She Ain't Heavy, She's My Puppy(sung to the tune of "He ain't heavy, he's my brother")

No, your eyes are not deceiving you! This is not usually how we take Riley for a "walk," but yesterday she started limping and favoring her left front paw when we still had about a mile to go on our hike, so Jim just scooped up Riley (all 70+ pounds of her!) and kept right on hiking! He is what I would call "dog's best friend!" She's a lucky(spoiled) pup!

Riley looks pretty relaxed, happy and carefree:) Do I detect a smile?

A man and his dog:) I think Jim is ready to put Riley on a diet:)

P.S. My Hawaii post is coming as soon as I can decide which photos to use!

Canine Companions:)

Lately, about three times in as many weeks, Willy(the chocolate lab) has come "knocking" at our door, "asking" to play with Riley. He doesn't really knock(though sometimes he scratches), but he does patiently sit at our doorstep and when we notice him, he doesn't actually ask, but we know exactly what he wants:) Riley and Willy became acquainted when we went on a couple of hikes together with him and his owner. Willy lives a few blocks away, but whenever he gets out, he makes a beeline for our door:) As soon as he gets here, Riley is so excited that she digs a big hole in the dirt and goes cuckoo!
Over the years Riley has received many compliments on her beautiful, shiny coat, but within two minutes of playing with Willy, she is FILTHY! Of course, the dog slobber mixed with dirt doesn't help!
As you can see, he's pretty filthy too!
Worn out and covered in dirt, it's time to call Willy's owner to come and fetch him!
Ah, MUCH better! Riley is clean and shiny again after her bath!

A happy little Zeke playing in the sprinklers while Riley looks over his shoulder giving him "goo goo eyes." :)

Of Buddies, Bandits and Blogs

Zeke and Riley are buddies:) Whenever Zeke visits our home I immediately give him a big hug and kiss, but he does not pay attention to grandma... instead he looks over my shoulder calling to Riley with his signature doggie sounds, ready to romp with his canine friend!
And romp they do! Zeke was actually enjoying this affectionate little nibble on his arm:)
"C'mon, Riley, let's roughhouse!!!" "Ho Hum," says Riley:)
Zeke giving Riley some sweet love pats..."Good doggie." SO CUTE!
Later on, Zeke was being way too quiet, so I went into the kitchen and found the refrigerator door open, but no Zeke. Hmmm...where could he be? I spotted him, quiet as a mouse, behind the butcher block, with his finger in the pilfered object,(of all things) a bottle of mustard:) Yep, he was caught "red-handed," or should I say "yellow-fingered?!" Turns out he loves the stuff straight out of the bottle!? :)

Lastly, FYI...I have another blog, devoted to food:) www.munchkinmunchies.blogspot.com
Come visit sometime! It's listed on my blogroll:)

Spring Has Sprung!

Jim went on a hike on the first day of spring and he captured the onset of the season so well through his camera lens that I just had to share:)
The trailhead is only about a mile from our home:)
Of course he had to take his devoted friend, Riley! She was on cloud nine!
OOOOOHHHHHHHH!
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH....
Time to head home.....