Morning without you is a dwindled dawn.

An early morning walk with Josey & Lucas...

rising summer sun slow yet deliberate

scattering rays through grasses and trees

cool air lingering in low spots

rushing back home before she melts us

Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information on it.

Though the two Time magazine articles below were intended for "masses," they made me smile inside. Reminding me how I value the relationships with Josey & Lucas, how much I appreciate their existence, and how much I respect them. They do their jobs as "treadmills" perfectly, too.

• Study: Pets give us the same warm fuzzies that friends do
• Dog walkers get more exercise

dogzoomies recently tweeted: Be an advocate for your dog's health. We at Around the Dog Bowl agree. Visit Speaking for Spot for tools and advice on how to do so.

Enjoy the resources and hug your dogs tonight!

Are you my mother?

Who is this pretty girl?

Not Josey.

She is actually Josey's mother...Truffles. 

A beauty.

Found this oldie but goodie 

when moving files from one PC to another.

My sunshine doesn’t come from the skies, it comes from the love in my dogs eyes.

Part 2 of 2

Josey & Lucas hiked the mountain trail easily, eagerly

free to run

free to explore

trail blazers

in her element

big smile

Loved watching the BCs enjoy nature in its purest form.

Their happy shiny dog faces makes me smile and laugh inside.

Josey didn't mind the frigid water

Lucas is always ready for the next adventure

Happy Trails!

The mountains are calling and I must go.

A beautiful morning for a hike. 

Part 1 of 2.

Lucas: I'm ready! 

Dogs allowed but keep on leash or under voice control.

Desolation Wilderness: 63,960 acres of subalpine and alpine forests,

granitic peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes.

Raging waterfall out of Avalanche Lake.

From this vantage point looking up at the waterfall, 

elevation is approximately 6,600 feet.

It was also surprisingly warm yet comfortable.

Stepping off the main trail, we found lots of shade and 

creeks to rest & cool off the dogs.

Water temperatures were frigid cold!

BCs waiting for me on the smooth granite rock trail.

Saw a lot of this -

 Josey and Lucas running up to find me,

Are you coming? Hurry up! Come on!

(Note: Photos taken with a BlackBerry. Not bad. Not great. It worked.)

What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.

Doesn't look that bad....but 

100-102 degree temps expected this holiday weekend.

This kind of weather keeps us indoors.

What do we do inside?

Play frisbee.

Chew bone bone.

Nap.

Play ball ball.

Snack on treats from tricky or spin spin.

Nap again.

etc.

If we go outside, we find a shady place...

to practice our down stays.

Josey: I see a cat.  Lucas: Huh, where?

Wherever you are, whatever you do, 

keep both humans and canines cool and comfortable.

Visit My Dog is Cool.

Happy Fourth of July!