Shaggy Dog - June 18, 2011

Thursday afternoon, my friends, the Hollands, were in town to perform at the
Marin Art and Garden Center as part of the summer concert series.  It was a
spectacular day and there were quite a few people, children and dogs sprawled
on the lawn in front of the gazebo where Sony sang and Jerry accompanied her
on the guitar.

This shaggy dog got a great deal of attention from his two-legged companions
and he was very well behaved during the concert.

I am participating in Pet Pride and Camera Critters #167.

Check out the sites and join in the fun!

Camera Critters, #149, and Pet Pride, Beach Dogs, February 12, 2011

Last Sunday, when my son and I were at the Pacifica beach, I enjoyed seeing all
dogs that were out enjoying the sunny day.  Many of them raced into the surf,
fetching sticks and balls, mindless of the waves and seemed to do much better
than their human counterparts who were a little further out, trying to surf.  The
only problem was, when they came out of the water and began shaking vigorously,
spraying water all over the sunbathers!



I am participating in Camera Critters & Pet Pride!

Check out the links and join in the fun!

Camera Critters #145 & Pet Pride, Great Danes in England, January 15, 2011

I've mentioned my English friends, Steve and Jenny Clark before - wonderful
cruise companions I met fourteen years ago on a southeast Asian cruise.  They were
tablemates and we bonded immediately and, though many miles have separated us,
we've managed to remain close over the years.  They are such a fun couple, with
warm hearts, and a beautiful home which they have opened to me on several occasions. 
Though they are white wine drinkers ( I like white, too ), they always have one of my
favorite reds, South African pinotage, available when I come to visit.  Jenny is also an
RN ( originally from South Africa ) and Steve retired as a British Airlines pilot.  They
have always had rescue Great Danes and I previously posted pictures of some of the
other Danes.they had.  Sadly, these big dogs don't have a long life span.





I am taking part in Camera Critters and Pet Pride.

Check out both sites and participate!

Camera Critters #144 & Pet Pride - Misty and Katy, New Zealand - January 8, 2011

Many years ago, I did a wonderful cruise from Sydney, Australia to Auckland,

New Zealand.  By chance, I met Daryl McSkimming, an agricultural inspector from

New Zealand on the ship and we have been friends ever since ( sevnteen years now! ). 

What was so nice is that, when the ship got to Christchurch, after taking care of some

business, Daryl came back and picked up a friend and me, then took us sightseeing

and over to his house to meet his dog, Misty, before returning us to the ship and

saying farewell.  Twice, he's visited San Francisco, to inspect California grapes 

New Zealand was importing so we have seen each other over the years.  Just before

Christmas, he suprised me with a phone call!  I am so blessed to have him for a friend. 

I do hope, someday, to get to New Zealand again, to see him and to meet his wife, Rachael.

At any rate, I was going through some photos and came across this sweet picture of his

dog that I met back then, Misty, and Katy, his parent's dog.  I thought I'd put it on

"Camera Critters."

I am partcipating in Camera Critters and Pet Pride.

Check out both sites and join in the fun.



Home Again - December 26, 2010

Home Again - December 26, 2010

I drove up to West Sacramento, California on Christmas Eve with my oldest son,
Shawn Smith, and my youngest, Jeremy Vukasinovic.  Our destination was the home
of my middle son, Alex Vukasinovic, and his wife, Laura, and my two granddogs. I spent
a good part of  the day before preparing our Christmas Eve dinner since Laura, who is a
paramedic, was scheduled to work until 8PM and I didn't want her to worry with cooking
after putting in a twelve hour shift taking care of patients.  Alex works a rather bizarre
4AM to noon shift at his job. 

Armed with an assortment of appetizers, two crab quiches, two Caribbean pies

for dessert and several bottles of wine, we were greeted warmly by all. To make the

gathering merrier, Shawn's friend, Dawn, and her daughter, Kirsten, joined us for dinner.

We had a lovely evening, with a lot of laughter, enhanced by three dogs, two of them my

granddogs and Gus, who has been Laura's since she was thirteen.  He lives with her

mom and, sadly, now has cancer.  He still is a sweet and loving pooch, though, and does

not yet seem to be in any great discomfort.

My middle ( and only married) son, Alex

Alex's lovely wife, Laura

Jeremy, Shawn, Alex and my granddog, Bucky

The stockings I made for Laura and Alex last year

( I still haven't put their names on them )



Taffy says she loves her grandma even if she is

always taking pictures!

Gus and Bucky are waiting to play fetch and

Taffy is eyeing the couch

I'd rather sit comfy than chase a tennis ball!

Now, this REALLY feels good!

Okay, Shawn, throw another one!

Kirsten, Dawn, and Shawn

Goodness, Alex and Jeremy are TALL!

Mama Carmen and her three sons

The table looks nice

Taffy is getting a scratch from Uncle Jeremy

Enough pictures, Paparrazi Mama!

Yummy!

What's so funny, Shawn?

Doggies have to wait in the living room while humans eat!

They are taking forever, Taffy.

I don't like this one bit.

How can you resist these sad eyes?  Eat faster!

Good grief!

I can't even look at them anymore, Taffy!

This is a doggie crying!

What about this face?  I'm lonely.

Yeah!  Daddy is telling us we are wonderful!

Good wine, good company!

Kirsten with Gus and Taffy

I can see why the doggies like this!

Tomorrow, I'll post our pictures taken at the Calhoun Christmas gathering in Antelope,

California.  Laura's mom and stepfather were nice enough to invite us to share their family

feast.  Since, other than myself and the boys, we have no family on the West Coast, it's

been nice to be included in Laura's famiy events since Alex married into this wonderful

group. 

I'm posting this on Pet Pride since there are so many pictures of Taffy and Bucky in

this post.  Check out the site and put your animal family photographs there.