Fridays are Golden

Last week I mentioned that Ellie and Lucy are not litter mates.  I thought you might like to see the difference.

Little Lucy, always the pesky one and Ellie, always the patient one.

Even when she was tiny, Lucy liked to cuddle next to Ellie.  Quite a size difference back then!

Our dogs are from better gene pools than either of us.  While I do admire people who give their hearts and homes to rescue or shelter dogs, I make no apology for purchasing our dogs from a wonderful breeder.  These were to be our "retirement" dogs and we wanted as healthy a blood line as we could find.  Both dogs have five-generation pedigrees and their eyes, hips, elbows, etc.,  have been certified.

(All of the five following photographs are from Dichi Golden Website.)

Ellie's father Kona

Ellie's mother Star

Lucy's father Chance

Lucy's mother Annie

They share a common ancestor;  on Lucy's mother's side and on Ellie's father's side.  That makes them cousins of some sort.

Their common ancestor:

American and Canadian Grand Champion

Amberac Dichi Face the Odds

"Gambler"

No doubt you can see that all of the dogs are very much alike.  That is because the breeder (Dichi Goldens here) is very selective and ethical.  Dichi dogs are often show dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

We never cared as much about beauty as we care about health and temperament.  While they have very different temperaments, both Ellie and Lucy are very sweet and gentle dogs.  Lucy is a bit more high-strung and Ellie is much more mellow.  Lucy always looks smaller than Ellie but there is usually a pound or less difference in their weights.  Lucy is more solid while Ellie is bigger-boned.  Lucy has shorter hair while Ellie's is much longer and fluffy.

Lucy was born in 2005 so they have been together six and a half years.

And I really mean "together."

So far March has not come in like a lion in our neck of the woods.  But who knows what is in store for the rest of the month?  Certainly not the meteorologists.

I've been reading Tina Fey's book, Bossy Pants which I am finding quite amusing.  While I cannot quote exactly (and I'm too lazy to look it up), she suggests that when we are irritated with someone else and their actions we should look at the situation and ask the following question.  Does this interfere with my ability to achieve my goals?  If the answer is "no" then let it go.  There's no need for confrontation.  The key words are LET IT GO, something that is surprisingly difficult for some of us.

Advice columnist Ann Landers put it this way:
"Hanging on to resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head."

So this week, lets make it a point to let go of things we cannot change.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

And don't forget to turn the clocks ahead one hour tomorrow night.