There may be just a little more detail here than you’d like, unless you’re the earthy type, that is.
I’m all for bringing the outdoors in…sunlight, views of trees and birds and sometimes an occasional deer (no window coverings in the living areas, at all…really), but I’d rather that earth stay, well…in the earth.
After trying to dig her way to who-knows-where from the backyard (I’m amazed we haven’t yet broken an ankle), Lucy plopped down from exhaustion before I could guide her into the bathroom for a rinse of those mud-caked paws. Holy cow. I do like to catch her if I can, as it takes less water to rinse her than to launder the furniture covers, however, sometimes it’s not to be. And by the time she wakes and traipses around a bit, I’ll have forgotten about the dirty feet. Oh well.
I remember reading once that you can’t have dogs and be house-proud. I agree, but wonder, who would rather be house-proud than have dogs? Maybe someone who’s never had the pleasure of living with a dog? And, cat lovers, of course. Just a guess.
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Jennifer
Joanne Olivieri
YogaforCynics
Love the macro-Lucy shots. Doggie snouts are funny I think. They always enjoy getting a pat on the nose, but its often what gets them into trouble in the first place. And then, oh yes, the muddy feet. I can relate. My cat is ultra-furry and manages to bring all sorts of outdoorsy goodness inside attached to her fur, which she then leaves at various convenient locations around the house. But as you say, who would live without an animal if they can possibly have one?
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I’ve always been the earthy type…and gotta love the pure up-close dogginess of these photos…
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that’s a very kissable nose!
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Oh, of course cats, too!
Just adorable. I am impressed with the smoothness of her nails. Do you file them or does a groomer do that for you? Abby’s and Bonbon’s nails never look that good. I clip them but there are always sharp edges it seems.
Have you seen UP? We saw it last night and it has some of the best dog characters ever ever!
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Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Svasti and thanks…glad you liked the macros. Lucy, too, drags in all kinds of outdoorsy stuff that sticks to her “skirt.” And she’ll even try to sneak a branch inside every now and then to chew on. Now that I look back at my post, I should have written, “…pleasure of living with an animal?” Should’ve been more inclusive there…
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Hi drjay. Hee-hee, dogginess…what a great description. And, you? Earthy? I NEVER would’ve guessed. ;o) Yeah, me too.
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Hi Dee. Yes, isn’t it though? Despite its reptilian appearance, I kiss it often!
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Hi Lydia and thanks. No, Lucy’s never had a pedicure. She gets 1-2 walks a day and roams our backyard for the rest of the time, so between the two her nails seem to get enough of a workout. And no, I haven’t seen “Up,” but pulled up the website. Looks like a fun movie. I noticed the character Dug…Lucy might like this too!
Regarding UP: after leaving my comment I read an article in our paper that is beyond touching. The full story is at msnbc.com: Pixar fulfills dying girl’s wish to see UP. (I hope the link works..not sure it will with WordPress.)
Lydia´s last blog post..marching to the beat of his own drum
Wonderful pictures, as always. Nora the dog has taken to digging in our yard, making little depressions in the dirt so that she can lie there in the sun and pant (which makes no sense to me, but I am not a dog). I’ve had to wash her paws a couple of times recently.
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Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Lydia and thanks. I’ll find that article…sounds like a good one!
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Thanks, Jennifer. Glad you like the pics. You know, our other dog, Emma, would dig someplace in the shade to lie down and keep cool (I assumed), but yeah, digging to lie in the sun…hmmm….Nora must have her reasons, huh? I remember that she is a sweetie.
Twitter: plasmanc
Hi Holly,
I remember my old dog – a small mongrel – and he used to find dirt everywhere and then bring it in the house – just for kicks!! We live fairly close to a river and, when strolling down there, I often see hapless owners screaming at their dogs as they bound up to the river and launch themselves into it with gusto, only to crawl out on the muddy banks then shake their filth all over any unfortunate person nearby.
Still, its fun isn’t it?
:-)
Cheers
PM
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Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi PM. Yes, it is fun, no matter the mess. Sometimes when we start out we don’t mean for her to get into the water, but once she takes the plunge, it’s too late anyway so we might as well enjoy…which we do. Now that summer’s here she can’t wait to get to the creek to cool her belly. She plops down, looking a lot like an alligator, and when she’s cooled down, she goes on her way. Crazy dog!
I live with 4 cats and a dog, and would not take anything for any of them. And I have Mama Squirrel that comes to be fed…
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Hi Rose. Wow, you almost have a small zoo there! Yeah, we wouldn’t let anything separate us from Lucy.
Twitter: craftybird
Firstly, what BEAUTIFUL animal portraits these are. And soooo sharp… I know you just praised the sharpness of some of my pictures but I look at yours and I can see the difference.
Secondly, I so agree about the issue of house v animals. An animal companion is as important as family, and while you may insist that family leave their shoes at the door, dogs and cats don’t have the faintest clue about our more fernickety notions – and why should they? Every happy contented animal will bring some dirt into the house, as do happy people. If you love them, it does not matter :)
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Twitter: earthtoholly
Thank you so much, Bird. As you told me in a comment on your site, sometimes it takes endless snaps before you get one that you consider decent and that was the case here. I actually have a short video from this photo session where Lucy was so exasperated with me that she attacked, albeit gently. I only captured these after she tired and fell asleep. Poor thing.
You’ve summed up nicely the animals-in-the-house-situation with your last few sentences there. Well said!