It's been six yeas since Alex died, and what better day that to remember our marvelous, mischievous, and downright merry Cairn Terrier that improved our lives for 13 years. A typical terrier - our fourth in 47 years - he was both fun and funny, but he knew how to get to us. When we'd come home after two days or two hours - you'd have to be a dog love to understand this - he was all tongue and wag!

The inevitable question comes up with friends, why don't you get another. You love dogs so much, they have to improve any life. Well, that would probably be true, but we're probably not going to outlive another dog, and that would just be unfair to the dog. And our kids and grandkids live an hour from us. We can get up an leave at any time and without any worry. And there's no worry about kennels and vets. Vet bills alone could put one of our grandkids through a year of college.

It's a constant struggle. We miss that tongue and tail, but freedom is important, too. And the exercise (Alex demanded five to six miles a day - hey, he was a terrier) kept me trim(mer) and left me no time to feel sorry fr myself. Owning a dog is a most pleasant responsibility. Worrying about them not so much. So here's to you Alex. We won't forget you...or Perky, Patches, and Max.Ach was different; each was the same from Sealeyham, to Wire Fox, to Norfolk, and then to Cairn. There's something missing from our lives but at the same time we just can't go through the final days again.

And yet, life doesn't seem complete...

If you want to read two marvelous books, I whole-heartedly recommend "The Gift of Pets: Stories Only a Vet Could Tell" and it's "sequel," "Ask the Animals: A Vet's-Eye View of Pets and the People They Love." I only wish he would write a third one.

Tags:   Cairn Sealeyham Wife Fox Norfolk love slobber wagging tail unconditional love

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It's Dog Day Monday, and I thought you'd like to meet the dog that started it all (in Earnest so to speak), Ernie. It was 2010, and I was trying my luck at dragonflies in the lagoon at the sanctuary. I got a feeling I was being watched and, when I turned to my right, there was a beautiful dog behind a tree who watched me, and kept ducking behind the trunk.

It was too good a "pose" and situation to pass up. And I shot Ernie, figuratively speaking of course. When I had finished with my futile effort at shooting dragons and damsels, Ernie was gone. But I didn't know his name, and for week, I just looked for "Wary." Terrible name, but I don't come up with these names out of thin air. When I got home and got this photo on the monitor, it was an instant fave, and I hoped I would see him again.

I did and found out his name was "Ernie," four years old, and he was a good part German Shepherd. As a rescue (he was given up as "too big"), you were never sure. Anyway, Ernie was obedient, and felt it was his duty to protect and to serve. He sat by the owner's (Judy) side, and I asked if I could pet him. Judy said, "You'll have to ask him," and from that point on we were the best of friends especially when I found out, in his spare time, he was a licker.

I liked this photo so much that I started asking people on trails and paths if I could take pictures of their dogs. I was turned down a few times, but as you've seen and will see, I had quite a collection when I tapered off in 2015.

I have exactly 52 canine, feline, and equine images. At one a week, well I should run out at Christmas 2023. I suppose it's time to start photographing new subjects at the Garden and one walks around home.

Tags:   Dog Day Monday

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It's Dog Day Monday, and today I want you to meet Gus, a Westhighland White Terrier. I met Gus around 2010, and it's one of the few times I had Alex, my Cairn Terrier with me. Gus and Alex, breedwise, are cousins. That they were both 10 years old was coincidence.

For terriers, these were two adorable and very calm boys. Both lickers, thereby passing one of the first criteria in *my* dogs. Both full of energy, the last thing I need now which is why I'm sans pooch and unhappy that I couldn't have had just one more (probably another Cairn, or maybe a terrier mix from ARF in Walnut Creek, the dog shelter founded by Tony LaRussa for you A's fans). But I digress...

The West Highland White Terrier, commonly known as the Westie, is a breed of dog from Scotland with a distinctive white harsh coat with a somewhat soft white undercoat. It is a medium-sized terrier, although with longer legs than other Scottish breeds of terrier. It has a white double coat of fur which fills out the dog's face, giving it a rounded appearance.

"The modern breed is descended from a number of breeding programmes of white terriers in Scotland before the 20th century, and it's the cousin of the Cairn Terrier." What did I tell you.

Tags:   Dog Day Monday

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It's Dog Day Monday, so let's say hi to Dolly! Dolly as I recall was either a spaniel or some sort of herder. All I can remember is that she was beautiful and attentive and wanted to know where she fit in to all the fun to come.

Tags:   Dog Day Monday

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For those of you who don't want to start the week with a flower, how about a Golden?

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