Can you just feel it? Cool, crisp air, early morning sunlight warming your whiskers…
What better time and place for your morning bath?
Buttercup at age 7 3/4 years. She will be 8 in October!
The Dutch Shepherd has been the perfect breed choice for our active son. She will help him guard or catch his chickens, accompany him on his bike rides or hikes, swim with him, play fetch, and even participate in 4-H dog shows. And, although she has never yet met a person she doesn’t like, we still feel confident that she would protect her boy against an attacker. She butts in if family gets too rough and makes him squeal or laugh too loudly, and I think she would be more assertive with a stranger. Good Dog, Buttercup!
All the hens know we come bearing gifts 🙂 They gather ’round and check us out; is she carrying an apple? Does he have a slice of watermelon?
This one was especially pleased because she was the first to notice me and I was close enough that she didn’t need to run. Running is bad because it alerts the others that treats are at hand. These hens do not want to share with their sisters!
Cynthia was napping on the (former) BBQ grill. It has been re-purposed as a cat bed and cat food dish holder, very much to Cynthia’s liking.
She knew I was there and was purring softly and kneading with her paws to let me know she loves us. But she was just too sleepy to get up and greet me properly 🙂
The cats like to go out with me to take photographs, but they are ever watchful.
Apparently, they are cognizant of the danger of becoming lunch for a coyote! This photo of Tiger as a watchful, intensely focused cat contrasts strongly with his usual totally laid back, flopped on his back, rag doll cat demeanor when in the house.
Finally released from Down-Stay on the pond bank, Zookie and Buttercup celebrate their freedom with a frolic in the pond.
See Zookie’s halo? Evidence that she really is a Good Dog, despite the facial expression that may seem to indicate otherwise!
Buttercup is a great dog! She does get worried when her boy is missing. This weekend he and his brother and dad were all off doing Boy Scout activities, leaving Buttercup home with me.
She kept a close eye on me, and stayed near by, wherever I went. This afforded me several opportunities for nice photos, like this one taken at sunrise Sunday morning.
I wanted to take photos at the pond before the dogs stirred it all up, so she and Zookie were staying on the pond bank, patiently awaiting their turn in the water. When they got in, they had great fun! (photo coming tomorrow)