asking permission...Cassie's tail UP and wagging - permission granted.
This is not Sam, it's Dakota - our charge for the past week... it's been such fun having three of them! They have such mild dispositions it was a real pleasure.

I know this is a little silly, but often when I'm walking the dogs down that very familiar path - I already know a lot of the sights... and overlook them - deep in thought. This is the smiling woodsman - you see the little tiny smile there on the tree in what is probably bubble gum? I always remember to look up when we round the bend - and smile back.

Unlikely little green visitor... brought to my door by one of the little boys in our neighborhood a few years back... he (froggie) sat briefly for me under the lamp on my desk for his official portrait. Colorful little guy, eh?
It was amazing, I had posted this picture on a chat forum, and within a few days the people online had almost pinpointed the fact that 'home' was in Southern Germany at the time!

You know how you sometimes see snowflakes in movies that seem to meander - as if gravity has no pull? This was one such snow. It was taken in bone chilling temps on a ranch in the remoteness of the panhandle of Texas. Not that it does matter - but the horse's name is Romeo. It is a very quiet and lovely memory.

If one is good, two has to be better - right? Yes, that is the thinking that led to Cassie... the smaller golden. She was located online - and shipped from Rochester. Sam decided that if he didn't look at her - she would 'go away'. Two weeks into this - he looked pleadingly at us "She IS going home, right??".
She played Alpha dog almost immediately - stradling Sam's head/shoulders - so that he had to peek out from below... but he didn't mind. Then she became his shadow - and it's been that way ever since!

Why, when this is a nation at war does our neighborhood not allow the flag to fly in the front of the house?

It just wouldn't be complete without introducing Cassie also. She'll be two in September, and justly fitting her feminine nature - she's a petite 55lbs. The best thing we did was obedience training for her, she will stop on a dime to come when called! I only wish Sam were so predictable.

This image has been changed to monochromatic, then dry-brushed in Photoshop - if you click on the photo, you will see that it looks like a painting. Such a pretty and willing subject makes it much easier to get good shots, no?