It was rainin' hard in Frisco....

"A dog is  one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk." ~ O.A. Battista

So, far, we haven’t had a lot of rain this Winter in San Francisco.  But recently, we had a few wet days.  When it’s raining buckets, we sometimes skip a walk or it’s a very, very short one; but if it’s a lighter rain, and not so windy, the boys may get a full walk around the bay or the neighborhood, at the very least.

I prepared for this when we first moved up here.  I bought a good rain slicker and rain boots and even a rain hat.  I purchased two umbrellas – one small one for carrying in my bag and one fancy-schmancy English, wooden-handled, BIG umbrella so the whole family could get under it.  Well, I figured out quickly enough that while trying to hold on to an umbrella and two 100+ pound dogs – rain or shine – it is not conducive to a pleasant walk.  So, I would have to go sans umbrella.  My handy rain hat would have to do.

As we ventured out into the rain, I was as dry as I could be with slicker and hat and boots; however, the boys were not.  They did not seem to mind getting wet and still went about their business.  They frolicked and sniffed and splashed through mud puddles as every decent dog would do.

When we got home it was a different story.  Wet, long-haired, soggy, stinky dogs were entering our home and were inevitably going to park their butts on the carpet or on the couch.  Not so fast!

I get the dog-towels and towel-dry them and lay down the towels on the floor or the couch.  That does not stop the wet-dog-smell though.  And so I looked into doggie slickers.  And, of course, found them.

Here are Walter and Henry donning their new rain slickers.  Don’t they look like super heroes?  

Walter and Henry in their super-hero rain slickers; although their eyes also look like "Doggies of the Corn".

 Well, maybe they don’t look that thrilled but I have to tell ya:  once we get outside, they could care less whether they are wearing slickers or sweaters and it keeps the water off their backs.  In a rainy town like San Francisco, that is something.  

Sunshine on the Water and Henry Scares a Cat

"Sunshine on the water looks so lovely." ~ John Denver

Walter, Henry and I went for walk around our favorite part of the bay today.  The air was crisp and dry and the sun spread its illuminating beams across the sparkling winter waters.  How perfect nature is as it reveals its magic to us!   

The city by the bay was in full, clear view today with some cottony clouds suspended in the pale blue backdrop.  The boys sniffed and explored every bush and branch as if they were all brand new.  They always want to greet every passerby - human and canine alike.  Most are open to their enthusiasm and give them a much-wanted pet; but, still, I wait to get the okay.  

The little clip-clop bridge we cross on our walk

We walked down to the floating dock where I have to hold on tight to ensure they don’t decide to take a leap into the tempting waters.  

After we headed back up the dock ramp, we walked to a great spot on a curve where we can take a rest by the bench.  From here, we have a perfect view of the city skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge.  Does it get any better than that?

Sometimes on the walk back to our house, I unhook Henry from the leash and let him walk solo the rest of the way home.  Henry is very obedient.  Walter stays tethered to me as I cannot quite trust him from wandering off and getting into mischief.  I tell Walter he is my special boy as he watches Henry roam free to sniff out interesting things off the beaten path.  He does not  seem to mind.  Today, however, Henry got into a little mischief himself.  I took my eyes away for a moment to capture the church steeple with my camera and that is when I heard Henry’s very excited barks.  

Pretty church standing against the blue winter sky

When I turned around, I saw him at the base of a tree barking and looking up at a very alarmed kitty cat.  Oh, Henry!  

Oh, Henry!

Poor, scared kitty!

Is it terribly mean that I actually took the time to photograph this event while that poor kitty remained in the tree shaking like a leaf  - all for the sake of memorializing my sweet little pup's behavior so I could post it on my blog?  Does this confirm that I am "dog person" more than a "cat person" even though I have been mother to a sweet little feline named Mac for the past two decades?  Oh, dear.

At home, I don’t think Henry even realizes that Mac is a cat and even if he does, he has no interest in Mac.  He simply ignores him.  But on every walk, Henry relentlessly hunts in bushes and alleys in search of a cat.  I have even seen him awestruck by a cat statue!  He will stop dead in his tracks and unremittingly stare at the inanimate kitty with fixed eyes and pointed tail.  What a hoot!  Henry is a gentle guy so I really do not know what he would do if cats did not run away from him.  My guess is he would sniff and eventually lose interest.  The whole thing was really quite comical to watch, albeit not so much for the terrorized kitty cat.  Just look at the poor little guy in the tree.  I sure hope it didn’t take too long for him to get over it.

We always go around the back way to our house on the way home.  Walter and Henry get to go over the wooden dock to our back deck door.  

We go through one gate

And then we go through another gate....Walter decides to take a rest while I take the picture

All the walks with Walter and Henry are eventful to me in some way.  These boys never cease to delight me with their endless curiosity and their sense of wonder. It is as if they are seeing everything for the first time, every time.   

Peace and a New Year

"We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Years Day." ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce


Another year gone by.  A new one begins.  I have always found New Year's Eve a little sad.  As I sit in my warm and cozy living room watching and listening to Coldplay on the TV, I hold up my glass of champagne and toast another New Year.  Even though Brian is already in bed fast asleep, I am not alone.  My boys are right here with me.  I reflect on the past year and of many years gone by.  Time for a brand new year to start.  


At midnight, Walter and Henry are sleeping.  To them, it's just another regular night.  No New Year's resolutions to think about.  No wondering what the New Year will bring.  No worries at all.  How lovely to look at them with such peace on their faces and more importantly, in their hearts.  

Walter, laying by his bowl

Henry (with his toy and rawhide)

Here's to a wonderfully happy and peaceful New Year!