Tag: Stella

Evening with Kendal and Stella

Giving thanks for all of my blessings.

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sweet Stella

It’s sometimes hard to believe she’s eleven years old. Recently someone saw her and was quite surprised to learn her age. Stella’s been a challenging dog at times – very quick to learn; quickly bored; on walks paying less attention to me than I was accustomed to in my dogs; wary of unfamiliar people; still occasionally letting loose that cattle dog shriek. I had to learn new ways of in-seeing, both into her specifically, dogs in general, and myself. She’s not a perfect dog but no dog is. She’s more than good enough.

My life, my self, is much richer for owning her.

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In motion

In motion

I was initially disgruntled when Stella moved as I snapped the shutter. After viewing this photo I came to like it, capturing her kineticism.

Vigilance

taken and posted with the PlayBook

Stella ensures that the White-tailed Rabbit stays away from the vegetable garden. Fifteen minutes after first sighting Roger (or Rosie as the case may be) she is still on watch. Very little slips by Stella unobserved.

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A pleasant evening

taken and posted with the PlayBook

Seeing and hearing real life in the real world with Stella, Kendal, and Achilles. Making time for these sights and sounds.

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Dancing dog

Dancing dog

Achilles has danced for his meals for as long as I have owned him. Because he goes straight up and not onto me or Faye, I allow it. It’s quite endearing. Stella is content to wait at ground (or deck) level.

Dogs at play

Dogs at play

Capturing dogs at play in a static image can be challenging. It’s hard to capture the dynamism, the posturing and gestures, the movement, their ‘speaking’ to one another. This photo doesn’t begin to show how Achilles and Stella were playing.

Errand

Errand

While Achilles lays quietly, Stella trots by on an important errand. Namely, coming to the deck and bumping her head up under my hand.

Sun dog

Sun dog

Stella spends more time laying in the sun these days. It undoubtedly feels good on her eleven year old self. though still pretty spry she’s a step slower, sleeps a little more. We all age and a part of the bargain of having dogs is that we watch them age and almost always have to let go of them before we ourselves go. I’m very rarely sad about her aging. It’s the way of things, the way of life and I accept it.