Bear & The Amphitheater

Our dog Bear stands on a large boulder with his tongue out at The Amphitheater in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 15, 2024. Original: _ZFC1102.NEF

Yesterday I took advantage of the long weekend and a good night’s sleep to get up before sunrise to take Bear for a hike, our first in several months. I had thoughts of taking him up to The Amphitheater this morning but last night’s sleep was a mess so I slept in. Sorry pup. The picture is from our intended destination but taken in the winter right before my leave of absence ended.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: February 15, 2024

Looking for the Light

Our cat Trixie stands atop the cat tree, looking out the window, on April 7, 2022. Original: _Z720241.NEF

Trixie the day after Sam died. She was so tightly bonded to him I knew his death would be hard on her, as it was with Scout when Templeton died and with Sam when Scout died.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: April 7, 2022

Trix & Pink Mouse

Our cat Trixie crouches next to her favorite toy, pink mouse on July 22, 2022. Original: _Z723588.NEF

We bought pink mouse way back when Scout was a kitten but it was Emma and now Trixie who really loved it and played with it in similar fashion. In the dark of night you can hear muffled mews as she carries it about, come morning her friend will be lying somewhere new.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: July 22, 2022

First Day

A close-up of our newly adopted dog Bear relaxes on our bed on April 3, 2022. Original: _ZFC6566.NEF

Bear on his first day with us a couple of years ago, he’s grown (and shrunk) so much since then.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 16-50 DX
🗓️: April 3, 2022

Waiting For Walkies

Our cat Trixie looks out through the curtains while sitting next to the dog leash and my shoes on July 22, 2022. Original: _Z723598.NEF

Another picture from quarantine a couple of years ago. I was feeling better by this point but my wife had gotten sick so we stayed in isolation. Bear was still pretty new and I preferred to keep him on leash even in our fenced backyard, but when I saw Trixie watching the backyard through the curtains it looked like she was waiting for her turn.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: July 22, 2022

Desert Defenses

Our dog Bear lays on his back as he plays with a saguaro dog toy, which was designed for dogs who are rough with their toys, as it can lose its outer skin but still have an internal cactus for the dog to play with. Taken on June 22, 2024. Original: _Z720019.NEF

Saguaros have evolved many traits to survive the harsh desert climate. If played with too roughly, they can shed their arms and outer skin, revealing an internal cactus complete with its own second skin, right down to the mustache. The new armless saguaro is better able to withstand even the most ardent of loves.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
🗓️: June 22, 2024