“Know yourself. Be yourself. Love yourself. Seek goodness and be goodness. Seek beauty and be beauty. Seek love and be love.” ― Bryant McGill, Voice of Reason

31 January 2009

Day at the dog park: dog training 101, dogs at play, and dog hineys


PJ showing me what "Fooss" should look like. My version of the same thing looks a bit different. We're working on it.


At the dog park, this little guy was a big dog in a small dog suit.


"Sniff, sniff, sniff..."


PJ and C-dog chillin'
(Mommy factoid #117: I've had that totebag since my son was a baby, it used to hold baby bottles and diapers, 16+ years later I'm using it to carry dog toys.)


There were a dozen or so tennis balls laying around the dog park.


drei Mädchen: Cierra running with a female black Shepherd and a female Husky.


I don't know who this guy was, but he had a Chuckit tennis ball thrower - I want one!


Cierra and another Husky.


Cierra making her move for a sneak attack.


I wish these guys weren't in my photo, but *sigh* they are. I liked how the little dog is airborne.


Brown dog's hiney shot.


Here's a nicer shot of Brown dog.


Dogs, dogs and more dogs. And someone nice enough to share their water bowl with the masses.


C-dog is in a very brief time-out for being naughty.


Run, run, run... she had a great day!


Why is my dog on the table?


Ew, another hiney shot.

January 31st

This is my dad:


Say: HI DAD!

Today is my dad's birthday!

Now say: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

26 January 2009

Cierra and Boo - Girls at Play

This is the second time Cierra got together with Boo. I will work on getting better action shots of the girls.

21 January 2009

The adventures of King James

The following photos were taken by my son during his dirt biking or mountain biking adventures. The scenery in southeastern Arizona is different than my metropolitan Phoenix.







18 January 2009

Cierra's One Year Anniversary With Us

One year ago I really, really, really wanted a dog.

PJ said NO.

I'm passionate about Doberman Pinchers, I miss my Doberman named Gallagher very much.

I knew that PJ had raised and trained several German Shepherds in the past, so I approached him with the idea that we could foster a German Shepherd. That way I have a dog, but he doesn't really OWN a dog.

After meeting with the local adoption coordinator and being approved as a foster home, PJ browsed the little pup faces peering at him on the rescue website. He picked a female named Cierra, and with Steff's (the adoption coordinator and hero to many GSD's) approval, Cierra came to stay with us as our first foster dog. She didn't really come with an instruction manual, I think Steff trusted that PJ knew what he was doing given his background with the GSD.

German Shepherds were new to me but most big dogs are cool dogs and I was immediately fascinated with her long soft fur. Little did I know that because I wanted a dog, I had to do the training of this dog (*uh-oh*). PJ, the dog trainer, is training me to train the dog - most of the time it is productive, just ask Cierra when it's ok to cross the street.

After having Cierra at home for a couple months Steff contacted us and said that a family wanted to come meet Cierra. I somewhat hysterically said No, No, No! And, we adopted Cierra. On Easter Sunday she became our forever dog.

Cierra has been with us for one year now. I made a one year anniversary movie for her. Enjoy.

14 January 2009

Hiking at Lake Pleasant

I have the worlds best hiking dog, the only thing that might make her a better hiking dog would be if she could carry me uphill at the end of the hike :o)

Cierra no longer has any fears of water


Relaxing during my snacktime


Cierra on a bed of caliche


Cierra in a tree


This is a small part of what makes this hike so wonderful - we are in a hot, dry desert wash, then there's this canopy of trees


My beautiful girl


Cattail fuzzies


One of Cierra's swimming holes


Near the swimming hole


It's very green and beautiful in the desert right now

11 January 2009

Hiking in Tucson

My son and my dad hiked in Sabino Canyon today, Phoneline Trail #88, they hiked about 5.5 miles.
Photo credits go to my son, I wasn't actually there...

James' self-portrait with his new camera


Dad / Grandpa (depending on who you are)


Phoneline Trail


It looks like the saguaro is holding up the rock


James said he liked the bright yellow tree

08 January 2009

Beauty Shop Dog


Cierra loves her bath, tonight was the first time I tried using the hair dryer on her - she liked it.

PS - I look like my mom -- when did this happen???

01 January 2009

New Years Day Sunrise Hike on White Peak


The sunrise

Me & C

James & C waiting for the sun to peak over the mountains

Cierra showing her super hero dog secret: Laser Dog

My favorite son

The flag at the top of White Peak

The desert is green like it's spring in January

Cierra's sunrise face

C-dog and her favorite rock (she brought this rock home)

This is C's infamous "Are you coming?" look while she waits for me