Beyond Stella, Achilles launches himself off of the deck. When he lands he will charge around the yard before leaping back onto the deck to race past Stella, who awaits developments.
It was so gratifying to see these two senior dogs playing like the young adults they once were. I could dwell on what they once were. I prefer to enjoy and be grateful for what they are now.
While it may look pretty fierce and serious it’s all in play. Achilles and Stella have played like this for over eight years and they have always sorted everything out.
Stella instigated a play session with Achilles this afternoon. Its been quite some time since they played so uninhibitedly, while I had the camera nearby. It was deeply satisfying and pleasurable to see them play like this. I was shooting blind – not using the viewfinder or the LCD, simply snapping. This is only one of about two dozen photos.
Most cattle dogs and many ACDx have a Bentley, a white forehead blaze. Stella’s extends to the nape of her neck. Sometimes in the cattle dog community, an owner will request a glowing Bentley or send a glowing Bentley for a dog in distress or one no longer with us. I find it a charming, lovely sentiment.
Whatever grasped and tightly held Stella’s undivided attention, either it was not in my field of view or it was not apparent to my undiscerning eyes and ears.
No, Stella’s fur.
taken and posted with the PlayBook
Don’t get too close dear! *grin*
I saw this tableau and grinned.
Sometimes I reflect on Stella’s age. Shes’ eleven. At times though it’s apparent she’s a senior. Her overall energy level is a little lower (thank dog!). I think she’s more content to watch the world go by from her throne, the deck. This rarely saddens me. Dogs grow up, age, get old, and die as we watch their life unfold. It’s life. I don’t look forward to her getting old, infirm, and possibly grumpy. Yet any sadness, not-look-forward-to-it-ness, denial, any negative feelings I may have will not change by one iota the fact, the process, of her aging. I’m very grateful to have had her. I gained purpose at a time when I was looking for purpose. She’s been so good for me and good to me, I hope to have returned a tiny bit of the favour.
I zoomed in and unintentionally close and cropped Stella’s ear. I love her intent look, her liquid brown eves, the ‘freckle’ on her nose. I love this dog.
taken and posted with the PlayBook
Stella lays on the deck, surveying the entire backyard. In the background, Achilles lays on his own. He is the most independent dog of our three. He can be content to be on his own, sometimes out in the backyard for an hour.
Different dogs, good dogs, our cattle dogs.
previouslytexan 