Sawyer's Summer Vacation

Last month, Sawyer brought his parents & sister to his favourite cottage destination in the Haliburtons. Ah yes, that boy knows a good thing when he finds it.

Sawyer was cordially invited to Auntie J's & Uncle J's cottage.  He was surrounded by his favourite people: LG, GG, Gramma E, and of course his parents & Mel.

 His days were filled exploring his new surroundings.  Lots of sniffing, wadding in water, chasing ducks (oops, sorry Gramma E but I couldn't help myself!)  "They tried to teach me to swim but NO WAY,  I'm a mountain dog not a duck", said  Sawyer.  Can't blame us for trying though.

Sawyer experience his first motor boat ride and boy was he hooked.  Everyday, he cautiously sauntered down the dock and eagerly awaited Auntie J to rev up the motor.  The best part was standing guard at the front of the boat, or lying down near his Auntie while the sound of the motor lulled him to sleep.

Sawyer and his family  were grateful for the invitation to partake in this getaway, far from the city's fast pace.  We all came home with fond memories....

You Know You're Having a Bad Day When....

 They made me wear this stupid birthday hat...

I get humped by a 3-legged dog...

(there's my 3-legged hound friend)

my friend, Hurley, is coerced into wearing an angel costume....(I feel your pain man)

these beauties had to parade the streets when they'd rather be hunting wabbits....

I could never catch this gorgeous blond....

they won't let me get a nose-job....

MJ made me wear a Lunateer t-shirt...

Ok, I was actually enjoying this belly rub...

 until MJ decides to wrestle with me... 

leaving me completely exposed and vulnerable to the world... 

so, I just submitted...to her snuggles and kisses....actually that wasn't so bad after all!

Then, I was having a great time with my swimming buddy, until my masters decided it was time to leave.... 

  

 so, I took my sweet time, laid my pristine white belly down in the dirt...

  I rolled, and rolled and rolled some more....

 and I ground that red clay deep into my fur and pores...

Humph! Got you back Mom, Dad, MJ & TJ!

River & Ruin with Family

Although the weather was questionable today, nothing stopped us from another favorite hike on the River & Ruin trail.

This hike was especially memorable as we were blessed with the presence of Sawyer's uncle & aunt (AKA Mrs & Mrs O) and his cousin, Guinness or Guin, for short.  Considering the two dogs had only just met, they got along famously.  Guin is a beautiful rescue dog from Louisiana, being part Catahoula Leopard  (Louisiana State Dog) & Australian Sheppard.  He made his grand appearance sporting a colourful bandanna.  Guin had boundless energy, and enjoyed exploring off-trail,  chasing local critters, and keeping Sawyer in check!

(Guinness)

(Mr. O & Guinness)

(W & Sawyer)

River & Ruin is one of our favorite walks, affording hikers & canine friends varied terrain, views,  and a beautiful river to wade in.

Sometime ago, I received an email from surfer_chic who filled me in on some the ruin's history. The "ruin" was in fact, a farmhouse adorned with a wrap-around porch facing the river below. Apparently, the lower fields, below the blue side-trail, was a horse pasture, while the upper portions were used for crops.

To this day, many apples and pear trees remain in the area.  The side-trail was in fact, their dirt road leading them by horse & buggy to Guelph Line, where they ran errands at the General Store (now The Bistro in Lowville, ON).   I would love to see a photograph of the original house.

Sawyer and family did enjoy their morning and look forward to many more hikes with Cousin Guin!

In Memory of Dakota & Roxy

 Dakota

Recently, Sawyer lost two dear canine friends: JG's precious Newfoundlander, Dakota - a true gentle giant who also captured MJ's heart, and our neighbour's Golden Doodle, Roxy, who greeted Sawyer every morning at the fence-line with her energetic bark.  Both dogs passed far too soon but will always be remembered.

Jimmy Stewart appeared on the Johnny Carson show in 1981 and recited a poem he wrote for his dearly departed dog, Beau.  Click on the YouTube link below.  For the record Sawyer's Mommy had a good cry after listening to this clip... our hearts go out to both families.