, Jack.

First stop is the tree in Al's yard. Sniff around
then he'll pee on the trunk. Zeke patiently waits.
For me & the old dog, Jack.



Before we get around the curve
there is business to put in the sack.
We all know it's because
of that old dog, Jack.



We've finally made it to Sumner.
Go straight or head back?
We ponder these things by the hydrant
with the old dog, Jack.



At Franklin we turn to the right.
The roar of traffic is two blocks away.
Birds sing in the branches above.
And I'm grateful for this walk with my old dog, Jack.





We're coming upon Roberts' Park.
I linger to smell the lilacs.
His nose in the flora at my feet.
Again, it's that old dog Jack.





We head down the hill to come home.
It's shorter to step off the curb & just jaywalk.
I stand my ground
the speeding car may not notice
the old dog, Jack.



We are back in the comfort of home.
He is curled up in his favorite yellow chair.
Life is good.
Thanks to our old dog, Jack.

Zeke

This afternoon Zeke was guarding the house from his perch on the couch. The reading light by the couch was on . . .

pets

I accompanied my friend, Joan, to Kearney yesterday. While I was waiting in her living room for her & her daughter, Carlita, to get ready I entertained myself by photographing their pets. It was after we had gotten Jack over twelve years ago that I noticed that everyone has a pet (well, almost). I think that's great! We love our dogs. Anyway, Chester is their miniature dachshund. He is cute & cuddly & is Joan's "baby".









Javy is their border collie who watches out the window all day waiting for Steve to get home.





And Freda is one of their three cats that was hanging around catching some sun rays.

Rose

I stopped by to see my friend, Christy, this week to pick up a knitting recipe (that's what she calls it, really!). Her 11 year old Doberman Pinscher, Rose, was happy to see me. Rose has a delightful place to sleep in Christy's office. There's a daybed just her size where she can hang out while Christy plays her banjo or surfs the net. I just happened to have my camera with me (really!) . . .