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1 October ~2008

I told my daughters that I had been thinking about getting another Border Collie, but had decided against it for now, because Ben may not accept another dog.

But Alyssa sent me an email on Saturday with a picture of Dad's new dog.  She had gone to a hay sale and a lady had a litter of seven-week old border collies for sale, from the bed of her truck.  Alyssa picked out a feisty little girl.

Feisty is not the word for it.  She grabs on to my shoelaces or pantlegs when I am trying to walk.  When you shake her off she takes that as a challenge and does her little puppy growl and attacks you again.

Ben knows how to control her, even if I don't, and she minds him.  She follows him around the yard, and I can see that he is going to be her teacher.

So Alyssa is in big trouble for getting me a dog without my permission.  Can you see by this photo how upset I am?

Me and all the dogs have already been on a backpack trip - up to see the aspens.  I know of a mountain that has its entire east flank covered with aspen groves - thousands of acres of them.  We hiked part way up and set our camp in the middle of one of the groves, with a beautiful view of the yellow highlands to the West.

Mollie got into camping right off - figuring out that the tent was our home, and following close behind me whenever we went on a hike.  It wouldn't take long before she would tire out, and when we stopped she would lie on my boots or my legs for a quick nap.  I carried her half the time, considering how little she is.

Ben and Maggie like her, and were fascinated with anything she did.  I think the cuteness factor of little puppies works on dogs as well as humans.

We all choose how we want to live, and I am good with my dog friends and wide open spaces.  They keep your heart from turning hard.


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