THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: dogs


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Here’s looking at you

I love animals. They look so deeply into your eyes. I love how they read and react to you. Especially dogs. They get so in tune with their dads and moms. And the kids if they are around.

A golden retriever laying on a carpet with its head resting on its paws, looking directly at the camera.
All four paws and a face. Photo by Mike Hartley

Been a very busy day and feeling good about the progress made. Learning my new photo site and tools. Also, a bit of research for a project. Well actually a lot of research. Hope to relax a bit and then back to work later tonight.

Being a blog is part of the new photo site I’m going to use that to kind of track my progress and activity. And if I learn something along the way I’ll share it.

Utilizing the tools I have has not been one of my strong points. I have enough problems making the time to create content and read and view other efforts which inspire me to do better.

Winter is on the way through which means I’ll be indoors a lot more and hopefully end the year strong and get a great jump on 2027. I can’t believe I mentioned 2027 but it will be here before we know it.

See you all later this evening.


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Mid-Morning Mayhem

Every once in a while, I’ll have the house to myself. And also, every once in a while, I’ll be the only one in my 2-seat go-cart. Well today is one of those days and it’s one where the volume grows. I’m going out now and make the car shine. Music is already filling the indoor space.

I won’t turn anything outside up till later in the morning. Of course, I could do it now to drown out the huge mowers doing several neighbors yards early today. You’re late boys, mine is DONE.

Well, some more inspirational R&R just came on so let me get up from this box and back outside.

Some Dogs will do Anything for Attention. See below

Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • The smile of a 1-year-old can fill a heart.
  • I’m of the belief that one can hear but be totally deaf to situations.
  • Paddle shifters – no thanks, I’m old school.
  • I don’t trust railings.
  • I find myself looking inward more now.


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You got to love them

This little girl was with us for 8 days. We watched her for our son while his family was away visiting his wife’s mother and grandmother out of state.

She is a joy and a pain. Her sister was just a joy and ease. She’s a very active dog and wants constant attention and love. At least she saw this as an opportunity for that. Maybe she’s smarter than I give her credit for.

She’s a loving pet and loves us and our house. More room to run and play, lots of wildlife to watch and bark at. Long walks with my better half, full roam of the house and the occasional treat. Well maybe more than occasional.

I love dogs but I don’t believe I’ll ever own one. I get to love both of my best friend’s dogs, and my son’s dog.

And now that she hasn’t been here for 2 days, I miss her and almost find myself looking for her to come down and nudge my hand away from the keyboard.

Pets are a wonderful thing. So much love in animals. I don’t understand how people can mistreat them. That reminds me I need to visit the local cat and dog rescue and make a donation. Don’t worry, I know there are people in need and donated to the Maryland Food Bank today.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • If you don’t participate, you’re advocating your freedom.
  • Yesterday was a good walking day. Now, if I can follow up with another one.
  • Searching for the truth takes time and effort.
  • I’m getting better in dealing with cold, but wind makes me mad.
  • It’s getting hard to move around my office again. Time for the purge.


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Sleep n Dogs

It was great to finally get some good rest last night. And I hope that continues now that we give our grand dog back to my son and his family today. She’s a cute little thing, but boy she wants constant attention. My better half takes the bulk of the care because the dog is more attached to her.

I love pets and always have. But dogs are ones that we just couldn’t have unless some changes were made. For instance, we would need a fence so they could go out on their own instead of having to be walked a few times a day.

Next is training a dog not to sleep on the bed which our grand dogs are used to. I’d also have to get used to raising anything of importance above tail level. This one has a tail that moves like a housekeeper with a duster on meth.

I’m not sure I could get used to the dirt level they increase. It’s like this active group of children who go in and out all day and shed also. It might cost me a housekeeper.

Like most dogs this one is fixated on food. You can’t go to the kitchen without this companion. Nope that won’t work for me.

Guess I’m just used to having a cat most of my life. We have no pets now because the trauma of losing them is too much for my better half to bare again.

Anyway, I think I’m developing a new sleep pattern. I’ve been passing out shortly after dinner the past week or so. Usually waking around 1am or as late as 3am. I feel good. It feels like I got some deep sleep.

My previous pattern was staying up till 11 or midnight and getting up at 4-5am. For some reason I almost never sleep past 6am regardless of when I go to bed. But I never felt rested and felt tired during the day.

This last week I haven’t felt the need for a nap.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Remember to laugh some each day.
  • I’m turning off news that broadcast lies without challenging them.
  • The older I get the longer it is each day to work out the kinks.
  • Nobel prize for inventor of the heating pad.
  • I feel the need for some classic rock this morning.


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Part of our hearts

I’m shedding a few tears while typing this post because my son’s first pet passed away today. The joy that dog gave both my daughter in-law and my son is beyond compare. It pains us both to see them in such despair.

We loved her and it hurts very badly right now.

We would always watch her when they take vacations, and she would always visit when they came. She was so sweet and loving. She brought me a lot of joy and love. As soon as she came in our house, she would use her nose to guide me to the kitchen and stand in front of the freezer till I got the ice cream out.

I loved how adapt she was at opening presents. Gently tearing the wrapping paper away.

She was a rescue, and she certainly rescued our families’ hearts.

My son and Paisley. Photo by Mike Hartley

We got to say goodbye to her this morning, and the hurt will be with us for a while. That’s the way it is when you lose a love.

I’ve got to finish a carving for them soon. And I’m going to put together a photo book for them and all the shots I have of her over the years.

Rest easy my girl. Photo by Mike Hartley


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A licker problem

This is why I got my son the sign that reads “My Dog has a Licker Problem.”

One last bout on the treadmill and then the shoes will be off for the day and I might even kick back in the recliner for a few minutes. The day is about done. It sure went fast. An ever increasing trend. I’ll grab 3-4 hours sleep and be up and at it again.

Tomorrow I have to put my mind to my better half’s upcoming celebration. Time to hit the party store for some decorations. I have a lot of writing to do and some carving in the morning.

Sleep well if you can.


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Defeating darkness

Going to brighten up my spirits this evening. Uploading images to the portfolio and then tinkering around with a few other crafts. The day was consumed with home and yard chores but now it’s my time. So I’m using a photo from about a year ago and one from a few weeks ago that I was trying an animal portrait of.

Some colors don’t even need light. Photo by Mike Hartley

Luck

One of our son’s dogs was staying with us a few weeks back. She is a wonderful baby and she is spoiled rotten with attention when here. We love her so and she loves us right back. She is our constant companion.

Any spot on this floor is a good hiding spot for her. Photo by Mike Hartley

I was in the kitchen cooking when I looked over and the sun started to come out from the clouds and I picked up the camera with one hand and snapped a few. If anyone ever asks me what color my hardwood floors are I’ll bring my son’s dog in to show the the exact shades.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Hearing the excitement in your children’s voices is a special treat for this father.
  • My old John Deere mower is about 1 cut away from completing its 25th year I believe.
  • I will not waste this fall shooting season. Tomorrow we begin, before the rains this weekend.
  • Rumor has it that a real night’s sleep feels pretty good.


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Good morning

Time to jump into another day. I wish the forecast was better but that really doesn’t matter. Today we get the company of our granddaughter and we have a few things from the beach for her.

I GOT IT. Photo by Mike Hartley
My TURN. Photo by Mike Hartley

I had better get ready for that young bundle of endless energy and make some plans to keep her entertained. That’s the wrong word, to learn and have fun together would be a better way of putting it. I try to teach and help show her different crafts or games when she is here.

Random Thoughts of the Day – morning edition

  • There are hugs and there are 4-year-old hugs.
  • I think I’ll get a snowball today.
  • I’ve got a lot of photos to edit.
  • Trying to decide if I should make some sausage gravy and biscuits.