Camera Critters #21

I realized today that while I've written about our Basset buddy Wilbur, I haven't written much about Wilbur's companion Dolly. (Both Wilbur and Dolly live a few miles away from us with our friends Becky and Rich.) Rich found Dolly as a stray while he was out walking one of their dogs. Dolly appeared out of nowhere and decided to join them on their walk. Rich thinks that Dolly was abandoned by her owners because he had never seen her before in their neighborhood. He also heard a car speed away right after he discovered her. As you might imagine, stray cats and dogs don't survive very long in our mountains. We have an abundance of predators such as coyotes, rattlesnakes and hawks and a little dog like Dolly would quickly become an easy meal. Rich brought Dolly home with him and she became a member of their family.

I would describe Dolly's personality as feisty with absolutely no fear of anything or anyone. Here she is showing off her tough girl face. Grrr!

About a year ago Dolly began to have some health issues which included difficulty breathing and a heart condition. Dolly was put on a special diet and had to take numerous medications to treat her various ailments. Sadly, Dolly succumbed to her illness two days ago and passed away peacefully in her sleep at home. Poor Wilbur misses Dolly terribly. Tomorrow we're going to take Trooper over for a visit and hopefully he'll be able to cheer Wilbur up a bit.

This is one of my favorite photos of Dolly because her exuberant personality really shines through. I took this photo the very first time I met Dolly and that's when I gave her the nickname "cutest dog on the planet". I'll always remember Dolly this way... with a bright, happy expression on her face!

"My little dog, a heartbeat at my feet." ~ Edith Wharton

To see more wonderful critters, click here to go to the Camera Critters webpage.

Camera Critters #20

Poor Trooper has been a bit depressed lately. His human dad went on a fishing trip in Mexico and he had the audacity to leave Trooper behind.

I explained to Trooper that he needs a passport to travel out of the country but he accused me of making up lame excuses.

Even his favorite squeaky toy didn't cheer him up.

The kitty was depressed too. (No really... this is how she looks when she's depressed! Ahem...)

Don't worry Trooper... your dad will be home in a few days and he'll make you smile again!

If you would like to join in on the fun... click here to go to the Camera Critters website!

Camera Critters #19

When we adopted our puppy Trooper a couple of months ago, my husband had high hopes of Trooper becoming a good hiking partner. As you can see, Trooper is a terrific hiking buddy! (All of the photos were taken by my hubby... and yes, Trooper really is as goofy as he looks.)

Here's Trooper taking a little breather on the way up to Dollar Lake.

Somehow my husband always manages to get Trooper to pose by the sign posts.

When Trooper first started accompanying my husband on these hikes he was a little apprehensive of the water. Now that he's bigger, he loves splashing in the streams! Here he is watching the water rush by...

Now he's posing by the Pacific Crest Trail sign post...

Trooper is also an expert at finding the shady spots. Sometimes I think we should have named him Ferdinand (after Ferdinand the bull) because he loves nothing more than to lie down in the shade and enjoy the sights and sounds around him.

Trooper had fun sharing his favorite hiking places with you! Click here to join in on the fun at the Camera Critters webpage!

Simon's Cat 'Cat Man Do'

(Be sure to turn up the sound!)

Camera Critters #18

Today while I was going through a closet, I discovered a kitty tent that I had purchased ages ago for Kalea aka "Prow Prow Kitty". I decided that this tent would be a nice gift for our pal Blackie because it's fairly large and I'm pretty sure that he would be able to fit inside. I took the tent out of it's package to see if everything was intact and it sproinged open on me. Of course this "instant" tent got Prow Prow's attention and she immediately had to check it out. Here she is cautiously entering the tent.

As you can see, she quickly made herself at home... she enjoyed gazing out of the porthole window.

Now she's rubbing her chin on the window (and purring loudly)...

We may have to get another tent for Blackie... I don't think Prow Prow is giving this one up anytime soon!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend! If you would like to join in on the fun - click here to go to the Camera Critters website.

Run Ryan Run to Beijing

Everyone in our small town of Big Bear Lake, CA (pop. 6,000) is extremely proud and excited about one of our local boys competing in the Olympics this year. Ryan Hall was born and raised right here in Big Bear Lake and he'll be running in the marathon. Ryan is the fastest American-born marathoner EVER.

This team of climbers from Big Bear Lake made the trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and unfurled a banner in support of Ryan...

Photograph: 2008 Parallel Broadcasting

It seemed as if the entire town turned out to send Ryan off to Beijing. Click here to view a video of Ryan training in Big Bear. God Speed and Good Luck Ryan!

Photograph: 2008 Parallel Broadcasting

Simon's Cat 'Let Me In!'

A hungry cat resorts to increasingly desperate measures to get indoors. (Be sure to turn up the sound!)

Goofball

I snapped this photo of Trooper right after I caught him trying to steal yet another skein of my yarn the other day. (I call it his puppy mug shot photo.) If you look closely (or enlarge the photo) you can see a strand of yarn looped around his back leg. Right before I took the picture I asked Trooper "did you take mommy's yarn again?!" And this was the look he gave me...

Camera Critters #17

This past June on Father's Day I featured a handsome Clydesdale named Stryker in my Camera Critters post. Unfortunately Stryker passed away suddenly and unexpectedly earlier this week. Stryker developed colic and according to my research, among domesticated horses, colic is a major cause of premature death.

Although I didn't take the picture (below), I did want to include it in my tribute to Stryker. Not only was Stryker a working horse but he was a beloved member of the family as well. To Stryker's family (Michael, Gail, Keli & Kailyn) we extend our heartfelt sympathy.

Horses and children, I often think, have a lot of the good sense there is in the world.

~Josephine Demott Robinson~

Click here to view more wonderful critters on the Camera Critters webpage!

Simon's Cat 'TV Dinner'

This is so cute...