Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Colorado pet visits

On our recent trip to Colorado we had lots and lots of fun pet meetings, from puppies to dragons.
This little girl was Laila, a doodle meeting up with her peeps at puppy play sessions in Broomfield CO. I sure wish we had these controlled play sessions in MD as we are set to get our new poodlepup in a month.

We left our hotel Sat morning headed to see this group and learned a lot from the people while remembering what it's like to have a wee doggie. Better have another cup of coffee. Do you have puppy groups where you live, just for the purpose of good play in a safe place?

We landed in Denver on Friday night and headed for Monika and Sam's place for some poodle time.
They met me at the door with lots of pets,
"She really needed a poodlepet", said Sam
"I liked her" said Elsa, "She smelled like Salmon"
I forgot to pack their bones so I brought them salmon left from my dinner plate.
(I'm not above buying friends) (I know a poodle's love of fish)
Sooooooooo
"are you going to eat every last crumb of that homemade chocolate cookie Mr. Drew???"said Sam while Elsa just made herself visible to help with clean up.

These two were as loving and beautiful as you expect them to be and more. Monika and Wayne take such good care of them.




What a beautiful family and we had a great time laughing and talking.
While Drew and Wayne played guitars, Monika and I went to her studio (her tour next week!)
Huh?!?!  you ate it ALL???

Monika and the two poodle tour guides showed me the creative place where Monika paints, felts, makes glittery and papery art as well as concocts her healing salves and yummy dog treats. 

All too soon for me, it was time to go check in at our hotel and we said our farewells
 "Sigh... must you go?"

We were able to schedule one more evening together on our short 5 day visit but rain and traffic interrupted the planned dinner. Still Monika and Wayne forgave our tardiness and we spent another evening of lively conversation over dinner at their place.

On Saturday we were able to see Mary, Ben and Paul's refinished home in downtown Boulder. Lovely! It comes with their cat Fetcher who greeted us warmly.

While we stood outside getting our bearings, several neighbors walked by and asked "is that your cat? We love him!" I mean, Fetcher is so social everyone loves him. He's so social Mary and Ben ran into him at a neighbor's house up the hill when they went for a party once! The kids at that house introduced them to their own cat by saying, "and this is our cat!"
I finally got to meet Spikey who's activities I follow on Mary's blog. The unaware might not realize how connected this kind of pet can be but he followed me with his head and eyes, and I got to watch him catch dinner (crickets)
SNATCH!
GOBBLE!
and am told by Paul, he feels quite soft, the spikes feel more like feathers! He is a glorious color and incredibly interesting to me. I don't know why, but I could watch him for hours. It feels primal.

There are no lack of dogs in Downtown Boulder. I almost got my fill, if possible! I loved one musician's puppy who mostly stayed in the open guitar case while his dad played.

we even spotted this bear.... at Celestial Seasonings Factory showroom!
 Just outside the factory are large open fields of prairie dogs. There is a bit of a struggle going on between developers and nature advocates on this issue of prairie dogs.
Having no dog in this fight, ahem, just a figure of speech, I enjoyed watching them scamper freely about.
Image result for prairie dogs celestial seasonings factory
There are real bear, mountain lions, snakes, and assorted other wildlife sharing everyday life in Colorado.
People are aware and respectful of nature here.
I love that.
I'm not sure how people began to think they were the only important part of nature, but we should wake up and realize we are only a small part, and do the most damage.

We're going to miss clean air and water when it's gone.

(the quote says:
"The present never ages. Each moment is like a snowflake, unique, unspoiled, unrepeatable, and can be appreciated in it's surprisingness" Gail Sheehy

We went up into the mountains on Chautaugua and in Estes (rocky mountain national park) but did not spot wildlife as it is still a bit early for many animals. It's been warmer than usual however so we heard bears and others were already waking. I only saw horses, cows, and I pined for an alpaca.
Image result for alpaca store in boulder city

I may have decided to find a home on 2 acres if we do move here, so I can have a small pack of two alpacas, a poodle and two persons.

linking to among others http://abcwednesday
http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/
saturdays-critters- 














20 comments:

PaintedThread said...

Alpacas! Looks like a fun trip. Poodlepup next month?! Huzzah for you!

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

Thanks for sharing this wonderful trip! mary in Az

Anonymous said...

You're getting a pup in a month?? cool! I'm so behind on all the news.
Diane

Unknown said...

Loving all these pet pics! Sam and Elsa are so gorgeous and look how they cuddle together on the couch! Teddy used to groom (lick) D'Art while I brushed D'Art, but none of them cuddle together. They cuddle with their humans though!

Sara said...

Looks like you had a really enjoyable trip. Are you considering moving to Colorado? And a new puppy coming to your house in a month will be exciting for you. A fur baby to cuddle again.

Maria said...

Look at those fun poodles! They look good next to you:)
So excited for you to get your new poodle pup!

Raising Your Pets Naturally with Tonya Wilhelm said...

Wow. You really met a lot of new friends on that trip.

Joanne said...

THe plot thickens!
Alpacas, 2 acres, fresh mountain air...tell me more!

MelodyK said...

Ohh wowwwwwww poodles..... my favorite. After one passed away in 2013 we now have one... As soon as possible I want to add another one... the most lovable and clowny dogs

Have a nice ABC-day / -week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
http://melodymusic.nl/20-m/

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

What a lovely tour of pets, poodles and creatures. People are respectful of all the animals here too LeeAnna. That's why I have deer, fox, wild turkeys and so many others on a lot near lots of houses. Lots of dog walkers too. It's a nice feeling, that.

carol l mckenna said...

Fascinating post and love the doggie photos ~ wonder if you know chocolate can be dangerous to dogs? ~

Happy Weekend to you ~ ^_^

Roger Owen Green said...

love the bear, especially
ROG, ABCW

Amy Art Quilter & Fyber Cafe said...

Awesome you are getting a poodle pup! Standard? Are they born yet? M or F? So much fun to look forward to. I am so happy for you!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Your vision for yourself is a lovely one. It would be a wonderful place to breathe the earth. :-)

Brian's Home Blog said...

You sure got to see a whole big bunch of sweet critters! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

Tails Around the Ranch said...

Awww, you're far too kind. We so enjoyed meeting you and Drew in the flesh and spending some time together. Sam & Elsa miss their Auntie Leela. ღ

easyweimaraner said...

I cried a little while reading this post... but tears with joy.... that's so great that you met each other... and I love the photos of boulder... specially the chocolate store....that's the place to live for me ;o)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, what an awesome critter post and a great trip! I love the Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park. It is exciting you are getting a poodle, congrats! I love all the dogs, lizard, prairie dogs and the cute alpacas. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

Jeanne said...

How fun to be getting a new pup! I have been thinking about it , but haven't made the decision yet. Love your shots!

betty-NZ said...

What a great variety of critters! Prairie dogs are always fun to watch. I've never been around alpacas but they look like fun :)