Summer runs a tight ship.
If you want her to fetch something it requires a verbal request.
Once the details are ironed out she proceeds as directed.
Post haste.
Slippers are often requested items to fetch for her pal.
No matter where he left them last.
She knows.
She even supervises the application of the delivered slippers.
One of Summer's many well deserved titles is Slipper Procurement Manager.
She is so proud and happy to help.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer is determined to find some fun on this drizzly early morning.
I explained that with no running water I can't really take her on an outside adventure. All of our adventure options require a shower or at least a spirited washing afterwards.
When she asked for some playtime on the stairs I just couldn't deny her.
I have found myself defending her presence in our household the past two weeks. I am positive that she isn't causing any of our current issues with bacteria. She is super healthy, we are careful about keeping her from licking her pal and she is kept as clean as is possible.
She isn't going anywhere.
So anyone who thinks otherwise is barking up the wrong tree.
My daughter has decided to intervene for us with the health department staff to explain that we keep a clean and orderly environment at our house.
I expect when our water is clean we will fall of everyone's radar again.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Day two with no running water.
There will be lots of clean up when the well is back up and running.
Yesterday the workers drained, cleaned and disinfected our 2,500 gallon holding tank. I used the water to give our rhododendrons and apple tree a good soak.
Par for the course something had to go wrong. It seems we have a breakdown in the electric connection needed to install the water filters. Lucky for us the plumber's brother-in-law is an electrician who agreed to come out this morning. The below ground wiring goes from our house two acres down the hill to the well. Hoping for the best...
In the mean time we are staying positive because the people working on this project seem determined to provide us with a safe functioning water system.
It will happen.
I have faith.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I am happy to report that my husband is feeling better every day.
A steady diet of milkshakes, cookies and pies are putting some pounds back on him.
Today he jumped in to help me make coffee. I was struggling to open the giant water bottle so he flexed his muscles and unscrewed the lid with one hand even. Since he was already in position he lifted the heavy container to fill the coffee maker right to the line. I do believe the coffee tastes better because we made it together.
Summer even got a little massage while he sat in his chair. Soon he will be off to see one of his many doctors.
Today our well work starts. I am trying to avoid thinking about what could go wrong and look forward to clean water on tap again.
Summer says good morning Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Have a nice Mastodon Sunday! 🦣💦
#illustration #summer #hydration #mammoth

I told Summer that we have to get a move on.
Lots to do to prepare for a few days without running water.
Summer drinks lots of water everyday so she gets the urgency of this moment.
She did remind me how lucky we are to be able to fix the problem and move on.
Right after breakfast I ran to the store to buy gallons of drinking water. It pains me to buy water in plastic jugs but my options are somewhat limited. I don't want to get water from any of our neighbors because four of our wells are in close proximity. I am hoping they all test their water too. All I can do is make them aware of our situation.
Summer says she wants to get a quick nap before she takes on the rest of the day.
First things first.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

By Lisa Cucharr, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Quinnipiac University
#pools #pool #summer #health #swim
theconversation.com/how-germy-…

Summer and I got up about thirty minutes before daybreak because the newest dog in the neighborhood was barking nonstop. Summer needed to see what the heck was going on. I told her there's not much to see in the dark but Summer says nonsense. All she needs is her ears and her sniffer.
Because we got such an early start we had plenty of time for a beach adventure.
In the car we just kept arguing back and forth.
I would say I love you and she immediately comes back with love you more.
All the way to the beach.
There is no winning this battle with Summer.
Even in the breeze on the trail I could hear
love you more and knew Summer would never give up
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I didn't know that labs were lap dogs when we got Summer.
Now I know.
As soon as I sit in the recliner here she comes.
She loves being up close and personal.
Today I have lots on my plate.
Our deck construction is down to the finishing touches. My job will be taking the nails out of the boards from the old deck and loading the boards on a trailer so the wood can be recycled.
I am feeling thankful for my husband's strong recovery from his hospital stay and his six pound weight gain. Feeling thankful for the good friends who built our replacement deck. Thankful for a sweet Summer who dispenses love by the bucketfuls.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer woke up a happy dog.
Her pal slept all night so we all slept all night.
She wakes him up by giving him a soft pat with her paw. I let them cuddle for a few minutes before I told Summer we were headed to the beach.
But first we perked the coffee and took the garbage bin out to the road.
The fog is thick and the neighborhood isn't awake yet as we drive off on our adventure.
As usual we have the trail to ourselves.
I wanted to get some wildflower photos but they were all closed up waiting for the sun.
Much needed exercise for both of us.
I asked Summer what she wanted to write in the sand. She wanted to send hugs to everyone who could use one on this early Wednesday morning.
Good morning and hugs from Summer Mastodon friends.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Work commenced on our deck early.
We will have nice wide steps with a strong rail. They offered to put in a slide but I don't think I want to temp Summer or my husband.
While they were building I was the demolition team taking the boards off of the old deck walls and pulling nails. Pry bars are handy tools even if they laugh at me throwing all my weight into the task.
Summer helped me load up some cardboard to recycle and a few bags of groceries for the free pantry.
I will drop stuff off on my way to pick up pizza for today's lunch party.
Getting more than three hours of sleep makes me down right perky. Who know what else we will get done today.
Stay tuned.
Good morning, Mastodon
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer is waiting by the door for the deck builders to show up. I think they are building the stairs today. Very exciting.
Breakfast is done.
Cooling neck fans are charging because today will be warm for us and the deck builders.
No Summer adventure this morning because I stepped back on an uneven surface yesterday and my knee is just unhappy enough that I'm taking a day off from slogging through soft sand.
Summer will have to exercise running down the hill and back before it gets to warm.
A pretty good day so far for a Monday.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Relying on GPS for directions makes your brain lazy. Here's how to give it a workout
Getting lost is actually great exercise for your brain. As is putting limits on how much guidance you get from your mapping and GPS tools this summer, be it on a drive to the cottage or exploring a new city.
cbc.ca/radio/sunday/gps-drivin…

Lots of excited energy at our house this morning. These two are happy together.
Family will be arriving in a few hours.
Summer can hardly wait.
We slept in a bit and everyone is feeling good.
In this moment we are truly content.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer was overdue for a good run on the beach.
We set everything up last night so we could get out the door in record time. We were driving before the official sunrise. I knew we had to get there and get back.
My husband has really bounced back and slept all night so everyone was feeling good.
The sky was overcast and it felt like the world was still asleep.
Summer was excited as was Grandma.
Good morning Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Kind of a long night and then off to the VA clinic early. They are trying to help us to stay out of the hospital this weekend.
Really nice people.
The deck builders came early so they could double as dog sitters while we went to town.
The deck floor has been installed and the stairs will be built Monday. The redwood for the railings/windbreak sides has been gifted to us and was milled from a fallen tree on a friend's property.
We are blessed.
The kindness and generosity of our friends and neighbors is humbling and uplifting.
Summer told them they could go home early today to have a nice weekend.
She is an excellent project supervisor.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Some nights I sleep better than others.
Last night I worried instead of sleeping.
I know better but it's best to let my brain consider all of the possibilities and then move on again.
Since sleep wasn't happening I jumped up at first light to get Summer out for a much needed run.
All of our favorite spots were full of people who looked like they were camping. None of these places allow overnight so there's that.
We moseyed down the hill to our trail of last resort on Humboldt Bay. This trail is for hunters to access the bay but is deserted in the off season.
The tide was out so Summer stayed on the shore and out of the standing water.
She was a good girl and fun was had.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Final days of work in the vineyard before harvest. With climate change grapes mature every year earlier.
#agriculture #vineyard #summer

Summer is hard at work tearing up cardboard to recycle.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Today's weather isn't exactly fur coat compatible says Summer.
Fans are strategically located around the house so she has cooler spot for a lounge options.
Lukewarm shower for her pal.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Rustic atmosphere.
#summer #berries #trees

#gävle #sweden ##summer

#photography #nature #flowers #butterfly #MonarchButterfly #summer #gardens

She looks so innocent.
Don't let her fool you.
She is an instigator.
For sure.
Her pal called her on the phone. She could hear his voice and came running from the other side of the house. It's good that one of us can hear a pin drop a mile away.
She and her pal hatched a plan.
They miss each other.
He will ask to sit outside his room for a bit tomorrow after breakfast. Summer might be taking a walk in the same neighborhood.
It would be pretty sweet if they connected.
Little do they know that I already got permission from his doctor. Keeping that tidbit of information to myself.
It sounds like all treatment plans for my husband are on hold until he is infection free. The soonest he can transfer to another hospital or come home will be sometime next week.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

The plumbers have arrived and Summer is keeping a close eye.
She says she's not sure if they are authorized to put new lids on our septic tanks.
I reminded her that she was on board when we made the appointment.
She is giving them her fierce look.
She calls this one Beware of Summer.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Yesterday a box arrived in the mail for Summer.
It was full of her favorite kibble, a few treats and a new throwing disc. We finally got the box opened this morning.
She was so happy to play with something new.
Lots of throwing and fetching happened so good exercise was accomplished.
We are starting our day out in a joyful way.
Summer is feeling like her happy self.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Happy dog photos from our morning beach adventure.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon