Friday morning. Bear wears a lighted collar for the first time. It was not full dark, but I want to start getting him used to it while it doesn’t cast a completely weird light. A beautiful morning, cool at 47F, quiet, the sun not quite clearing the mountains before we headed inside.
Just like that, it feels like we’ve turned the corner into Fall. It is wonderfully cool in the morning – almost chilly. The light is just that much different as to seem not really Summer.
Fresh oatmeal bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, green grass and trees and the morning light…
Bob just enjoying the afternoon…
Bear enjoying an extra treat after an afternoon walk – on the long line only! He knows he is not on a leash. He is staying close to me, often looking to check where I am. Today for the first time on the long line there were deer. He did NOT chase and did not even bark. He watched for a bit and then turned away. Completely different behavior than on the leash. I am thrilled with how things are going right now. My hope is that as I can give him more freedom, he will enjoy it while staying with me and continue to respond as he is to boundary commands: this way, far enough, leave it. I am so proud of him!
We came in, had a quick game of chase the stuffed bone, a stomach rub and the extra treat.
It was a really nice day!
Late yesterday (Friday) afternoon I heard a helicopter fly over…sounding not that far overhead. As time progressed, the sound continued. I progressed from thinking Alert (air ambulance) to fire?
Fire.
Maybe 15 miles from my house – as the helicopter flies.
One helicopter, making a round trip from water to fire every 7-9 minutes I think.
That “bucket” looks so small under the helo. Depending on the lift ability of the helicopter they have buckets from 72 -2600 gallons. I think this fairly small helo carries on the lower end of the range.
But, in the 20 minutes I watched, the smoke lessened.
I heard the ‘copter going back and forth until dark. I am thankful every summer for the men and women who fight wildfires in the West…from helicopters, from airplanes, by parachute and on the ground. They work long hours in heat, in heavy gear and are responsible for saving towns and homes every year.
Evening on the loop…
…walk at moonrise.
***phone camera photos taken 8/11/2011 (HTC Thunderbolt)
Walking with Bear, August 5, 2011, evening light…from my phone camera.
