SEARCHING FOR A DOG

When I am out and about I cannot help but stop and pet a dog -- I've lived with dogs since I was young. I lost my beautiful Golden Retriever, Sal, about six months ago and I still miss him. What a great companion he was. I am waiting until I can find an apartment that will take dogs before I get another one. I find dogs are the greatest companions for retirees. 

I met this young bulldog featured in this blog's photos in Multnomah Village, a neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. This bulldog was a real sport -- friendly and curious. Not that I am particularly considering a bulldog -- its like I mentioned -- I just like to stop and pet dogs. Keeps me in touch with different breeds.

So I am researching and observing what type of dog I should get that is around 40 or so pounds. My Sal was almost 100 pounds --  I realize now that so many pounds would be rather tough for me to handle.  

I am absolutely undecided as to what kind of dog I should get and would welcome any suggestions from you folks out in blogger land. I would like a friendly breed that likes children. Preferably an older dog. Any dog that fits that description from mutt to whatever. I will keep petting and photographing dogs at least until I find the right apartment as dogs add pleasure to my outings.  

FULL OF LOCAL ATMOSPHERE -- CORVALLIS FARMER'S MARKET

Vendor with his old Studebaker truck parked beside his canopy.

Corvallis, Oregon has a farmer's market that has grown from a few vendors when it began years ago to probably fifty plus vendors today. Now it is a thriving community of vendors, families, street musicians and more. It still remains true to its initial intent of offering fresh garden produce and quality crafts.  Located along the Willamette River,  it provides a natural scenic avenue filled with trees and other plants plus benches and picnic tables placed along the market way.  

I took some photos that illustrate the energy that one would would run into as they walked along the market-way  -- see below. 

Bikes parked along a railing at the edge of the Farmers Market

Families enjoy the passing crowd while enjoying 
some farm fresh food. 

A Corvallis mother and two sons delighted me with
 some smiles and some nice conversation.

Dogs were everywhere  at the market -- with their owners -- strutting their stuff and being friendly with anyone who gave them an occasional  pat on the head. 

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH OUTBUILDINGS, A BARN, AND ANIMALS

There is a cluster of farm outbuildings with a barn that I have been eyeing  for some time as I thought they would be wonderful to photograph 

So a couple days ago I rode over to the spot with my camera thinking that it would be just me and the farm structures. But no, I found out differently once I stepped out of my little truck and starting taking photos.

First came the dogs, one by one

Racing down the road they came

Even a big Saint Bernard that wanted to check out the inside of my truck. 

All were friendly, they just hung around me while I took my pictures

When I had almost finished my photos I heard quite a sound coming up the hill in back of the barn. Then rounding the corner came mules -- then horses -- galloping toward a fence section near where I stood. Then they stopped and began looking me over very inquisitively. 

Mules taking a watch position in front of the barn.

Horses acted a bit bored with the whole thing. 

Now I had four dogs, two mules and two horses all closely around me.  I felt like I was at an animal party

As I finished taking photos, I thanked the animals for their hospitality. 

 Leaving the farm I took one last look at some of the official dog greeters. This was surely a new kind of experience for me.

CANYON DOG WALKER

Utah Mountains 

If you are dissatisfied at work or are unemployed here is one occupation suggestion to change your view. Become a canyon dog walker. This is what my daughter did about ten years plus ago. How can you beat the pleasure of the beautiful outdoors, getting wonderful exercise and still be making good money while you are doing so. 


The person in the photo above is my daughter who is in her element hiking with dogs and enjoying the natural beauty of the mountains. Although the dogs are a lot of responsibility she absolutely loves her work


Of course if you don't have canyons you can still take advantage of your natural environment for dog walking, be it woods, beach, desert, corn fields or whatever part of nature you have available. 


If one wants to work in the beauty of nature here are some other outdoor occupations to consider; artist,  gardener, snow shoveler, newspaper route, window washer, park ranger, utility worker, farmer,  surveyor, writer, photographer, house painter, biologist, archaeologist, and numerous others. 


As Joseph Campbell stated -- Follow Your Bliss

MY CANYON DOG WALKER

MY DAUGHTER WITH SOME OF HER CANYON CANINES
 DURING A SNOW STORM -- BREAKING TRAIL.

My daughter loves dogs. About ten years ago she announced to her husband that she was going to become a dog walker. His response was, WHAT! But with a mind of her own she preceded to start her business and ten years later she has a busy, healthy enterprise -- one that she loves as well as her dogs love.

What does she do that is different from being the ordinary dog walker? Well, she takes the dogs into the canyons of the Uinta Mountains -- come rain or come shine. Let me explain, she lives up against the Uintas in Utah. It's a wild place and the dogs absolutely love it. Of course, she has had confrontations with mountain rattlers, dog and moose stand-offs, porcupine quill attacks, odoriferous skunks, and other critters big and small. She feels it's all in the game of doing what she loves. She carries all types of paraphernalia in her back pack to counter any attacks by critters. 

She calls her dogs her "clients." and some have been with her almost from the start of her business. She makes two trips a day to the canyon trails and walks each group of "clients" six miles off leash. Altogether that's twelve miles of steep ups and downs a day. Her legs have become like iron.

TREAT TIME

She drives an old SUV that she lugs the dogs around in. She details the car once a week but the in-between days produce a lot of hair and dog-wear. Her daughter is used to riding with a friend or two in a dog messy vehicle along with usually a few dogs on their way back to their individual homes. It has become all part of the game with daughter and friends.


But, husband drives his own car where dogs are not allowed. It's not all in the game with him. But after ten years of her dog business he rather tolerates it. He has progressed to giving out a few treats once in a while. Maybe in a few years her business will be all in the game for him -- perhaps? 

OLD BARN -- OLD DOG

OLD DOG -- OLD BARN

I met up with this old dog on a large tract of vacant land. I was told he belonged to the caretaker of the property. We bonded and he politely showed me the highlights -- crooked trees, tall seedy weeds, rock boulders, tons of fallen leaves, secret passages in the ground, tiny water holes and an old unused barn. He was the master of this domain. It was an absolutely beautiful tour and I thanked him as I left with a few pats on the back and some soothing soft words.

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND -- SUNDAY SIMPLICITIES

MY OLD BARN BEING SHOWERED WITH SNOW FLAKES

SAL INVESTIGATING SMELLS AT THE PASTURE GATE 

OLD LIL WALKING WITH ME SLOWLY -- LOVING THE SNOW

OAK LEAVES WITH A PATCHWORK OF SNOW

A SIMPLE FALL DAY

Misty morning finds my son
collecting straw out of the old barn to mulch the garden 

This morning started out with cool temperatures, gray overcast,  and a misty rain. Very conducive to wrapping yourself in a blanket and reading a book. But, my son  decided to remove the old straw that has been sitting in the worn old barn since I moved in -- a left over present from the former owners. He wheelbarrowed many loads down to the garden and mulched it to bed for the winter. 

I made a quinoa and veggie dinner and then we decided to take a long hike with the dogs Sal and Lil.

It was a simple fall day of good company, good food, and good deeds.

Lil and leaves in creek 

My son and Sal hiking in the woods

Maple leaves cast odd colors in the late sun of the day

Fallen leaves line creek bed while Sal and Lil roam

DOGS, PETS AND YOUR HEALTH

SAL, WHITNEY, AND LIL

My young granddaughter loves dogs. Here in the photo above she is having a discussion with my dogs -- Sallie Tomato and Lily Pad -- aka Sal and Lil. They are soaking up the attention as most dogs will.

Recently I have been reading several articles on pets and how they improve our health.

QUIET LIL WITH LAUGHING SAL

Well, improved socialization is right at the top of the list. When you are out walking your dog or sitting on a bench in a public place with your pet -- it seems to open a door -- allowing people to approach you. An interesting conversation can often be the result of this. Socialization adds a healthy balance to our everyday life.

LET'S PLAY

Other dimensions of improved health are; decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol levels, and decreased triglyceride levels. Also, pets are great stress reducers by giving unconditional love.

For more informative research on this health and pet issue click here

SANTA FE DOGGY RIDE -- SUNDAY SIMPLICITIES

Kirk, my son and his dog, Woody, enjoying the Santa Fe sun recently.

Now one can take their dog along on a bike ride with a Doggy Ride attachment. My son does not own a car as he prefers to live life simply -- so this apparatus is just the ticket for bringing his dog along with him on his bike errands. Woody, his dog, just loves the rides!

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About Sunday Simplicities -- I have always desired a simple life and now as I age I can follow that path more directly. That is what Sunday Simplicities are about -- my easy outlook toward life. Stay tuned to more Sunday Simplicities on most Sundays (for now).

SUNDAY SIMPLICITIES -- CONTAINERS, DOGS, STORMS, BIRDBATH

Retirement brings a new horizon to my life. Where once I was outward facing I am now inward facing. Realizing a life that I always desired, I feel fortunate. Economies have changed as well as my perspective on what is truly important in life. I would say I always desired a simple life and now as I age I can follow that path. That is what Sunday Simplicities are about -- my easy outlook toward life. Stay tuned to more Sunday Simplicities on most Sundays.
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Sunday mornings are usually very peaceful here on Bear Mountain. My one lane dirt road is sleepy today without cars to arouse it and nature weaves its way through the morning quiet. This morning I am joined by bird calls and songs as well as a few insects slowly inspecting the environment. The morning is cool as a strong windy storm moved through during the night bringing a cold front. Not that cold -- just right for my plans this morning.
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As I have little flat land that is sunny I thought a container garden with herbs and some bright flowers would work in my semi-sun driveway -- up against the house.. Sound strange? No it will be easy to care for plus will be a nice welcome home for me every time I pull in the drive.
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Everything I do is on a budget now that I am retired. I collected canisters over the past few weeks at garage sales. Also, went to plant sales and visited a farmers market to pick up plants. I found stands for the plants at some used furniture stores.

As I fear, cheap potting soil might have sludge in it, I went all out and shot my wad on two special blend bags of potting soil. This morning I started putting everything together. I know I will not finish it today but I will have a head start on getting it completed.

My homestead came with most of the land fenced when I moved here in 2007. I was delighted about that as I had Lil, a black lab that likes to take off for yonder woods. Then I became the owner of Sal who is a huge male Golden Retriever that loves lots of exercise. Inside the fence they are safe. And I don't have to chase over hill and dale if they decide to investigate the countryside. Fencing makes it easy.

Sal is appealing to me to let him out of the gate so he can be by me while I work on the new container garden. He has tons of room to roam inside the fence but always likes to be where I am. I can't take chances as he will roam up the lane to visit other dogs. Oh, how do I resist such a plea? Easy. I cannot run as fast as my dogs, so its better to know that they are OK in the big yard.

I inherited this little section of garden that is also out by the drive. It has horrible soil and I have rather ignored it over the time I have been here. I did put in the bird bath that someone had placed in their trash pick-up. I am not above picking up such things. Someday I will do something about this little patch.

Another storm was brewing on the horizon and I had accomplished most of what I had planned for the morning. I've learned to be easy on oneself -- no need to rush through life. Not only did I accomplish some of my project but I noticed the locust blooms, the titmouse eating a tent caterpillar, a small green worm crawling over the wire fence where the dogs were watching me, some white daisy like wildflowers, heard woodpeckers drumming off in the woods, and saw the lovely cumulus clouds becoming heavy with rain.

Locust blooms by my drive. It has been a good morning.

For ideas on gardening anywhere check out my post about the book, Gardening Anywhere.