dogloversworldwide

Joni at the Gawky Teenager Stage (107/365)

Posted by Ellie

It seems as if I am back walking the old Joni in the mornings, back to the top of the same rise beside the field, her nose covered in the drops of rain or dew, with her just giving me 'that look' when I call her name. This time, although the drops of dew on the muzzle and the quizzical 'look' are the same, instead of the lovely long coat and graceful shape of the mature border collie, this young Joni seems to be all legs and feet. Her ears are not yet settled into the final look and her tail still has that half grown twist at the end. I love to see the stages of growth, treasuring every moment even more in remembering the old 'Joni'.

#365project +G+ 365 Project by +Simon Davis-Oakley +Patricia dos Santos Paton

#dogloversworldwide +DOG LOVERS Worldwide by +Robert SKREINER  +Roswitha Böhmer +Tom Crews 

#hqspanimals  +HQSP Animals curated by +Alejandro J. Soto +Krystina Isabella Brion +Andy Smith

#noapologies #bordercollie #puppy #JonisDiary  #AdayinthelifeofJoni #fansofJoni 

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Heidi (104/365)

Posted by Ellie

Heidi is 13. She is blind. She is a dog who is loved and protected by her family and so the welcome she gives visitors is warm and loving. Though she cannot see, she knows her way around her property and comes as close as she can to 'inspect' guests with nose and ears and to wag her tail in appreciation for the pats and cuddles she receives. We drove up to her house the other day, when it was almost nightfall and I was worried that there might not be enough light to get a photograph of her. She stood still, without moving and 'looked' at me, as though to make sure that I got her portrait.

Puppies are wonderful with their clear, bright eyes, their shiny coats and bouncy, agile, slender bodies. But an old dog, who has given a lifetime of love and companionship, who has always been there, no matter what, is an even greater thing of beauty. Yes, I could have darkened Heidi's eyes so that you didn't see that she was blind. I decided to leave them as they are, true to Heidi, as they seemed to me to be like an opalescent light into her kind and gentle soul. 

#dogloversworldwide +DOG LOVERS Worldwide by +Robert SKREINER  +Roswitha Böhmer +Tom Crews 

#hqspanimals  +HQSP Animals curated by +Alejandro J. Soto +Krystina Isabella Brion +Andy Smith


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Frisbee Lesson #1 (100/365)

Posted by Ellie

The day of the first Frisbee lesson arrived. The snow was (mostly) melted, it was possible to throw it and not have it disappear from view. Joni was used to the idea of bringing back her blue ball to be thrown for her. You can almost see Joni's brain ticking over in this image. She had seen it thrown for her, she had run after it, had managed to pick it up (not easy when it landed on the concrete, not as easy as a ball, anyway) and could see that she was supposed to know what to do next. She was just not ready to give it up quite yet. 

She still (after this was taken, on April 20th) enjoys doing a victory lap or two before bringing it back to be thrown again. But she has the idea now of how it works. A whole lifetime of Frisbee catching is before her. Next to playing with Aria (another border collie) nothing will get rid of her pent up energy as well as a Frisbee game!

#dogloversworldwide +DOG LOVERS Worldwide by +Robert SKREINER  +Roswitha Böhmer +Tom Crews 

#hqspanimals  +HQSP Animals curated by +Alejandro J. Soto +Krystina Isabella Brion +Andy Smith

#noapologies #bordercollie #puppy #JonisDiary  #AdayinthelifeofJoni #fansofJoni 

#365project +G+ 365 Project by +Simon Davis-Oakley +Patricia dos Santos Paton

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Aria (97/365)

Posted by Ellie

Last year, when old Joni was out walking with Steven, they saw a young border collie pup coming along the path toward them. Joni was absolutely terrified at this sight, for some strange reason. It was almost as if she thought she was looking at herself in the past, as a young pup. Eventually, the next few times they met, she gradually tolerated having this pup come near her, though she pretty much ignored her.

Now this is Aria, almost a year old. And she and our young Joni are already great friends. These two border collies tear around like lunatics together, Aria wanting sticks thrown for her (as here) and Joni trying to herd Aria. It's one sure way for two young dogs to burn off some energy. 

#365project +G+ 365 Project by +Simon Davis-Oakley +Patricia dos Santos Paton

#dogloversworldwide +DOG LOVERS Worldwide by +Robert SKREINER  +Roswitha Böhmer +Tom Crews 

#hqspanimals  +HQSP Animals curated by +Alejandro J. Soto +Krystina Isabella Brion +Andy Smith

#bordercollie #puppy

#fidofriday +Fido Friday by +mel peifer +Lisa Lisa +Suhaib Ayaz +Wes Lum


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