Pondview Labs

2012-01-15T21:17:00.000-05:00

Remy x Caroline AND Cooper x Glory

Both litters are now placed.

Thanks for stopping by...we've all gone to new homes. Don't hestitate to call and inquire about being on our waiting list for future litters. Enjoy the slide show our mom made for our new owners.

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Wow! We sure have grown!

2012-01-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

Cooper x Glory pups at 6 weeks

Remy x Caroline pups at 6 1/2 weeks

Puppies ready to head to new owners January 14

To be on a waiting list for a pet approved home contact us.

mousseaux@comcast.net

Glory and Caroline pups at 5 weeks

2011-12-27T12:58:00.002-05:00

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Cooper x Glory pups 1-3 weeks

2011-12-08T21:17:00.000-05:00

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Remy x Caroline pups 3 weeks

2011-12-06T21:44:00.002-05:00

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Cooper x Glory Pups Born November 17

2011-11-19T17:45:00.002-05:00

4 black boys, 1 yellow boy, 4 black girls
black boys and girls available

Born 11-17-11

Remy x Caroline Pups Have Arrived

2011-11-15T19:29:00.002-05:00

Pondview is happy to announce the arrival of

Ch Bluveil Bermuda x Hawksmoor Pondview Caroline

2 boys, 3 girls

This litter is sold.

Announcing Upcoming Litters

2011-10-01T22:07:00.003-04:00

We are very excited about the recent breeding of both of our Travis x Meadow sisters. We are expecting 2 litters of beautiful puppies by mid November.

Ultrasounds have confirmed pregnancy, showing 7 puppies possible for each litter. View pedigrees under each girls' page. Currently accepting inquiries for puppies.

Ch Bluveil Bermuda x Hawksmoor Pondview Caroline

Ch Windfalls New England Patriot x Hawksmoor Pondview Glory

Miss Glory, the Apple Picking Lab

2011-08-31T21:02:00.002-04:00

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Glory's Excellent Adventure

2011-08-07T07:26:00.001-04:00

(as told by Glory)

I was so excited. This was a great place and I was going to get to retrieve!

It was challenging trying to stay focused with Ella racing along beside me.
She just didn't get the idea of the retrieve. She kept trying to herd me. I guess that's what her breed does.

All I wanted to do was get my toy.

But she had other ideas.

My strategy was 'ignore the behavior', which is what Mom does to me when I do things she doesn't like. Finally, Ella started to get the idea.

Sometimes you have to put up with some annoying distractions to have an excellent adventure!

Labmitton

2011-06-25T21:23:00.000-04:00

What?! Did you say a 'birdie'? I would like to play with a birdie.

Hmmm..it doesn't seem like a duck. It must be a breed I'm not familiar with.

I need a racket? Well, ok.

Is this what you mean?

Alright...now this is more like it! Labmitton sure is fun!

Waiting for Spring

2011-04-07T19:39:00.000-04:00

The Easter Lab showed up quite by surprise...on April Fool's Day. But by the next day, there was little evidence that he had been there at all. In fact, as we all gathered round what remained of his snowy shape, we all enjoyed an icy treat!

And boy was it good!

We are pretty sure that Spring is here though...the ducks arrived on the pond.

And we all enjoy chasing our tennis balls again on the grass. They don't get lost in deep snow.

And if you look very closely, you might see a blade of grass hanging from our mouths. Nothing better than munching on that fresh green.

Happy Valentines Day from Pondview

2011-02-14T06:04:00.000-05:00

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Going Nowhere Fast

2011-01-12T19:15:00.002-05:00

The best part of Winter is having a Snow Day and enjoying the weather with 6 lucky Labs! No whining here! They would stay out in the snow all day if I let them. Glory decided to lie down and take a little break from the hard work of digging for her ball in the 17 inches of snow. It didn't take her long to become a white Lab!

Winter Fun!

2011-01-09T08:26:00.000-05:00

"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."
~Albert Camus~
No matter what the weather, Labs know how to have fun. Glory still searches for a bit of summer...the green grass must be down there somewhere!

But Alex knows better. He is willing to enjoy the taste of snow!

And since there's no easy way to race through the snow, Caroline and Glory decide to try sledding.

James isn't quite so sure but if he keeps his Jolly Ball safe with him, he's willing to try. Hold on!

Pondview Black Note

2010-12-06T22:12:00.001-05:00

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The Dog Gone Holiday Spirit

2010-11-28T07:46:00.001-05:00

Each year it seems my attempts at the holiday dog photos become more and more challenged. I guess it is not unlike people as we get older, many parts of holiday traditions get 'old' too! We need some youth to add some sparkle to the season. It is evident in this photo that all are less than enthusiastic as they pose with their reindeer antlers. Noting past years' photos, clearly there is more excitement and definitely more cooperation.
Oh...the memories are so sweet!

Maybe some steak would help. And those group shots are just so hard! A little snow would raise the spirits. Another day and another way....I can always hope.

10/10/10

2010-10-26T20:21:00.000-04:00

Last year, on 09/09/09, I was in this same spot, with my furry family. Now, one year later, spending time with the Labs...what a delightful way to enjoy the day.

Paws from the Past

2010-09-06T20:05:00.002-04:00

Here is a photo show that I made of the family dogs from both my father's and my mother's sides of the family; dating back to the end of the 1890's to the mid-1900's.
Clear evidence that we definitely are "doggie people"!

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Hawksmoor Glory

2010-07-15T16:23:00.006-04:00

Six months later, Glory was born. To a different mother, from a different line, but there is no doubt in my mind, that within her is the spirit of all those who went before, Addie, Piper and Vixen. It seemed fitting to name one of Meadow’s girls “Glory”. It was a name I had always loved and it had been part of Piper’s registered name.
I wonder, when I chose the names for that litter, how I would have known that she was the one to be named Glory, not her sister, who I named Caroline. I cannot imagine her as Caroline. Glory is, in every way, a piece of who my other girls were, especially Vixen. She is so like Vixen, in looks and behavior, that I often catch myself calling her by that name. Ironically, I have had friends who knew Vixen, do the same.
She is a girl who needs a job. She is always busy. Her antics fill my mind with plenty of “Glory Stories” and she is frequently the subject of my dog writing. Instead of muddy streams, there are vegetable gardens and apple trees. She jumps and leaps with ease and often we refer to her as a ‘Houdini’, as she can disappear in a flash. One minute she is within sight and the next she is gone.
The first time she disappeared was frightening. I was rushing to get dogs fed and then outdoors. I needed to be at dog training by 6pm and as I rounded everyone up and called them in I counted, one, two, three, four, five. Six? Seven? No puppies in sight! Frantically, I raced about the yard, my feet soon drenched from the wet grass, my hair plastered to my face from the combination of the fine mist and sweat. As I shouted for them, the fear in my voice became more and more evident. My heart was pounding, as I raced from one edge of the yard to another. All I could think of was that they had somehow gotten under the wire fence along the busy road at the top of our driveway. It seemed impossible that they could have disappeared so quickly. I had visions of two puppies, in the road or lost through the woods with no tags or collars. Hysteria overcame all sane thoughts as I screamed for the others to get to the house. I grabbed my car keys and prepared to expand my search. I took one last desperate glance. My eyes scanned the field beyond the split rail fence dividing our property from the farmer’s. In the distance, I saw two black specks, bounding through the tall grass, heading towards me. One in the lead, the other following, creating a vision from The Incredible Journey. It all played in slow motion as I moved in their direction, arms outstretched, yelling “good puppies”, “come, come”! My relief turned to gratefulness but a small part of me wanted to grab their necks and drag them straight to their crates.

That was over 2 years ago and I still call both girls my puppies. But it is Glory who has the drive. It is Glory who has a mind of her own, setting her agenda, yet still wanting to please. When everyone else brings out their soft toys, Glory will bring them in. But she also makes sure she is last coming in. Just in case there is a chance to have one last play. She claims the best spot on the leather couch to watch tv. Not just animal shows but anything of interest. She notices reflections in the skylight at night and stands her ground. No fence can keep her out of the vegetable garden when the tomatoes are ripe. And when the apples are ready for picking, she doesn’t even wait for them to drop.

Each time I witness this spirit, I know who she is. I know that she will run like the wind, and perform the way Vixen did. When I work with her in agility, I see that same drive, that same enthusiasm. She is all that the others were and more. Her eyes are intense, as she watches me, and I know in my heart what she is telling me.

Glory “I am here. I never left. I am your forever dog.”

Hawksmoor Vixen RN NAJ CL-2

2010-07-09T09:51:00.010-04:00

The Forever Dog #3
Vixen

It was on Valentine’s Day, 2001 that a litter of 12 lab puppies was born to “Wyla”. In April, Kate, my co-owner and breeder of Lisle and Bounty, called to say she had a girl that needed a job. And that is how Vixen came to me. Kate had named her Vixen and at the time I thought the name Vixen didn’t seem to fit. But as the days turned to weeks, I quickly realized how fitting it was. Kate had been right. She did need a job! Her energy and level of determination was evident from the beginning. Just as those free spirits before her, Addie and Piper, she challenged me in every way.
She wasn’t a cuddly little puppy. She never was patient about waiting and would make this kind of howling screech like nothing I had ever heard, if she was excluded from what the rest of the girls were doing. She would race away from me at every chance to play in muddy streams and would jump into the pool uninvited. She found ways to elude me even there, since she learned to leap unto the pool rafts and float about at her leisure.
By 3 months she was proving her agility potential by jumping and leaping from stone walls and steps. As soon as I wasn’t watching, she dug holes in the yard, in my gardens, anywhere she could. The wastebasket trash, as with Addie and Piper, was never safe with her. And like the ‘girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead; ‘When she good, she was very, very good but when she was bad, she was horrid’.
A genuine Labrador character, loving people and other dogs and she quickly became the joy of my life. Her enthusiasm to perform was unsurpassed and so the first time I ran with Vixen, I knew that she would be an incredible agility dog. A dog that I could be a partner with and that I would form a special bond with. She ran like the wind, and she ran not just for me but for the sheer joy of the ‘job’. Even at practice she could barely wait her turn while another dog was running a course. She would whine and even howl, trembling with impatience. I will never forget one of those training sessions. While another dog was setting up, waiting for his owner’s signal to begin, I had inadvertently dropped her leash. As the other dog’s owner said, “Go!” Vixen bolted from my side and in a flash, was over the first jump and up the A-frame, leaving the other dog wondering what had just happened to his turn. It was this very spirit that made me want to run with her.

In October, 2005, I entered agility in the AKC Labrador Nationals in Rhode Island. For me, it was the opportunity of a lifetime to perform with other Labs, even in a novice class. Even through the relentless rain those two days of showing, her energy caught the attention of spectators and competitors. One of them came up to me after we had finished the jumper’s course and asked what her line was and if I had ever bred her. I had not planned to breed Vixen. I had Bounty’s daughter Meadow who was my next choice to breed. But something changed for me during that show, not just the fact that someone had asked if I had ever bred her, but the feeling that I needed to have a piece of who she was continue on. I bred Vixen in November, after the Nationals, and 9 puppies were born January 6. One of them, my James, who is nothing like his mother, is my connection to what I once had with her.
Like those who came before, her life was too short. The following November, just one year after deciding to breed her, just one year after the Nationals, an amazingly energetic and fit girl was diagnosed with final stage liver failure. She was only 5. She was jumping on the vet on Monday and by Saturday she was gone. Knowing that I would never run with her again, witness her zest for life, my tears have never stopped flowing. She had touched the lives of those who knew her but more than that, she had changed my life forever.

Scrimshaw Tunes of Glory "Piper"

2010-07-07T08:58:00.008-04:00

The Forever Dog #2

Piper, was all of what Addie had been and more. Molly, our chocolate Lab was two when I drove to Merideth to bring Piper home. A sweet, adorable bundle who soon earned the nickname of ‘Hyper Piper’, because she was just that. If you turned your back, she was into something. Crates became a way of life again.
I believe that sometimes, those special spirits return to teach us yet another lesson. This was true of Piper. She was a happy, free spirit, who never stopped moving. She jumped on visitors, dug holes in the yard, and ate toilet tissue and Kleenex ( to the point that I began putting the bathroom wastebaskets into the tub so she could not get to them).
When she was still a puppy, she fell into our pool and although Labs instinctively swim, she panicked when she could not find her way to solid ground. Frantically she kept scrambling at the pool’s edge and by the time I pulled her flailing body out of the water, she was shaking. Unfortunately, her shaking was not from fright or cold. At four months, she was having her first seizure. It was the beginning of a lifetime of health issues that would challenge me and change her life. I was familiar with dog seizures. Ironically, Addie had had seizures too.
Still, her free spirit was delightful. For as many times as she was in trouble, there were just as many times that she brought joy to our lives. And when I look back on those troublesome times, now they make me laugh.
One Christmas, a 5 lb tray of fudge disappeared off the kitchen counter. At first, I blamed my sons. I was horrified when I realized that it was Piper, not the boys, who had eaten all that chocolate. Immediately, I called the vet. Chocolate can be lethal! But for all of Piper’s health issues, she apparently was able to handle 5 lbs of fudge. Then there was the time when she found the sparrow’s nest in the bush by the pool. Before I was able to stop her, 3 baby birds became her dinner.
Over time, her seizures became more frequent and increased in intensity. I read all I could about seizures in dogs. I tried vitamins, herbs, and homeopathic treatments, in hopes that something might make a difference. Reluctantly, I resorted to Phenobarbital, an anti-seizure medication that often effectively controls seizures. Her seizures never completely stopped. It was heartbreaking to watch as she would search for me when she sensed a seizure coming on.

As if the seizures weren’t enough, when she was 5, she was diagnosed with PRA(progressive retinol atrophy), an eye disease that can be hereditary in Labs, although there had been no known history of it in her line. Her eyesight gradually became worse and eventually she was completely blind. Still that didn’t stop her. She navigated the house quite well, never bumping into objects, continuing to make her way up and down stairs, outdoors, and even into the car. She stuck close to Molly as though she was her personal Seeing Eye dog.
When she was about 8, the pressure began building up behind her one eye and the vet put her on medication to reduce the swelling. It was July and the boys were vacationing in NC with friends, when I made the call to tell them I was putting Piper down. Steve begged me to wait until they got home but I couldn’t. The whole side of her head had become swollen. I had made an appointment for an ultrasound after the weekend but we never made it. She began turning in circles and became disoriented.
I sat sobbing in the vet’s office, determined that I would be with her until the end. I would not do the same as I had for Addie. I was getting my chance to do it right. I held her head in my lap and watched her slip away from me. I never imagined how many more times I would see this girl again.

The Forever Dog: Memoirs of 'what was then, what is now and what remains the same'

2010-07-06T15:33:00.008-04:00

This is the first of several memoirs about the special dogs that have touched and continue to change my life. Although all of the dogs in my life are special, the dogs in these memoirs, have something in common. These dogs have a commonality, something in each of them that continues to be reborn, a sameness of spirit that makes them different from the rest.

“Addie”

Addie with John, (1981)

She hip hopped into our lives when she was 5 months old. I recall the day my friend telephoned me.
“Dr. Nasmith has a 5 month old female Golden that needs a home.”
We were young with no children, but we did already have one Golden, Moses, who was from a litter that our friend’s father had bred. Why didn’t I find it odd that this vet was deciding to find a home for her? At the time, I was focused on how wonderful it would be for Moses to have the companionship of another dog. We soon realized that Moses really did not care about running and playing with another dog. I guess he did enjoy having another dog around but he was a people dog, and he lived to chase a tennis ball or a Frisbee. When he was not playing with us, he would keep his nose to the ground and spend hours roaming his fenced yard, marking his territory. None of that changed with Addie’s arrival.

Before Addie, I had never crated a dog. Crating seemed to be something that breeders did, and was not necessary for a family dog. But it was a necessity with Addie. Each day, I would return home from teaching, and find something else destroyed. Moses would greet me at the door, and Addie would be running the other way. It was as if he understood he had nothing to feel guilty about. Addie, on the other hand, would be heading in the opposite direction.
The day I arrived home to find the Philodendron plant uprooted from its pot, dirt strewn across every inch of the kitchen floor was the last straw. Many plants are poisonous to dogs and the oils from the leaves had turned her tongue completely black. Still, I was determined to find a solution that did not involve crating her, so I gated her in what I thought to be a safe part of the basement. She ate the fiberglass insulation.
When I think back to the mistakes I made with Addie, I realize how much I have learned about dog behavior and how much I continue to learn. I feel very guilty about how we handled many of the situations with Addie. I thought she was a ‘bad’ dog. But I now know there are no ‘bad’ dogs, just ‘bad’ owners and I guess, not realizing it at the time, I was one of them. Just when I think that I know everything, I find that there is so much more I do not know. I cannot imagine not using crates to keep a dog safe now.
She was only 7 when she developed an inoperable tumor in her chest. Her stomach appeared strangely bloated and when I brought her to the vet, he didn’t say much, but I could tell by the look on his face, the news was not good.
“I think you should bring her to Angel Memorial. I don't have the equipment here to make a diagnosis."

It was an emotional ride down to Boston, just Addie and I in the car. But the ride back was even worse. I have these vivid memories of finding my way to Angel Memorial, walking through the door and the receptionist immediately making me my own personal charge card. That’s when the dollar signs pop into your head and you know people come here with their pets for serious treatments. I left with a hefty bill, and a dog that had a few months to live.
For all that she had put us through; she had always been a happy, sweet girl and the injustice of her bad luck, made me feel even guiltier. Those last couple of months, it was hard to watch her stoically lay near our bed, thumping her tail, letting me know that she trusted whatever I asked of her. Each night, I would lay listening as her breathing became more labored and she gasped for air. The tumor was literally choking her to death.
Why is it that our pets cannot simply slip quietly away, in the middle of the night? I have always struggled with when I must make that decision to end a pet’s life. That final day, I don’t remember well, but what I will never forget is passing her leash to the vet and walking away. I just turned and walked away. It was not that I didn’t care. I just couldn’t handle making that one last decision. I should have stayed, I should have been there for her at the end, but I turned and walked away.

Birthday Pups

2010-05-21T17:17:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe that it was 3 years ago, today, that my 7 sweet Meadow pups came into this world. When I think back to that day, I realize just how lucky I was that all the puppies arrived by that emergency C-section safe and sound and that Meadow walked out one hour after the surgery, shredded uterus removed, alive and well and ready to go tackle the job of raising those babies. Each one has blessed the lives of their wonderful owners. For me, I can't imagine our lives without Caroline and Glory. Each sister, unique and special. Our pack of 7, is never without a dull moment.

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Wellness With a Woof

2010-04-20T19:33:00.003-04:00

Click at the bottom on the link to enjoy the newest addition to my blog...glogster.
I wrote this article as a mentor text for my 4th grade students for our inquiry based nonfiction writing unit.
How Four Paws, Fur and a Lick Can Keep You Healthy
By Cheryl Mousseau

I cannot imagine my life without dogs.

I was born into a family with dogs. There was never a time when we didn’t have at least two dogs. My friends had dogs, my grandparents had dogs, my aunts and uncles had dogs, my cousins had dogs. We were ‘doggie people’.
Now there are 7 Labradors in my family. We eat and breathe hair and there is never a lack of Lab licks across hands and faces as they share happy and sad times with us. They are my constant companions and my dearest friends. I am more their ‘mom’ than their owner, and I would do for them whatever I would for a human member of my family. For some, that might sound extreme. Some might say, ‘they’re just dogs’. But I would argue, that in their short lives, they add more value to my life than many people I know. They are patient, loyal, and good listeners, never asking for or wanting more than my love for them.
It might surprise some that there are many health benefits to having a dog. They are great companions. They can actually boost your immune system and help to reduce stress in your life. Growing up with a dog can even prevent allergies.

According to Second Chance for Animals, “Pet owners have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels and in general, this puts them at a reduced risk for heart disease.”

Pawsitive Partners
Alex kicks up his grass stained feet and rolls on his back. Glory races away with yet another stick and Bounty drops the tennis ball at my feet. Constant companions to laugh with, play with, and yes, to talk with. The human/animal bond is very strong. In a study on this topic, Alan Beck, director for Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, says that 97% of people said they talk to their pets. Then he added, “The other 3 percent lied.”
Dogs keep you active. Whether you are walking, jogging or just throwing the ball, there are benefits to your heart and circulatory system. Staying active helps to boost your immune system.
Laughing and playing with pets helps produce endorphins (the feel good hormone). Petting your dog helps you to relax. What a great stress buster! When you walk through the door, after a hard day at work, they are there to greet you with a woof and a wag. They are someone to look forward to coming home to. When you feel down or depressed, they boost your spirits.
Another added benefit to having a dog is for protection. Having a dog in your house makes you feel safe. Dogs often protect their owners from dangers such as burning buildings and strangers.
My dogs alert me when someone is at the door, in the yard or even walking on the street in the distance. Who needs an alarm system with 7 dogs!
BENEFITS FOR YOUNG

Encouraging Responsibility
Nurturing Self Esteem
Growing up with pets certainly made a difference in my life. Owning my own dog at an early age taught me life lessons about responsibility and care giving. The sense of accomplishment and pride I felt training and showing my Sheltie, Holly, encouraged me to be more outgoing in social situations. There is plenty of evidence that proves a child’s development is enhanced by owning a pet. It fosters cognitive development, empathy and self esteem.
Gail F. Melson, PhD, professor of developmental studies at Purdue University in Indiana has researched the impact that pets have on children. She found that kids over age 3, spent approximately 10.3 minutes caring for pets in a 24 hr. period as opposed to 2.4 minutes taking care of younger siblings. This is especially good for boys, she says, since babysitting and playing house is often seen as a ‘girl’ thing.
Pet ownership teaches life lessons. Pets become a part of our family, helping families build strong bonds. Children feel a sense of comfort when they are sad or angry or even afraid because they can turn to their pets. Dogs are non-judgmental and for this reason are often used in schools as Reading therapy dogs, “pals with paws”. When children read to the dog, this fosters learning in a relaxed setting where the child does not feel so anxious about their performance.

Benefits for Kids
Dennis Ownby, pediatrician and head of the allergy and immunology department of the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta conducted a study on children’s allergies and pets. Surprisingly, having multiple pets actually decreases a child’s risk of developing common allergies, such as pet and dust mite allergens, and even outdoor allergens like ragweed and grass. In his research, he studied 474 babies from birth to age 7 and found that the children who were exposed to two or more dogs or cats were half as likely to develop these allergies. Other studies even indicate that early exposure may even reduce the risk of developing asthma. According to Dr. Ownby, he theorizes that when children play with dogs, the dog usually licks them. Those loving licks transfer bacteria from the dog’s mouth. The exposure to these bacteria may change the way the child’s immune system reacts to other allergens. My own family must be proof of Dr. Ownby’s theories since my parents grew up with dogs from a very early age, then so did my sisters and I, and my own sons also were born into a household with dogs. None of us have ever had any allergies to pets, dust mites, ragweed or grass.

Benefits for the Elderly

After my father died, Trisha supported her emotionally and kept her going. She never left her side. My mother often told me that she didn’t know what she would do if she didn’t have Trish. Her conversations would revolve around her day with Trish. They would walk to visit neighbors, go to the dump and the bank and the store together. She would always tell me how “Trish looked forward to the outings.” I believe it was more the other way around. Trish gave my mother a purpose for living. She felt as though Trish needed her but it was more that she needed Trish.

Lynette Hart, PhD, associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine states, “Studies have shown that Alzheimer’s patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal at home.” Pets can give the elderly a sense of security, especially those who are widowers and live alone. It can ease the loneliness they feel and give them a sense of purpose and a feeling of usefulness. For those who are able, walking a dog or just caring for them provides exercise and companionship. Midland Life Insurance Company of Columbus Ohio considers those over 75 who have pets to have a healthier lifestyle.

Ties that Bind
Probably the most important benefits to having dogs are the strong family bonds that they create. When I interviewed students in my class who had dogs if they considered them a part of their family; there was no hesitation in the answer I received. “Of course!”
Dogs are often times the focus of family activities. They take the dog for a walk in the park. Dogs are great companions when hiking, or heading to the lake or beach for a swim. More and more places accept dogs when you travel, in hotels, or in vacation rentals. Families share in the responsibilities of feeding, brushing and playing with their dog. They offer great opportunities for families to slow down the hectic pace of our everyday lives.
It is no wonder that my family of dogs has increased to 7. Of course, that is not the answer for everyone. And certainly having more than one or two dogs does not increase your ability to lead a healthy life, although I would like to think so. Our lives become so full of more things. Pieces that are disposable or replaceable. If only for this very reason, dogs can add so much to our lives.
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." Unknown

Wellness With a Woof: text, images, music, video Glogster

The Easter Labs

2010-03-31T20:33:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Pawtricks Day

2010-03-15T20:32:00.000-04:00

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Looking Ahead

2010-02-24T16:10:00.003-05:00

"C'mon guys! Look over here!"

"Here we go again. Mom is taking pictures. 1,2,3, Ready!
Look away from the camera. Close your eyes! Stick out your tongue."

Before you know it, March will be here. That unpredictable weather month that brings us rain and snow, wild wind and mild breezes. Look what the late February snows brought in early. The St. Pawtrick's Pup. I doubt he will hang around until March 17th but we're always happy to see him for however long he stays. Like all the snow dogs, pups and angels that have frequented our winter landscape over the past few years, it brings a wag to our tails and a hearty woof!

Labs for All Seasons

2010-02-24T15:49:00.002-05:00

No matter what the season, no matter what the weather, Labs just want to have fun. Finding the joy in life is what they do best and they inspire me to do the same.

Remembering Vixen

2010-02-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

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It's Fun to be a Lab in the Winter

2010-01-19T05:53:00.004-05:00

Some of us like to curl up in a cozy snowy spot with our ball and just relax.

NOT ME!I can jump, I can leap...

Zippitty Doo Da! I love when Mom has the day off!

Even old girls can be fashionable with "snowflake earrings"! They coordinate with the white on my muzzle and eyebrows!

"There's nothing like the taste of fresh snowflakes on your nose!"
Glory takes a quick break from play to enjoy the view.
It was a great day to be a Lab.

It was a great day to be the mother of 7 Labs.

Guess Who's Four!

2010-01-04T06:09:00.000-05:00

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Happy New Year

2009-12-29T16:22:00.000-05:00

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November Memories

2009-11-02T20:51:00.003-05:00

Vixen and James 2006

It's been three years since you swam in the pond. She taught you well. Three years since your mother died. Every year that brings another November, the trees lose their leaves, you lie in those leaves, and it is like a thousand losses all over again. You have none of your mother's wild abandon. More of a quiet solitude as you study the world around you. Content to hold the ball and watch the others romp. Her presence is still strong. I know you all feel it each time the wind blows, sending gentle ripples across the pond, and setting every last leaf adrift on the breeze. Free to fall into piles for you to lie in.

2006 November 2009 November

2009-10-21T21:07:00.003-04:00

Two sisters.
Different as can be.
I can't believe I kept them both.
I can't imagine not having them both.
Glory and Caroline.
Two Sisters

2009-09-13T16:49:00.001-04:00

End of Summer Labrolympics

2009-09-07T19:15:00.020-04:00

Oh Dear! Summer's almost over and we haven't had our Summer Labrolympics!

Glory? Are you ready for some games?

The first game is the tomato agility maze. The object is to successfully jump the wire fence avoiding the weave poles and various jump stands, navigate to the nearest tomatoes and devour them as quickly as possible before 'mom' chases you out. Are you ready?

This is harder than I thought. There must be some way to get in here easily. If only 'mom' hadn't put those weave poles and jump stands to make it harder. This must be the advanced course. I easily got in there before. Those green tomatoes, so close I can smell them. I can see them. Woof!

Next up, the picnic table ball relay. Jump up, grab as many balls as you can and keep them away from the other Labs. Ready, go!

This is lots of fun. Ready for the final event. The "anything edible" Harvest Scavenger Hunt.

For this event you simply check all those favorite haunts where we have snacked all summer.

The apple tree, yum! and the cucumbers and string beans. Don't forget the blueberries and raspberries!

We're exhausted! This was a great Labrolympics. Will there be a Fall Fest? Most definitely! ...and of course don't forget about the Happy Holiday Labrolympics.

Vanity Plates

2009-08-16T16:35:00.004-04:00

New Hampshire ranks second in the nation for having the most vanity plates. I now join the ranks. I have never had vanity plates but when we purchased a new vehicle this summer and my husband suggested that I get vanity plates that reflected something about my second life with Labs, I thought that maybe this was my opportunity to try it out. Of course it was a bit tricky to limit my choices to the seven letters allowed. My first choice would have been my kennel name, Pondview. But for one extra letter, oh well. My husband thought perhaps "Pondvu" but that somehow didn't appeal to me. If it couldn't be spelled correctly(the teacher in me, I guess), then it was not to be. LABSR4ME would have been a great choice, too. Oooops, just that one extra letter. I began to think that vanity plates were not for me and that perhaps the 7 letter limit was a government conspiracy to discourage people from getting vanity plates. I have 7 Labs and so another good choice would have been 7NHLABS which was available but I won't always have 7 Labs and I certainly want to keep my plate for a while. Finally I settled on PondLab. It satisfied part of my kennel name but also gave credit to my beloved Labrador breed. Now I am easily identified as I drive about town. There she goes, the lady with the Pondview Labs.

Cape Cod Dogs

2009-08-14T18:55:00.004-04:00

Being a vacationing dog on the Cape in the summer is a challenge if you want to enjoy the beach and a swim. Most beaches are closed to dogs until after Labor Day. How unfortunate that natures beauty cannot be enjoyed by all God's creatures. Irresponsible dog owners who don't pick up after their pets and allow them to run free when joggers and children are about ruin it for those who are resposible. We did manage to enjoy the bayside after 4pm where dogs are allowed. At low tide we walk way out to the water's edge where, for a brief moment, dogs can be dogs and run free.

Simple Pleasures

2009-07-03T13:37:00.003-04:00

Coda at Carolina State Park

A Lab, some water, and something to retrieve. Happiness found. A great place to cool off on a hot evening. If only we all could find joy in such simple pleasures.

My Two Year Olds

2009-05-29T20:22:00.004-04:00

Hawksmoor Pondview Glory My crazy Glory, who reminds me so much of my sweet Vixen, is beginning to focus her energies and is fast becoming an attentive, quick learner. Now if only her mom would have more time to spend on her Rally and Agility training, she would surely rival all that Vixen once accomplished.

Hawksmoor Pondview Caroline

My sweet Caroline, constantly seeking her sister's attention. She seems at bit softer, in personality and expression, but looks can be deceiving. She holds her own with the rest.

When these TWO pups claimed their stake on our pack and my heart, I couldn't believe that I was actually adding both at the same time. If only there had been more girls in Meadow's litter, my decisions might have been different. If only Meadow hadn't had to be spayed during her emergency C-section, I might not have felt the importance of having more choices to continue the line. But the what if's are now in the past and I can't imagine my life without them both. Whatever happens with decisions about breeding them, they will remain two special girls in our pack of 7.
Happy Birthday my sweet girls.

Delightful!

2009-04-17T22:06:00.001-04:00

Nothing better than daffodils, Labs and sunshine.

Reasons to celebrate!

2009-04-12T10:38:00.002-04:00

April Birthdays

2009-04-08T16:28:00.005-04:00

April is a great month to have a birthday. On my birthday I share the day with my cousin, Jon. He is the same age, and born on the same day! Pretty amazing!

I also share April with my sister, Robin, who was born on the 14th!
And my special boy Alex(on the right) who was born on April 16th and Meadow(in my lap) born on April 30th. Birthday celebrations change over the years. Yes, we grow up, we get older, but the celebrations from year to year hold different meanings for us.
This year is no exception. What a great week and a great day. My colleagues bought me lunch and we actually got to sit down and chat about things other than school for 30 minutes. My students finished their personal essays and we had our writing celebration on my birthday. What a wonderful gift for a teacher who loves writing. My sons called me on my birthday and I imagine I will hear from my cousin who calls every year on 'our' birthday. My sister, Christie sent an email photo card out to all the family and my sister Robin called to chat. My husband bought me two cards, one funny and one sentimental, (he loves to do that). Then we'll go out to eat. And so, another year of birthdays passes. April birthdays, filled with daffodils and sweet songs of birds, of soft breezes and the smell of green grass growing again. It is a perfect month to be born in. A perfect month to celebrate a birthday.

Celebrating Three Generations

2009-03-31T20:45:00.003-04:00

Look at my special girls. What a reason to celebrate. The four of them sitting in the late afternoon sunshine with the pond to their backs, I am so lucky to catch this moment.
Grandma Bounty, now a decade dog, always so serious when she is having her picture taken.
Actually, I think she is just sick of me taking photos of her. Miss Meadow, Bounty's daughter on her left, always smiling, probably because she thinks she is getting a treat. Glory and Caroline, Meadow daughters and Bounty granddaughters, to the opposite side, patient just for a brief moment while I snapped this shot. I know that they find something to celebrate each and every day. They are happy whatever the weather, wherever they are, whatever they are doing.
My special girls. Three generations and yes, what a reason to celebrate!

Happy St. Paw-Tricks Day

2009-03-15T20:48:00.002-04:00

Paddy and Penny, the lucky Lab pups stopped by Pondview last week to play with Caroline and Glory. They were met with much indifference. In fact, Caroline took a nibble out of Penny's neck as she whizzed by racing to get her Jolly ball to play with. Apparently these 'go green' pups were a bit too docile for my rambunctious duo. No matter, they disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. The warm temperatures were not to their liking. And after all, they were St. Paw-trick's Day pups..."a wee bit o' magic' in their making, I imagine.

Making Dog Biscuits the Easy Way!

2009-03-02T19:34:00.013-05:00

What!? You mean you don't make your own dog biscuits! Well, it couldn't be easier. Watch and I'll show you. All you need is a food processor, a rolling pin, cookie sheet, and a few ingredients.
Usually I make the same recipe, peanut butter/banana biscuits, but sometimes I vary it and today I did just that. Mainly because I was all out of the peanut butter I had bought way before the "tainted peanut butter" news. So my other favorite combo is banana and pumpkin.
Let's get started.
First let's get out all the ingredients you will need.

2 small bananas(or one large one)
2 eggs
1/3 can of pumpkin (or 1/2c. peanut butter)
2T olive oil
4-5 T blackstrap molasses
3-4c. unbleached flour (enough to make the dough rollable)

Add the eggs, bananas, oil, molasses, and pumpkin(or peanut butter).

Process until smooth.

Add flour gradually and pulse to combine.

Continue adding the flour, pulsing after each addition until the dough is pulling from the sides and forming a ball.

Now you are ready to roll the dough out. NO NEED to Knead! Just put it on an old cookie sheet(non stick) and roll to about 1/2" thickness.

Here comes the easiest part of all. No, I don't mean getting out those cute little bone shaped cookie cutters or the Lab shaped ones(if you are me). That would take way too long, although I might(and I mean MIGHT) do this once a year for gifts(yeah right). Just slice in rows and then cross cut so you have small squares(they don't have to be perfect, I don't think your dog will care)

When you have all the dough cut into squares, separate them on the cookie sheet. No they don't have to have their own space. The squares can be touching. Just so they are not solid on the sheet. You can break them apart after they are baked.

Great Job! Now you are ready to pop them into a 325 degree oven for an hour or two.
You can keep checking them to see if they are rock hard. Sometimes I even turn the oven off and just leave them in there to harden and cool.

And that's all there is to it.
Great crunchy, healthy treats for your dog!

Memories of Meadow Pups

2009-03-02T17:35:00.002-05:00

Time out for a Puppy Fix....

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N...We're on Vaaaaacation!

2009-02-19T17:35:00.004-05:00

Hoo Hoo!

Are you ready?

Here we come, there we go...

We are sure ready for VACATION!

Remembering Hawksmoor Vixen RN NAJ February 14, 2001

2009-02-14T20:14:00.001-05:00

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Happy 3rd Birthday to all the Vixen Pups!

2009-01-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

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2009-01-16T22:29:00.006-05:00

"The life given to us by nature is short, but memory of a life well spent is eternal."

Cicero

Thoughts for the New Year

2009-01-02T19:43:00.001-05:00

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T20:39:00.001-05:00

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Thoughts for a Snowy Last Day of the Year

2008-12-31T12:02:00.004-05:00

FOR TODAY: the last day of 2008
Outside my window: Soft fluffy snow piling up.
I am thinking: About how quickly this year has passed
I am thankful for: my life and all I am blessed with
From the kitchen: the possibility of macaroons(have to get that recipe from DLYNZ blog) and the smell of dog biscuits in the oven
I am wearing: of course, jeans, a new purple sweater and new Minnetonka slippers and always my ‘live the writerly life’ necklace
I am creating: constantly everything but hopefully will get to do more on my blog and make a New Year’s video with my new flip mino camera
I am going: to enjoy every day I have left of my vacation “Back to School on Monday” and maybe if the snow turns sticky I will make a new Snow Dog and write another sequel.
I am reading: "Boy Writers” by Ralph Fletcher (I know that is pathetic that I am reading something for school, right) But of course I am skimming Whole Dog Journal, too!
I am hoping: that 2009 continues to bless all my family and friends
I am hearing: silence and the Labs snoring and the furnace clicking on
Around the house: Christmas beginning to be put away(sigh) and 7 Labradors are lounging
One of my favorite things: our place in NC and the opportunity to be able to visit our sons, Steve and John
A few plans for the rest of the week: Staying in and having fondue for NYE(we just don’t go out) Enjoying New Year’s Day with Brad and the Labs, hoping to do some more writing(please!) and taking a big breath to relax!

No Matter What the Weather

2008-12-21T19:00:00.003-05:00

Labs just want to have fun!
James lies on the frozen grass, taking a rest from chasing his Jolly Ball.

Here we go! Meadow and James on the run.

And Glory determined to get that frozen ball out of the snow.

The Ice Storm

2008-12-21T16:41:00.007-05:00

The ice came,

One December night

And in the morning

Such chilling beauty nature wrought

Broken trees like matchsticks lie

Criss crossed over roads and power lines

Now a giant's game of pick-up sticks

Days and days of clean up

Just to make things right again

But for one December night of ice.

Where did December go?

2008-12-21T16:28:00.006-05:00

Coda, What a handsome boy!

John and Steve at Carolina State Park

Lindsay, Steve and Coda

Heading to NC on the first weekend in December seemed to take up a big chunk of time. But what a great way to spend a long weekend, visiting with Steve, Lindsay and Coda, and John.

Not a pretty site!

2008-12-01T06:12:00.002-05:00

Point taken! This is what happens when Grandma Bounty gets in the picture. Is she sticking her tongue out at me! She will just have to be cut out of the holiday pic for this year! At 10, she has "been there, done that" way too many times with her human mom who is constantly snapping those shots! Not a lot of motivation to just sit and look pretty here. Where's the LIVER?

Hawksmoor Pondview Caroline

2008-11-30T21:23:00.002-05:00

My sweet Caroline looking very pretty with her Christmas bow. Funny how photogenic younger subjects are, human or furry. Something happens as we get older and more self conscious, or maybe it is just that the older we are, we have no use for such silliness as posing in front of the camera for a little 'charlee bear' or a 'say cheese'. Whatever the reason, I am always glad to have captured those moments when they are young and innocent.

2008-11-29T07:15:00.002-05:00

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This story is posted on my blog (Sparkling Waters) but I wanted to put it into a slideshow as a memorial to my sweet Vixen who passed two years ago very suddenly from liver failure. For those who have known the loss of a pet in their lives, this message is for all of you.

Pre or Post Game?

2008-11-17T16:55:00.003-05:00

So, this could or could not be the 4th folder, 4th photo, depending on how I go to retrieve my pics. But in my blog post browse window, this is the actual folder that comes up.

This photo was taken in the limo either on the way down or way back(look at our eyes...maybe the way back!!!) from the Red Sox 2004 World Series Game. My friend Peggy is on the right and I am on the left. It was freezing at that game on October 25, 2004. Red Sox vs Cardinals...but oh what sweet victory for all Red Sox nation!

James

2008-11-17T16:11:00.003-05:00

OK...so here is my fourth photo in my fourth folder...I was tagged by my sister and am to pass this little game on to another blogger but, sorry girls, I only know 3 of you and so I cannot pass this on. Except for you gals, I am a friend to total non-bloggers(which for me could be a good thing) since everyone "thinks" I am sooooo clever! At any rate, this photo is of James in April of 2007 (note: ABC order of my folders) and imagine! snow in April! It is appropriate for what we have to look forward to isn't it?

Now, I have to say that when I go to my browse window on my blog post site to get photos, I actually have a different 4th folder and 4th photo. I confess, I do not want to cheat so I am posting the other picture below for your viewing pleasure. AND it is really hard for me to do this since I really started this blog as my "PONDVIEW LABS" blog. Ahhhhh Well. here goes.

Woody Chuck

2008-11-13T23:06:00.004-05:00

All summer we tried to catch him. That little fellow undermined our rock wall that supports the pool, digging holes and popping up in most unusual places. My husband tried to entice him with all sorts of tasty treats but to no avail. He eluded our every effort. But with the onset of Fall, he must have foraged enough and become a bit careless in his habits. Perhaps eating more than usual, he became lazy and fat as he got ready to hibernate for the winter. Whatever the reason was, he ended up wandering into the cozy have-a-heart trap. "BANG!", the door snapped shut and he was captured! Poor little fella! He was scared stiff! The dogs felt it their duty to greet him accordingly, curious as to why he was now going nowhere fast.
"I think he's in his crate!" commented Alex.
"Yes, he must be having a 'time out'," James agreed.
"Well, he probably ate poop!" Meadow added.

I think we might be able to rehabilitate him with a bit of clicker training. Perhaps we can try through the winter. Maybe by Spring we can let him go and hope he has learned to stay in the neighbor's yard. After all, he is sort of cute.

2008-11-11T20:21:00.001-05:00

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Ollie and Olivia(you really otter see them)

2008-11-11T17:19:00.007-05:00

When I looked out at the pond today, I was in for a big surprise.
“Something was swimming across the pond this morning”, my husband said to me this morning. “It was diving under the water and coming up in another spot.”
“The comerant has been around and that is what it does,” I replied.
“No, it looked like an animal, maybe a beaver.”
“I don’t think it is a beaver,” I said. “Where would his lodge be?”
“Hmmmm, I wonder if it is an otter?”

Later, while the Labs romped across the hillside, I stood, watching the sparkling waters of the pond, the breeze blowing the last leaves from the bare branches. The ripples spread out in circular bands and as I squinted into the sunlight, I caught a glimpse of something swimming from the water’s edge. Perhaps this was what my husband had seen earlier this morning. Whatever it was, dove down and then popped back up a distance away. As I watched, I spotted two small dark spots, gliding effortlessly.
“Quick, come look,” I yelled to my husband. “Go get the binoculars. Whatever it is there are two and they are swimming and diving.”

So that is how we discovered our two otters, Ollie and Olivia. When I approached the pond's edge with my camera in hand, my lens scanned back and forth. In no time, their sleek heads appeared from the depths. Spotting me, they moved closer, rather than farther away, their bodies perpendicular, craning their sleek necks higher out of the water. Curious, but satisfied that I am no threat, first one, than the other, disappear again, in one smooth motion. I was amazed at the length of them from nose to tail. I could hear them snorting puffs of air from their nostrils and then a strange hmmmmmmm sound vibrating from their throats. I wondered if they were talking to me. "Who are you? Whatcha doing? Taking our pictures? Wanna see us dive and get some fish and frogs?"

And that is just what they did. Under again, bubbles on the surface gave me a hint of where they were, then "POP!", up came a head with fresh catch hanging from his whiskered mouth. Crunch, crunch, gulp, swallow. Whatever it was was gone and then each otter dove again and again.

What a lovely way to spend a day, watching these delightful little friends.

What adventures might they have, I can only imagine. One thing for sure, they have brought a smile to my face and given me a chance to enjoy their beauty.

Sparkling Waters

2008-11-09T07:20:00.003-05:00

Every sunny day I watch as the fall breeze softly ripples the waters reflecting hundreds of tiny lights that race and jump from one side to another. Did the pond’s water sparkle like diamonds in a sea of sunlight before Vixen died? Perhaps so and I just never noticed. Maybe the sun’s light reflected but just not so brilliantly.
An overwhelming sense of sadness each time I see this but still a feeling that her spirit is strong and continues to watch over her human and furry family. In some way, the rest of the Labs know this as they spend many moments waiting and watching by the fence gate that separates them from the field and pond. I feel their sense of yearning as they silently stand, pointing their noses upward, sniffing the air, peaceful and patient.
The day I scattered her ashes across the water’s edge, the wind blew briskly, spreading her spirit widely before settling it into the clear November coolness. I will never forget the image of the eerie white changing to blue as her ashes blended with the pond. Sometimes, on summer nights, when the sky is crystal clear, I see similar lights, move across the dark waters. Twinkling, dancing, like underwater fireflies. Were those always there too?
Did the pond’s water sparkle like that before Vixen died? Maybe, but I feel her presence so strongly, that for me, I have to believe it did not.

Last Roses of Summer

2008-11-09T07:12:00.002-05:00

Sadly, the last roses of summer, blooming amidst the mix of cool misty mornings, frosty nights, and fleeting warmer afternoons as Fall continues to flip flop between Summer and Winter.

2008-10-14T21:04:00.000-04:00

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2008-10-14T20:13:00.006-04:00

Welcome Fall,
In all your glory, blazing fiery colors, you enter upon Summer’s demise. Hardly skipping a beat with your cool clean air, refreshing my body and mind after Summer’s lazy heat and humidity.
You lure me into your breezy arms, giving me energy and a false sense of never ending youth as I shuffle through the ocean of red and orange that blanket the lawn. I delight in the chill of your early mornings while the mist rises from the still warm waters of the pond.
The fruits you bear are crisp like your days and bright as the colors that surround them. Orange pumpkins waiting to be carved. Red, yellow and green apples and pears waiting to be baked into some delicious treat. I marvel at your splender, the smell of leaves and pine needles mingled with the faint scent of smoke curling from my chimney, warming me on your chilly evenings. Your darkness settles early, masking the sun’s rays as they slant lower and lower in the October sky. Rising boldly, your harvest moon shines bright casting an eerie glow over the landscape. I marvel at your icy frost, seeking out each and every piece of green. Each time gripping harder and harder until, at last, you win, wilting and withering every leaf and flower left blooming in my garden.
I love you and I hate you. You took the lazy days of Summer from me, yet gave me an artists palette to photograph. You pretend to be kind but with each passing day you steal more and more away. Breezes that begin sweet and gentle, knowingly will end blowing bitterly cold, causing me to shiver as I pull my coat closer and wrap my gloved hands tightly around my insulated coffee mug.
So, welcome Fall. I know you well. Each year that passes I see you come with your hopeful passion, and I watch you go, sadly understanding what you have wrought.

2008-10-14T20:06:00.003-04:00

What does James do in the Fall? Well of course, he has a ball!

Pondview Labs enjoying Fall

2008-10-14T19:54:00.003-04:00

Alex, Bounty, Glory, James Caroline and Meadow, Lisle

Retrievers and Their Bumpers - a romp on Cape Cod

2008-09-19T20:45:00.004-04:00

No Matter that the weather was not cooperative. The rainy day and cold ocean water didn't keep James, Caroline, Glory or the cousins, Susie, Sundance and Winee from enjoying their romp through the mounds of seaweed to reach their ultimate goal. The swim for the bumper....what any good retriever would want to do!

Too Cute

2008-09-09T20:19:00.003-04:00

Caroline enjoyed a lovely swim and then endured the towel drying that followed.

Tomatoes to Apples

2008-09-09T20:06:00.002-04:00

"Glory come!" Where has she gone now. Usually she can be found sneaking the tomatoes from the vegetable garden. Not there. Sighing heavily I trudge up the hill to the back. Forbidden territory! HA! I glimpse a shadow of black among low moving branches.
"Get here, right now!" I holler.
She ignores me. What is she doing? Picking up my pace I approach the top level. Ah! Now it's clear. She has been stealing apples from the old tree bordering the bramble by the road. She lifts her head and although she realizes she's been caught, she takes one last crunchy bite, pieces of her tasty treat falling from her mouth as she attempts to escape. Her mischievious nature is comical. My impatience and exasperation dissolve and I begin to laugh. Such a silly puppy! I open my arms wide and she wiggles her body towards me, knowing that her apple escapade is over....for now.

Cape Cod 2008

2008-08-28T21:19:00.000-04:00

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As the Sun Sets

2008-08-22T08:19:00.003-04:00

Another year of sunsets on Cape Cod's beautiful bayside beaches.

Bo's Visit

2008-08-14T23:58:00.004-04:00

Meadow's brother Bo poses for a group photo with sister Meadow, niece Glory, mother Bounty and half brother Alex.

While on vacation with his family, Bo's brief visit was a wonderful treat for his human and doggie relatives.

Bo, Glory, Meadow, Bounty and Alex

2008-08-12T20:34:00.001-04:00

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The Tomato Thief

2008-08-12T19:42:00.003-04:00

"Yummy!" says Glory.

I don't have Groundhogs. I have GroundDogs! As hard as I try, I cannot keep Meadow, Glory and Caroline out of the vegetable garden. Munching on green tomatoes is a delightful past time.

2008-07-08T08:13:00.000-04:00

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