For you viewing pleasure...

I hope you enjoy the pool as much as Sable did.

Thank you for participating...

In March I entered Sable in the 2011 Jack Daniel's Single Barrel & Ducks Unlimited Dog of the Year contest which was open only to Chocolate Labrador Retrievers.

This week we received a very nice "thank you for participating" letter and a Jack Daniel's bandana as a gift for Sable.


The well-deserved win went to the wonderful Bud who along with his owner spends his time assisting disabled children, adults and wounded soldiers in duck hunting. Bud also helps the disabled during the summer in a water sports program. Congratulations Bud!

Sable brings so much joy and happiness to our lives that although she didn't win this contest, Sable is definitely Our Dog of the Year!

Sable looks quite stylish in her new bandana.

Bud's accomplishment is also recognized on this site: http://www.ducks.org/how-to-help/corporate-partners/partner-newsletter-promotions/jack-daniels-single-barrel-ducks-unlimited-announce-2011-dog-of-the-year/?fb=1

Rainy Day Walk

Most pet owners understand that pets rely upon the routines set by their people, that is very true for dogs. So each day, no matter what Mother Nature has in store for us, Sable and I go for a morning walk.

We have had ran every day for eight days in a row, but so far we have been lucky, only a few drops or a little mist on our walks. Today was different. It was raining very steadily today, requiring a raincoat and umbrella for me, gear for Sable--nothing. Sable absolutely loves water and rain! Sable happily trots along in the rain enjoying herself and the water. Puddles are a particular joy for her, she actually makes a bee-line for them, the bigger the better. Sable does a high-stepping prance, splish-splashing right through the puddle, happy, happy dog!

After our walk, water-logged Sable.

Sable doesn't care what the weather is like as long as she is outside, she is content. What fun!

Birdsong in the Morning

If you were sleeping with the windows open I suppose birdsong in the morning could be annoying since the birds start singing very early. However, birdsong is a lovely accompaniment when Sable and I are out walking.

Today was a beautiful, crisp Spring morning filled with sunshine, blue skies, budding trees, and wonderful birdsong. Even though all of this beauty is lost on Sable, it makes me smile. The birds are so busy flying around, searching for food, chatting away. I can recognize the Robin's song and the orange-shouldered Blackbird call pierces through all the other sounds. But it is the distinctive trills of the Cardinal that makes me pick up my head and search for nature's black-masked red marvel.

Cardinals are my Mom's favorite bird and she taught me when I was young to recognize the male's call. This morning was filled with Cardinal song, calling to each other, perhaps saying this tree is mine, my territory. As we paused on a corner so Sable could sniff around, I heard a Cardinal call out and I immediately looked up to the tops of the trees (Mom instructed me that they like to be up high). There at very top of a tree that was just starting to leaf out was my little showman, beautifully bright red among the light green leaves and back dropped by an azure sky. He continued to sing out as I watched him and was answered by an unseen Cardinal somewhere across the road.

Sable and I were serenaded throughout our walk, such a joyous way to start the day.

Marshmallow Treat?

Sable was hanging around the kitchen while I was working, no big surprise there, so I gave her a large marshmallow. She promptly trotted away to the living room and dropped it on the carpet. She didn't know what to make of it!

She picked up again and spit it out again with a flick of her tongue. She picked up and spit it out several more times. Until finally Sable just laid down in front of it and stared at the wierd fluffy treat.

After several minutes of staring, the marshmallow was picked up once more and once again spat upon the floor, this time with a sneer!

In the Great Marshmallow Showdown...the mighty mallow won. I have added one more item on the short list of things that Sable won't eat.

Try and Get It

Just had to share this great picture of Sable, head down and Gator in her mouth ready for some rough and tumble playtime. She is sooo cute, I just love her!

Everyday is a Good Day to Play

This is our beautiful Sable with saliva frozen to her muzzle and face. It was hard to get her to sit still for this photo. She just loves to play! The extreme temperatures don't bother her one bit, she wants to play fetch or tug-of-war. I am careful that she is only out in the freezing cold for short periods of time, but she gets one extra play trip to make up for the short sessions. If I were to think like Sable, I would have to revise the title of this post to be "Play-time, All the Time!"

If we get all the snow that the weather people are predicting, I'll post some pictures of Sable in the snow, she'll be so excited! Me too!