LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Wednesdays Are Golden Too

We celebrated more than Independence Day on Monday.  July 4th is also Lucy's birthday.  Quite appropriate we think.  In truth we don't actually celebrate canine birthdays except for a few extra hugs and much thanks for another year with a best friend.

Without a doubt, Lucy is the smartest dog we have ever owned.  We caught a glimpse of this when she was just a puppy.  She was watching television with me.  The show was a sheep herding contest.  (I just love to watch sheep herding.)  When the sheep dog ran across the screen from left to right and disappeared, Lucy got up and went to the right side of the television and looked behind it to see where the dog had gone.  Lucy knows the path the deer will take around our house.  She will watch the deer from the porch downstairs.  Then she will run to the door and wait for the deer to appear on that side of the house.  She then runs upstairs and looks out the dining room window.

If you ask Lucy to find her blue tug for example, she sits and thinks, then runs to the place she last saw it.  She knows when we are driving to a fun destination.  She is a bit anxious in the car until we pass a certain spot.  That means we are not driving to the veterinarian and her disposition changes completely.

I believe Lucy would have made an excellent search and rescue dog because of her intelligence, persistence, and sheer joy of being praised when she accomplishes something.  She has a little prance that indicates she is proud of herself.  Her hero, by the way, is Bert.  Read his blog here

When we become a bit too proud of Lucy's intelligence, she grounds us by doing something stupid like eating rabbit poop which invariably makes her sick for a day or two.



Here she is during her first week with us.  The roly-poly puppy loved the roly-poly hard ball.




 Resting in the shade, her happy smile already developed.




 Lucy was such a little thing.  Here she is with our Ellie who was two at the time.  You may want to click to enlarge the photograph.




 She is a great guard dog.  Here she keeps careful watch on the deck for those beady-eyed devil squirrels.  (When we were in obedience training, the instructor said that all dogs no matter what the breed would protect their owners and property.  Then she looked straight at us and said, "Well, except for Golden Retrievers.  They will wag their tails and show the intruder where you keep the silver.")




 She loves to hike, but most of all she loves to run free in the wind.




 She smiles as much as any dog we've ever had.




 And she looks so peaceful when she sleeps.


Why am I doing Goldens on Wednesday?  Because we are having guests and I won't be posting for a week or so.  So stay safe and happy.

32 comments:

The Bug said...

What a cutie! I think I say that every week :)

Have a good time with your company. We'll miss you!

Rudee said...

It looks like every day is golden for all of you. I think I love your dogs!

Have an enjoyable week.

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, Thank you for doing this early and not just skipping it-I really needed it today. Our old dog Reggie isn't doing well and it has me a bit down today-so seeing your post gave me a smile.

Ms. A said...

Every time I see your posts about your dogs, it makes me miss mine, so much, but always brings a smile! Thank you!

KGMom said...

First, enjoy your guests.

While I can't claim that our current dog (a half border/half lab) is the smartest dog--she clearly isn't--she too watches television.
When we first got her, she had not been in a home before. She had not seen stairs, and was quite perplexed. Then, we turned the TV on. She freaked, at first. Now she watches it, especially if a dog or some other animal is on. If the dog runs off-screen, she goes and looks behind the set, to see where it went.

carolina nana said...

What a special dog. Both of them are special.
Hope you have a wonderful visit with your guest.
Blessings to you
Marilyn

animal lover, quilt lover said...

I will miss you but I hope you have a wonderful time with your company.
Lucy was just the cutest little pup with a great smile!!! I just love dogs so very much!! All dogs!! I love Lucy too!!
xx, Fern

Vicki Lane said...

What a fine dog! May she have many more birthdays!

troutbirder said...

Happy birthday Lucy. I know a big dog just like you. He has many of the same good traits as you do (and one bad eating habit we wont mention.) Say hi to Ellie for me.
Troutbirder

Busy Bee Suz said...

Happy birthday to your sweet Lucy!!! I am amazed at how smart she is!!!!

Anonymous said...

Whenever I read about your beautiful golden girls, it makes me want to run out and get a pup. I'm glad I don't act on impulses! Always good to have my vicarious dog pleasures here!

Jill said...

Happy Birthday to Lucy...Late. I just love the baby pictures!

LauraHinNJ said...

Gorgeous photos... thanks so much for sharing them!

Anonymous said...

This may be my favorite Golden post. Those puppy pictures are heart melters!

Hope you have good weather for the house guests. Our golfing/swimming/running guests are stuck inside on this rainy day. We needed the rain though.

animal lover, quilt lover said...

I think when you give a lot of time and attention to a dog they will be a smart dog. All my dogs have been smart dogs. I think they all have the brains there all you have to do is teach. Bambi would learn the first time tho every time she learned a new thing. She learned the 1st time for life!!! So I guess some are a little smarter then others!! lol
xx, Fern
PS Happy Birthday Lucy on the 4th!!

D.K. Wall said...

And here I was checking in on Friday. Happy Belated Birthday, Lucy.

Karin said...

Loved your story! Thanks for sharing it! Thought I had missed the golden Friday, but there you are!Enjoy your company and time away!

100 Thoughts of Love said...

what ???? No McDonalds cheeseburger, hold the bun for a birthday dog???

F Cameron said...

What lovely dogs! I saw your comment on Robin's blog and since I also live in NC, came to check out your blog, too.

My husband and I just went up to Blowing Rock on Thursday...hoping to see the sheep herding at the Highland Games. However, the rain delayed things so much and without any communication about when they would start, we gave up and drove back home to Chapel Hill.

KB said...

That is a lovely post. I agree, based on all your past posts, that the 4th of July is perfect for Lucy's birthday!

I enjoyed the photos - the puppy ones and the smiling ones!

Anonymous said...

Wow. What beautiful dog photos. I have three little Poms, but I love those big dogs. Unfortunately, we have no space for one. Dianne

Tipper said...

What a sweet post! They just weave their way into your lives from the very beginning!

Ginnie said...

It has always interested me how some dogs are so intelligent and others aren't. I would say it's the breed or the upbringing but I've found from experience that it doesn't work that way. We used to train German Shorthairs and the difference in intelligence and personality was amazing.
Your Lucy is very photogenic !

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Thank you!! Love to share my wonderful marriage with the rest of my friends. I wish everyone had a great marriage, a happy life!! If that was the case the world would be a much nicer place!!
xx, Fern

Cicero Sings said...

What a cutie pie of a puppy. No wonder she is one happy, smiling dog ... she has good folk to look out for.

Taradharma said...

belated happy birthday!

I always love the running shots, with their fur flying and their eyes bright with excitement.

Enjoy your company!

My Mind's Eye said...

Happy Belated Birthday to Lucy a very beautiful Golden.
We hope you had a nice visit with your friends.
Hugs Madi and Momm

Cheryl said...

Call me a softie, if you like but this post brought tears to my eyes.
I found your writings so moving. It is so easy to see why your dogs are both treasured pets.
The images are beautiful.

I have never met a goldie yet that does not wag it's tail and greet you as a long lost friend.
That is what is so wonderful about them.

Enjoy your week....

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carolyn, Just stopping by to say hello... Sounds like you are having a great and busy summer... We spent June touring the west... AWESOME...

Have a good weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Vicki Lane said...

I bet you're still busy with company but thanks for stopping by!

How Sam Sees It said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Lucy!

Sam

JeanMac said...

She is very smart - I love her smiles.