Just a quick post to resurrect this blog.

I was just looking at my mom's blog ( divergentpathways.com ) and came across her post about our beautiful dog Sawyer. I will never forget the moment when I noticed he wasn't moving and picked him up only to find him completely unresponsive. I haven't felt that awful in I don't know how long. Anyhow, I was reading my mom's post about it and just reading through her recap brought me to tears. Sawyer's totally okay now, I know that, but it still brings back those intense feelings of fear of losing one of my best friends. Sawyer truly has been that to me. He is really the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Always obedient, always loyal, always happy. Seriously though, he is smiling all the time. A big smile.

I love this dog with all my heart and soul. Really, the perfect dog. I'm sure everyone says that about their dog but this one is the truest of all of them. I'm beyond grateful for this wonderful dog.


Not to mention, he (and his wifey) make the cutest puppies on earth.

Growing Up With Shelties

Josh with Schubert, circa 1992.

When Josh was born, poor Schubert thought he'd been displaced as the Favorite Child for a few days. Once we coaxed him out from under the dining room table, he grew to love Josh, patiently tolerated his antics, and protected him like an older brother.

Josh's first words were actually an attempted bark. He'd do these sharp little inhales and we couldn't figure out what he was doing...thought for a minute he had asthma.

Then he did it right after Schubert barked and we realized it was intentional...Josh was trying to bark!

These two were inseparable, grew up like a pair of brothers. Schubert would give Josh "rides" letting him hang onto his hair while he dragged him around the house. Josh would laugh and clap when Schubert played catch with the tennis ball.

Josh is now a junior in college, but he still insists on having the dogs sleep in his room when he comes home to visit. True puppy love!

Josh and Schubert, circa 2001

Six weeks: Fall Frolicking

Look how much fun they're having in the tall grass on the hill!

Marching shoulder to shoulder

Wait--I hear something!

Reconnaissance mission

Running off

Taking a breather

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Demille....

A few apples have begun to drop from our tree in the back, 

and the puppies have been very curious about them.

She approaches cautiously

Takes a sniff

Then a bite 

Then decides it's better as a toy.

Uh-oh! Mom's calling...

Time for dinner, puppies!

Aw, shucks! I don't wanna go inside yet!

Five Weeks: Puppies on Parade

Saturday was SUCH a beautiful day! The puppies had the time of their lives frolicking in the autumn afternoon. Come out and join us!

Hide and Seek.

Here's the secret:

Happy Girl.

On a Safari.

Daddy Time.

Hmmmph!

Lovebirds.

Mine or Yours?

Off On A Jaunt....

Perfectly Poised.

Intense Gaze.

Run!

Twins!

Pretty Pair.

Snuggle Time.

Your ball.

There, there....

Beautiful Boy.

Some Enchanted Evening

She will find her true love...

Thatcher waits quietly on a bench in the back yard.

She spots Sawyer and gives him one of her looks.

He comes over, joins her on the bench. She scoots a little closer. All's right with the world.

Baby's Day Out

The puppies went outside for the first time today. Here's our report:

The girl's on top of the world!

The boy goes on a hero's journey...

Here's our Junior Explorer on his way back...

Meanwhile Thatcher and her little girl enjoy a sweet mother-daughter chat....

Too much fun wears me out!

Quick break for a picnic on the lawn...

We can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Puppy Tackle!

They're up and running! We can't believe how much they've grown and changed in the past week. We're dying over how cute they are, and loving their little Teddy Bear faces! Now their eyes are open, they're sitting and standing and taking their first steps...which means...PLAYTIME!

Here's a slice of the action for you: