Tag: golden retriever

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Radiant Sunsets

I should probably change the name of this blog from ‘Jerry by the Sea’ to ‘Jerry Watching the Sky’ given the number of posts I dedicate to sunsets. And if you’ll indulge me again, we had one the other night that begged to be photographed. Where ever I am I’m drawn to watch each evening, but here and now the cleanliness of the air and the cooling temperatures are making the sunsets more radiant than anything I have seen before.

When photographer Michael Hanson stayed with us, he told me that ‘real’ photographers don’t take pictures of sunsets or sunrises – they take pictures of their effects. I hope I captured some of that here. Not that I’m a ‘real’ photographer yet, but I’m trying!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Fields of Barley

What is not to love about life in the Wonderful World of Whiteway – I moved in with Jerry and The Berry months ago and they’re still finding new places for me to explore. Here I am in Hopeall where Newfoundland ponies normally roam at the Horse and Pony Protection Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Unfortunately for me, all the horses are out to pasture for the summer. Too bad! I wanted someone new to play with – and I’m almost as big as them, so I thought they might take me as a fellow four-legged.

But I always look on the bright side of life and even though I was alone it was great fun to bound through the fields and smell the barley, flowers and scents of my cousins who run wild in these parts. Jerry promised to take me some new places in Hopeall this week, so, I’ll take him at his word, if you’ll take me at mine that I’ll share my adventures with you when he does. Paws crossed!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN3k3ZLXoSw&feature=youtu.be]

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Tuesdays With Murphy: In the Doghouse

I hope I haven’t given the impression that just because I live in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, it’s all fun and games out here. I can’t leave my humans alone for 5 minutes without them coming up with some new special project that, of course, I have to supervise. Take The Berry (a.k.a. Miss Kijiji), whose dalliance with online bargain shopping led us to one of our more recent work days – setting up the dog house.

When Jerry, Joe and Alf backed in the trailer, I knew it was ‘go’ time – these men can’t be expected to supervise themselves! Of course, the humans are calling this 6X6 from Mount Pearl a ‘shed,’ but I know what it really is …. four small walls, small roof, set outside in viewing distance from the house – that’s a doghouse if I ever saw one. Maybe it’s a bit bigger than the standard, but I’ve already seen Jerry ‘in the doghouse’ more than once. But not to worry, gentlemen – if your time in the doghouse starts becoming more literal than figurative, you’ll know I’ll be right along beside you to keep you company!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Murphy Babysits

This young lad enjoying a dip in the Atlantic Ocean is Phoenix, a very frisky four-legged who owns Jerry’s niece, Robin – he brought Robin here last week thinking she’d like to spend a night around the bay with her parents (I think he was right!). Only 3 months old, Phoenix was full of energy (almost too much)- thankfully, I am renowned for my patience and was able to babysit him all day.

And it’s a good thing I took him under my wing, too. At one point, brazenly trying to follow me on my walk around the cliffs of Whiteway, he wandered too close to the edge (as all young things are wont to do) and fell over. Thankfully I was there to show him the way back to safety – and he never left my side the rest of the visit.

So, I gave him a swimming lesson, and he took to the water like a natural – maybe not up to my retriever standards, but I’m sure much more so then that Mabel. Anyway, I was happy to show Phoenix the Whiteway ropes and I hope he’ll come back soon to play with me again – every puppy needs a mentor, and I think I’m just the one.

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Holding My Own

Jerry and The Berry spend a lot of time talking about their new friends out here in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, but don’t forget that we four-leggeds enjoy our socializing, too. Here’s Arthero, an Italian Mastiff who visited me in Heart’s Delight last week. Don’t let his size fool you – he’s actually quite the gentle beast, as sweet, if only slightly less refined, than me. And thanks to my daily dips in the Atlantic, I’m fit enough to keep up with any dog – in fact, I love playing with everyone I meet!  

Actually, I think we’re two peas in a pod!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Friendly Rivalry

Since coming to Ocean Delight I have become quite the athlete quite easily (natural water dog that I am), bounding into the ocean without fear whenever Jerry and The Berry need me fetch things (like I am above, swimming for my favourite toy).

And since coming to the Ocean Delight family, I’ve learned about a relative in Virginia – namely Mabel, the pit bull who owns Jerry’s daughter, Adrienne. This Mabel seems quite charming, but all I hear about is how great Mabel is, how sweet Mabel is, what a great personality Mabel has, how Mabel can out-swim all her retriever friends when she goes on hikes.

Well I’d like to meet Mabel and set the record straight. It’s one thing to swim in rivers, and another to jump into the heady North Atlantic! That’s why I have webbed feet! But while I’m sure, as a retriever, I could outperform any terrier (even if they are of a larger variety), I might just have to let Mabel think she’s won – after all, not only am I her uncle, I’m also a gentleman!

So look at these pictures and let me know what you think – who makes the more fetching water dog?My guess is, it’s a tie!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Statue Proposal

Why anyone would chose to leave the Wonderful World of Whiteway I don’t know, but Jerry and The Berry sometimes make trips to St. John’s to take care of ‘business’ (doing their business seems to mean something different to them than it does to me!). They’re often talking about their downtown hideaway, which I guess guests can rent, just like they do the cottages. And supposedly downtown there’s some bronze dog statues in beautiful Harbourside Park (all hearsay to me).

Anyway, if these dogs are immortalized in St. John’s, then maybe it’s time Whiteway makes a similar landmark. I think I cut a fine figure – here’s my pose. Any sculptors out there looking for a new job?

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Public Relations

Every day I love Whiteway more and more, so I need to make sure Jerry and The Berry remain vigilant in their customer service so we can stay here forever. They do a good job, but just in case, I’ve appointed myself Public Relations Manager. Who better to greet guests and show them a good time than someone golden, smiling, friendly, gentle ….. (I could go on, but you know me – not one to brag!).

So, I make my rounds to see all the guests and make sure they’re having a good time. Playing fetch is proving to be quite the people pleaser, and it’s a mutually beneficial activity – they love throwing stuff into the ocean, and I love retrieving it.  Just like Ocean Delight, it’s a win-win!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Murphy Takes the Wheel

My humans are nice but sometimes I wonder about them. Jerry is a great guy but driving with him is like being on a Disney ride. Accelerating, decelerating, twisting and turning – he makes me feel like a giant bobble-head doll. So I decided to take charge – I’m going to do all the driving!

Either that, or The Berry is going to have to become my prime chauffeur – she’s much more sensible. Now they just need to name this SUV after me!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Walking Trail Business

My humans insist on taking me to Jimmy Rowe’s Walking Trail whenever they get the chance. I still don’t know who Jimmy is, but I don’t complain – the trail is pretty and involves a lake, so what’s not to like? Plus, Jerry and The Berry get so happy when they get a bit of “free time” (I don’t know what that means, either – I’m always free to play, even on my leash!) that we have lots of fun.

They also find it so funny when I stop at this, ahem, fire hydrant to do my business. They had to take a picture of me next to it, calling it Murphy’s Rock. I have no idea why – can you enlighten me?