LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, June 24, 2011

Fridays are Golden

Ellie had a birthday Tuesday.  It was quite appropriate that her birthday fell on the first day of Summer because she has indeed brought so much sunshine into our lives.  She was born at Dichi Goldens (here).  After saying good-bye to our second English Springer Spaniel we decided a Golden Retriever would be quite suitable for our lifestyle.  One of the best decisions we ever made.

Ellie's first day in her new home.


Ellie is the kindest and most gentle dog you can imagine.





 She is an expert at finding the weakness of soft toys and quickly rips out the filling.




 She is so beautiful running in the wind with her gorgeous coat flying in the breeze.




 She loves to go hiking, especially on trails where she can be off lead.



Ellie loves tennis balls and often carries one or more with her.  This is one of my favorite photographs of Ellie.  She is not allowed into the hallway leading to my study.  I took this picture of her standing near the entrance of the hall while I was sitting at my desk.  She was silently begging me to come on out of there and play with her.





 The halcyon days are over.  Lucy arrived on the scene.  Ellie is extremely patient with Lucy.  Many people are surprised to learn that Ellie is the alpha in spite of her tolerance for Lucy's antics.




 Another of my favorite photographs.  Ellie leading the way on a brisk November day.  Ellie is two and a half and Lucy is four months old in this photograph.



We don't celebrate dog birthdays at our house.  But on those days you can be sure there is a lot of reflection about how much our dogs mean to us.  And some extra hugs for sure.

Ellie and I share a very special bond.  Sometimes she walks up and puts her head gently in my lap.  Other times she "talks" to me, wanting me to get down on the floor with her.  Truth be told, she would really love to be a lap dog if only we allowed her on furniture.  We share some wonderful times together.


The late Will Rogers once said, "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." 

That's exactly the way I feel.


HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

26 comments:

Rudee said...

She's such a sweet looking girl. Hope you gave her an extra treat on her birthday.

Taradharma said...

oh, I feel the love!! What a wonderful girl your Ellie is (well, and Lucy too). The photo with the two tennis balls in her mouth is priceless.

Maybe someday I will meet them, and you...I am planning a September trip to Mt. Airy to visit an old friend. Upon hearing this, Robin Andrea said I must look you up!

carolina nana said...

What wonderful sweet dogs you have.
And I'm sure their must be dogs in Heaven.
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for my son.
He is doing so much better this time around.
Blessings to you
Marilyn

carolina nana said...

What wonderful sweet dogs you have.
And I'm sure their must be dogs in Heaven.
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for my son.
He is doing so much better this time around.
Blessings to you
Marilyn

Ms. A said...

Wonderful images! I miss my dogs. They always accepted me, for me, no questions asked. You are a very lucky person, to have that kind of love.

Nat and Baileys the Goldie said...

Brilliant post. Mine is a tennis ball fan too and also an excellent toy-stuffing remover
Gorgeous girls you have.

Beverly said...

I love the picture with the two tennis balls....She is a beauty....

Karin said...

I've never had a dog, but I would certainly love yours! They are so affectionate looking! Such joy to have around!

How Sam Sees It said...

What a sweet girl!

Sam

Jayne said...

A belated Happy Birthday to Ellie! Love seeing her as a puppy. :c)

Valerie Cummings said...

Once again I LOVE your Fridays are Golden. What precious pictures!!Youre babies are so beautiful!!!! Keep up your lovely Fridays<3 Hugs Joey and Kealani

D.K. Wall said...

Our canine friends sure do make life's moments, don't they?

kks said...

What a lovely tribute to Ellie! She is a dear soul....you can see it in the pictures ....
I love the balls in the mouth picture....non verbal communicarion is a gift we share with our animal friends...
xoxo
Politics in Madison continue to be quite interesting!

Cicero Sings said...

Loved the review of Ellie's life and seeing the both of them as pups. If God cares about every sparrow that falls to the ground I have no doubt that dogs are in heaven.

Cheryl said...

The quote is wonderful and I feel the same.
Ellie captured my heart long ago.......there is something about her that shines deep within. Some dogs just have that.

I have had many dogs and loved each and every one of them.
Nella, however, is very special to me, there is a bond, we are companions. I understand completely your relationship with sweet Ellie......long may it last.

BTW that is a lovely photograph of Lucy and Ellie running through the woods.

pat said...

love that last photo of the 3 of them running!

Vicki Lane said...

A beautiful set of pictures!

Anonymous said...

Me, three!

I love puppy pictures! I know what you mean about those looks and the special bond.

I'm glad your girls hit the jackpot.

Appalachian Lady said...

You sure love your dogs. I love the puppy photos and one of them running with the guy.

Anonymous said...

Awwww, aren't goldens the best? We love our Finny!

Ruth said...

I hope we are able to train our dog as well as you trained your beautiful girls. A really nice set of pictures!

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I hope Ellie had a beautiful day doing what she does best: Shining!

animal lover, quilt lover said...

No, heaven would be heaven without dogs. The best thing about our earth is DOGS!!!!
I love your pictures of Ellie and Lucy.
Bambi would have liked to get in my lap too that is why her last night I sat on the floor with her head in my lap all night long!!!
xx, Fern

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Goldens are such wonderful dogs. Our Lillie is a sweetie too. She would love to be a lap dog like your Ellie. She often lays her head in my husbands lap and sometimes she climbs halfway up to lay her had on his chest. She absolutely adores that man!

I love the color of Ellie and Lucy.

Janie said...

I agree with you and Will Rogers, but I'm hoping the horses will be there, too!
Your dogs were both adorable puppies, and are such sweet companions.