SUMMER CUT

 POST # 648

I wasn't expecting to be here on this date, but the owners of Teddy and Sam decided to take a few more days in between their two planned vacations, so once again I am back in Shelter Bay.  Lucky me.  As a result, I had the opportunity today to go with Mary to the dog grooming place in Anacortes, so that Dora-dog could get her summer cut.

The photo below shows Dora-dog prior to her haircut.

But the days are getting quite warm now, so in preparation for summer, it was time to get this taken care of, so that she could be a bit more comfortable with the warm temperatures. 

Dora-dog wasn't looking too happy about being out front of the dog groomers place,

and she was even less happy once we were inside, and getting ready to say goodbye to her.  She looked very anxious indeed, but we assured her that we would be back soon, and with that we left her in the hands of the dog groomer.

Eventually it was time to pick her up, about two hours later, and she was very happy to see us.  She looked even happier once she was back in the car, heading for home.

Now that she has had her summer cut, she'll no doubt be thankful that she doesn't have that extra fur to trap the summer heat.  I think that she looks more cute with long hair, but I'm not the one who has to bear the uncomfortable heat as a result of having that long fur.

Lastly, here are the most recent words of wisdom posted at the gate coming into Shelter Bay. Good for a chuckle or two.

I'll now be heading back to Ladysmith on June 2nd, so in the meantime I have a few more days to spend with Mary and Dora-dog, and I am happy about that.

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

PS.  I usually try to post at 3:55 pm but our trip to the dog groomer didn't allow me to do that.  Next post for sure.

TEDDY'S TRUST INCREASES

 POST # 647

After another week with the young furball named Teddy, his trust seems to be increasing.  At the beginning of this house sit, I would have been hard pressed to occupy the same room as him.  As can be seen from the above photo, he seems to have finally warmed up to the house sitter.  Mind you, with that one claw visible, perhaps he's just reminding me who is in control in this relationship.  Bit by bit, our bond continues to strengthen.

Sam on the other hand, appears to have moved into the second best spot on the house sitter's body.  He is always the first one to jump up on the couch if I am there, but now Teddy pushes him out of the way in order to get the best location.  And Sam looks somewhat annoyed with this new arrangement.

The owners return home later today, in order to prepare for the next phase of their vacation.  I will head out tomorrow, and return on the 27th to resume my duties with these two furballs.  Hopefully Teddy will remember who I am, and we won't have to go through the same trust building exercise that we have just been through.

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

LADYSMITH, THE MOON, FLOWERS and FURBALLS

 POST # 646

On a recent walk through town the other day, I came across this sign, which tells a brief history of Ladysmith.  It's a quiet little town, and a pleasant location to spend time.

The other night, May 12th to be exact was the full moon for the month of May.  I managed to take a photo of it as it was rising in the night sky.  It certainly looks full.

The name of the moon for the month of May is the flower moon, and as you can see by the next couple of photos, it's an appropriately named moon.  The flowers here are well and truly in bloom.

And of course, a post from my current location wouldn't be complete without the furballs being included.  As you can see, we have a rather stressed out life.  Sam always manages to get the best location, while Teddy is content to settle for a spot behind him.  It's a curious thing how one tail is draped over one leg, and the other over the other leg.  I guess it's all a part of their plan, to keep their resting spot (me), tied to one location.  So far, the plan seems to be working. Teddy is giving me the look, as if to say, "don't you even think about moving."

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

ANY COLOUR AS LONG AS IT IS BLACK

 POST # 645

Sam (top) and Teddy (bottom)

You can have any colour you want, as long as it is black.  Apparently that was what Henry Ford said about his cars, all those years ago.  And today, in 2025,  you can have any coloured furball you want as long as it is black.  At least, here at my current location in Ladysmith, that is well and truly the case.

I arrived here at the beginning of the month, so I've now had an entire week to spend with these two furballs.  I had met Sam on a previous house sit, but Teddy is the new kid on the block.  He's somewhat cautious of the new human in his home, but as each day passes, he is becoming much more comfortable with my presence.

Sam is the only one that is allowed outdoors, at least for now, but Teddy looks through the glass and wonders why his buddy Sam is the only one who has that opportunity.  I have to be extra careful to make sure that I am letting out the right customer, and so far, so good.

The two of them have taken to hanging out on my bed each day, and of course I let them do so.  It's a way of bonding with them.

So that's all for today, as I will have plenty of other opportunities to blog about these guys in the upcoming weeks.  They are great companions for sure.

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer