Sheba and I got out on our first early morning walk recently (early morning is relative, for us that’s around 7 am, not before sunrise or anything!). Morning is the most beautiful time of day, and my favorite, but the truth is I’m mostly a fair weather walker and I can only get motivated to walk early when the weather is a bit warmer. We’re getting to the time of year where walking in the morning, before it gets too hot, will be the rule.
The dogs are early risers with their Dadz, but I sometimes have to wake them back up out of an after breakfast nap to get out there! I only walk one at a time so two dogs are left behind howling in the house, and we can hear that as we walk down the street. At least now we don’t have close neighbors that have to listen to them! Soon that fades and we’re left with just the sound of the birds singing.
When we leave our street for the paved street that is just a slight uphill incline away from our home (perfect exercise for an arthritic dog), we come upon some beautiful views towards the mountains. There is a large pond that sits just below those mountains, but it can’t be seen from up here. This house with the huge field and the horses out there (hopefully you can just see them in the distance in the photo) is one of our favorites.
The lilacs smell beautiful as we walk by. We have some lilac bushes in our own yard, but they are not quite as spectacular as the neighbors’!
When we get home we play ball with the whole crew. Sheba is always up for that, though she did decide to take a break and cool off a little on this warm morning.
The truth is that Sheba’s lumps are coming back in the same spot where they were removed last December, and obviously that worries us. However, she is still feeling great, and I know I’m hyper-sensitive to any slowing down on her part. She has always felt the heat though, and it has been quite warm for spring lately. We’ll continue to take it one day at a time, living each day to the fullest.
Every morning that we wake up and she is still feeling good is a beautiful morning.
That sure looks like a wonderful walk. I hope you have many many more with Sheba.
Beautiful day indeed! Enjoy!
Everyday with a happy Sheba is a beautiful morning indeed, Jan, bonus to have the beautiful weather and scenery-keep enjoying!!!
Sheba looks so happy! I’m sorry to hear those lumps are returning but I’m glad she’s feeling well. Daisy is used to an early walk – DD takes her between 6-6:30 AM except when it’s dark out in winter. DD tries to get Daisy through her walk before our one thoughtless neighbor comes out who lets her dog walk off-leash (which is against our town’s leash laws) and far behind her, so she has no idea what the dog is doing or if there’s danger from a car. We’ve experienced confrontations with that dog and Daisy, so DD tries not to be outside at the same time. Otherwise I’m sure Daisy’s morning walks wouldn’t be quite so early!
Early morning is also a great time to walk when you need to avoid other dogs. Sheba does not have an issue with that, but Cricket and Luke do, and we’ve seen some loose dogs around here. In the future we hope to have some trails on our own land so we don’t have to worry about it!
Definitely a beautiful morning! Sometimes it’s hard for us to grasp that people actually live like you do. Love Dolly
That driveway/lilacs looks like a Thomas Kinkade painting. Love & prayers for sweet Sheba. Please smooch her for me.
Have you seen the house that’s there? We’ll have to take a walk up there sometime if you haven’t.
Sheba thanks you for the smooches, Auntie Sheryl, and says you will have to come visit her soon.
Is that the stone house? It’s gorgeous. I would love to visit Sheba soon. Thx 🙂
Yes, the stone house. I wonder what that place looks like on the inside! Maybe we can meet for a walk sometime, so you don’t have to come all the way out here. Sheba would love to go to the lake too!
What a beautiful walk you and Sheba had. We’re glad she’s still feeling good.
Sheba looks so happy! Morning walks are awesome! <3
we so enjoy our early morning walks. Pretty and peaceful
Snorts
Lily & Edward
That is a beautiful girl you have there and some beautiful scenery you walk her in. I love the shot of the winding driveway, it’s very enticing.
I feel the same way about these mornings, they are my favorite time of day and I embrace the philosophy you have with Sheba and apply it to Sampson as well. I will continue to send good thoughts that Sheba enjoys walks with you for many a long time.
Thank you, Jodi, for the good thoughts for Sheba.
Oh, you should see the house that’s at the end of that winding driveway! It’s this huge gorgeous old stone house, and actually has another house that looks like servant’s quarters or something there too. It doesn’t look like anyone lives there full time though, I’ve seen a car there but it looks like it’s a caretaker or something. I definitely need to find out more about it.
We are having to walk early morning or late evening due to the heat already! Bentley loves the sun but walking in the heat still wears us all down. I’m glad that Sheba is enjoying her walks and you are doing a great job managing her cancer. ♥
Morning walks are our favorite. It isn’t too hot and sometimes we even get to see the early bird animals going about their day. Here’s to you and Sheba enjoying more morning walks together!
This is a beautiful post! You live in such a beautiful area. I have a goal to begin taking 7am walks with Dakota and hopefully I will start that sooner than later, sadly we live in quite a commercialized area so unless I drive somewhere, our scenery won’t be as beautiful as yours.
I’m sure your scenery will be interesting though! I hope you get started on those walks, I’m sure you and Dakota would really enjoy it (though I think you’ve said he doesn’t really like walking?).
I’m sure a new home with new places to explore helps to motivate her to keep going. She definitely looks happy! We are always early morning walkers, but 365 days a year, no fair weather breaks living with our drill sargeant, I mean mom.
Thank you for saying that…I was afraid the move would be too stressful for her but I think you’re right that she enjoys the new places to explore.
I wish I was more motivated like your Mom!
OMD, I can so relate to your hypersensitivity!! From the time Callie and Shadow were leaving physiological puppyhood behind, I have “pestered” the vet about every little bump, lump, or other concern. Then, when Callie was diagnosed with the lymphoma, my “hypersensitivity” became more like paranoia where Shadow was concerned. Especially since her littermate, Emma, had had osteosarcoma (as had one or two other littermates and one of the parents). I’ve since released the paranoia out into the universe, but am still hypersensitive to her aches and pains as she gets older. Thankfully, though, they are not as pronounced or frequent as Callie’s had been. So, yes, I understand totally what you are going through. And, yes, the best way to combat the hypersensitivity is to just take it one day at a time, and enjoy every moment as much as possible. Your sweet, beautiful Sheba still has her joie de vivre – it’s evident in her facial expressions – and that is a blessing. I’ve told you often how much she reminds me of Callie. (Perhaps too often?) That last picture in this post reminded me of Callie so much that it made me cry. And my sweet Shadow came over to me right away as if to ask “what’s wrong Mama?” It turned my tears to smiles. 🙂
No, you don’t tell me too often that Sheba reminds you of Callie. I love that seeing her brings your Callie back to you at times…even if it makes you cry…it’s important to keep her alive in your memories.
Our beagle Kobi had so many lumps and bumps, all that turned out to be nothing, that I stopped worrying about lumps. When I found Sheba’s first one I wasn’t too worried, but then when it started growing so quickly I knew it was not like Kobi’s. There had been so much cancer in her littermates that I did have a bad feeling, but then with a golden retriever it’s always a big worry I suppose anyway. Her mother survived cancer for quite a while so it’s my hope that Sheba is taking after her and not her littermates (who all had different types of cancer also).
Enjoyed the walk along with you and Sheba. What a gorgeous area you live in! However, truly hate reading that Sheba’s lumps are returning. Continuing healing thoughts and prayers your way.
I’m glad that Sheba is doing well. Our dogs are early risers too, which means I am too. I’m not a morning person and thankfully our dogs don’t expect much except hugs, kisses, and breakfast.
I love early morning walks. It’s nice to have the walking trail to ourselves.
BTW that lilac treat is insane – I love the scent.
Lilacs are some of the prettiest smelling flowers, and the scent always seems to travel well….you can smell them well before you get near them!
We hope Sheba’s lumps are not an issue for her…………we feel like you do – every day is a gift – we enjoy all the time we can with Sam and just hope for the best…………your area is beautiful – I love lilacs!
Hugs, Pam
The lumps don’t bother her so far, Pam, thank you. Luckily they are just on her side so they don’t interfere with her movement or anything at all. And hopefully they just stay in that area for a long time.
Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers, ones that were around in my childhood so they bring back lovely memories of my Mom and her love of flowers too. 🙂
I enjoy the early morning every day… it looks as if the whole world is brandnew and fresh… specially made for me and the pup :o)