Cady is ready for St. Paddy's Day

Cady wearing her green for St. Patrick's Day 2017

Cady's Spa Day

Cady enjoys going in for a grooming, bath and nail trim which I refer to as her Spa Day.  After I pick her up we go for a big walk and I take a few photos of her.  The groomer always sends her home with a new bandana.   Here she is in a Spring color themed hearts bandana.  I like to post several photos of her as she always manages to make a silly face,  close her eyes or turn her head while I take the photos.

Eyes tightly closed

Who's over there

Tess has passed away

Tess passed away early Sunday, January 29, 2017. She was 15 years, 2 months old. She had aged into a graceful, gray-faced, sweetheart. My companion and happy girl till the end. I’m glad I could comfort and hold her as she passed.

She was the last of my original four Labradors. The end of an era. Gone, but never to be forgotten. You came to me at a time when there was turmoil in my life. The black Labrador Retriever puppy that made me laugh every day with her antics as she grew up.

She had two litters of puppies and was an excellent mom to them. Hey, you try feeding 8 kids and then licking up their poop and pee when they were tiny -- Mom of the year. In both litters, she had one yellow pup in a sea of black ones. A male in one, a female in another. She carried that gene along with the chocolate gene.

Tess had her own style completely different from my other Labs. She was my goofy girl. Always quick with a face lick, a big happy face, a tail wag that could knock you over. She never had a problem getting right in your face for a pet or hug. Tess made her presence known but after she had some time with you was content to curl up or stretch out and keep an eye on you from across the room. If I whispered her name she would wag her tail so hard it sounded like a bass drum thumping away.

She was Abbey’s best friend and constant buddy. When I brought Tess home, Abbey scooped her up, took her to her bed and fell asleep with her. For many years Abbey had the size over Tess. It was around age 3-4 that Tess realized she had the height on Abbey and could give her a run for the money.

Those two knew how to have fun together and their rough play sounded more dramatic than it was. She was sweet on Casey but knew that he was Abbey’s guy but had a muzzle lick for him each day.

Always ready for a car ride and an adventure, she traveled with me to every state surrounding Missouri and Illinois. She was a good retriever in the field and loved to swim and get her downed ducks. She loved people and enjoyed doing meet and greets whenever she could.

This girl knew her snacks and even in old age could hear the refrigerator door open or a slice of American cheese being unwrapped. Her favorite way to spend an evening was chewing on a bull stick and then taking a nap.

Rest in Peace sweet Tess. Keep an eye out for Casey, Abbey, and Darby. It’s your time to run and play in the fields with them forever. I’ll catch up with you guys down the road.

Tess

Dutch Hollow’s Cure The Blues JH

November 17, 2001 to January 29, 2017

Tess is 15

Tess turned 15 on November 17, 2016 and she celebrated with a cake made just for her.  I love this old girl.  She has been so good over the years and a joy to live with.

Cady out having fun off leash

I've been working with Cady on her off leash skills and recalls.  Her she is having fun while being off leash and returning to me when called.

Meet Cady

This is my new 4-footed kid, Cady.  I adopted her from the Humane Society on 5/14/16.  Her human had passed away and no one wanted her.  She is estimated to be 6-years old and is a black Labrador Retriever. She is a really good car rider, gives kisses, has lots of energy, enjoyed going to Petco (twice) and settles down well at home.  She loves the big walks we have taken in the grassy fields.  She is finding lots of good sniffs!  She is my first adoption.  We're going to be working on her obedience skills.  Looking forward to our time together and getting to do lots of fun things with her.