My Selene

At a distance, you would not think of her as miraculous with most of her body draped a drab, olive green. As you neared her, you might notice, if you cared to notice, the bright splashes of lemon yellow gracing the very top of her head and the tips of her shoulders, as if the very contrast beckoned you to take a closer look.

Certainly, if you were lucky enough to chance upon her as she awakened from her afternoon nap, stretching her body before you, there would be no doubt of her unique beauty. A stunning column of color, peeking from her back in a vivid, turquoise blue, would reveal itself, drawing you even nearer to her.

Only then would you see the glorious blanket of green, clothing her chest, a vision more striking than the young blades of grass in spring. Your eyes would follow that lush carpet down her full length where you could delight in yet another outburst of sunlight, as if she were adorned with a pair of matching golden anklets.

Closer still, you would stare, transfixed upon this living jewel. With the wonder of a child's eyes, you would linger, devouring every detail of her. Elaborate, ornate, you would savor the fine weave, her tapestry of color, the intricate, interlocking threads symmetrically displayed, lovingly joined together.

And, if you dared, with the curiosity of a toddler's touch, you would caress her delicate fabric, the soft sensation capturing the fascination of your fingertips. Spellbound, you would be.

Then, spontaneously, inexplicably, you would lift it, as if an individual strand of hair, almost weightless in your hand, and marvel at one, just one, of her multitude of treasures, and this, a single feather.

The Joy of Barking

Labradors [are] lousy watchdogs.
They usually bark when there is a stranger about,
but it is an expression of unmitigated joy
at the chance to meet somebody new, not a warning.
~Norman Strung~

Sometimes teaching your canine companion a few tricks can be truly rewarding!

Yesterday, Tess, my 2-year-old female Labrador retriever, courageously took center stage at the Big Dog Parade & Canine Festival in Santa Barbara. After I asked her to warm up with a couple of whispers for everyone, she joyously produced three well-enunciated barks on command with her usual bright-eyed enthusiasm.

When it was announced that Tess was the winner of this year's Best Barker contest, she was invited to take center stage again and receive her award.

Not that Tess took note, but I was certainly more than a bit shocked to discover that her award was packaged in a rather large (much, much bigger than a breadbox) carton. It was definitely cumbersome and heavier than I could easily carry back to the car, especially if I had any intention of simultaneously walking Tess safely back to the car with me.

Add to the equation that I was already hauling my --- correction, make that our --- day pack, which was now overloaded with our allotted free Big Dog Parade goodies bag, my Big Dog Parade t-shirt and our other Big Dog Parade freebies along with the essential items in our pack.

Thankfully, it turned out that a very nice couple, Steve and Linda, looked kindly upon Tess and me. They helped haul Tess's prize back to my car in the bed of their pick-up truck, while Tess and I rode in the back seat in air-conditioned comfort.

In case you're wondering, there was a reason why the mystery carton weighed what it did. This is what Tess and I found inside:

• Limited Edition Big Dogs leather bomber jacket
• Limited Edition Cowboy Big Dogs plush
• 100.00 gift certificate from Big Dogs
• Custom Big Dog Parade & Canine Festival treats jar
• Dogswell Mellow Mut, Happy Heart, & Vitality Dog Treats
  9 - 1 lb. bags of 100% Chicken Breast or 100% Beef Liver
• One-year subscription to Wag Magazine
• One-year membership to Fido Friendly Travel Club, including a one-year subscription to Fido Friendly Magazine

Morning Sun

Tess In The Morning Sun
A Flickr Photo Set

Tess In The Morning Sun
A Flickr Slideshow

There's A New Lab In Town

Meet Tess

A PhotoShow Slideshow

Our Beloved Raven

Our beloved Raven passed away unexpectedly from cancer at the end of September 2005. A wonderful and unique companion, she was blessed with a loving temperament along with her remarkable spirit. She is forever imprinted on our hearts and will always be part of our fondest and happiest memories.

Our beloved Raven, may you forever play in peace.

Ice Is Nice

My dear parrot has never done this before and I've had her for over 11 years. Out of nowhere, she decided that a taste of my husband's fruit juice was not enough, so she reached into his glass and pulled out an ice cube. She licked it and played with it until it was almost completely melted. What a riot!

Featherhead

Parrot Goddess

She's an 11 1/2 year old Meyer's parrot with the emotions of a 2 1/2 year old and the intelligence of a 4 or 5 year old. My husband sometimes refers to her tantrums as the equivalent of having a 2 1/2 year old with a can-opener. No, she doesn't talk, although she thinks that she does. She does rule the roost, so to speak.