Adventures about pet therapy, dog rescue and urban life in the 'Burbs
Welcome to the last Monday of July. Found this sign from my favorite sign guy and found myself nodding in agreement for at least 5 minutes. My goodness, what is going on these days with people? Wishing you a very happy and uncensored Monday. Stay cool, we’re expecting some real scorchers for the next couple of days.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
We managed to make it to another Friday and we’ve lots to show you from a recent trip to Boulder, where Mom’s son lives. He had shoulder surgery and needed a caretaker to help him out while his partner was out of town. Well, color me happy…a road trip AND a visit to one of my favorite peeps. Wilson here to share photos from our time in Boulder with Mum. As always, we’re joining our friends from the Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to click on the link to see what else was shared in this week’s Nature Friday blog hop.
My first walk around the North Boulder neighborhood took me up to the base of Mount Sanitas. It was a lovely morning looking in either direction at sunrise. But getting up there was where the real fun was. I got to see scads of bunnies. Oh my dog…they are EVERYWHERE. The neighborhood hardly had any squirrels, which was very disappointing. I wished for lots of squirrels at our neighborhood wishing well before we left. Once again, they spray painted the dried allium blooms vibrant color. Whoever grants the wishes must have been on vacation because I only got to see two squirrels in Boulder. I felt somewhat swindled but know my chances are loads better near our house.
Walking up toward Mount Sanitas, the clouds were busy dotting the sky. What an incredible view-both looking up as well as looking down toward town.
At 6,863 feet (2,092 meters), Mum was a tad winded since the climb is kinda of steep. One trailhead is just a mile from the downtown district where college students and tourists congregate in the many restaurants, pubs and other fascinating hang-outs.
One of the neighbors prepares fresh baked goods that she sells at a tiny pittance of their value especially in this toney part of town where million dollar plus homes are the norm. At the edge of the street near her driveway, she has the equivalent of a ‘lending library’ for dogs. Mum was touched by this sweet tribute, its message of love and sharing. When she showed that pic to her son, he told her that’s the lady who bakes and sells her treats to people from all over the area! They had a good laugh about that but I missed the joke. And come to think of it, the scones were missing too. Hmm, this a second gyp on this trip not that anyone is particularly keeping score, mind you…but…
The Mum: {interrupting} Wilson, sweet boy, you know perfectly well that baked goods aren’t for dogs and besides, I gave you lots of dehydrated liver treats on your walks. There’s no reason to feel gypped, House Pony.
Wilson: I’m not so sure about that Mum, you should know it’s particularly problematic when I hear my tummy gurgling…
The Mum: {interrupting again} Your stomach is always growling. I swear you must have either hollow legs or 7 stomachs!
Wilson: And that’s a problem because?
The Mum: {ignoring the question by changing the subject} So what else did you see on your walks?
Wilson: Around the corner from the box of tennis balls, we found a beautiful Japanese garden, complete with a really nice statute of the Buddha.
The Mum: It was a very serene walk highlighted by this statute and garden. It was the first of of some noteworthy garden artwork we passed. Do you remember this mailbox and donkey?
Wilson: No…erm neighhhhhhh {dog snicker}.
The Mum: Oh my…was that your attempt to deliver a Dad joke? I wouldn’t give up your day job.
Wilson: Harrumph. That was kind of harsh. Perhaps I shouldn’t be so compliant near busy intersections by poing so nicely for you, Mum? What do you think of that?
The Mum: Errr, let’s not get hasty now. You wouldn’t want to endanger yourself, especially at busy intersections, now would you?
Wilson: Good point. I’d probably lose my floofy head and run out into traffic in a panic. Doggone it…score one for Mum logic.
The Mum: It’s not about scoring anything, I just want you to stay safe sweet boy. What else do you have for us today?
Wilson: Well, I know you enjoyed these strange ‘flowers’ at the first dinner your son fixed. You said these steamed artichokes were quite tasty. I, on the other hand with my incredible floofy discernment, favored the salmon skins that were barbequed and served with them. Yum, yum…I think you need to start buying a package of those salmon filets soon. Just saying.
The Mum: My son is an amazing cook (and gardener) and we work well together with 3 hands making dinner on a lovely evening on the patio deck. Artichokes, salmon and a nice salad made for a tasty meal. The appetizers were equally tasty. I am going to hunt from some of that lemoned beet hummus. It was soooo tasty.
Wilson: Well my favorite part of our 3 days in Boulder (other than being with your son) came on the last day. I made friends with some very strange looking dogs. But we all were polite and they mosied on down the street, undisturbed by me. Not sure if the neighbor’s dog felt the same since he was barking up a storm but no one can say I was a nuisance while visiting that ‘Hood.
The Mum: At first I thought they were garden statutory and then the two babies kissed each other and then began nursing on mama. I’d never seen young fawns in person so it was a real treat for me as well. Mama seemed a tad nervous and said, “enough breakfast, let’s go, you little hooligans.” They were just a couple doors away from my son’s house and when I mentioned them to him he was not quite as excited about their visit as I was. They apparently scale fences and nosh on the fruit trees, elderberry bushes and planted veggies. Luckily the resident dog, Junie, is ‘Johnny on the spot’ keeping them at bay but folks generally aren’t glad they come around.
Wilson: Umm, Mum…wouldn’t that be Junie on the spot? Not that I’m overly picky, but…
The Mum: Oh Fine. Junie on the spot then. There…are you happy now?
Wilson: Happy as a clam at high tide, Mum. We’ll leave you with our best wishes to have a terrific weekend and hope you get out and enjoy some beauty around your neck of the woods.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
This sign was taken a while back and is located in the Dairy Block in LoDo (lower downtown) Denver and it has become Wilson’s motto. He adopted it after running into some deer yesterday on his birthday walk. Sadly I must report his efforts were rather rebuffed and he came to the conclusion they were very strange dogs.
Here’s hoping your week is full of friends. Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
As John Oliver says…welcome, welcome, welcome. Wilson here ready to share slices of nature as I join our pals from the Adventures of the LLB Gang‘s blog hop. Make sure you check the link out to see what great posts and pics are shared. Now let’s get on to some of what we encountered this week but first I want to extend best birthday wishes to sweet Rosy who turns 8 this weekend and Chia who continues celebrating her birthday month. Happy Birthday, girls. I’ll be turning the ole Lucky 7 on Sunday so let the good times roll. Let’s paw-!
It’s been hot, but some of the summer flowers are loving it. Check out these two pics of a particularly vigorous trumpet vine we walk past all the time.
As you can see it was a bright sunny day (which made it hotter). Hallelujah, eh Mum? So have you recovered from blowing up those balloons yesterday?
The Mum: Oh lord, talk about a lung workout. They are meant to be blown up by hand using a special straw and not to be used with helium. Talk about being gassed! At any rate, I thought they would provide a nice celebratory vibe for your birthday weekend.
Wilson: 2025 is sure whizzing by us. For those of you who need something to look forward to, there are 66 days until autumn officially arrives. While I know it’s never good wishing your life away, we’ve been checking days off on the calendar. In addition to these trumpet vines blooming their little heads off, daylilies are front and center around NW Denver gardens. Just look at these beauties.
The Mum: Whoa…those are gorgeous. You can never go wrong having lilies in your garden.
Wilson: Right you are on that, Mum. They are real showstoppers in a summer garden if you’re not into pots of annuals for summer color. I’ve been noticed Hollyhocks are blooming nicely too. Check this bright pink one out!
The Mum: They are quite lovely, House Pony. Nice find.
Wilson: If you like those Hollyhocks, you’re gonna love the ever popular sunflowers that are having a go in summer gardens all over our neighborhood. They look especially stunning against a crystal blue sky. And I like that you managed to capture a happy bee flying from one flower to another.
The Mum: Thanks, buddy. Glad you liked it. Neighborhood birds are enjoy the sunflowers too as are your arch nemesis, the ever opportunistic furry critters you despise…squirrels.
Wilson: SQUIRRELS!! Where? Let. Me. AT. THEM! I’ll make sure they don’t take seeds away from birds!
The Mum: Easy Hoss, just relax. I’m sure there’s plenty to go around…
Wilson: {interrupting} There’s never enough when it comes to squirrels, they’ll eat anything they can get their grubby little paws on…you of all people should realize that.
The Mum: I’m so tired of fighting them, and I’m hopeful the electronic anti-squirrel device I recently ordered keep them at bay. I mean just look at the newest bloom on the everbearing strawberry plant. That little guy needs far more protection than a bunch of sunflowers that are quite abundant.
Wilson: So you’re saying to choose my battles wisely? That’s probably good advice across the board. I’ll try to keep that in mind, but if I find them in my garden, mark my words…they will not go unchallenged.
The Mum: {rolling her eyes} Whatever-you know how I feel about the whole think. So long as neither of us get hurt by you launching me into space on our walks like a kite. Deal?
Wilson: Hmmm, I think I’m good with that but may backslide on occasion. Just wanted to know when it comes to squirrels, it’s literally a moving target. Full disclosure and all that.
The Mum: Fine, I’ll take my chances and hope for the best. So what else do you have?
Wilson: Well I notice this gigantic stalk coming from an agave plant on yesterday’s walk and was blown away by how tall it was. I’ve never seen one that tall before! It reminded me of a palm tree.
The Mum: It really was something to behold. I’d never seen one that tall either and just had to take it’s pic and it obliged nicely. It looked especially regal with that blue sky.
Wilson: And lastly we have a few photos from our immediate garden. The first tomatoes ripened and they were mighty tasty. Your fig plant is doing nicely too and the two little figs seem to be doing well. The plant in general has put on a bunch of new leaves and it looks very healthy overall. It will be fun watching those babies ripen.
The Mum: Yes, I’m very jazzed about them and hope they continue to do well. Well that about wraps it up for us. We hope you’re able to experience some of nature’s many gifts firsthand. Have a great weekend-stay cool. We plan to do lots of celebrating for Wilson’s birthday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Happy Swelter Day, er I mean Happy Monday. Today I, the majestic Floof is bringing you a special public announcement. Call…I can help you get the compensation you so richly deserve. Speaking of what I deserve, I gotta dash to file a writ of habeas corpus on a bag of chicken jerky my own Mum is not dispensing fast enough. The nerve! Harrumph.
Have a super Monday and stay as cool as you can. Our forecast calls for 98ºF (36C) so we were out even earlier than our normal early morning constitutional since it was almost 70F at dawn. Gonna be a scorcher so we’re hunkering down with AC, lots of treats any plenty of cold fresh water. Stay safe and well hydrated.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Greetings from the Ranch, mates. Wilson here, joining our friends from the Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to click on the link to see what else was shared in this week’s Nature Friday blog hop. It’s been a busy week for us that started out wet (more on that below) and we managed to receive a couple of small wet showers too. Otherwise, it was hot, as in triple digit hot. Yesterday was July’s full moon, known as the “Buck Moon,” so named as male deer (bucks) begin growing new antlers. July’s full moon is also known by other names such as Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, or Salmon Moon, depending on the various cultural associations with the month of July. Mum can’t help but wonder if the full moon period might explain some of the severe and extreme weather that’s been happening all over too. Just last night after consecutive days of very hot temps, our neighborhood received a shower that may have weakened the tree across the street enough that a large branch came crashing down last night on our poor neighbor’s car.
The Mum: Oh come on, House Pony-it wasn’t that bad. But in order to get treats and attention from all your nurse friends, patients and visitors, the hospital requires each dog to receive a bath before visiting them.
Wilson: That may be the rule, but I still don’t like it. Although now that you mentioned it, everyone must have picked up on the abuse I suffered because there were LOTS of treats being dispensed and many “atta boy” ear rubs.
The Mum: Yes, I did notice that. I also noticed you tend to forget what you’re supposed to be doing and get a tad unfocused. Maybe next time don’t be such a pill in the tub and you can make folks happy and be well rewarded for it, eh?
Wilson: I’ll keep that in mind the next time, Mum. For starters, I sure did like meeting all the EMT’s buzzing around the Emergency Room. They know right where my ears like being rubbed.
The Mum: Well enough about all your abuse hard work, what kind of nature photos do you have to share with us?
Wilson: Well, I’m glad you asked, I’ve noticed the hydrangeas around the neighborhood are in full bloom. Boy, are they ever pretty, even if they don’t have much of a scent.
The Mum: Oh look, they have floofy heads like you do!
Wilson: By jolly, you know, you’re right, Mum. I hadn’t thought it until now. I’ll bet they really enjoyed the shower we received. I know you were practically giddy and raced outside to protect your fig plant. The rain came down hard fr several minutes and small hailstones also fell and I know how much you’ve been babying that guy.
The Mum: Well, it has a couple of baby figs growing that I didn’t want to lose, so yeah, I ran outside and moved it under the covered patio. It rained a little bit yesterday as well. Certainly not as hard but I’m sure that plant loved every nourishing drop of rain. You can water three, four times a day in the heat but a few drops of rain will give it everything it desires. It was as if overnight, new leaves emerged on it. You know I think I need to give it a name. Got any ideas on what to name it?
Wilson: Hmmm, how about Bob? He kinda looks like a Bob. {excited butt wiggling}
The Mum: Okay, Bob it is then. Well that’s about it from us. Wilson, Bob and I hope you all have a good weekend. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the folks in New Mexico and Texas after horrific flooding took place this week. Mother Nature is definitely on a rampage this summer but we still urge everyone to get outside to enjoy some of it. But be safe, will ya?
Wilson: Yes, please be safe and enjoy all the beauty nature shares with us this time of year. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to chase a squirrel or two.
The Mum: Wilson! Knock it off. Just tell folks to have a wonderful weekend.
Wilson: {sighing} Fine. Have a good weekend and if you just happen to see a squir…
The Mum: W-I-L-S-O-N!!! Enough with the squirrels. If you don’t behave, I’m going to have to put you in time out with NO TREATS. You got that, lad?
Wilson: {eek} Righto. Have a great weekend!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
It’s the Monday after all hell broke loose this weekend. Wilson here…what is IT about you American chaps that you enjoy setting off fireworks…for days on end. Ugh, I’m completely exhausted after listening to boomers for the past three days and while I don’t get as terrified as many dogs and cats do, I still hate them. If I had any say, I’d ban all the noisy ones. Life is ruff enough-we don’t need things to be more stressful. Anyway, let’s start the week out with a smile. Mum was saying how she could use an acupuncture session to relieve some tension in her neck but I told her to stay away from Ed telling her that she probably wouldn’t find his treatments very restorative or relaxing. Aren’t I a good boy for warning her? I hope she appreciates me for looking out for her.
We hope your week is relaxing after the holiday weekend. Happy Monday!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Well, here we are on another Friday where we join our pals from Adventures of the LLB Gang for their weekly blog hop. Please hop on over at the link to see what others have posted.
Today is July 4th in the US (well, technically it’s July 4th everywhere but it is a big deal holiday here in the US…but I digress). Wilson here. We were out walking in the early morning hours yesterday and came upon a new inflatable {insert rolling eyes here} at a house we walk past every day. I swear they must have a couple dozen of these things. May I should peek through the fence posts to see if there’s a huge shed to store them all. All I can say is “PSST.” Even if I posed nicely in front of them. I personally think they’re weird. But to each his own, eh?
The weather continues to be ungodly hot, as in pizza oven hot. Very dry with super low humidity so I’m guessing our friends in the Midwest and East Coast likely don’t have much sympathy for us. Enough of my kvetching…let’s get this show started, shall we? Oh Mumm…
The Mum: Good morning, House Pony. I see you decided to use the latest inflatable we saw yesterday to open our post. I’m just blown away by the number of inflatables that family has. All the holidays and even some special occasions-it’s hard to comprehend all of them.
Wilson: It’s a mystery for sure, but let’s stop talking about those fools guys and instead, share some of the beautiful flowers I found this week.
The Mum: O-kay. What do you have to start out today’s post? Got anything special you want to share?
Wilson: Well, I’m rather chuffed about a couple of today’s flowers that are rather unusual. Like this Greater Masterwort that our neighbor recently planted. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. And listen to some of the attributes this plant has. First, it’s a perennial with an erect and glabrous stem, with little branches but few leaves. The small flowers are typically greenish-white with reddish shades. They typically flower from June through September, and they’re native to southern Europe. It’s been in the British Isles since the 16th century. Apparently it’s quite common in mountain meadows and grasslands, in forests and clearings, and close to streams, anywhere the altitude is above sea level. It likes partial shade apparently with moist conditions so we both know it likely wouldn’t survive in our garden.
The Mum: Is that some sort of a dig at me because I avoid plants that need a lot of supplemental watering like the plague?
Wilson: Umm, nope, there’s nothing subtle about it, Mum. You only plant flowers that will withstand very arid conditions once they’ve established themselves. Now here’s a plant that will work well for you in our garden…Gaillardia, commonly known as blanket flower or Indian blanket is a native wildflower to North and South America where they often naturalize in prairies, plains and open areas. Named after Maître Gaillard de Charentonneau, an 18th-century French magistrate who was quite an enthusiastic botanist. They’re a cheerful lot, aren’t they?
The Mum: I do like those and am always amused when they suddenly appear in the garden without my planting them. Those little globe seed heads are chock full of potential new plants and they remind me of dandelions in that their ability to readily propagate around the neighborhood are quite remarkable.
Wilson: Their flowers kind of remind me of these orangey Rudbeckia, commonly called Black Eyed Susan’s. It’s another member of the Asteraceae family. These native North America perennials bloom from mid through late summer and are sometimes called coneflowers. They are deer and rabbit resistant. They grow in both damp woodlands and dry prairies, indicating they are most adaptable. They’re perfect for you, Mum.
The Mum: Yes, I do like them, and they have a range of colors from yellow and orange flowers as well as some varieties that bloom in multiple colors with dark brown or black centers. There are even some that come in red, bronze and even bi-colored shades.
Wilson: They’re a very good looking plant.But so are these, Mum. Anemones enjoy a nice shady spot in a woodland garden and come in multiple colors. 
The Mum: Those are really beautiful. And I like this red Monarda you found. ‘Bee balm’ is quite popular with butterflies and other pollinators. This specimen was beginning to get a little past its prime but the color was still so striking, I couldn’t resist taking a pic of it.
Wilson: And finally I found some blooming bellflowers on our walk earlier this week. Look how pretty it is. “Campanula” is considered another wildflower and can be found across the Northern Hemisphere, the Mediterranean, and its range even extends into mountains in tropical regions of Asia and Africa. A delicate perennial with graceful, slender stems, usually in clusters, rising in height from 4-15 in. The stems can be weak which causes the thing to bend over. Its rounded leaves wither early while the narrow, stem leaves remain. Blue-violet bell-shaped flowers hang singly or in clusters. Those bell-shaped flowers are borne in loose clusters at the tips and may come in a variety of colors from pale pink and light blue to deep violet-blue and pure white.
The Mum: This was quite the find since I’ve only ever seen the purple/blue variety around the neighborhood. I loved the pale pink/white and will have to look for one at a garden center for future inclusion in our garden.
Wilson: Finally, because I know you love Swallowtail butterflies so much, here’s another one that followed us along our early morning walk. He sure was beautiful, Mum and looked so cool flitting around on the summer breeze.
The Mum: You’re right, I do like watching them. They seem to take all your worries away. Well that’s it for us this week. We hope you all have a terrific weekend. Stay cool (if that’s possible) and stay hydrated. And above all, have a safe holiday.