Thursday, July 22, 2010

Dog Days of Summer

Our visits to the cottage are an animal lovers dream. Not only are we surrounded with the wonderful wildlife - herons, owls, eagles, loons, hummingbirds, chipmunks, red squirrels, etc. We also enjoy the company of raccoons as seen in Sunday's post and some wonderful canine critters - good company for Benny.



On our first trip up this year, beautiful Una was there. She's a gentle, placid Great Bernese who belongs to Frank's sister, Lisa.




Sporting a brand new summer haircut is Theresa's handsome sheepdog, Duncan. He didn't drink too much of that beer.




Benny loves him.




Theresa's sons and their girlfriends joined us for part of our visit. Each of them brought their dogs. This is Darwin, a Bull Terrier and Australian Shepherd mix. He's the only dog I've ever met that could match, no, exceed Benny's energy level. He's also longer legged than Benny so he could really run circles around him.




Of course this means that Darwin needs to recharge, and what better place than the hammock?




Benny loves him too.




This lovely Golden Retriever is Weston.




And true to his breed, he does love to retrieve.




In fact, three of the dogs had a bit of a competition happening at one point. All of the dogs seem to love it up at the cottage.




Who wouldn't?

43 comments:

Brian Miller said...

some lovely animals you got there...he didnt drink too much beer, lol...gorgeous shot to end on....

Anonymous said...

I adore watching the relationships between dogs. One can be so loving, kissing the other, while being completely ignored. The alphas, the omegas. Some are so bold and others so timid. Playful, stand-offish. I sometimes wish I knew what was going on in those furry little heads.

Magnificent friends to man. (and woman)

Di

Pauline said...

looks like paradise - animal and nature wise.

Steve Gravano said...

I love that last photo, Bennie looks like a super hero in it.
My dad had a German Shepard mix that drank beer.

messymimi said...

If only people would always get along like your pets do.

Looks like everyone had a refreshing and wonderful time.

Jinksy said...

The expression on Una's face reminded me quite scarily of what I see when I look in the mirror...Not sure if that's a good thing...

Tabor said...

Being a dogless dog lover this was a nice fix. I wonder if Benny's kisses are like my cardinals bugs???

DJan said...

I also am a dogless dog lover, and I love your pictures, as usual. Benny does look like a lover of, well, everything and everybody. Great post, it filled me with smiles.

Shrinky said...

Who wouldn't, indeed? Looks like you've got your own slice of heaven, here! Awwwwwwwwwwww, I love, love, love these pic's. Do you think Weston could tell my Jake he is also a "Retriever"? All he does is chase, then sit on what I throw for him!

Rosaria Williams said...

Wonderful World of Dogs!

lime said...

what gorgeous dogs all of them. i can just imagine benny meeting his match in the nnergy dept. that must have been a riot to see! bernese are such expressive looking dogs, aren't they?

Anonymous said...

What a full cabin you've had, but oh so much fun with those dogs!
Rachel, the dog I had pictured on the raft, loves beer.

VM Sehy Photography said...

What cool photos! I'm partial to Golden Retrievers. The one of Weston on the couch looks like he's off dreaming about his next game of go get the stick.

the Bag Lady said...

Beautiful dogs, all of them! I have to admit, I'm partial to Golden Retrievers, and loved seeing the pictures of this one! Thanks, Hilary.

ellen abbott said...

who wouldn't indeed!

Daryl said...

Oh dogs, I love dogs ... I love them all ... fabulous shots all ..

Anonymous said...

it's their getaway/vacation, too!!
:-)

Sueann said...

What a fabulous group of canine companions! They are all beautiful and I am glad Benny enjoyed his visitors. Great shots by the way!
I would love to have a cabin by the lake to go to....sounds so inviting and relaxing!
Enjoy
Hugs
SueAnn

Bossy Betty said...

Sweeties!!!! ALl of the them!! What great shots. Now I want to go get another dog.

Reb said...

Ah, it's a dogs life! Love all the shots. The hair cut on the sheepdog is funny.

Unknown said...

You capture the personality and love of the dogs so well, Hilary.
Love this. The hammock one is classic.

Cloudia said...

What amazingly wonderful dogs!

another brilliant post!



Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

Karen said...

Oh, Hilary, you knew I would love this post. Great looking dogs and great they all got along. Really cute pics! I like Benny in the sunset, too.

Hilary said...

Don't ya just love dogs? They are so incredible, as are your pictures.

Dawning Inspiration said...

Sweet pictures - love that last one the best!!

Kelly H-Y said...

Now that's a dog's life ... a hammock, beer, and a lake to swim in! :-) Such fun pics!

steviewren said...

When you titled this piece "Dog Days of Summer" you weren't kidding. Looks like the boys had a good time hanging out together.

Indrani said...

The last pic is a winner. You take terrific shots Hilary.

Maggie May said...

Lovely pics of the doggie friends. I like the water where they are swimming and the hammock!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Leah J. Utas said...

The dogs look quite happy. Benny must have been beside himself.

Zuzana said...

Animals are so very difficult to photograph, particularly dogs as they are in constant movement.;) But these pictures speak more than words and are an art in themselves.;)
Love the sunset.;)
xoxo

Friko said...

I adore dogs, all dogs; I have no better friend than Benno, with the exception of Beloved. But Benno comes a very close second.

That canine collection is gorgeous!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Those are some gorgeous pups! The could be in the movies :-)

xo jj

PS Stop by, I'm having a giveaway.

Mental P Mama said...

If dogs were in charge, the world would be such a better place....

Lynda G. said...

SO cute! Great photos! Enjoy! :D

ds said...

Wonderful photos.Clearly the cottage has gone to the dogs ;) Love the guy in the hammock & especially the silhouette of Benny in the sunset. Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Oh, such wonderful shots of these adorable dogs.

CiCi said...

When people leave home they take their dogs with them don't they? Very nice photos of all the family of dogs.

Kristina P. said...

Waaaaaah! I want a dog!!!

We have wanted an English Bulldog forever, but they are at least 1.2 million dollars, and we have a condo.

Hilary said...

Thank you everyone for leaving such wonderful comments. Some have made me smile.. some have made me laugh.. all have made me feel very grateful for such supportive bloggie buddies. :)

photowannabe said...

Canine Heaven.
Love all the pictures and variety of breeds but that last one of Benny's silhouette and the sunset is awesome.

ethelmaepotter! said...

Oh my! I am so embarrassed - I posted my latest last night, and it's called...Dog Days of Summer! And yep, it's about my DOGS!

Your pictures are infinitely better than mine, though. My little pups are just much to rambunctious to get good photos yet - I usually get blurs - plus I'm no where near the photographer that you are, of course!

That last pic is fabulous. Once again, I say you should publish a book of your photos - I'll be your first buyer!

Linda said...

Those dogs are all precious, most especially Benny. I love the one of him "kissing" his friend.

The last picture should be framed, it is so beautiful.