I'm actually not sure whether this should be posted to the Pet Forum or Nature/Wildlife but based on the number of images, I think it's best here. Today, the queen of our household, Cassidy Ann, turned 9 years young. Cassidy (Annihaus Rowdy's B Cassidy) is an Annie granddaughter and a Rowdy daughter and as a result of that, she's been very important to our breeding program having produced 17 puppies in her two litters. Cassidy was an excellent show prospect as a puppy having gone Best Of Breed out of the 9-12 Month Puppy Class over Specials. But, at 10 months of age, she developed a lump on her right shoulder. We had it biopsied and it was diagnosed as a benign lipoma which we had removed.

Over the next year, Cassidy accumulated 13 points and one of her two required majors. She went Reserve to a major 3 more times before the lipoma recurred. This time, it was pretty entrenched in the muscle tissue of her shoulder and, although we put her through a second surgery, our vet doubted if we could get it all without damaging necessary muscle tissue. By the time she was healed from that surgery, it was clear that her strength was compromised and she moved with a limp. And six months later, the lipoma recurred again. So we decided that Cassidy had already demonstrated her breed type and structural integrity in the ring and the lipoma had always tested benign so we decided to breed her. We do not regret that decision for a second. We have also steadfastly refused to operate on her shoulder again.

As a Rowdy daughter, Cassidy was always a very sweet, gentle girl. She also lived in the same household as the original queen, Annie Fay, so her personality worked well with Annie's dominant attitude. The week before Annie left us, she and Cassidy laid side-by-side almost every day and you could almost see Annie passing the crown to her granddaughter. After that, Cassidy became Cassidy Ann and she's ruled the household with a firm but gentle paw ever since. When I asked Cassidy what she wanted for her Birthday, she told me she wanted to go for one of our long nature walks and she'd like a new portrait in honor of this special day. So, here's Cassidy Ann at 9 years old.



As we walked around the pond, the Hooded Mergansers I'd spotted last week were still there and I attempted to get a closer view of them. Here's the result of that effort.





And, toward the end of the walk, my old buddy the Wood Stork came cruising in and landed in the same tree where I'd captured him last week.



Cassidy will be getting some special additives to tonight's meal along with a few more treats than usual this evening. Tomorrow, it's back to work managing the rest of these canine kids. Nobody does it better.

Jim

Give her a pat on the head from Wacky roger

That makes two!!!

James

There is just nothing like walking with a dog (big is my preference) at your side and a camera around your neck. It was my favorite pastime, till Zuki, my Dusty Dog, died. So, Jim, I know, I really do know and feel how important this walk was to you. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}

As for the mergansers, they're really skittish birds, very tough to get close to, and for them to come close enough to shoot takes a ton of patience. I'd venture to say that it's near impossible with a dog at your side. But, you did great, regardless. Hooded mergansers are fabulous little winter visitors here on Long Island, NY. I try to shoot them all the time, but usually come away disappointed. Kudos to you, mon.

Whether this is in the pet forum or the wildlife forum is immaterial. It was/is a great post. Tugged at my emotional self, and for that, I thank you.

Diane,
thank you. Cassidy is a very special member of our family and I cherish my time with her. This week, she is having surgery to remove a couple of small mammary tumors and to be spayed. While I'm concerned about the surgery, I know we've caught the tumors early because I examine her virtually every evening as she lays next to me on the sofa. And she's in excellent condition overall so she should handle it just fine. Still, I'll worry until she's back home with us .

As for the Mergansers, I walked by the pond one morning and there were none to be seen. Then, suddenly, they all came back up to the surface. I had no idea they dived for food. It was both strange and fun to watch. I'm still not satisfied with my images of them but because I walk the dogs past that pond almost every day, they're getting more comfortable with us being there. I'll try to get a really good close-up this week.

Thanks again for your kind comments. Cassidy sends licks.

Jim

Yup, mergansers are diving ducks. When you photograph them, lying down on the bank where they are, and waiting for them to approach is often best. Watch when they dive, and try to anticipate where they'll pop up. If you're lucky, you'll get a good close shot with dripping water. Makes for nice action.

Good luck!!!