Dragonfly Ranch

Fred, originally uploaded by Phil Youngholm.

Chester, Kai, and I were at Point Isabel a couple of days ago when a woman stopped to ask if Chester was a Leonberger. We have no idea, of course, what he is, though we’ve always assumed he was part German Shepherd and part retriever. She pointed out Fred, the dog she was walking (who was in the water at the time, so only his head was visible). When he came out, he turned out to be about the size of Bear, and strikingly close to a grown-up version of Chester. He’s a two-year old Leonberger/Anatolian Shepherd mix. His coat is thicker than Chester’s, but he has the same build, muzzle, ears, coat coloration (tan with black tips), and feathering on his rump and tail. I went home and looked up both breeds. Leonbergers and Anatolian Shepherds can grow to be 150 pounds, so I’m hoping that size is one area in which Chester won’t take after Fred.

chester and winston 2008-02-14, originally uploaded by Phil Youngholm.

Although the Albany beach still has warning signs posted, we’ve been going there for a couple of weeks now, and so do a lot of other dog owners. Chester loves the beach, though he doesn’t swim yet. Kai entices him by taking a ball into the water just a little farther than Chester is willing to go. On the other hand, the first time he went to the beach he was barely willing to get his paws wet. Now he goes right into the surf. I think it’s just a matter of time before he swims. Meanwhile, he has great fun in the sand (and brings lots of it home in his fur). If he meets a dog who wants to run, like this English setter named Winston, they have a romp.

shaking hands 2008-02-10, originally uploaded by Phil Youngholm.

Chester is a very bright pup. Of course we would say that in any case, but he does seem to learn quickly, particularly when food is involved. He shakes hands, sits, and lies down very nicely. For the photo, Arlin managed to get both of them shaking his hand together. Of course, there’s a treat just outside the photo. We’re taking both dogs to obedience classes starting in a week.

sophie 2008-02-04, originally uploaded by Phil Youngholm.

Sophie does a lot of sleeping, but she’s more eclectic than Willy in her choice of sleeping places. This time it’s a banker’s box full of ancient bills and receipts that Arlin has been intending to shred for years. By the way, her surgical scar healed nicely, and she doesn’t look like Frankenkitty any more.

willy 2008-02-04, originally uploaded by Phil Youngholm.

Someone told me there are never any pictures of Willy — so here you are. This is a typical Willy pose. I think I would call it the “If you aren’t feeding me, why do you even exist?” expression. Willy’s main job is sleeping. His other jobs are sitting on the newspaper when I’m trying to read it, and batting Chester away if he comes too close.

dog play 2008-02-04 4, originally uploaded by Phil Youngholm.

Click the photo to see more of Chester and Kai playing (on Flickr). Chester has obviously recovered from his surgery, although he’ll never play the violin again.

Chester now shakes hands to get his treats, and he allows himself to be crated when he’s fed, which keeps him from going straight to Kai’s dish and pushing Kai away.

We’ve gone to Point Isabel a few times in the last week, which is heaven for Chester. He’s discovered mud (fun) and baths (not so much fun).

arlin chester and kai at target 2008-01-13, originally uploaded by Phil Youngholm.

Kai is extremely good and patient with his obnoxious new housemate. When Chester wants to play, he runs up to Kai, grabs a mouthful of Kai’s cheek, and pulls. If Kai doesn’t feel like playing, he just tries to ignore this, but Chester is very hard to ignore, so eventually Kai gives in and starts to play. Their favorite toy is a bald tennis ball, whose cover Kai chewed off long ago, and which makes disgusting squishing sounds when they mouth it. One dog holds the ball, while the other dog wrestles him for it. Kai often intentionally lets Chester have the ball. I’ve seen him literally drop the ball into Chester’s open mouth from his own mouth.