"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Animal Wednesday - Life "Up North"

I spent a few days, including Valentine's Day, a few hours North of San Francisco, at a home of a friend who recently moved from San Francisco. She has a lovely home - with lots of mountains and lakes - where I encountered some animal friends!  Lots of Mule Deer - including this curious one!

There is a golf course nearby, and although one shouldn't be walking about on it, when I took my friend's WONDERFUL dog, Mimi, for a morning walk....  we couldn't resist.  (It was early and there were no golfers yet!)  And....  we met....  these adorable "Golf-Deer"!

I also was lucky to see....this beautiful White Egret.

And... these "Romantic Ducks" - a perfect image for Valentine's Day!

The change of scenery was relaxing and talking to a good friend, laughing, cooking great meals, sharing a glass of wine - all were such fun....  I felt like I had a mini-holiday!


Here is the wonderful Mimi - in action - doing her favourite thing in the world - retrieving a ball! We can do this for hours! (I took this shot of her last year in San Francisco at Chrissy Field.) It was lovely to have a doggie in my life again!

Happy Animal Wednesday everyone!  Oh, and congratulations to the ADORABLE 2011 Winner of the Westminster "Best in Show" - Hickory - one of my favourite breeds - a Scottish Deer Hound! Bravo, Hickory!



Posted by Robin at 8:22 AM
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23 comments:

  1. Lori annFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    oh what beautiful wildlife you saw! i love deer, how sweet this one's face is.

    how nice to be able to have a little getaway, it makes the workweek go a little eaiser!

    my sister is dying to go to the westminster dog show, and wants me to go with her, maybe next year!



    are you having rain too?

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  2. marianneFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Oh Robin
    I am so happy you have spent a few day away in such a lovely environment!
    Meeting deer in the wild! WOW!
    And that show? that is probably the one Lo told me about isn't it?
    beautiful dog that won.
    And then the white egret ..... that's you you know ;)

    HAW!!
    ♥♥♥
    >M<

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  3. sukipoetFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    sounds like you had a wonderful mini-vacation. the grass is green, no snow, the world filled with wildlife. A good friend, a glass of wine and talk. Wonderbar.

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  4. studio loloFebruary 16, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Eeeeeeeee, I want to hear all about it!! You know I'll call you as soon as I can.

    Brian has been in love with Scottish Deerhounds for so long now. We high-fived each other the night it won the hound group, but THEN when it won it all, YAY Hickory!! I did disagree with a lot of the other choices though (as I'm known to do!)

    Missed you, love you, talk soon. And I'm over the moon that you went away to restore and see Mimi!!

    xoxoxo
    BS♥♥♥

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  5. Tess KincaidFebruary 16, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Sounds like you had a lovely time!

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  6. OlaFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    a wonderful adventure to see those wild animals in such a place!

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  7. YoliFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    This is so lovely. Hope you are doing well sweet Robin!

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  8. RobinFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Hi Lori.... yes, it was lovely to have a get-away... although as I have been out of work for almost two years,there is no work-week to return to. :(

    It did help to be out and so close to nature!

    Westminster would be such fun to attend in person - I hope you and your Sister get to go next year!

    Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. RobinFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    Marianne......YOU KNOW how glorious it was for me to encounter all those loely, magical creatures.....and yes, when I see Snowy Egrets, my heart beats faster!

    Westminster IS the show Lo mentioned....it is MARVELOUS to see so many different species of dogs! In fact, that's where I saw my first Rhodesian Ridgeback and fell in love with them!

    Love to all,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  10. RobinFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    Hi Suki! It was lovely - the weather was great (until my last day)....one day, we even had lunch outside on my friend's back patio!

    One day, WE will have an alfresco lunch together!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  11. RobinFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Dear BS,

    I thought of you and Bri as soon as the Deerhound won his Division....and when he won, I was so happy!

    Loved our chat the other night.......

    MUWAH!

    ♥ LS ♥

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  12. RobinFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Hi Tess! Ah, it was wonderful... it really refreshed my soul!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  13. RobinFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Hello Ola! Thank you for coming to visit!
    As you can see, although I live in a large city, I am an avowed lover of Nature and Animals! It was wonderful to take a break from City Life and be in the midst of mountains and greenery!

    Again, welcome!

    Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  14. RobinFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Yoli! Seeing you here out a smile on my face! I have been absent this year....(some physical problems)...but I am doing much better and will be over to visit you soon!

    A BIG HUG!!!!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  15. Amanda SummerFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    what a beautiful area you had a chance to visit -- looks like mimi lives in a dog paradise!

    i agree -- hickory is the sweetest looking dog -- but of course i am always inclined to root for the terrier group ;-)

    glad you had such a lovely getaway my friend --- xxx

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  16. Beaudor et BaronFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    OOOOOOOOOOh now I know for sure were Zusters ;))love to have a deerhound(Irish )to..
    And at the golfcourse(nick's place to be)2 Beaudors,have to explain because you never saw it,but Mr.b can jump just like them,so its his nickname for some.
    So goodYou had a wonderful time,here it was grey today,yes its Februari.
    Beaudor sends you a lot of wet ones.
    xxxMar

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  17. secret agent womanFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    I like that a deerhound won. I'm a fan of the sight hounds.

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  18. RobinFebruary 19, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    My Dear "Twin",
    Yes, Mimi now has a great area to romp and play - it is "Paradise"! I love it there too....so now will have a close (two hours) haven to visit when I need it!

    And....I KNOW you are a "Terrier" girl! I love them too.....but am partial to the "Big Guys"!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  19. RobinFebruary 19, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Mein Zuster Marja,

    Why am I NOT surprised you love Deerhounds too!!! Your comment about the (handsome) Nick and Golf Courses made me smile.....

    And I know Monsieur B is capable of many amazing feats.... besides being the most BEAUTIFUL Ridgie on the Planet!

    Sigh....it's grey here too - and raining!

    But der Fruhling kommt.......hoffentilich - BALD!

    Big Wet Ones to mon Prinz B and to you!!!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  20. RobinFebruary 19, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Hello Dear CS! Nice to hear from you! I am not at all suprised you like the big, Sight Hounds!!! I adore them......

    Hugs from rainy San Francicso,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  21. yoboroboFebruary 19, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Hi Robin! I have missed you! How lovely that you have had a little break. I wish you could have a dog! :) Sometimes getting outside and tossing a ball to a dog just feels like the Swiss Alps of goodness! xoxo Pam

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  22. MimFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    Hello you! Wednesday seems like a week ago - it has been so busy since then and I missed this wonderful post. you sound special here - really.

    HAW on SUNDAY!!
    mim

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  23. kjFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    you DID have a mini vacation! and it shows!

    that you saw deer and an egret and ducks and mimi is a wonderful time by any standard. i am glad for you!!!

    happy new week cupcake!

    xo

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