copper's back

Copper, the Rhodesian Ridgeback I mentioned months ago, returned home recently. His human, Eric, is home from a nearly 8-month deployment to the Middle East. Eric is a Navy Medic, and while he was repairing Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, Copper was cold in Wisconsin.

Arthritis is making it a bit more difficult for Copper to move than before, and at 8 years old, he just had his manly parts removed. He's a little cranky right now, but still the same majestic soul. Eric's nursing a recent break-up, too, so the boys are spending some quality time at the beach each day. Welcome back guys! I bet Copper makes a great wingman.

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scout & dolly

This here is Doris. The black & white terrier mix on the left is Scout, one of Doris's dogs that join her on her annual trip south for the winter. Doris, Scout and Dolly (an old Shepherd mix with bad arthritis that spends most of her time in the Slumber Queen) trek from Canada (eh?) each winter down the West Coast to California to escape the subzero temps.

Doris usually spends a few weeks in SD, then heads out to Arizona for a bit, then a few more weeks here, and then she slowly heads back while enjoying the sites of CA, OR and WA. Her new favorite place (except Dog Beach, of course) is Wickenberg, AZ. Doris has a horse at home and can't wait to bring her to AZ next year.

Scout acts like he was raised here, and Doris is part of the morning crew until she leaves on 1/2. Back to shoeing horses and tending to her pups in the Great White North.

As you can tell from TempTide's stance above, Doris often has treats.

We saw Doris for a few minutes this morning, but it was a quick trip. Riptide seems to have injured his right knee, so we went home early. Tempest will be joining me solo for the next couple of days.

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it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

[Conor, Doug & Brenda doing their best Santa impressions]

[Only in OB. This guy said he got to unwrap her this morning.]

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christmas eve

Christmas in San Diego is always clear and beautiful. As we drove over the hill to OB, the blue ocean welcomed us. We can see all the way up the coast.

I didn't bring my camera along today, but just about everyone was at the beach today. Some with family from out of town, others for a bit before their half day at work, and the rest of us who have all day to relax.

The whole lot of at least 15 humans stood around while the dogs played with each other, sniffed one another and chased toys in and out of the water. One guy even braved the cold water without a wetsuit to retrieve one of his dog's toys. What a nut.

Riptide and Dude played their daily game of tug-o-war while people watched. There's always someone who hasn't seen it before and gets a kick out of it.

We haven't heard from or seen Mike since Thursday, and we're worried sick.

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crap

I hate it that something devastating had to happen to get me back on track with the blog. The day before yesterday, a member of the community was killed. Mona, Mike's white German Shepherd, went after a coyote up near LA the day before yesterday and didn't see the car coming.

Mona was only 4 years old, and she is Mike's baby. He spends nearly all day fishing along the water's edge. Trusty Mona was always there at his side.

When we saw Mike at the beach yesterday, distraught, with Mona's leash in his hands, telling us what happened, it just shattered all who heard.

Our dogs are our babies. As Mike said, "Love your dogs." We'll miss you Mona. If you know Mike, give him a big hug when you see him. I wish I had.

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