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Sunday, 28 January 2024

A pup in winter

My husband and I had our daughter’s puppy last week while she and her husband were on vacation. We’ve never raised a puppy ourselves, so the week provided varied experiences with the five month old pup, Daisy and we won’t soon forget.


One of the things we’ve learned you’d think we already knew. Daisy is a Golden Retriever. However, our daughter’s previous Golden, though a purebred, had no concept of the retriever part of her breed. That dog, Georgie would bring a ball back to you once and that was it. If you threw it again, she’d look at you as if to say, “What?” Now with Daisy, you can throw something until your arm falls off and Daisy will return it. She has the retriever part of her genetics down pat and will play for hours.





Being a puppy, she chews everything, including the end of my favourite wool blanket. Anything is fair game for a chew if it is within reach. We have to be on guard all the time; no dual naps while Daisy is around. 


Daisy accompanied us to the boardwalk this past week for our daily walk and she made friends with everyone she met. 





As I’ve written before, the view along the boardwalk is new every day. This was the bay one day last week, 





a sunny day with the rafted ice on-shore, a reflection of the sky in the ice along the shoreline, snow on the ice farther out and slushy ice beyond to the horizon.


Yesterday, on a wind-free day after a snowfall, the land merged with the sea. 





Winter can be a challenge but its beauty makes up for it.




40 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

A puppy will keep you on your toes alright!

Boud said...

A puppy is a peeing machine that chews! It's like having a toddler around looking for trouble to get into, then looking at you, all innocent! I didn't chew that! A big dog came in and did it!

Maebeme said...

Daisy is such a cutie, I can see how she makes friends easily.

What a difference in lighting between the two days. I'm a much happier person when the sun shines in winter. The gray, gloomy days leave me feeling somewhat the same.

Pam said...

My mom always kept my babes. My dog Dakota would even have spend the night at granny's house, even when I was not out of town. Puppers is really cute.

Hena Tayeb said...

Such a beautiful dog.

The Padre said...

Life Is So Much Better With The Sound Of Toenails Across Wooden Floor Boards - Chew On There PuP

Big Hugs ,
Cheers

acorn hollow said...

Oh Puppies they have way more energy than I do. She is cute so she is easy to forgive.
Your walks are so beautiful I went back and read a few. I wish I could figure out how to follow you so it would pop up in my feed. If I don't have the follow button I am lost.
Cathy

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

So nice to see Daisy once again and she really is a beauty, Marie. Sorry to read that a favorite wool blanket was like a chew toy for her. Being on guard is certainly the correct term to have used until she is perhaps a bit older.

photowannabe said...

Having a puppy around sure is a deep learning curve.
We experienced some of the same things when we kept our Granddogger.
Loved her but it was hard work.
The snow in your last photo is beautiful and definitely depicts Winter.
BRRR
Sue

Elephant's Child said...

Daisy is a total cutie. I have no doubt that she is tiring though - and naps are needed.
Thank you for those very different (both beautiful) views from your walks.

Anvilcloud said...

I would find a pup to be quite a rial, as lovable as I am sure that she is.

At Home In New Zealand said...

Your frozen ocean still amazes me. I don't think I will ever get used to that, it is such an alien concept to me :)

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Puppies are indeed a challenge! Daisy is just precious, but I can imagine she did wear you out with the love of the ball! Beautiful pictures of the bay - I'm sure Daisy really enjoyed those outings! Glad to see you have some snow to enjoy :) Ours is melting!

Debbie said...

daisy is a beautiful puppy however we enjoy duel naps and not having to play with a puppy, thus the reason we do not have a dog!! accidents, vomit and walking...3 of the others!!

the pictures of the bay are really pretty. our ocean does not freeze, but our lakes and bays do. it has been pretty warm here, 40's and 50's, we are getting rain, only one snow and it wasn't much!!

Helen said...

So awesome to see these two differing but stunning views from the boardwalk.
I can just imagine Daisy winning friends on your morning walk. A tiring but loveable visitor.

Joanne Noragon said...

A lovely pup. Glad she belongs to someone else.

Black Knight said...

Daisy is lovely and beautiful.
My son has a Golden Retriever too: a very nice and friendly dog.
It's cold there!!!!!

eileeninmd said...

Daisy is so cute! Watching puppies can be tiring but fun too.
Love the views of the bay. Take care, have a great day!

DJan said...

What a cutie! And I'm sure she kept you both on your toes. :-)

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

How fun to have Daisy with you but puppy are challeing. Enjoy

Chris said...

I loved reading about Daisy, what a cutie and reminded me of our Nell, she loved to play fetch. I taught it to her at our allotment and she loved it. As soon as we sat outside would plague us with her ball, I used to say who taught that dog fetch, there's no peace with her!!

Liz Hinds said...

The scenery is nearly as beautiful as Daisy! I love her so much.

margi said...

What a beautiful puppy!

peppylady (Dora) said...

Snow is pretty well gone here. Daisy lovely little girl.

Catarina said...

A puppy will keep you young.
We should follow your example... walking every single day. I have been missing a lot of beauty out there lately even without sun for days and days...

Barwitzki said...

Such a sweet puppy... it was a lot of work but also a lot of joy.
I can well imagine that you are happy to see him again.
The two coastal photos are beautiful... yes, winter has its absolutely
golden sides.
Many greetings from Viola.

Billie Jo said...

Such a pretty pup! Yes, they do keep us on our toes! When we got Cosmo, I told Steve I had forgotten what it was like having a baby in the house! But the snuggles are worth it. Have a cozy evening, my friend.

MARY G said...

Oh dear, your blanket! Lucky for us, the first time we got the daughter's dog, she was an adult and not a chewer. But I hear you about the retrieving.
I do so look forward to what your boardwalk will show in each photo. Love them all, and go back to them when I can for another refreshing look.

Stewart M said...

A pup would be a real challenge for me! But they do look fun!

Cheers - Stewart M - Lake District National Park.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Daisy is super cute!! I'm sure she kept you very busy. Had to laugh about no more dual naps!

Lorrie said...

Such beautiful muted colours in your scenery photos. Good for you for taking care of the puppy.

Granny Sue said...

Oh my, puppy! They sure demand close attention! But she is a beauty.

DUTA said...

Daisy is an adorable pup! So are the scenic views along the boardwalk!

baili said...

oh she is darling :)))

a retriever pup can be fun partner wow

hope your daughter had blessed vacations !

loved last line ,the positive heart is blessed one ,
wishing you spring around the corner dear Marie!
hugs and blessings

Pam said...

SUch an adorable puppers. I love dogs but I have found cats are so much easier.

Shammickite said...

Daisy... Daisy... give me your answer, do.... Do you remember that old song? Perhaps you could sing it to her!

Katerinas Blog said...

What beautiful winter pictures! The birds, the snow! I enjoyed them. Thanks for the post!

John said...

Staying in Darnley, for two weeks , in June. Wonder if you could recommend some places to visit...love natural areas, etc...the only place we went to was the stunning Cape Tyron light house...thanks.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Daisy is adorable!
The skies there are much what we've seen here, but without the beautiful ocean.

Marie Smith said...

John, regarding your visit to the island this summer:

There are several areas I would visit. The Black Marsh Trail at North Cape is well worth a visit and a walk. French River is a must see and the nearby lighthouse at Yankee Hill, especially in June during lobster season when the boats pass so close to shore on their way to and from the wharf. Walk the beach at Basin Head and jump off the wharf if you dare. Walk the boardwalk in Summerside, especially at sunset. The beach at Thunder Cove is beautiful. Check out the wharf and fishing boats at Malpeque, a typical island fishing community. The community of North Rustico has a beautiful boardwalk along the shoreline and you can watch the fishing boats. There is a great trail system on the island you can check out on-line. You can walk to the top of the lighthouse at Souris.

I hope you find some of these helpful.