Adopted dog's first year

Only weeks after losing our beloved Dallas, I adopted Dudley, the little chocolate lab mix.  One year ago today we began a new adventure and established this day as his birthday. 

First ride in Robert's truck

The beginning

A friend sent me the internet posting for "Dudley", a small chocolate lab mix.  Because of his name, I paid extra attention.  For the Love of Labs said he was mild mannered, polite and loved belly rubs more than anything (later I found out that he really loves food more but belly rubs are a definite second).  Dudley came from Missouri when I was still grieving over the lost of the best dog in the world.  I trusted that everyone who encouraged me was right; I would love this dog that I had never met.

Waiting for a walk

Within moments of meeting us, Dudley jumped in the car and was ready for another adventure. And so began the year with the little brown bundle my son called "Mom's internet dog".

It takes four seasons

I have heard people say that you need to be with someone in all four seasons to really know them and the same is true for dogs.  Dudley was nothing like he is now when I first met him and every season brought changes and experiences. 

Dudley in his early days; not much activity

He never misbehaved.  If anything, he was strangely docile for many months.  I think he was depressed.  He didn't play with toys or chase balls.  He rarely even chewed on sticks.  At about 3 months, that changed.  Suddenly he pounced on squeaky toys and chased balls, shooting through the yard like a little brown bullet.  After 6 months he really relaxed and became a vibrant, loving, happy and well adjusted sweet dog. He started barking at the mailman and when visitors came to the door.  He became the master of the house.   I think it took him that long to believe he was here to stay.

Contentment

His traveling water bowl

Dudley is a fantastic car traveler and has logged several thousand miles in the past year.  He is happy to ride and sleep and explore new places at rest stops, marking his path at every stop.   He even gets an occasional fast food meal (no bun for the dog).

Just before Christmas we had our "Nightmare on Broad Street" when he discovered and ate rat poison from an improperly installed bait container in the middle of our downtown. Dudley had a rough afternoon following treatment at the vet but recovered quickly. 

Christmas morning with Santa Matt

He was a little confused by all the activity but he loved his Christmas bounty of dog bones and a stuffed toy.  Our winter was so mild that he didn't get to experience a real snowfall and weather never impeded our daily walks.

Chasing a chipmunk

That chipmunk is in here somewhere

Spring came early and was beautiful.  We took long walks and enjoyed the arrival of new life.  Dudley was pleased that the rabbits were out in force and he continues to enjoy his evening rabbit hunts in the neighborhood.

Dudley and his squeaky frog

Today, his birthday/adoption anniversary, was like most days. He inhaled his breakfast, patrolled the garden, napped, took a long walk around the neighborhood and through the woods, napped, changed locations and napped some more, patrolled the garden a few more times, inhaled his dinner, took a 30 minute walk, napped, patrolled the garden to rid it of the encroaching night creatures, and settled in for the night.   His birthday gift is his contentment in knowing he has the important job of garden sentry, guardian of the home, and master of the back seat of the car.  

Dudley and me, Tampa, Florida

In honor of his birthday, I made a contribution to For the Love of Labs.  I am grateful to them for saving Dudley and for giving many more dogs good forever homes.  

The Year in Review: Dudley's Stats

•             550 hours of walking; 1,375 miles (2.5 miles per hour; 90+ minutes per day)
•             1,100 or more bags of poo collected on walks
•             5,110 or more markings on bushes (average 7 per walk)
•             12 pounds lost; 21% of body weight (now slim and trim at 45 lbs)
•             4,900 miles traveled by car
•             $2,100 vet bills and medicine
•             $250 dog chow 

Discovering frogs in the pond

Running with Anna in Kentucky

 Lessons Learned

•             Cats scratch.
•             It is great to be loved.
•             Green beans are filling and help with weight loss.
•             There is a new discovery on every walk, every day.
•             The mailman will not come through the door as long as you bark at him.
•             Visitors bring treats and belly rubs.
•             You're asking for trouble if you swim in the garden pond.
•             Hanging around the kitchen during cooking time usually pays off.
•             Rays of sun through the window mark the best napping spot.
•             The best part of a bath is the end.
•             Trouble is walking in the only carpeted room in the house with muddy feet.
•             Home is right here.
•             Belly rubs are sweet.
•             Rabbits are faster than dogs.

Chasing a frog in Kentucky

Exploring in the woods, Kentucky

Stalking squirrels in Florida

Exploring Horse Creek in Tennessee with Nancy Katherine

Hunting chipmunks in the wood pile

Sleeping through Halloween

Playing with a captured vole (eventually it escaped)

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The Well-Worn Path

Now is a good time to rejoice in the familiar yet breathtakingly fresh beauty of spring.  The explosions of color after a disappointingly snow-free and warm colorless winter is cause for being outdoors on the familiar path.

Early in the morning I took a long walk with Dudley the dog, following our regular route.

I enjoy the solitude of the path by a stream and through the woods.  It counteracts the noise when we pass the house with the dog that watches for us from the windowsill and barks his head off.

Although we take the same route most mornings, there is always something new.

This time I took my camera to record some of the beautiful spring blossoms exploding along the way; two days of storms were predicted and I wanted to capture it before the flowers were town apart by the rain.

Recently in Florida, I spent 12 days walking the same path every morning and most evenings with Dudley, enjoying the familiar sights and sounds I am accustomed to from previous trips.  The trail we walk is always the same one, but the experience differs with the change of seasons and according to who or what shares the path.

Dudley was reminded that rabbits are faster than little brown dogs

Ibis hunting in the park

morning on the lake

The Rails to Trails Withlacoochee Trail is a beautiful walk between several lakes, loaded with wildlife and blossoms, breezes, sunshine and mist on cool mornings.

I enjoy watching the movements of the sandhill cranes that live on one of the lakes; they fly across the lakes, making their honking noise that can be heard a mile away, and then move around the neighborhood; twice during the last visit, they visited my Mother's porch, sending Dudley into a barking frenzy.

The first mint sprig; ready for a glass of iced tea

first rose

baby pine cone

This year the unseasonably warm weather gave me an early opportunity to start tackling the plethora of weeds in the garden, spreading mulch, cleaning the pond, fertilizing the plants, preparing the vegetable plots, and did I mention pulling weeds?

pond muck in the vegetable garden

future bullfrogs

Muck from the frog pond is good fertilizer.  In the process of harvesting it, a few tadpoles were netted and quickly released.  More changes are expected around the pond as the water plants grow and tadpoles morph.

beavers on the lake in Florida

Like the sandhill cranes, the beavers, rabbits ducks and other wild things, I find comfort in traveling a  familiar path and find it refreshing to notice its changes.  Spring is a spectacular gift from God.