Slow Change

The local kennel club is a breath of fresh air. There are classes and matches and practice sessions — and a training building that can be rented for a reasonable rate. A virtual smorgasbord of awesomeness for someone who likes to train dogs 🙋🏼‍♀️

I now have the building for an hour each week; yesterday was our first session. I split the hour into three segments — Capella did obedience for 20 minutes and then went to the car to rest while Starry came out to practice various puppy things and then Capella came back to practice conformation.

When it was Capella’s turn for conformation, I pulled out her fancy leash and the special gold show collar I bought for her about 18 months ago. The collar wouldn’t go over her head!!

I have noticed that Capella has matured this year but I am surprised by how much — and even her head?! Her body has filled out so much — she doesn’t look like the same dog.

Super interesting — and good reminder about how slowly these dogs mature.

Starry — even the still feral cat (the orange one, aka Nikki Summer Dawn) recognizes her kind soul.

I am not sure Capella or Pozy knows that cat exists 😂

Happy Saturday ❤️

Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Yay! We have another Bright Star to celebrate: McCovey!

Valerie sends us this update:

“McCovey is doing great, though he wishes we had more snow in Truckee right now. His bond with my son has grown even more this past year. Since his last birthday, he learned that if he stays still as a statue around James, James will snuggle up with him (which he loves). So whenever James is sitting in the living room, McCovey will slowly inch closer and closer, almost undetectably, until his nose is against his brother. Once there, the only things that move are McCoveys doe eyes and the tip of his wagging tail. James is also big enough now to stand the weight of McCoveys big head on his chest or lap, which makes them both so happy.

McCovey also does this funny thing now where he steals our pillows when he’s excited and will lay with them firmly in his mouth. If he gets excited while we’re sleeping, he’ll even pull our pillows out from under our heads.

He can absolutely sense my pregnancy this time around and has become even more attached than usual (and I didn't think that was possible). Our normal floor-sleeper now sleeps on my legs every night, and lays his head on my belly when we’re on the couch.

We’ve had our usual active year, with a ton of days hiking and swimming in alpine lakes. 

Current favorite things: James, laying in icy rivers, stealing our pillows, and snowshoe adventures.

Biggest dislikes: going to the groomer, UPS guy, stranger men who try to pet the top of his head, mornings when his brother leaves for school.”

Congratulations on the upcoming arrival 💙

Thank you, Valerie and family — HAPPY BIRTHDAY McCovey! 🎂🎉

Maple Moonshadow!

Lee and Adri send us this fun birthday update on Miss Maple Moonshadow 🍁

“Happy Birthday to the Moonshadows!

Maple celebrated another trip around the sun doing her favorite things: staying close to her people, supervising daily life at home, and making sure no one is left unattended for even a moment. She remains our deeply affectionate, always-in-your-space girl whose love language is full-body leaning and around the clock snuggles. It’s been rewarding to watch her maturity and to better understand what environments help her thrive.

Maple remains very people-oriented and forms strong attachments to her family. She prefers to stay close—often maintaining gentle but firm physical contact—and shows a clear sense of security when she’s near her people. Whether we’re out together or settled at home, she is attentive, loyal, and responsive.

Her bond with Sawyer continues to deepen and is one of the sweetest parts of our days. Sawyer begins most days by whispering "you're the best dog ever" into Maple's ear (he also whispers the exact same thing to our other dog, but don't tell either of them).

💙🩷

Maple has been a captive audience to all of Sawyer's reading advances, and she still knows he’s the best person to sit next to at dinner time. She is patient and tolerant with his affection and energy, and they share an easy companionship that’s full of movement, play, and quiet closeness. Their connection reflects Maple’s gentle temperament and comfort within our family system.

Maple’s personality is consistent and expressive. She is alert and vocal when noticing unfamiliar activity around the home (UPS drivers or neighbors), but seeks reassurance rather than confrontation. She shows some environmental sensitivity (particularly to strong smells and bulky gear during hunting season) and reliably chooses calm, familiar spaces where she can feel secure, while Lee fills the freezer. And, of course, she consistently chooses cool hardwood floors over her perfectly good dog bed, a decision that continues to amuse us.

Over the last year and a half, we also began monitoring some swelling and pain in one of Maple’s back legs that Mary-Ann suggested and our veterinarian agrees may be consistent with lymphedema. At this time it appears stable and only mildly impacts her mobility (only short hikes for our Maple girl now). We are keeping an eye on it and following veterinary guidance, and Maple continues to be active, comfortable, and happy.

This year, we made an important adjustment based on careful observation of Maple’s stress signals. Since my clinical practice shifted toward primary marriage and couples therapy, we determined that accompanying me to work was more stimulating than supportive for her, so we transitioned her to staying home. While she enjoyed connecting with people, the office environment proved more stressful than supportive for her. Since making this change, she has been noticeably more relaxed and settled, comfortably spending her days at home with our senior lab, Flannel (14.5). This change has clearly supported her overall well-being.

Maple spent her birthday getting the spa treatment and her new haircut is absolutely fabulous and must be much more comfortable.

We are deeply grateful for Maple and for the way she continues to enrich our lives with her sensitivity, loyalty, and love. Thank you for bringing this wonderful girl into our family and for entrusting us with such a sensitive, affectionate, and intuitive dog. Happy Birthday to Maple and to all the Moonshadows!”

Thank you so much Lee, Adri and boys 💙 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAPLE!!!! 🎉🎂🩷