Sunday, November 2, 2008

We're back!

I could make all kinds of excuses as to why there has been such a long delay in a new post (graduate school, busy Vineyard summer, ambivalence about a blog devoted to boat life when living on land, etc.) but I'm going to get on with things and post some fun new pics of the latest crew member to High Country, Spud, a 4-month old golden retriever. Granted, we've moved back ashore to our winter rental, he gets crewmember status since we still regard ourselves as "boaties." So, without further ado, heeeeeeeere's Spud!



Obviously taking to boat life well and finding his niche in the water world (as well as new things to chew!). We got Spud at the beginning of October, just after we'd moved ashore, so he wouldn't have to make too many adjustments at once.



Spud's first dinghy ride. At first, he was very nervous about the floating dinghy dock and dinghy as well, putting up a big fuss and racket, but over the course of a week, he got quite accustomed to both and now leaps into the dinghy like and ol' pro.


"Don't forget to save room for Spud!"


Our winter rental is minutes from the beach. Spud loves to eat seaweed, which does nothing for his digestion. Fortunately, he's mostly given up eating seashells, but he does enjoy carrying around the occasional washed ashore horseshoe crab.



Tunneling through seaweed.


One warm afternoon, I decided Spud ought to start swimming, so I began by throwing sticks into the water in gradually deeper waters so that before he knew it, he was swimming. After ten minutes of that, I brought him back to the house, attempted to give him a quick rinse-off (rather unsuccessfully), then toweled him off and buried him in his blanket, since he was shivering pretty hard.

So many choices! How's a dog to choose?


Spud hangs with Uncle Winslow after a short romp.


Taskmaster Spud keeps an eye on Rick's sit-ups, making sure he doesn't cheat.


A fun joke by visiting Rod and Kristin (Rick's brother and sister-in-law) left Spud with a new favorite toy, a rather realistic looking mouse.


Spud looking vicious with his mouse. Like his lambie that he came with, he mauls these stuffed animals from time to time, but never tears them apart.



Awwwwwwwe. Quality time with the dog on his turf. We sleep on a double-bed, therefore, not a lot of extra room for a dog, though he is occasionally invited up for a snuggle.


Spud's first Halloween. He did rather well and was happy to chew his rawhide rather than the pumpkin.

Day 61 - Magical Mystery Morning

During the week, Scallion, Luka, and I head out for our run at 6am.  Sundays are my day off, but at 5:50am today, they made it very clear th...