Every autumn, we take an off-trail trek to a lake that our dogs love. We call it "Dog Leap Lake" because our visit is usually a dog water party. As soon as we arrive, the pups usually head into the water. This is Shyla on the left and R on the right from 2012.
This year, it was hard to find the time to visit Dog Leap Lake but it felt important to go to remember R and his ecstasy whenever we were there. However, when we arrived, the lake was occupied, and the visitors showed no sign of departing.
They were not the sort of visitors that we even tried to share the lake with. We watched them for a while, and then we departed. No dog's paw touched the water.
As we watched them, we imagined that R would have had apoplexy if we'd arrived at Dog Leap Lake and he had not been allowed to play in the water. This was R when we arrived at the lake a few years ago.
Every year, when we arrived at the lake, he'd go nutso with excitement. He seemed to be yelling "throw it, throw it"! He adored retrieving from Dog Leap Lake.
He'd shake with excitement while awaiting the next throw.
He and his sister would sometimes bring sticks to shore together.
Our visit to the lake this year, even though it was not as raucous as usual, did bring back many memories of our Black Dog. He swam in Dog Leap Lake every fall for thirteen years. He never failed to have a joyful time and to make us smile and smile.
Memories of our Black Dog will never cease to make us smile.
Hari OM
ReplyDelete...and this is how it should be, joyful and heartlifting in the memories!!! YAM xx
These are the happiest most wonderful pictures I've seen in a long time and it blesses My Broken Heart to see your beautiful black dog playing and having so much fun. I know that your heart aches with mine for our big beautiful black dogs that have gone over the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you for your beautiful comments and for the outpouring of love and caring
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful memories and they will always be there waiting for you!
ReplyDeleteAll the photos are bursting with joy, but I love that first one of the two of them with the stick!
ReplyDeleteOh, my, plenty of tears today :( Even so, grateful for the beautiful photos and memories...
ReplyDeleteWe smile with you.
ReplyDeleteso beautiful in every single way! thank you! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories! Perhaps R was telling you if he couldn't be there to play, he wasn't letting the others pups either. In any event, you had quite the show.
ReplyDeleteTake care and stay well.
The photos and your words tell us all of the hugest love for R, he was there in spirit, and the visitors , guess they had the priority that day.Beautiful reflection, in the water, and in memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful memories and R and Shyla look like they are having so much fun together.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this joyful post, so much needed after these sad days after the death of Sandra's so much loved Big Boy. I know she needed it and so did I. Oh, how we love them, not just our own, but so many of them we meet on the blogs. This is a beautiful tribute to R and to all dogs -- to the joyfulness of all dogs. They don't need much to go overboard with happiness and there's a lesson for all of us in that.
ReplyDeleteKB Memories of your Black Dog make me smile too. He was a joyous fella who appreciate every moment in time.
ReplyDeleteWe all need to be more like R.
Hugs Cecilia
I'm so glad you have such beautiful memories and pictures to remind you what a wonderful life you gave your Black Dog. <3
ReplyDeleteWhat great memories of that special lake. Too bad those moose ruined the party this year.
ReplyDeleteI am sure, if you listen carefully, you can still hear him splash in the water.
ReplyDeleteHow fast would a tail have to wag to leave the water droplet trail over the dogs in the picture. Incredibly.
ReplyDeleteOMD, I loves this postie! Yeah, I wouldn't disturb those visitors! BOL! The pictures and the memories made me BOL and Ma smile from ear to ear!
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
That Last Photo Captured So Much Personality And Love The Droplets From The Tail Action - But Honestly, Love Them All - Something Special About Happy Dogs - Sending Positive Vibes - Go Team Human
ReplyDeleteCheers
We remember fondly all those wonderful times R enjoyed in the lake with Shyla. Maybe this year it was meant to be just a year of reflection as you contemplate the happy times with R.
ReplyDeleteSorry your pups didn't get to play in the lake. Not sure what the retreating animals are...
ReplyDeleteThose images of tandem stick-ing is just as adorable as can be. What good mates!
ReplyDelete