In Memory of...

On this Memorial Day...I want to first express my thoughts of all the people who fought in the past and the brave souls who continue to fight so we as Americans can be free. To think free and act free on those thoughts. I sit here and remember my grandfather Julius always talking about the war and how he described his willingness to help with the cause. Keith's grandfather Joe who so courageously flew a P38 and helped successfully win WWII. I will always give my gratitude to those who volunteered and those who will continue to volunteer their lives for our freedom.

Today, I didn't go to a BBQ or do anything traditional that I've done in the past. I took this day to soak in the very forest I work in. This may sound dorky but in the last 5 years I've never gone out and enjoyed the Elliott State Forest like others do who don't work there. I'm usually on my way to a harvest unit thinking of my strategy to do the best job I can that day. Don't get me wrong I do stop to smell the roses when I'm at work but today was different. Normally, I look out my window in the work truck and gaze at the beauty as I pass by but I haven't stopped to really enjoy this place on my own time. So this is what I set out today to do. The most beautiful place in this vast forest (to me) is along the West Fork Millicoma River in the heart of the Elliott. So this was my plan; take the dogs, the camera and stop to enjoy the forest on my own time. We stopped along the river a few times, took a hike on an elk trail and the dogs went swimming. In a sense I wanted a memory of my own, in this forest. I may not work here forever so I wanted to take this day to remember the best part of this forest, the river.....

Happy Memorial Day!

At the Beach with the Dogs

Yes I admit......I'm a coasty! There's something about living next to the ocean. You can feel the presence of this vast ocean even miles inland from the beach. The temperature doesn't change much throughout the year.

I've been going out to the beach a lot lately and it's been beautiful out there this spring! The dogs (Dozer, Lacey and my friend's dog Holly) are enjoying themselves especially. Running a muck like a bunch of hounds in and out of the water. This past Saturday I went out with a few friends and enjoyed all the positive ions from the ocean mist.

Life is Good!

Getting ready for the ball toss.

In the water.

The ball getter.

Alicia finding a spot to leave a message

Holly and Dozer

Bouy at the entrance of the jetties.

South Jetty of Coos Bay

Dozer's sandy face in the end.

Walking on Winchester Trail

The weather picked up this weekend. Sunny and in the 70's. Whohoo!! I took Friday afternoon off to enjoy the spectacular weather on the coast. So the dogs and I ventured over to a local trail in the Coos County Forest between Coos Bay and Bandon, Oregon. Of course I took my camera along to see what the forest has to show off on such a spring day.

Full Sail- White Trillium, woodland flower.

Dozer

Unknown woodland flower ( I haven't named the image yet either)

Dozer and Lacy

Skunk Cabbage - water loving woodland plant, always pops in the spring season around creeks.

Sword Fern - The most common fern in the Pacific Northwest forest. I borrow this plant's stable roots and stem to help get me up the hill slope througout my work day out in the woods (between 70-80 percent slope).

Dozer's ready to keep walking:)

My Two Dogs: Animal - Lover

All my life we've had family pets (dogs and cats). I definetly think people are the result of thier environment growing up as a child. Interacting and taking care of animals has been a big part of my childhood and it has carried over into adulthood. Keith and I share the same mantality about animals. They are like family:)

From renting houses over the years, it's been hard to have a dog but we have always found a place that would allow a dog. Now that I'm buying a house for the last 4 years, we now have two dogs. We would never pay for a dog unless it was from a humane society or shelter. There are way too many dogs and cats in shelters across the nation that need a loving home first. Look at your local humane society first before considering buying a animal. Keith and I have rescued three dogs that we've kept and taken care of, Shadow, Dozer and Lacy.

Here's our rescue stories:

Shadow: Keith's grandmother knew about the dog through a friend and she asked Keith if he was willing to save the dog. Poor Shadow was on death row and was about to be euthoized the next day and Keith wanted to give him a chance so he rescued him out of the pound. A mix of pit bull and red doberman. He lived to be 7 years old.

Dozer: I was on my way to school and stopped at the local store (Safeway) to pick up a lottery ticket. I saw this man wearing a uniform with two black pupies (8 weeks old) at his feet. I thought this was strange (this picture doesn't fit). I found out that someone abanonded these puppies behind the store and they made there way around to the front. People would stop and pet them and then go about their business. The pupies started making there way into traffic. I put them a shopping cart and called Keith and told him the story of these two pupies. He said to put them in the truck, grab some puppy food and take back to our house. We kept Dozer and foound a home for his sister Trinity. I know Matrix character names. We didn't think about it at the time we named them. He's a border collie- german shepard mix.

Lacy: Unfortuently was tied up under a boat. Fieses all around her water and food bowl. We sold firewood to this woman and the second time we dropped off wood, she was going to take Lacy to the pound. She was getting to big for the woman and she didn't want her anymore. Keith had me go and check her out. I about cried right then and there looking at the conditions this poor dog was living with. I didn't even hesitate on taking her. She's a Lab-Rot mix. The sweetiest dog I have ever met!!

We had Dozer and Lacy for about 5 years now. What a pair they make. Ones lazy and sweet and the other's hyper and very smart.

For some reason all have been what I call tuxedo dogs. Black coats with a small splash of white on the chest and feet.

We've rescued many other dogs together in the effort to find better lives in loving homes and we've been sucessful.

There will always be more dogs (and cats) that need a loving home and I hope to help in that effort for many yeats to come:)

Here's a few pictures of Dozer and Lacy: