49/316

Murf looking out across the fields as Willy runs and jumps through the tall grasses. He seems to wonder why he can no longer be off leash, getting a good run and sniff. Sorry Murf, the day you injuried your leg last year was your last day to enjoy such freedom.

hey there more cute photos over @ Camera Critters

16/349 + 1

The best laid plans … Oh well, having the day off today and B finishing up early, I had plans to get out and take photos, (lots of photos). Unfortunately, I was woken to B informing me, due to the frigid cold last evening his car would not start. I gracelessly offer my car up to him. So, here I sit. Which in fact may have been the better plan as I am getting much of my put off chores done, looked at.  So Murf kindly offer to be my subject for the day.

7/358 +1

Since Murf’s accident last year, I hesitate to take him for walks. At his 12 years of age I can’t risk him re-injuring his badly damaged knee. I fear it would not heal leaving him incapacitated. But with inactivity, signs of boredom and depression are setting in.

This winter has been unusually warm, with the exception of a few frigid days this past week. The cold days left us wanting to stay in by the fire and resulted in Murphy and I are both suffering from cabin fever. Today I decided we needed a walk in the fields. He is unaccustomed to the restraints of a leash, while being in the 600 acre woods, and begged to run, gallop and jump. His requests went unanswered.

Knowing his days are fewer with each passing day, I brought my camera along to capture the delight the open air bring to his face.

327/38

It's cold, dark and raining ~

predicting 2 - 3" of rain tonight and tomorrow,
I fear we may not be going to Macy's Balloon inflation.

226/139

I like to say Murf blows his coat twice a year, from May to October and from October to May. Today I undertook the endless task of being his groomer and spent the better part of an hour brushing out his undercoat. He is now half his previous size. I only wish I could slim down with the mear brushing of a comb through my hair.  Perhaps I just need to use the "furminator".

177/186

Poor Murf, he just doesn't understand. When I adopted him from the shelter I had a job which allowed me to bring him to work with me everyday. Each morning after a brisk walk and good breakfast, Murf and I would head out for a day at the office. After 6 years, I left the job and Murf began spending his days at home while I went back to college. We started taking long evening walks which allowed us to spend some time together and Murf to get a breathe of fresh air. Now 5 years later and after his February leg injury he has been confined to the house and yard. His leg just can't endure the workout of a walk. So he spends his retirement laying on the porch and wandering around the yard.  He just doesn't understand.

113/252

In 2007, with family through out the country, I wanted a place to post some photographs. It enabled my family and friends to stay in touch. Facebook was not as popular and those who did use it were college age students. I chose blogger as a parking place. I posted photos of our newest little fuzzy puppies and random shoots of adventures B and I under took. It was a look into our everyday life, shared with people we knew. Someone suggested the name “Life through a Lens” and knowing little about photography, I did not realize this name was being used by Annie Leibovitz.  Sure I had heard of her, but didn't know Life through a Lens was her trademark.  I have often thought of changing the name, as I am not Annie, nor to I want to be. But change is difficult and with only people I knew viewing my photographs, I didn’t think it was a necessary change to make.

Through the four years, I have had many others visit and revisit my little cyber place. As of today, I have had just under 5000 visitors view my profile. I haven’t had a counter on my blog itself but I would venture to say it is well over this number, as everyone who stops by does not view my profile. So , the decision was made and thus this is “Life as I see it”.

today I see, Murf rejoicing in a bit of sunshine.

105/260

I learned many years ago, it is not an easy task to medicate an animal. Who's great idea was it to shove a pill down an animal's throat with your finger? I am not sure I want to know the answer!

With a bit of inventiveness, I have improved this technique and enjoyed 100% success in getting any pill down the smallest of gullets by simply surrounding it with peanut butter and placing it on a spoon. This incredibly sticky substance adheres nicely to the pill; unlike a slice of cheese or chunk of hotdog. Every one of my dogs have loved the peanutty treat and come running when I take out the jar and spoon.

Since Murphy’s leg injury, he has been receiving 3 different medicines a day. With each administration, I push the required pill into a spoonful of peanut butter. Murphy then licks the yummy treat from the spoon and the pill sneaks in unnoticed! Success!

I was not my usual cheery self this morining; as a result of unsettled stomach, I hadn't slept well. I felt as if I was surrounded by a fog.  To soothe the soarness of my stomach, I decided on a glass of chocolate milk (a excellent remedy for nearly anything) So, after feeding and medicating Murf, I poured the milk, spooned the Quik into a glass, stirred and drank.

Ah, the morning was getting better already. Yes, things were just fine until I noticed, while washing the morning dishes, there was only one spoon in the sink.

71/294

After a visit from our Vet the Miracle Man, Murphy is finally putting weight on his injured leg. While this is wonderful, he has been told he “needs to hang up his dancing shoes”, and will not be able to run in the fields ever again. The concern is for his other leg. Since it will be supporting his backend he needs to rely on it’s strength but it will now be prone to easily be injured. The result of this would not be good. By the look on his face, he seems to understand and isn’t happy about it. Being a retired senior isn't much fun at times.

53/312

Happy 11th Birthday Murf
~ ♥ ~

10 years ago today, I brought this little orphan boy home from the shelter.

He is the sweetest, gentlest dog I have ever know.

Although it was I who adopted him, I know he rescued me.

*this photo was taken moments before his recent leg injury.

40/325

With Murf on the injured list and Shyla on a Seeing Eye outing, Willow is lost. All she can find to do is rest her head on my lap.

ISO 500, f/4, 1/60





35/330

I pulled his bed closer to the door, put a rug down so he could get better traction, and brought his food and water bowl over by his side. He can lay basking in the sun during the daylight hours. He is near enough to watch and listen to the household activities. I think he would prefer to just sink into his bed and be left alone.

33/332

Last Friday, while Murphy was out trotting through the trails, he injured his leg. He let out a piecing yelp and hobbling over on three legs. Thinking he may have twisted it on the ice, I thought with some rest he would recover. This was not so.

At the vet’s visit this morning, we were informed his injury is bad, really bad. He tore all of his ligaments and tendons. Basically he blow his knee out. Surgery is needed to repair his leg and at that he will, most likely, never gain full use of his leg. I fear his 11 years of age, will act against him during the surgery, and he may not come through it. Do I take the chance of losing him or do we try to control his pain through a lifetime meds?

After a stressful visit, Murf came home to rest. Willow tried to comfort him.

17/348

February of 2001 ~ I had been wanting and searching for a female yellow lab on Petfinder. I saw several but a beautiful collie caught my attention and tugged at my heart strings. I had, had a collie as a family pet though 14 years of my childhood. She was a wonderful, loyal companion. I decided to go see if this little orphan Annie would fit into my life style and family. When I arrived I found the sweetest dog, who sadly was quite ill.

Disappointed, I turned to leave when I noticed the cutest little dog. I inquired and was told he had only arrived that day. He was a shepherd/beagle mix. I asked if I could see him and I sat down on the floor. Sitting still and quietly, allowing this unfamiliar dog to sniff. All he wanted to do was curl up on my lap and sleep. He had picked me to be his person!

Murphy has been with me for nearly 10 years. I am still not certain of his origin but he certainly is not a shepherd/beagle mix. He is a soft dog, who is easily upset by anything out of the ordinary and behaves more like a cat than a dog. He is my middle child often lost between my older (now gone) family dog, Orlando, and the 13 TSE puppies we have raised since his arrival.

I am often asked, “what kind of dog is that?”, my reply, “he is a good dog.”

ISO 800, f/5, 1/15

9/356

Yet another snow fall sweeps through. In contrast, to the 31” blizzard of last week, this storm left us with a mere dusting of 6”. My three dogs went out to romp around and catch a flake or two.

Murphy, my 11 year old rescue, good dog, wants to know what it smells like. Silly boy,

Willow, my 3 year old, career changed Seeing Eye dog, wants to know if it's safe to come out,




and Shyla, my 11 month old, Seeing Eye puppy in training, looks inquiringly as to what keeps landing on her muzzle.

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/250 sec

Camera Critters: 4-18

We had lots of critters this week. They came 2 X 2 until there were 6. Murphy and Willow's cousins came for a visit. We actually had 24 feet of dog! After tiring them all with a 4 mile walk, much running, and playing it was time for a photo shoot. They are the poster "children" for rescued dogs. All, with the exclusion of Willow, were adopted from local shelters.

Camera Critter: 4-11

My Murf is always such a happy boy!

Camera Critters: 4-4

My "furkids" enjoying a bit of springtime sunshine.

A Murphy Macro Monday: 3-23

"In a perfect world every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog."

join in @ Macro Monday.

Camera Critters: Snow Pups

15 inches of snow on Monday and now the weather forecast, for this weekend, calls for temps in the 60s. Wooohoooo! Get out the bathing suits!