Vets, Doggy playdates and Spring

The dogs have been really roughing it while I have been catching up on household chores.

So today we were off for a playdate, with a brief stop at the vet to confirm that yes, 5 of my 6 fur kids have appointments in the next two weeks. Yearly vaccinations and a spay for Fable and the notorious yearly heartworm tests for the dogs. Oh my. With agility and obedience starting as well...maybe I should sign my paychecks over to the animals! Oh well.

But we were off to a playdate with standard poodle buddy, Magic, and I was so caught up in playing ball with the dogs and poor Magic had an encounter with a bush full of burrs and Domino galloped, galloped, galloped and every now and then some dog's snout was sneaking into my treat bag....I totally didn't get a single good picture.

After lots of doggy fun and games, we said goodbye to Magic and took a walk.

A chilly morning had given way to a luxurious afternoon.

The dogs were well pleased to have enjoyed a playdate, but still anxious to be on their way.

Blue Jays flitted through the branches and I even spotted the first dragonfly of the season.

Looking through previous years' photos, I realized that as hard as winter seemed, spring is pretty much right on schedule.

All the same things are blooming and perhaps all that is missing are the mushrooms sprouting.

Insects fill the air and the constant chorus of frogs echoes from the bog.

Sadly the lone wood duck egg was gone, as I had suspected it would be. Perhaps they found a safer nesting spot.

It was such a beautiful day and the dogs were on their best behavior and those kinds of days are good for the whole psyche.

Dogs get a certain swagger when they have been on a playdate.

I have just been so proud of them lately.

Domino made dizzying rock climbs while Charm dried off in the sun and I perched on a rock and enjoyed the warm breezes.

Bird calls now a noisy counterpoint to the quiet in the forest.

Though Domino might think he is back in the city with all the graffiti on "Flat Top".

It takes a very special kind of ignorance to do that I think.

Only a dead camera battery could have moved us on our way, but even the puppies were worn out and ready to head home, trotting along side by side in front of me the entire way. Anxious to return to their spots on the couch, no doubt. It truly is a dog's life.