Over the Top

Caribou Provincial Park is the name of the beach I go to with the dogs. For now it's the best of both worlds because it's got grass up at the top of the park and down below, past the 'dogs on leash' sign is the beach.

Raimi spotted a lone woman walking her aged dog far down the park. Ample opportunity for photo taking of the handsome boy. This is at the top of the park and beyond Raimi, behind the fence with signs on it saying 'actively eroding cliff', is the ocean. Hard to tell but it's definitely there.

Sometimes I feel sorry for little Archer. The big dogs run and run but he just can't keep up. Sometimes he sits dejectedly on the beach watching them. It's no use telling him one day he'll be able to keep up ... he wants to keep up NOW.

They tend to get really distracted when we are at sea level because there are so many new smells they just follow their noses and lose track of distance. I offer a recall to draw them in and if I start running the other way they turn on the after burners. Archer brings up the rear but his enthusiasm is no less keen.

Prince of Tides

We had a marvelous time today in between torrential downpours(we got really lucky) down at the beach off a provincial park which isn't open yet. We pretended to not see the giant white sign proclaiming 'Dogs must be on leash and you must pick up after them" (which I religiously do anyway) and headed onto the deserted expanse of sand.

Raimi was in a swither when I crossed a rivulet of water and he danced from paw to paw until he plucked up enough courage to wade through 6 inches of water. Leeloo bounced through, Halo minced through and Archer stomped through like any self respecting puppy. The tide slowly crept in while we were there but the beach was marvelous - wide, shallow, sandy and offered long stretches for the dogs to run. I was disappointed I didn't remember my camera but it doesn't react well to rain. The end result was, as usual, a couch full of comatose Ridgebacks in various positions.

Raimi, it seems, has competition. Fortunately I have final say in who gets the girl ... as it were.

Although, I can't help getting the impression Archer is just a little bit smug.

Bed of Roses

This is Mallaig and Ceilidh on an antique oak chair I purchased earlier this week. It's the match to the one in my bedroom. I had initially only bought the one for my room but for some reason the one I'd left behind kept poking my brain so I went back to get it. I think it's very happy here - the tag on it said "$40 Oak Chair - Old". So it's old I guess. The cats seem like it; well, they look smug about it at any rate.

I just got that tartan throw - it's the Nova Scotia tartan - and those are my Most Awesome Wellies in the World underneath the chair. Maillaig quickly realized I was taking photos and decided her face needed a wash. It was too late, I'd already gotten the photo I wanted. Ceilidh just continued to look smug as a bug. Now the throw is collecting cat hair. Ah well ... what doesn't have hair on it in my house?

Where's Weasley? Why, on top of the washer/dryer of course. He found this spot almost as soon as I allowed them to wander the house. I had to put a bed up there so he'd be comfortable. He doesn't look smug so much as annoyed I'm disturbing him. There is no pleasing cats.

The Grass is Greener

The dogs seem to prefer grass under their feet over sand. Probably because they are used to grass. Or because grass is pretty much grass where ever you are but sandy beaches smell too interesting to play on. Noses to the ground

Beyond Halo is the cliff and then a beach and then the Strait. Halo is so easy to photograph.

The rest of the gang was too busy looking foolish to look regal.

Raimi has a knack for looking silly. Less rolling and more running is what I like to see. It means sleeping at home so I can relax in the evening. Sniffing the breeze off the water. I'm pretty sure this is where Archer got his, and my, first tick. Surprisingly easy to remove. Gross just the same. The vet here said they are pretty common and just checking the dogs daily should be fine. Huh. Okay ... shudder.

Beach Blanket Bingo

By now I'm sure photos of the beach are getting boring so I'll just include one last installment of all the dogs playing together.

This seems like a good start - Archer preparing to tackle an incoming Raimi. He decided not to in the end ... good call.

It's almost as though Archer is saying 'Hey! Look down here!" to which Raimi replies 'Who said that?"

Leeloo has quite the turn of foot when she needs to get out of the way of a grumpy Halo.

Raimi and Leeloo eyeballing each other at top speed. This one is so cute. Leeloo enticing Halo to play. I love the expression on Halo's face.
I love this photo. Maybe you didn't notice Leeloo's ear inside out.
We have done other things besides the beach. Mostly it's been fencing building and not much park walking. Time to move on to other exciting adventures.

Deep End of the Ocean

Little baby Archer has had quite an adventure in his short life. He's really taken it in stride and I'm pretty impressed with his stable temperament. I just love this picture ...

He ran up and down the sand by himself a lot. He is a bit small to join the crazy dogs in their raucous play.

It wouldn't be a beach photo without him picking up some crap to carry around and try to eat. Most of the things they decided to eat they spat out(except Leeloo) because the salt would make everything pretty unpalatable.

What is a beach without a little sandcastle building? Or moat digging.

It's a tough gig being small. He doesn't know he's going to get a lot larger but time will rectify that. For now though he's at exactly blowing sand level which probably sucks a little.

Archer was the most adventurous when it came to the water. He walked right up and was curious about the smell and sound of the waves.

He learned that unlike the river, ponds or puddles the waves come to *you*. He wasn't sure he liked that part.

Archer is a spectacular puppy with an independent, intelligent mind and these moments of puppyhood will soon be waning ... I enjoy them as much as I can knowing this.

Elf

Just a quick beach interruption to post the coolest thing from Mungo's family. Mungo is from the Christmas Eve litter and he was aptly named Invictus Elf because he is a giant! Evidence is on their website at http://www.mungoeatsla.ca/ and I had such a hoot reading about it. Mungo sounds like Raimi ... kind of simple and stupid. They are the best kind. Anyway - they are driving from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to South America! What a trip! I plan to follow along for sure and I added a link on my site list. Here's Mungo as a baby so you can get an idea what he looked like when he left my house ...