Wordless Wednesday-Get It Blaze!

Hunting with Fluttering Fiona

Fiona has a delicate, but strong soul.  When you get her by herself, she reminds me of a butterfly that flutters with grace and joy.

We were heading off for a walk together and I used a regular walking harness, instead of her no-pull one that she doesn't like or really need and that made her feel even more special.

We start off down the road and I had already decided to let Fiona lead the way.  Once we were up the road, she turns into the woods following her active nose.  We turn this way and that way, stopping here and there and this whole time Fiona is just glowing.  It's as if she's been waiting to show and share this adventure with me all along.

A chipmunk chirps and Fiona stops dead in her racks.  Then we are off!  Bouncing around in circles.  Pausing to hear the little critter again.  Through the thick brush we jump and dodge fallen logs.  Taking sniffing breaks at the trees our prey might have been at.

And then the excitement quiets as we follow the deer trails with alert senses traipsing across the little woods.
"Chirp-Chirp-Chirp!"  I swear Fiona's heart stopped.  Then we dash through the thicket around in a circular fashion, trying to narrow in on the tiny rodent.

I can barely wipe the smile off of my face of the sheer awe and beauty I am enraptured in.  This is a side of Fiona I've never seen before.  Chasing squirrels with the boys in the backyard in one thing but watching her on her own is like watching a flowing angel.  It feels sacred and personal, as if this precious time was just for me and her.  I cherished our special time together as I watched Fiona come into their own and beautifully own it.

    

The Hunter

If you are squeamish, you may want to stop right here.  

One thing I love about nature is the natural cycles that occur.

Elmer Fudd, LOOK OUT!

Cause Blaze got that wascally wabbit!!

Taste like chicken!!

Blaze was so proud of herself, we couldn't resist the photo.

Mr. Bunny was placed in the 24 Paws of Love graveyard in the little woods across the street.
May he rest in peace.

Monday Memories-Angel

It's time for Monday Memories and we thought we'd introduce you to the puppies of our litter we had almost 3 years ago.  This is Angel.  She was really tough to give up.  I went back and forth so many times about keeping her it was insane.  It wasn't that I didn't want to, but since we were already keeping Zappa and Fiona, having 3 puppies all at once was a little more than I thought I could handle.  Angel was so smart and so cute.  She was the only one out of all ten that figured out how to get out of the whelping box and climb on the bed with me.  She would sneak out other times during the day and I knew because she always used the paper I had on the floor.

Here she is at 3 weeks old.  I named her Angel for the wings on her chest. 

Here she is at 4 1/2 weeks old giving her profile.

Angel at 8 weeks old. 

She always paired up with the other black and white female, V-girl and they were an awesome duo.  Angel and V-girl were the last 2 puppies to find homes.  During play Fiona would attack one of them and the other would tag team to help. 

Angel at 1 1/2 years old. 

Angel found a wonderful home with a friend of ours.  She was so special I couldn't just give her to anyone.  She is training to be a sled dog and a hunting dog.

Every time we visit she just about plows us down with kisses.  It is so great that she has such a loving home and we are so happy for her.