The wind blowing through their floof adds a drama to their speed that the sight hounds just don’t have.

Hullu’s run. He touched a cone near the end. It might have been a snake, so had to investigate before finishing.

We tried a new activity today: Coursing Ability Test. Basically we chase a plastic bag around for 600 meters. We had a good time.

Villi officially obtained his Barn Hunt Senior Title. We just got the certificate to prove it. He’s the 9th Finnish Lapphund to accomplish this feat. He has 4 more legs until he becomes a RAT Master, which we’re pretty sure with make him more powerful than a Jedi.

Now people in town and at the cafe will be disappointed if you don’t bring Lumi. They will constantly be asking where your beautiful pup is. The only solution is to bring him everywhere.

0 to 30 degree from morning to the afternoon is what August days are all about.

It’s not unusual to get a hard freeze in April or May like this, but January thru March was so warm and everything bloomed so early. August is the only month that I’ve never experienced snow at our house, but we’ve typically have at least one night below freezing every month of the year.

But at least the Lapphunds like it.

Lake views are the best.

Weather station says it’s 13 degrees, -10 degrees Celsius on this April morning.

Why we can’t grow nice things at our house. It’s April and we get the the lowest temperature of the year.

Two Finnish Lapphunds lying in snow with grass chutes peaking out.

More spring snow.

Our camo is not nearly as effective.

Two ears at the bottom of the photo?

Looks like perfect running weather. Just not good beach weather.

Just wanted to give the plants a good freeze before we scorch them with heat and drought.

Finnish Lapphunds standing in the mountains with snow asking why all days are not like this.

Spring snow.

At last our old eyes found him.

Seeing the sunrise over water is a spiritual experience that resets even the most stick craven soul. Beautiful morning. Beautiful Lumi.

Bunny tails.

I’m pretty sure everything improves if w deport Mike Lee.

I hear all you need is to add strawberries.

Villi is beginning to.

The new aspen leaves almost feel neon green.

Two blonde Finnish Lapphunds sit in the middle of yellow cut-leaf balsamroots flowers.

Villi and Hullu amongst the balsamroots.

These early spring photos are tough, perhaps when things green up a bit the contrast will be greater.

You deserve all the ice cream. Looks like a great day.

See it now… definitely not the blob we originally thought.

It’s good to be reminded not to be so anxious about the future that we miss the beauty of the moment. One year we’d like to build a little tea house next to the stream, have a rock garden and cherry, serviceberry and plumb trees surrounding it.

Attend your local dog sporting event out here in the American West and you’ll see them draped over a lot of cars. Here is Villi underneath his at a scent trial last week. I love the jacket idea. We’ve use evaporative vests, but a reflective jacket seems more practical, particularly when humid.

Hullu is home.