Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged dogs, happy dogs, old dogs, playing in the water, sacramento, small joys, summer, zephyr on August 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Over 100 degrees again today and Zephyr refused to come indoors near the AC. He spent his day prostrate on the garage concrete floor. Time for a little hose action! Zephyr loves to play in the hose.
Look at that face? A moment of complete happiness. We grab then wherever and whenever we can. ❤
d, xo
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged dogs, family, funny, life, trooper, zephyr on February 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged bath night, dogs, found dog, home, trooper, zephyr on February 7, 2012| 1 Comment »
Trooper is very patient in the bath, even when I splash his ears, but once he’s out, oh, my.
He shakes & whimpers (of course, there isn’t much too him). I bundle him up in multiple towels–always as wet as he is–then scurry him off to the space heater and the blow dryer.
Zephyr checking out what all the fuss is about.
Look at that forlorn face! Oh, the suffering!
Once, he’s warm enough he squirms away like a two-year old, frumping and scratching, barking and shaking, then scampers down the stairs to roll on the carpeted landing in great flourish, before he starts the process all over again.
Once I coax some food into him, he’ll acquiesce, let me carry him back upstairs to his bed, where he burrows under his blanket.
Life is rough for our new little prince, but we love him–well, I do anyway. Zephyr will have to speak for himself.
d, xo
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged dogs, happiness, sacramento, small joys, the river, zephyr on January 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »
I’ve taken a lot of dog photos lately, mostly of Trooper, our new foundling dog, but Zephyr at the spry age of 12 1/2 is still my number one guy. I can’t imagine my life without him. xo
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged aging, friends, heart, kindness, life, old dogs, zephyr on March 31, 2011| 5 Comments »
I had a bit of meltdown last week. I got busted by the dog catcher, & Zephyr had a small scare from eating too much grass at the river. A trip to the vet, some “as-long-as-you’re-here” blood work, some slightly scary news, but nothing frantic, immediate, just a real wake-up call that Zephyr is indeed getting old. I can’t bear the thought, but then I’m getting older too.
***
My time on Twitter has brought me–us–a very sweet new friend. Although we’ve never met face-to-face, she’s just the kindest person. She watched my meltdown, my nervous freak out that Zephyr was getting old & I just couldn’t bear or stop the clock! (insert panic).
Today, I got a surprise package in the mail from her: “Old Dogs are the best dogs“. The photos would make the most stoic soul weep. I’ve already reached for the Kleenex, twice.
Thank you Suzanne. You have a very big heart,
d, xo
Zephyr, not really interested in the photo, so much as the taste of the book, gave it a lick. At just about 12 years old, he is moving into the spry, yet senior, citizen department. Although very distinguished, that muzzle used to be very dark.
Forgive that leash. I hate it. He hates it, but he’s been wandering off a bit. I find him standing out on the front lawn or the neighbor’s back yard. Not horrible, but a few weeks ago he crossed the street and the leash came out. We’re still adjusting.
After a nice walk this morning and meeting quite a few dogs along the way to play with, Zephyr is sprawled out on the cool pavement. The temperature is supposed to be 80 degrees today. We don’t do heat very well. I like big blue skies, but we both like chilly weather. We should move back to the beach.
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged blossoms, dogs, spring, the river, tradition, zephyr on March 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Every spring I try to get one shot of Zephyr by the “pink popcorn tree.” It could be apple, or almond, even cherry, but it’s gorgeous at its full bloom along the river. This year I was a week too late with the camera. Blooms have blown off in the last storm and leaves have already sprouted forth. Still, I got my shot, a very contemplative look at the ripe age of 11 1/2. He’s actually got his ears pricked up. The coyotes were yapping across the river. 
Happy spring,
d xo
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged happy dog, spring, sunshine, zephyr on February 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged dogs, fog lifts, gardening, happy campers, January, sunshine, the river, walking, zephyr on January 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Sacramento has been stuck beneath its famous winter fog for weeks. So, when the sun came out for the whole weekend, we ran outside to meet it.
I have two enormous lavender bushes. They smell wonderful. The bees love them, yet all I want is to be able to see the bird bath from my office window. Last week I picked up some old fashion hedge trimmers at an estate sale. Lavender #1 got a serious hair cut.
Saturday, I did my annual post-Christmas trip to SMUD (Sacramento Municiple Utility District) where they offer free wood chips to the public. Yard smells of pine trees. 🙂
Weeding around the compost boxes I pulled up a rogue red potato. Yummy.
Refilled the bird bath, a popular watering hole for the local blue jays and chickadees. And now I can watch them from my window. 🙂
I hesitantly trimmed back the Chinese Lanterns. Saved these few flowers for the window sill.
Out at the river, Zephyr couldn’t be happier. At nearly 12 years old, he is still a spry & handsome dude.
Trying to capture the both of us on our own, a tricky photo-op, but we’re both happy to be out in the sun.
Thank you sunshine, d xo
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged dog, family, family photo, in the park, nice day, pets, walking, zephyr on December 16, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Out walking in the park, I was trying to get a photo of Zephyr and myself. It just wasn’t working. A kind man offered to help. He got this nice shot on the first try. Thank you!
Look at that handsome man. And me in my new green wool cap. It’s an Oliver Twist look for certain. What a pair. 😉
d. xxoo
Posted in Vegetable Stew--metaphorically, tagged children and dogs, dogs, gentle, kindness, manners, personal space, quiet, quiet space, shy, zephyr on August 14, 2009| 1 Comment »
I hate the conversations that begin with “Does your dog bite?”
Especially when he/she is holding a squirmy, sticky toddler. There is no good out that I have yet figured. If I say no, she will ask “Can Bitsy pet it?”–it’s always “it” like I’m walking a table.
If I say yes, they draw back in horror, though I am 10 feet away and Zephyr, turned askew, is busy grazing the lawn like a cow. Today I said “No, he doesn’t” and the above question ensued. Except, I smiled and said “No, not right now.” She was upset and pulled back her child. I can’t win.
Here’s the thing: I am not your petting zoo. And I am not going to let your sticky little kid grab at Zephyr’s ears, nose, whatever. It’s invasive. I don’t ask to run my fingers thru juniors hair. Sigh.
But, here’s thing, I DO like the quiet, singular shy kid who is drawn to Zephyr from afar. They creep closer and closer, with very small steps, wanting SO badly to pet him, like they are witnessing this grand being, a mythical lion.
They never, ever ask to pet him. And with their parents permission I almost always let them. i encourage them too. They reach out their hands with such trepidation. Zephyr will reach out his nose and they jump, goosebumps from head to toe, beaming. Often I have to show them how to pet a dog, like they have never done this before. They are always so gentle.
Beyond Zephyr, it is my own personality that likes a wide arc of comfort space. Come near me slowly, talk softly and don’t be too pushy or demanding about it. Don’t drown me in personal questions. Don’t lecture me or take up debate. Keep it simple, let me reveal myself to you in my own time.
Zephyr is the same way. I guess we are a true pair.
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Snowflower Street 