the last laugh

Sunday morning was absolutely beautiful – bright blue sky, not a cloud to be seen and the temperature which started at a cold 18 had risen to 30 by 10:30. I thought it was a perfect day for another try for a “Karl and Me” photo. I didn’t have the tripod, but spotted a stump that held the camera…and another in a good spot for a focus point.

Karl and Me – Take 1:

My “mark” was about 20 feet from the camera. As I ran for my spot, Karl started following thinking it was a game. But then he stopped. Not quite. Try again – I put Karl in a stay…

Karl and Me – Take 2:

Ok, we are both here – look at the camera Karl! No, I give you a kiss!

Karl and Me – Take 3:

This has to do – I’m done.

Karl’s reaction

I think this is Karl’s version of ROFLMAO…

More from across the road

A closer view of the tree, barn and farm. I didn’t like that I cut off the ground, but I couldn’t get quite what I wanted from my side of the road and these guys kept zipping by…

I’ll take a better look at that tree and some of the others I’ve noticed when they leaf out this summer.

Across the road

There is a grouping of pine trees and an unusual square barn along Montana Highway 35 that I’ve been wanting to get a photo of for a long time. On the way home from Karl’s day care adventure I thought I would give it a try. It was a beautiful day with that sky that was impossibly blue and enough clouds for interest. There are several field entrances from the highway, but only one is plowed. It was the wrong one – the angle was not right. Frustrated, I turned around to get back in the Jeep and noticed the farm across the road.

Karl goes to day care

Off the highway and over this slough are 10 acres of Wendy’s K9 Camp and Boarding Retreat. It is a wonderful doggie play and stay spot.

I have an upcoming business trip and as Karl has not been here for either day care or overnight in over 4 years, Wendy and I decided a little re-indoctrination was in order. I dropped Karl off at noon. He got excited as we turned off the highway. When I got the Jeep stopped and opened the back, he jumped out and ran right in the fenced area as always. Knife in my heart, but much preferred to him being anxious. A brief exchange of plans with Wendy and I left while he was exploring. Wendy said he had a good look around and then found a shady spot on a snow pile and relaxed.

The acreage is divided into small, medium and large areas. The dogs are allowed to great each other through the fences. Wendy watches and if there are those who want to play together, she puts them together and lets them romp. In the summer, she has kiddie pools so the dogs can cool off. She’s out with them a lot, always when several are together. For Karl, it is the next best thing to being home with me. My take is that he is outside, with room to play and run and enough other activity to be “busy” so he doesn’t seem to be anxious about me not being around as he is when he stays home with a house-sitter.

I had my own bit of play, taking laptop to a “city” coffee house and working there. There was good wi-fi, it was fairly quiet and I treated myself to a sun-dried tomato/artichoke/mozzeralla stuffed croisant with my coffee while I worked.

When I drove in to K9 Camp to pick up Karl, he was out in a yard with Wendy. He was at a gate as I walked up and glad to see me but also happy to stay and walk around as Wendy and I talked and I took some photos.

The largest of the yards borders a woods and big field. Lots of room to run and play.

The doggie cabins are not in use in winter. Guests sleep in the house or the heated dog room in the garage.

The deluxe cabins…

Karl remembers.

Looking back towards the house on the left, garage on the right. The roofed area behind the garage is fenced and has access to the heated/cooled garage dog room.

Hunter, Wendy’s Jack Russell terrier and Karl renew acquaintance. They were great buds during Karl’s previous stays.

Happy Karl – it is a nice place…truly a retreat, if you are a canine!