Peeks of pink

During a break in the front yard Frisbee action today we couldn't help but notice that our cherry trees were showing signs of bursting, two to three weeks earlier than last year.  

Like a watched pot though, our blossoms still might take their sweet time before debuting this spring.  

A few days of sunshine certainly couldn't hurt.

Favorite tag

Just had to share this Facebook tag from a couple of days ago.  A unique imgurish shot of a distant relative of Casey.  I've seen this expression, and been moved by it, countless times.

Might as well snooze

The weather really went south today with continuous rain forecasted all day long. 

And of course Casey is using his favorite coping mechanism.

Much-needed spring makeover

Finishing up - Casey in the window.

The kid was getting a little raggedy so guess what, today we made time for him to get his spring haircut.  You'd think Casey would opt out if he had a vote, but he actually enjoys getting cleaned and trimmed.  Well, "enjoys" might be a stretch, but when Melissa Wiltse at Happy Pooch is doing the styling he's OK with it.  He met her years ago when he was a recently rescued puppy, and Melissa has been working her magic ever since.

Looks like Melissa has someone's rapt attention.

Voila! Lookin good...til the next time.

Grayscale repose

Sibs of other mothers in a Saturday night snuggle

Genetic H2O sidestepper

It's been been clear to us from day one that Casey has always had a natural aversion to water. He would just as soon watch his Frisbee float downstream than to even get his pads moist. It so happens though that this trait was identified in an early 1990's genome project.


In 1996, 37 genetic traits were identified and isolated from the offspring of Border Collies and Newfoundlands by researchers Jasper Rine and Elaine Ostrander at the University of California, among these the Newfie love of H2O and the clear cut aversion to it by Border Collies.  By the third generation of this project the resulting grandchildren demonstrated genetic traits of both breeds, very sociable, medium-sized black and white dogs that gave "the eye", fetched on command, and eagerly took to water, to name a few of the more obvious. 

All very impressive, but in the mean time, Casey's not having any part of getting wet, preferring dry sand to romping with Labs.

Therapy dog

How therapeutic is this, a morning hug from The Kid.  A week ago, not so welcome, when a jump on the bed by Casey could have been disastrous, if Vic didn't know it was coming.  The first week or two following knee-replacement surgery couldn't pass quickly enough, but now, most gentle Border Collie disruptions to physical therapy can be the best pain relief ever.

The bluest skies

On crystal clear days like today I can't help but remember a song released back in the 70's called Seattle.  Most Pacific North-westerners are very familiar with its familiar refrain,

 "The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle; and the hills the greenest green... 

Like a beautiful child, growing up, free an' wild etc." 

And you know, it really is true. Well, maybe not in Seattle anymore, but for sure over Bellingham. A ridge of high pressure will dominate for a few days, bringing northerly winds, temperatures dropping below freezing at night, and prevailing visibilities as clear as a bell.

Casey may not look that impressed, but it is nice to have the drizzle let up and the fog move out during winter's last gasp.