Saturday at Snipe Point with Michael (Conchscooter), Layne, Therese, and the dogs. After a week of on and off thunderstorms that terrorized Zuzu and Tootie, we set off this fantastic Saturday morning for Snipe Point. The wind was 10mph out of the southeast providing for perfect anchorage, and the tide was low at 12:30 allowing for plenty of shallow water for swimming. 

While Layne and Therese, her friend visiting from Europe, were lounging in the 85 degree gulf water, the boys set up the chairs on the beach under a nice shade tree, either a white mangrove or a buttonwood, we couldn't decide.

Zuzu, Tootie, and Cheyenne joined us, not too interested in swimming, more interested in exploring the deserted island.

Our camp was amid several interesting driftwood sculptures rising out of the sand. I thought this one framed Zuzu perfectly. The tide was particularly low this morning, exposing much more sand than I had seen. With no water to walk the boat in towards shore, we had to shlep the chairs, cooler, and snacks across the sand flat to our shady spot on the beach.

We set off to explore around the corner. The beach ended where the mangroves began, but the water was shallow enough to stump along the vegetation.

Michael and Cheyenne stayed close to the shore line with Zuzu and Tootie following. Wayne and I ventured off into the open area looking for horseshoe crabs and treasure. When Zuzu and Tootie noticed that we weren't behind them the set off towards us across the shallow water at full speed.

This is a usual scene...Wayne walking through the shallow water looking for shells with Zuzu and Tootie following behind.

We met up with Michael and Cheyenne.

And headed back to the chairs and to the bag of potato chips!

A quiet and relaxing morning. Michael was quite content enjoying this beautiful day and thinking very little about having to head into work at 5:00pm.

Cheyenne found a shady spot under a tree (the white mangrove or buttonwood tree). If you look closely, you'll see her under the branches blending in with the sand.

Wayne relaxed a bit on a piece of driftwood. Zuzu and Tootie close by. After some silence, Wayne exclaimed that next time we were to bring the hammock so we could string it between two trees on the beach. Now that would be living!

Zuzu and Tootie chillin' on the beach.

It was a glorious day. Hard to believe that in a week's time we could be facing a tropical storm or hurricane. But for now, we'll take this perfect day on the water.

Cheyenne's Happy Reunion

Three weeks at Camp Sugarloaf. A good diversion for Cheyenne while Michael and Layne were away on vacation. Cheyenne quickly became one of the pack, settling quickly into our daily routines of mealtimes, walks around the house and down the path, sunning in the yard, sleeping in the office, lounging on the lanai, and reposing around the sofa in the evenings waiting for dessert to be served. Zuzu and Tootie warmly welcomed Cheyenne into their home without hesitation or objection.

The last day of her stay, however, was upon us. We continually reminded Cheyenne that her mommy and daddy were coming back, that this was not her new home, and that she would soon be back to her routines of early morning walks, long afternoons lounging around the house, and early evening junkets to her favorite paths in the lower keys. You can follow her treks at http://conchscooter.blogspot.com.

Today was the day and, with a phone call from Layne, Cheyenne's reunion was only minutes away. As they pulled onto the driveway, we made our way out of the house, pausing a moment on the porch, Cheyenne seemingly unaware of the joy and happiness she was about to give.  

Perhaps thinking she was simply heading outside to do her business, she rounded the corner to see the outstretched arms of her daddy, hearing him joyfully exclaim, "CHEYENNE!"

Her tail began wagging faster and faster as she trotted up to Michael, sniffing him to be sure it wasn't an illusion. One has to wonder what dogs are able to comprehend. They say dogs don't have a concept of passing time, but I think they do, and they can also remember, emote, and feel. We know dogs are not humans, but it's difficult not to anthropomorphize when you look into their eyes and they look back, communicating, connecting with your thoughts and emotions.

Cheyenne completes Michael, and he completes Cheyenne. An inseparable pair united in love, need, and happiness.

After many hugs, squeezes, and kisses from daddy, Cheyenne welcomes mommy back with slobbery kisses. Layne is equally fond of Cheyenne. During the nights Michael is at work in Key West, Cheyenne is by her side, keeping her company. And at six o'clock in the morning, Cheyenne greets Michael returning from his nighttime shift, and says good-bye to Layne as she heads of to the gym and work for the day. The three make a perfect team, Cheyenne equally sharing her love, devotion, and companionship. 

It was nice having Cheyenne around for three weeks, and it was good, too, for Zuzu and Tootie to have another dog in the house. As they are more at ease around other dogs than people, perhaps a result of not being properly socialized with people during their puppy years, or the mistreatment they may have endured in the puppy mill, we were hoping that Cheyenne would help them overcome their fears. Zuzu and Tootie have come a long, long way since we adopted them 18 months ago, but they still fear thunderstorms. While Cheyenne slept soundly through the thunderous claps, our girls nervously sought refuge in a closet, in a corner, or in the bathtub.

Cheyenne did her best to show them that there's nothing to fear during a storm, but it may take a bit more convincing for Zuzu and Tootie.

Cheyenne Goes to Marvin Key

During a warm summer afternoon, just about halfway through her stay at Camp Sugarloaf, Cheyenne went on a boating excursion with Zuzu and Tootie to Marvin Key. Our Sugarloaf neighbors, who we met via Conchscooter's blog (Abby, an avid and faithful reader of Conchscooter's blog, recognized Zuzu and Tootie from one of his blog posts), had never been to Marvin Key and asked if they could follow us out. Always looking for a reason to go to Marvin, we happily obliged.

Cheyenne was about as eager to go as Zuzu and Tootie. She didn't hesitate jumping in the boat and settling in her spot on the cushions inside the cuddy cabin. After a smooth 15 minute ride, we beached the boat on the sand bar and lifted the dogs onto the sand.

While Wayne, Abby, Richard, and their good friend from Atlanta, Thom, were discussing the lay of the land, Zuzu, Tootie, and Cheyenne, after saying a quick hello to the other dogs already on the sand bar, set off to explore.

Zuzu and Tootie ran ahead, chasing and playing with each other in the water, while Cheyenne let her nose lead the way.

Around the side of the mangrove island, the tide had already covered the sand with a foot or so of water.

Cheyenne didn't mind, though. This was the perfect spot to lie down and cool off.

Zuzu and Tootie aren't too keen on sitting or lying in the water. Somehow our girls who slept in and lied on who knows what during their early lives in the puppy mill have developed standards.

Cheyenne, however, doesn't let the perfect opportunity to cool off pass her by...wonder what Cheyenne and Wayne are talking about here...

Ahh, this is more like it. Cool sand, warm water, the life.

Cheyenne was content being the center of attention as we gathered around her taking a break from our walk.

I was attempting to take a picture of Cheyenne, but Tootie decided to jump into the picture. She has become less fearful and has developed a sweet, curious puppy quality. It is exciting to watch her true personality emerge.

Cheyenne was enjoying her excursion with her best pal Wayne.

Zuzu had her eye on passing boats.

Tootie looking as lovable as ever. How can you resist hugging this Vizsla?!

While relaxing by the boats, Cheyenne discovered some kind of delicacy from the sea. We didn't know quite what it was, some sort of bone from a turtle we guessed.

Whatever it was, Cheyenne thought it had a good flavor as she licked away the sand. For Cheyenne, every walk holds a hidden treasure. As well it should.