Ahhhhhhhh … the joy of cool summer breeze
By Gina Spadafori
July 1, 2010
Woody is not a hot-weather dog, and that’s one of the reasons why he’s living with me. Because while it can get very toasty in California’s central valleys, few are the nights when it doesn’t cool off here in Sacramento, where the Sacramento River Delta acts as a funnel to collect the cool air of the Bay and push it inland up the river’s channel.
These cherished “Delta Breezes” endlessly yapped about by the local weatherheads make summers tolerable, along with the phrase uttered so often here in summer that it could be the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce’s motto, “Yes, but it’s a DRY heat.”
Such wasn’t the case in Texas, where the 24/7 heat and humidity four or more months a year made Teh Woodman a very unhappy dog indeed.
Woody was born in Sweden, and he would be happiest living in a place where ponds freeze and snow falls. We don’t have that here, but we do have cool mornings in the summer, and you’ll find Woody outside enjoying every minute of them.
And that’s where I found him yesterday for this picture:
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Wow. Someone really needs to paint those patio supports. Where are my house elves? Hello?
On the left of the picture, you can see the corner of the dog ramp. Nothing fancy, just some recycled wood and a carpet scrap for traction. I put it in for Ben, who died five years ago. Heather used in in her final months, and now Drew, who’s somewhere in the 12-14-year-old range (I don’t know for sure how old he is, since he came here in middle age and I don’t know exactly how old he was when I adopted him) uses it now. It’s holding up pretty well, all in all.
The three young retrievers here now don’t use either the ramp or the stairs — they generally just fly from the deck to the door. But eventually they’ll need it, too.
I don’t want to think about that, though, so I’m just enjoying the cool morning with Teh Woodman.
Woody is a rustically handsome dog.
He looks like he could be a wilderness guide or an outfitter.
If he were human, I imagine him in a flannel shirt with blue jeans and maybe cowboy boots.
Comment by retrieverman — July 1, 2010 @ 7:44 am
Yup. He’s just like that. :)
When I think of a single word for him, the one I’d choose is “honest.” He’s an Honest Dog. Nothing fancy or high-falutin’ about him.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 1, 2010 @ 8:02 am
Woody is JUST the best boy. I think he has a lot in common with Harry. Harry also couldn’t be bad, no matter how much you tempted him.
Comment by David S. Greene — July 1, 2010 @ 10:04 am
He has kind eyes. Honest & kind. Yep. My old man Tahoe is like that, too. :)
They’re like gold, aren’t they?
Comment by MizShepherdist — July 1, 2010 @ 10:06 am
His eyes look so sad. Is he smiling here or not? He looks sad- I would fall for those eyes and give him anything he wanted.
Comment by ericka — July 1, 2010 @ 10:43 am
Ahh….an honest dog. I like that! smile…..
Comment by Liz Palika — July 1, 2010 @ 10:59 am
Ericka, Woody always looks like that. He’s very … Zen.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 1, 2010 @ 11:16 am
lOL…Gina, mine look the same!
Lovely photo
Comment by Mary — July 1, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
Woody is a handsome guy. I love the term honest. I am a big fan of ramps. My husband built one for the couch years ago when we rescued a dog with a bad hip. Last year, we got a tiny, 17 yr. old dog with a luxated patella that had trouble getting through the patio pet door because it required a step up. Once again my wonderful husband constructed a ramp to make access to the pet door easier. The ramp also is helpful for my blind dog. Unfortunately, my 4 dogs are now in the senior to geriatric age range. I just appreciate every day I have with them.
Comment by Susan G. — July 1, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
I could use some Zen. That’s a good description. He does look like I could tell him all about my day and worries and stresses and he would just say, ” Ah, I understand. Tell me more.”
Comment by ericka — July 1, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
Took the time to sit and read your entire story…made me cry. Very touching tribute to all the dogs and to Woody.
Comment by Mary — July 2, 2010 @ 6:11 pm
What a gorgeous dog!
Comment by Carol Bryant — July 2, 2010 @ 10:19 pm
Woody, I feel your pain. Coming from Canada to Iowa was a questionable move. However, 5 or 6 months out of the year the weather is snowy, cold and quite livable. It’s only these hot, sticky months that make me question my decision. -Your friend, Bix.
Comment by Verde — July 6, 2010 @ 5:49 pm