Summer time means tennis ball time. This dog loves a game of fetch the tennis ball better than anything! We hung out today and in between running errands, Luke and I spent as much time as we could outside.
Once the tennis ball leaves your hand, Luke is focused on nothing else. Like a heat seeking missile, he races toward the ball. You have to be very careful. If you accidentally throw the ball over the bank, then he's going over the bank after it. Throw it into the bushes by mistake, and he's going head first, at full speed into the bushes.
I love this dog. He loves to play and he loves to please.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Old Men, Old Dogs and BBQ
I'd planned to enjoy the day with Luke, but I was unexpectedly called in to work. So, on the way home, I stopped and picked up a full rack of Memphis style dry rub, BBQ baby back ribs from my favorite smokehouse.
Luke knows when I come through the door, and he gets the first whiff of those BBQ ribs, that we're gonna be eatin' good. I'll eat one, then I'll give him one and he always waits patiently for his turn.
Old guys like us probably shouldn't eat greasy BBQ ribs too often, but sometimes when you get the craving, nothing else will do.
Luke knows when I come through the door, and he gets the first whiff of those BBQ ribs, that we're gonna be eatin' good. I'll eat one, then I'll give him one and he always waits patiently for his turn.
Old guys like us probably shouldn't eat greasy BBQ ribs too often, but sometimes when you get the craving, nothing else will do.
The Wake Up Call
It's Sunday, so I slept in this morning. I was laying there, somewhere between asleep and awake, when I became aware that someone was watching me.
It was my alarm clock. My four legged, tail wagging alarm clock.
Looking over the foot of the bed I saw my buddy. He was waiting patiently for "permission" to jump up on the bed with me. He always waits, for a nod, or a verbal OK. He's never been denied permission to get on the bed, in fact, he's been encouraged.
Luke came to us from his former family, as a fully trained, perfectly obedient, animal. He is comfortable around children and other animals, and responds to a number of voice commands and gestures. As a puppy, Luke was raised to be an inside dog, so he's been trained not to do things like get on furniture.
He's still very mindful of his former training, so before he jumps up on the bed, he waits patiently for special permission each and every time.
This morning, like every other, permission was granted. And once he got settled beside me, I whispered quietly in his ear; "Luke, you're a good boy". That started his tail wagging again.
Could there possibly be a better way to start the day?
It was my alarm clock. My four legged, tail wagging alarm clock.
Looking over the foot of the bed I saw my buddy. He was waiting patiently for "permission" to jump up on the bed with me. He always waits, for a nod, or a verbal OK. He's never been denied permission to get on the bed, in fact, he's been encouraged.
Luke came to us from his former family, as a fully trained, perfectly obedient, animal. He is comfortable around children and other animals, and responds to a number of voice commands and gestures. As a puppy, Luke was raised to be an inside dog, so he's been trained not to do things like get on furniture.
He's still very mindful of his former training, so before he jumps up on the bed, he waits patiently for special permission each and every time.
This morning, like every other, permission was granted. And once he got settled beside me, I whispered quietly in his ear; "Luke, you're a good boy". That started his tail wagging again.
Could there possibly be a better way to start the day?
Friday, May 25, 2007
Spoiled
We went out for dinner tonight and brought home a take home box with a couple bites of steak for my buddy. Luke loves getting a treat, and he particularly likes "chicken jerky", cheese slices and bologna. In whatever time I have left with him, I intend to spoil him good!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Friends
This is a photo of Luke and our cat as she sharpens her claws on the front porch bench. Our cat has absolutely no fear of Luke. I think she can sense his kind spirit. It's not often you see a cat rubbing up against a dog, or curled up asleep beside him.My Personal Trainer
Summer is here and it's time to get outside. My faithful companion springs to his feet at the slightest mention of going for a walk, or when he's asked "Where's your ball?" - the signal that it's time to head outside for a game of fetch the tennis ball.
Plenty of dogs will chase after something you throw. Luke is a true Golden Retriever, and so once he gets the ball (usually in mid-air), he brings it straight back to you and puts it in your hand... ready to chase after it again.
Luke and I have put on a few extra pounds this winter, so we both need a little more activity. Like someone once said: "If your dog is over weight, you're not getting enough exercise".
Plenty of dogs will chase after something you throw. Luke is a true Golden Retriever, and so once he gets the ball (usually in mid-air), he brings it straight back to you and puts it in your hand... ready to chase after it again.
Luke and I have put on a few extra pounds this winter, so we both need a little more activity. Like someone once said: "If your dog is over weight, you're not getting enough exercise".
Welcome Home
I left for work a little early today. Luke seemed dissapointed that I was in a hurry to head out.
When I pulled into the driveway, there he was standing at the front door prancing back and forth, wagging his tail, and barking like he couldn't wait for me to get home. That's not a bad way to be welcomed home!
Luke is laying here at my feet as I type. A man could not have a better companion.
When I pulled into the driveway, there he was standing at the front door prancing back and forth, wagging his tail, and barking like he couldn't wait for me to get home. That's not a bad way to be welcomed home!
Luke is laying here at my feet as I type. A man could not have a better companion.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
50 Years Young (in dog years).
Luke was born on March 8th, 1997 at Eveningstar Kennels in Aguanga, California. Eveningstar produces some of the most outstanding certified pedigree animals anywhere. Visit their website at www.eveningstar.com .
Luke normally naps during the day while we're away, and stands guard at our bedroom door while we sleep. Luke and I stayed on the move today and I had him with me most of the time. He's a little tired since he didn't get his normal naps in.
Luke is never too tired to play fetch and all you have to ask is: "Where's your ball?" and he springs into action, scrambling to find his tennis ball and heading for the door.
Luke has his own toy basket, which contains over 25 tennis balls, chew toys, rope dolls, and various other items he loves to play with. And yes, - you could say he's spoiled.
(Note: Some experts believe that the relative age of a medium to large size dog is calculated based on 4.5 to 5.5 dog years for every 1 human year.)
Luke normally naps during the day while we're away, and stands guard at our bedroom door while we sleep. Luke and I stayed on the move today and I had him with me most of the time. He's a little tired since he didn't get his normal naps in.
Luke is never too tired to play fetch and all you have to ask is: "Where's your ball?" and he springs into action, scrambling to find his tennis ball and heading for the door.
Luke has his own toy basket, which contains over 25 tennis balls, chew toys, rope dolls, and various other items he loves to play with. And yes, - you could say he's spoiled.
(Note: Some experts believe that the relative age of a medium to large size dog is calculated based on 4.5 to 5.5 dog years for every 1 human year.)
A Tribute to a Great Friend.
This is my first attempt at creating a blog. I wanted to pay tribute to my wonderful friend and loving companion Luke. Luke and I are getting a little older, and a little grayer, and neither of us gets around like we used to. I've begun to realize that our time together is limited. I try not to think about what it will be like not to have my buddy waiting on me to get home each day.
I'm committed to seeing that whatever time God has planned for us is spent fetching tennis balls, going for walks, and making sure that Luke knows he's my best friend.
I'm committed to seeing that whatever time God has planned for us is spent fetching tennis balls, going for walks, and making sure that Luke knows he's my best friend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)