Won't be long now

It won't be long now, or at least that's what Casey's been thinking from the minute Vic disappeared inside the door of the Public Market. And he's here for the duration. It's his job you know.

(She went right in that door. The one with the espresso sign over it.)

(Are you sure the Public Market isn't "pet friendly?")

(Oooh...ooh...there she is. Now I gotta act cool. Can't let her think I missed her that much.)

Just say the word

Not only my favorite picture of the weekend but solid evidence that our guy can remain focused, at least on the Frisbee, even when he taking a time-out. 

Pepe and Maggie

We know that there multitudes of cutesy animal YouTube videos out there, and we don’t usually post them, but this one we just had to share.

Out in droves

Bellingham Bay

The fleece and tuque draped locals were out in full force today, the first sun-drenched weekend day in a very long time. While Bellingham Bay glistened, droves of bundled ‘Hamsters took advantage of the clear skies and biting fresh air as they trekked across Taylor Dock to Boulevard Park, a well-earned espresso break at Tony's or Wood's on almost everyone's mind. So very northwest. 

Rasa girl

Our cul de sac lost Rasa, Casey’s girlfriend, a beautiful, aging golden shepherd, to failing health around Christmastime. Last week we checked the mail daily for Rasa’s vacationing “parents” and dropped it off at their house across the street. And all I would have to do each day is reach for our neighbor’s front door keys and Casey would immediately made a beeline for Rasa’s front yard, as if we were visiting or letting her outside, our ritual for years.

After letting ourselves in, and certain that he would get to socialize with his girl like in the old days, the kid would make his indoor rounds. The eventual idea was to try to get a napping Rasa’s attention by barking in the hallway and peering into her bedroom. Can’t help but wonder when and how it will hit him that Rasa’s actually gone, and why she never responded. He might not want to give her up just yet. And maybe it won’t be for a while. What’s the rush?

I know we’ll miss it when Casey’s faux search ends, if that’s what it is, and in his own way gives in to star shine, as if Rasa’s essence has finally drifted away. 

Then we’ll all grieve a little more, one more time.

Lap dog

Each day since summer 2009, when Casey was diagnosed with pannus, a progressive inflammatory disease of the cornea, we’ve – mostly Vic – applied tacrolimus to his eyes.  She’s got it down to a science now, a quick dab on each eye, but Case is apprehensive as heck until it’s done.  Just say the magic words, “Did we do his eyes?”, and he could end up in your lap.

By the way, Casey’s eyes are back to normal, after a loss of over 50% of his vision. He's back to 100% and we mean to keep them that way.

Entwined

Tag alongs

The kid loves it when he can get both of his “charges” traipsing about in the elements. Victoria and I each have our preferred routes, but when we’re both tagging along in one of his favorites digs…well that’s special.

And if it’s between rain showers, even better as far as we’re concerned. 

Moonlight mapping routine

Sometimes our boy just wants an after-hours sample of the neighborhood ambiance when we let him out for his one last nature call.

He’ll often stand transfixed for several minutes, inhaling the latest map of an ever changing microcosm, before acknowledging our intrusion and turning in for the night.

Tried and true

It’s been said you can tell a lot about people by the way they handle rainy days.

The difference between dogs and cats

Need to smile, even to the point of getting a little misty with sentimentality? Watch this whole clip, OK. You’ll thank us, then you’ll share it.

Our neighborhood grassland

In this undeveloped couple of acres that marks the halfway point of our neighborhood walk Casey has free reign to air it out, wherever.  I usually walk the periphery, taking in the sights, making sure that the kid stays out of trouble.  

In a couple of months you can forget about letting loose on any place but the trails. The wild grass will be at least chest high, a transformation that almost goes unnoticed until Casey is porpoising through his mini-prairie to cut corners.

Taking five

This is one pooped Border Collie, on a self-imposed break this afternoon. Can you tell? 
Unlike a lot of his distant cousins Casey has no problem taking a needed breather. 

Just check out this pose, and imagine heavy breathing and slobber.

So much for that attention span

Vic was getting a head start on seed sorting this morning, today’s category, herb varietals, and Casey was actually paying attention, with some coaxing from the cameraman – at least until I mentioned, almost under my breath, going outside for a Frisbee toss. So predictable, and laser sharp, when he wants to be.

Cover photo

This wide angle is a perfect Facebook cover photo.

But really…isn't this the essence of Casey?

So let's go with this hybrid version.  Decisions, decisions.

An lol share

Here’s a must-share video that’s going viral, a wire haired fox terrier in the middle of a Skype call. Good for a laugh, but we’d be more impressed if he was tweeting.

Favorite weekend image

This is just one of Casey’s “how much longer are you going to sit there” looks, plain and simple...and usually irresistible.     

Sun spot

At this sweet spot of the afternoon this bend along the Whatcom Creek trail focused sunlight like a prism, filtering UVs through a veil of conifers that accentuated every single forest tint to the point of exaggeration.

Today Casey and I just happened to be the fortunate ones, at this place in time, to get to take it all in. 

On our rare sunny days in February sometimes timing is everything.

Oh my man I love him so

Some relationships are just meant to be, as Stella’s unabashed display of affection for her housemate here clearly demonstrates.

Casey might appear a little above it all, but even spooning in front of the fireplace is not out of the question. Stella usually has her way with our guy.

Seen Stella?

Stella takes privacy to greater lengths than most house cats, and  sometimes at her own peril – like climbing under a top sheet and becoming “one with the bedding” for hours. 


Why Casey doesn’t flatten her, when he launches himself across the bedroom into a spread-eagle prone position, is a mystery. He’s got it down though. We’re still working on it.  

Remember me?

On a detour this afternoon through Village Books, our favorite independent bookstore, two buddies ended up nose to nose at the main entrance, and from Casey’s reaction he was as surprised as we were with 3-month-old  Truman and his recent Golden Retriever growth spurt.

Almost eye-level with each other at the door, a week ago our guy was sniffing around, in fact infatuated with, his new much shier, shorter puppy bro - not much larger than a chew toy and moving under his own power.

 

Today this rambunctious, noticeably taller version playfully went right for our guy and served notice, at least to us, that in no time he’ll be doing most of the gazing down at any new canine acquaintances.