The Silver Bowl
 

Ace and I have been spending our free time down at the park in our neighborhood.   The park has been neglected for a number of years, and there's a lot of clean up to do, mostly from winters storms.

I cut and carry brush and limbs.  Ace explores and smells for deer tracks. 

 

Ace amazed me recently while we were working.  For several days, he's watched me pick up trash and debris, and put it in a plastic trash bag while we work.  So, he has started locating old drink cans in the leaves, and bringing them to me to put in the bag. 

 

I really think that dogs are capable of understanding more than we give them credit for.    

 

On our last visit, we were working near a little mountain stream that runs through the park.  I heard him coming up behind me.  He had a silver mixing bowl in his mouth.  It was a mixing bowl that I recognized.

 

Years ago, I had taken a stainless steel mixing bowl to the park, and hidden it under a rock out cropping.   I used it to dip water out of the stream,  for my previous Golden Retriever "Luke" to drink from. 

 

There was Ace, standing there with the bowl, looking up at me.  It brought back such incredible memories.

 

I took the bowl from him and told him what a "Good Boy" he was.  Then I washed it out a little, dipped it in the stream and placed it on the bank, so he could drink from it. 

 

Then we both sat down and listened to the sound of the stream.  I petted him, and told him about his brother Luke, and how we used to enjoy coming to the neighborhood park too.     

 

I like to think that Ace understood. 

 

Smart? .... or Lazy? You decide.

 

The Purrfect Day Off

   
    My Dog and "Cat". 

    (It Just Don't Get No Better Than This.)

 

 

  

My Boy Ace 

• Stink Bug
• Big Boy
• Tough Guy
• Mr. A
• Sweet Boy
• Biggun'
• Acey
• Good Boy
• Big Guy

 These are just a few of the names I have for Ace ... and he answers to everyone of them.

The Secret Waterfall

It was hotter that Blue Blazes, when Ace and I finished our hike to the top of the ridge, high above the New River State Park in Mouth of Wilson, VA.  The view is incredible and the ridge that we like to hike to, is actually in North Carolina.  You can look down into the New River, across to rock cliffs, and over the ridge to Virginia, with a sweeping 360 degree view.

Ace desperately wanted to jump out the car window as we left the park, and drove past the New River.  There were just too many people, dogs and vehicles, so we didn't stop.  We decided instead to head straight to our private waterfall (above).
Ace loves to stand, splash, drink, wade, roll and dog paddle in water.  Here he is banging his paw at his reflection, with his trademark bushy tail high in the air!

What a great day this was.  I love this dog.

From the Movie MARLEY & ME

A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water logged stick will do just fine.

A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb.  Give him your heart and he'll give you his.

How many people can you say that about?

How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special?

How many people can make you feel extraordinary?

My Best Christmas Present

My Best Christmas Gift

I received this framed print as a Christmas present.  It's a Golden Retriever, asleep on a patchwork quilt. 



The title block below the print includes this verse from Psalm 4:8.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, For you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety."

My wonderful Ace has been climbing up on the bed to sleep along side me, on a patchwork quilt for the last few nights.  He looks just like the dog in this print when he is asleep.

I've watched Ace sleep many times, and observed him while he dreams.  Sometimes he will wag his tail, or whimpering softly, or even growl a low growl sometimes.  I would give anything to know what he is dreaming about. 

When he wags his tail in his sleep, I like to think that I'm somewhere in his dream.  I know that I try to fill his little mind with reasons to wag his tail when he's awake.  

Sleep in Peace my little puppy.