Tuesday 31 March 2015

The Winds Blew...

Trees Fall but the Wolf keeps Walking

With the storm's winds and gales trees fell locally blocking busy paths and those of dog walkers and hikers. Even today, after the worst, the wind was so strong it was hard to breathe. Throwing a ball into the wind, the sphere acted more like a boomerang returning to the hand that threw it. Okami and Iggy, the boys, spent most of the day with chews inside relaxing at our feet.




And just because I'm posting some of my boys together...snuggling is the best.







Monday 30 March 2015

A Best Friends Catch-Up...

Into the Woods and along the Stream

After an eventful weekend and the blue oil paint more subtle we caught up with Okami's best friend Poppy. The two have an interesting relationship. She growls, bites his neck and will pull his fur, he tolerates, chases her and lets her. She is the dog he will roll on his back for in play, cry when parted from her and worries when she hurts herself. She is a 10kg Whippet to his 30kg Malamute. An odd pairing but one that works in harmony and respect for the two of them. She will push him round the woods, steal his sticks and treats from his mouth but will always wait for him to assess all situations, follow his lead when greeting other dogs and his path. A walk is never the same without Poppy. She is truly the only dog his equal and will share all with her.






Today Wren, my daughter came with us along the river playing in the stream with the pair of dogs. Home and Okami is curled up asleep in one of his favourite places.



Sunday 29 March 2015

Feeling Blue...

The Lone Blue Wolf

Yesterday morning my alarm woke me early for a long walk before we headed to London. Leaving the wolf and fox home with neighbours checking in on them. Sitting with my coffee I receive a call. My Mal is now blue. After playing detective it seemed Okami had got into my artist oils, chosen a very beautiful blue hue and painted himself...then obviously the floor, sofa etc. Today we continued the clean up mission and after a long lovely walk, ending in a run over the common, I shampooed the beast. In the process I, myself, became shampooed and sodden. Okami was unimpressed and angry at the shampooing, so we are now still making friends again. I'm spoiling him with treats and he is resting on the sofa. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have my smiling boy back when he sees his best friend. At least he is less blue than in the below photos now and not spreading the oil paint.







Strong winds have blown through the village knocking plant pots over, bins, fences and trees. As found on our walk today. So strong were the gales it was difficult to breathe and walk in the open. This was just one of many huge branches we found broken.


Friday 27 March 2015

A run through the new Spring flowers...

Blooming Woods

After a good run near the river and fields we headed into the woods. Spring is most definitely apparent as bulbs are fully broken through the wood floor, slowly carpeting the green with colour. Next to the yellow of the daffodils will come the blue of the bells. Tomorrow the city beckons and sadly my wolf this time will not be joining me. So an early long walk will be necessary so Okami can relax until we return later.










Meeting friends and today's walk definitely made this Mal smile.

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Morning Eclipse.

An Eclipse, A Buzzard and a Wolf....

"For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams." (Edgar Allan Poe)

The eclipse happened here in the West-Country at 9.30am on Friday 20th March. The last eclipse in 1999 I was on the beach along the south coast. This time I wanted to be in the woods and fields with Okami to experience this eclipse. 

From 9.20am after the usual coffee trip the sky began to dim, almost like dust yet different. As we walked through the woods, heading to the common for more views the the birds fell silent and all became still. Incredibly apocalyptic. We met no other dogs or owners and the world felt like just ours. Though only an 80% lunar eclipse it seemed significant to nature. Everything simply stopped. The minutes were beautiful and peaceful.


I saw thee once, once only, years ago,
I must not say how many, but not many.
It was a July midnight; and from out
A full-orbed moon, that, like thine own soul, soaring
Sought a precipitate pathway up through heaven,
There fell a silvery-silken veil of light,
With quietude and sultriness and slumber,
Upon the upturned faces of a thousand
Roses that grew in an enchanted garden,
Where no wind dared to stir, unless on tiptoe,
Fell on the upturned faces of these roses
That gave out, in return for the love-light,
Their odorous souls in an ecstatic death,
Fell on the upturned faces of these roses
That smiled and died in this parterre, enchanted
By thee, and by the poetry of thy presence.

by Edgar Allan Poe.















During our walk that day we also managed to see the buzzard who has made the woods his territory, gazing down at Okami pondering over what he was. The crows have begun to nest too in a family group.



 















Monday 23 March 2015

The wolves and foxes all asleep.

Sleeping Wolf-Guy


Something so peaceful about a relaxed sleeping dog. Their dreams and snores really make me smile. I'm sure all dog owners wonder what those dreams are made of.








I had to pop in the wee guy. So small and yet the noisiest snorer I have ever heard.


The snow and frost has gone.

Winter is Leaving


Yet my Malamute wishes for frost and snow. Having my dog makes weather irrelevant, a day can not go by without an adventure or long escape. I think that this is where having a dog changes your lifestyle. Or rather is a lifestyle. One of nature and the outdoors. And one I would never swap or change. Half term we travelled to the coast where Oki fell for the beach and freedom of the sea. The sun was bright and weather a crisp cold. The sea is a place I feel most at home near, the blue vastness and sound, whether gentle or angry. I am happy that my dog felt the same way.