Run, play, walk

It was another beautiful day, weather-wise at least. This morning we had some pasture run time with Norman, Bailey, Elvis, Marvel, and Bear. Norman likes his pasture time but afterwards he wanted to come in the house. He's really enjoying his new position as a house dog. Bailey would be a more successful hunter if she stuck with Elvis, who uses his nose, and only did her pounce when he located something. Marvel is loving the freedom from motherhood and being an adult dog again, but she still goes over to check in on the puppies when she can. Bear follows Marvel everywhere and I think she's very good role model for him. Bear also loves the water.

Bailey

Bear

Bear and Marvel are practically joined at the hip. 

I didn't many pictures of Norman because I was riding the mower and he seems to dislike it.

Marvel's marvelous smile

Bear and Bailey. 

It's probably better for his adoption prospects that Bear spends more time with Marvel than with Bailey.

Bear sitting in the water tank.

Candace wasn't out in the pasture with us, but she and Paisley were in the yard.

Later in the day Clay's mother, Berta, came out to meet and be mauled by the puppies. Between their teeth and their nails she left looking like she had been assaulted. She was smart to wear long pants, socks, and she removed her necklace when she got here. I've got a few scratches on my arms and legs as well. It's time for someone to try cutting those nails and begin teaching them about bite inhibition. I'm pretty sure Berta enjoyed the visit anyway; the puppies sure did. They are very friendly with strangers and always happy to meet and maul new people. 

Elektra and Thor

Thor's jump off the bed was sort of a stumble.

Elektra making the jump.

Thor playing on top of Rogue

Thor and Storm

That's Thor trying to climb into Berta's lap.

The days are sure short now, but I had time to get Bailey and Elvis up to Pleasant Grove for the two mile walk. I'm feeling better and hope to be completely over this cold by the end of the weekend. Two miles was still enough, yesterday's walk brought on a lot of coughing yesterday evening. Two dogs made it slightly more challenging than just walking one, but these two make a good walking pair. 

Bailey is looking up in a tree as we pass, probably at a squirrel. 

This is making the rounds among Europeans and others today, and rightly so. 

Getting along

I've been battling a cold this week, and Clay is still dealing with a bronchial infection that has held on for far too long already. But every day the dogs need to be fed and exercised, and the puppies continue to eat, play, and poop. Norman continues to settle into being more of a house dog and he really likes that role. I set up a series of ramps and elevated walkways in the puppies' outdoor space this afternoon. It's not fancy and it's not pretty, but they took to it immediately because they are naturally curious about anything new and no one wants to miss out. Bailey and I got out for an easy two mile walk late this afternoon. It wasn't much but we both needed it and it was as much as I was up for today. 

As usual, Storm was the first to try out the new set up.

Wakanda going up a ramp.

Rogue, trying the elevated walkway.

Rogue in the tunnel.

An aerial view

Elektra

Storm and Rogue

Elektra in my lap.

The two boys, Wakanda and Thor.

Bailey on today's walk.

I was shocked and appalled by the results of this election, of course. We awoke to the realization that slightly more than 50% of the people in this country are despicable, and in many areas the percentage is significantly higher. That realization was disheartening, to put it mildly.

But life goes on, in one form or another, and we are lucky to live to fight another day. When my sister Kate died in May of last year, I happened to find a piece by an Australian poet, Courtney Peppernell. It helped me then and it seems appropriate again now as we all face an uncertain future: 

You can't skip chapters, that's not how life works. You have to read every line, meet every character. You won't enjoy all of it. Hell, some chapters will make you cry for weeks. You will read things you don't want to read, you will have moments when you don't want the pages to end. But you have to keep going. Stories keep the world revolving. Love yours, don't miss out.

Getting on with our life doesn't mean accepting this bullshit, however. Nor does it mean accepting those who caused it.