Is it possible for a Chocolate Labrador to become even MORE chocolate??

Yep .... an even MORE chocolate Chocolate Labrador!

The vet’s getting to know Sam REALLY well and he’s learning to expect the UNEXPECTED where Sam’s concerned. He’s NOT a Labrador for nothing.

This week he ATE Carol’s hairbrush .... yep, her HAIR-BRUSH
.... he has strange tastes!

The Heron in the bay on Thursday morning

His behaviour the last two weeks lends credence to the belief that if a hound has enough stimulation in their day, they have no need to chew things and dig holes. Sam hasn’t been allowed to swim or walk off-lead since his op and his behaviour at home has been abominable. 
He’s dug holes in the garden and chewed a myriad of Carol’s things .... only Carol’s though  .... cause she SMELLS so good!

This week he’s back to his normal contented self. 

One of the Black Swan cygnets chasing a duck .... boy, did it POWER through the water!!

Phew!

That’s Carol breathing a sigh of relief, not me!

My hound is exhausted this evening. She’s had two days of full-on rambles with her favourite 
4-legged furry friends. 

Oh yeah .... I think she's a TAD muddy!

Sam and her gave the word “muddy” new meaning yesterday. It wasn’t only Sam that turned into a chocolate hound ... my ALREADY chocolate hound made herself even MORE chocolate! That MUD puddle at Waiatarua has a lot to answer for.

Double Trouble!

The Labrador Gang was out in force. The collective noun for a group of Labradors is a ‘party’ ... a very apt descriptive word for these social hounds that inhabit our lives. They definitely recognise one of their own and much tail-wagging and bum-sniffing takes place when they encounter another Lab when we’re out on a ramble. 

Today it was waves and black sand as Julia and I and the hounds headed out to Piha. Summer exposed itself in all its warmth and beauty .... no hint of any wintery weather  ... just glorious sunshine and blue skies. The hounds are allowed off-leash on the North side of Lion’s rock and we took full advantage of it.

It’s an idyllic spot .... so picturesque!

We had the beach to ourselves and spent a magical few hours walking in the waves ... yes, we got wet .... but isn’t that what you’re supposed to do when you go to the beach.

Someone creative has painted the electricity sub-stations in Piha .... not just with a coat of paint but with a colourful mural of the birds that inhabit the area. 

Our little village of St. Heliers has gorgeous bus-shelters, 
Piha has gorgeous sub-stations.

Insane?  Yes, but beautiful!

“Insanity ... a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.” 
~ R.D. Lang

ps. This blog was meant to be posted yesterday but google, in its wisdom, decided I have too many photos stored on-line! It wouldn’t let me load any more .... boo hoo. 

I’ve had to BUY more storage space now in order to continue uploading photos for my blog ...... argh!!!