Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Yep, More Dog Pictures!

This morning I decided to load up all three dogs and go to the lake for our morning walk. Most of you have met Maggie and know that she is...well...vertically challenged. Short legged.
We spent a lot of time waiting for her to catch up.
And it's not like we were walking fast.
River was, as usual, sprinting around. But Rescue and I were walking very leisurely. Maggie...she had to jog some to keep up.
I just liked this picture of River.
What are they looking at?
Yep, some crazy sprinting dog running in and out of the woods.
There's a big hill going back to the car. It's a really big hill when you are an old, short dog.
Anyone suprised that River is the first one back ot the car? Every time.

It was fun to take all three. We'll do it again.
Let me know if you want to come along.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

I Wish I Could Photograph The Wiggle

Today we went to the lake and the lake road was closed due to the snow.
So we got to walk right down the middle of the road!
River stops and poses anytime I lift the camera.
''Scue poses but she has no idea what for...she can't see the camera.
River loves to run through the woods and the sprint back. It's the wiggle as she gets closer to me that I'd love to capture. I need to try some video.
Rescue is never quite sure if she wants to follow.





Saturday, March 28, 2009

7

7th birthdays are great!
Especially when you get that cool drumset you really wanted.


Friday, March 27, 2009

Wish I'd Taken My Camera

This post (and all other animal related posts for here on) is dedicated to my grandmother Mz Virginia. It's such a treat to read her comments and know that she is enjoying snippets of my crazy life with all these critters.

I've always felt that my intense love and connection with my animals comes from her. She told a story not long ago about some surgery she'd had and how her dogs Lady and Shadow gently crawled up onto the bed with her and laid, one on each side, one sweet doggie head on each of her shoulders. My grandfather came in and started to shoo them off. "Let them alone," she said. "They know what's going on."

I sleep most nights with one dog plastered up to one side of me, cats on either side and more recently the new dog on the other side. Like I'm a doggly mama sandwich. I sleep like a log. Comforted and secure with my buddies.

Okay...so, the rest of the story.

I've been working hard to get this crazy, wild, energetic dog walked every day.

This morning it was cold, gray and windy. But I knew that my planned day of relaxing at home would be more enjoyable if this sweet, furry, bouncing bundle of energy was tired.

So off to the lake we go. I thought about taking my camera but it didn't seem like a day that would lend itself to great photographs. I was wrong.

It was Rescue's turn to come along. Rescue and Maggie are taking turns...well, actually Rescue goes twice to Maggie's once...You know, "I'm old and my legs are short" and all. So Mags happily curled up on her pillow in the garage and the other two loaded up.

Rescue has lost most of her sight in the last few years and has also lost much of her hearing. She's the Helen Keller of dogs. She has been sticking pretty close as we walk the trail through the woods at the lake. It's such a nice place to walk. I can see the whole trail before we start as it wraps around our cove at the lake. This allows me to scout for bank fishermen that River might try to eat. If the coast is clear I take her off lead and let her run. She's wearing her muzzle now and I'm pretty comfortable with her recall.

Today Rescue was much bolder in her activity. Following River into the woods, down to the bank, up the hill, back to the trail, into the woods, down to the bank, back to the trail...got the pattern?

River, of course, does it all at a dead run. Rescue, more deliberately...trying not to run into trees, fall of the bank, lose me on the trail. It makes me nervous but she loves it so much. I just watch her close and yell REAL loud if she looks lost.

It was so fun today...except for the freezing my butt off part...watching them side by side through the trees. Exploring...burning off energy...being dogs...knowing that someday River and I will come to walk in the woods with out our goofy 'Scue. I will always, always take my camera from now on. Some pictures are too precious to miss.

And the best part...everyone is sound asleep!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I Shoulda Stayed In Bed

Yesterday.
Yesterday just sucked.
I woke up with a crick in my neck that progressed into an ugly headache.
I did get a nice massage but I didn't get to go home and nap afterwards.
It was so windy that I spent all of rowing practice trying to keep kids from getting into trouble.
And in the middle of practice I got a call that my dad is back in the hospital. Afib and some small clots...stable now but in the hospital for several days.
Went to bowling where I bowled....SOOOOOO bad. But the beer was cold.
Then when I got home I found an email from an old rowing friend that another old rowing friend in in her last days of a cancer fight. She's in her 30's.
Some days really suck.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

17
For inquiring minds.

(Go Hawks!)

Thursday, March 19, 2009

River Update

We've been going to the lake for walks...A LOT.
Riv is not crazy about riding in the car but she's getting better.

All in all things are going very well at home. She did try to eat a Chiahuahua and one of my masters rowers so she can't go back to rowing practice until she'll keep the muzzle on.
She's sweet but a little crazy.



Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Little Drummer Boy

(the videos don't have sound...bummer)

There is a small music store in Lawrence.

One of Andrew and I's favorite places to spend 30 minutes...looking around.

Today we wandered in and he asked if he could play the drum.

So he did.

He played and played and played. For an almost 7 year old he was pretty impressive.

In the middle of all the drumming his mother called. She could hear the drumming and we had a discussion about an upcoming birthday.

This drum set is headed to Shawnee so one little drummer boy can practice "every, every day".

Shhhh...it's a suprise. He thinks I was just paying for drum sticks....

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Friday, March 06, 2009

The New Kid

"I just want her to be happy,"
Kimmy said to me on the phone. Her voice full of emotion.
This is her girl.
She lives with me now.
I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure she's happy.
(and to make sure she behaves...)

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

The Stupid Grin On My Face


There are some things going on in my life that have put a stupid grin on my face that I just can't seem to get rid of.


Many of you know that I rowed at KU when I was in college. It was probably my favorite time in my life. I loved be a part of the KU Crew team. I loved working hard. I loved winning. I loved rowing.


I went on after college to row at the elite level. I trained and competed with the United States Rowing team on and off for several years. I won a few national championship medals, raced at 3 Olympic trials and made a World Championship team where I had the privilege of competing with some of the fastest scullers in the world.


I returned to Kansas after my rowing days, got a job, began coaching and have always tried to support the KU Crew in any way I could. I cheer their successes, I spend hours on the phone with the coaches after their defeats. We loan each other boats, we trailer together.


Last Saturday they opened their new Boathouse. A long time coming. A beautiful building and a great group of kids and coaches. They asked for a photo of me as I am one of only 3 athletes from KU Crew to make a US National Team.


The photo now hangs in the hallway leading to the crew locker rooms. A place where all the kids can see. Where they can see what is possible.


Humbling.


I just got a phone call from the Crew coach.


They are naming a boat after me.


I'm floored.


And that stupid grin.


It'll be around a while.


(PS...when they christen the boat...you're all invited!)