Saturday, July 10, 2010

Freedom on the Fourth

Shadow, off leash and free for the Fourth, gets some fresh mountain air in Maine.

Shadow reentered New Hampshire last weekend for the first time since we picked him up from Blue Diamond way back in February. I don't know if he recognized anything, but I do know that he was an absolute angel for the entire 7-hour drive to Maine (and back again a few days later).

Moose prods his cousin Shadow to get back in the game.

It was an impromptu Fourth of July family reunion, and Shadow couldn't have been more thrilled to see his buddies Moose and Artie, whom he'd been missing for nearly a week.

I also couldn't have been more thrilled... to have the ability to play with my puppy without worrying about cars or moss (his favorite food), and to be able to wander around with my camera knowing he'd be safe with his cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.

The sunset was spectacular on Independence Day...

...and I had a blast taking photos...

 
...while Shadow played with Moose and Artie.

The difference between Maine and suburban New York -- the former with wide open wilderness and a generally easygoing attitude toward dogs, the latter with its plethora of boundaries and rules regarding where, when and how dogs may place their paws -- was readily apparent from Day One. At one point, the little guy was so relaxed he actually fell asleep in his water bowl outside.


Under the table and daydreaming

In Maine, Shadow get to take his first swim (a no-no in most places down here), and to enjoy the fresh mountain air and warm sun without a leash. (It kills me to have to put it back on him now that he's home.)

I opted not to take my camera into the "swimming hole" we went to on Monday, but there is video of Shadow's very first dip into the river on Saturday. Check back for that and some more choice Maine photos in the coming days.

Just one more for good luck  ;)

1 comment:

  1. The photos you took of the sunset were spectacular!!! It was great to see you over the weekend and thanks for bringing the near perfect weather.

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