Just got back from a long stay at the Monte Rio Dog Beach, having stopped on the way for coconut ice cream at Flavors Unlimited in Guerneville, and truly today was summer. Lots of people in bathing suits, people actually swimming even though the river is still really fast, and lots of dogs. One dog got swept away by the swift current and we were a dismayed bunch of onlookers, while one hero went to the rescue. The pup made it and came out of the water all happy and energetic---we expected a collapse into exhaustion after such an effort. But all's well that ends well. And I was careful not to throw Cleo's ball too far into the channel.

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It's funny to think we co-exist with mountain lions here, even though we rarely see one. Very occasionally someone up at dawn near a beach sees one drinking from the river. Plenty of deer so no reason for them to seek out our company. Yesterday, a couple hiking the Joe Radota trail in Sebastopol saw one, probably a young male, cross the trail. No suburban sprawl here, so we manage to all get along.

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Just read that the Sonoma County Humane Society has started a hospice program so terminally ill pets can receive loving, dignified care instead of euthanasia. What a wonderful idea and I am thinking I will volunteer. I cared for my last two dogs during their last months, always worried I was keeping them alive too long and letting them suffer, but in the end happy that they died at home in their beds. My Bichon never suffered at all, just went to his permanent sleep at 18 and a half. My Portuguese Water Dog, Molly, with a brain stem tumor, had great quality of life until the last couple of hours when she was gasping for breath. But she died in my arms and I'm so glad I didn't have her euthanized---another day and I would have had to do that.
So is this enough preparation for taking on the emotional toll of bonding to dying dogs only to watch them die? I don't know but I'm thinking I should try. I am so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place, with so much reverence for life here. After seeing the dogs in India, scrounging in the garbage, injured or ill with no care, yet smart, street-wise, and wagging their tails, my love for dogs just overflows. Well, we'll see....

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This will be a night to remember: Zulu Spear Band at Jerry Knight's Historic River Theater (guests Beso Negro)in Guerneville.
Saturday, Apr 21 8:00p.m.to 1:00 a.m.

Iconic world music dance band Zulu Spear performs Afro-beat and roots music, playing traditional South African mbaqanga rhythms and harmonies with modern electric instruments, percussion, and horns. Zulu Spear have shared the stage with many renowned artists including Ladysmith Black Mombazo, The Neville Brothers, Tom Tom Club, Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, and the Grateful Dead.

The question now is how long can I stay awake?

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I have a huge bay laurel which is home to a great variety of birds. This Black-Headed Grosbeak is one of my favorites---sometimes he comes alone, sometimes he brings his pals---but no matter what he's always welcome!

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