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Thursday, May 23, 2019

Thankful Thursday - Desert Sunsets and Shyla

As it continues to snow outside with another 8" expected tonight, I am looking backward again to a warm and sunny evening on the slickrock in Utah.

I can wander the slickrock, soaking up the beauty endlessly. I love the textures of the rock, the glowing colors, and the contrast between my pups and the rock.

As Shyla and I climbed toward the top of the slickrock slope for sunset, we stopped for a photo because I loved the lichens spotting the slickrock.

Then, we resumed a very fast hike directly up the fall line of the slickrock slope. In places, it was too steep, and we'd wind around looking for a route that was shallow enough let Shyla's paw pads and my running shoes stick. Soon, we were at the top. Shyla got there first.


I eventually caught up. The sight of Shyla glowing in the deep red sunset light warmed my soul.

And then the light got even more beautiful. I was so enamored with it that I wasn't paying attention to the clouds sneaking up behind Shyla.


I adore these photo sessions with Shyla. She's become my partner in so many ways. She anticipates what I might ask her to do. She does all of it with enthusiasm and a softness in her eyes that melts my heart. After K died, I never dreamed that I'd have another dog in my life who knew me so well and made my heart sing so much. That is what I am thankful for on this Thursday. For Shyla and the bond that she and I built.

Then, all of a sudden, Shyla completely disconnected from me. She slumped, looked downward, and appeared miserable. I was so engrossed in the light and the beauty around us that I hadn't noticed a storm bearing down on us. It was scaring Shyla. As many of you may remember from her early days with us, she shuts down when scared.
Just after I finally realized that we needed to get down off that slope (prompted by morose Shyla), the Runner yelled to me to get down because he'd seen lightning.

I will pick up the story there tomorrow - complete with images of one of the biggest and most intense storm clouds that I've ever seen. We couldn't see it from the slickrock because the slope itself was blocking the view.

Mother Nature is dangerously beautiful.

Thanks to Brian for hosting the Thankful Thursday blog hop.

17 comments:

  1. Looking at the last photo
    breaks my heart. I hope Shyla
    recovered quickly.
    Those dark clouds look every ominous,
    we are glad the runner was able to
    warn you.

    ♥ Astro and Mitzie

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  2. Shyla is such a pretty gal and we hope she got her composure back once the storm passed. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

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  3. Shyla sure is a super model. Good thing her mood change alerted you to the coming storm.

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  4. You are a very smart girl, Shyla, and such a beautiful soul♥ I bet KB held you close once you were inside and safe.

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  5. It's amazing how a sensitive pup can go from engaged to shut down in the blink of an eye. I used to try to re-engage Habi out of a mood change - always unsuccessfully - until I learned enough to understand she was telling me something, and I had to listen. Good for you for reading Shyla so well.

    Can't believe it's still snowing on you! At least it's all water, so the wildlife ponds and the groundwater will go into summer healthier. But still...

    Cheers,
    Chris from Boise

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  6. Beautiful pup, beautiful background clouds.

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  7. Shyla no doubt felt the storm before you and the Runner did!
    these are such unbelievably beautiful pictures. and to think you have snow where you are now!
    no wonder you treasure your times in the desert. looking forward to the next post.
    love to your pack! each of you! xo

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  8. Shyla is a beautiful pup.

    Yikes on the storm and you're right about Mother Nature.

    Have a woof woof Thankful Thursday. My best to your mom. ♥

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  9. Mother Nature is sure being dangerous this week with tornadoes! Very pretty up there on that giant rock.

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  10. What a beautiful story and beautiful dog, landscape photo's everything! I'm glad Shyla was likin' the lichen - LOL!

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  11. Shyla is beautiful and what great shots you got of her. We don't like storms and we hope you all got down with no issues. Hugs and nose kisses

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  12. You melted my heart with your words about Shyla becoming your partner in so may ways. I am positive K had a paw in you two finding each other.
    Beauty Thankful Thursday.

    YIKES 8" of snow.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  13. Shyla is an early warning system. Glad you are attuned to her warnings. Cannot believe that you're expecting MORE snow.

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  14. Shyla was trying to tell you about the storm coming. She is so sensitive.!
    Oh how we love Shyla!
    love
    tweedles

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  15. Oh,those pics are just so beautifuls! Shyla is one pawsome puppers for giving you a sign danger was approaching! Then again, at this point, I am not surprised! ☺
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  16. Your bond with Shyla is so beautiful.
    hugs
    Mabel

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  17. Shyla is a dog completely in tune with her surroundings, which is not always a bad thing!

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