Checking out the passing traffic .....

Sora sometimes lies ir stands at the garden gate and checks out who or what is going by.

Another long period with no postings ....

Sorry it has been almost a month since posting last. Sora is fine, I guess we have just been occupied with other things. This morning Sora and S went to the point looking south across the lake. It is open rock formation and easy walking, though Sora doesn't like jumping some of the gaps. You can see the steaming from Mt Tongariro just above the end of Sora's nose. She's now tired and is sleeping. But a visitor is expected soon so she'll certainly wake up for that ....

A visit from Momo ....

Sora's friend Momo visited the other night. They are really good mates and had lots of fun playing round in the house and in the garden. They have previously only met at Momo's house but this time Sora got to play host.

Enjoying spring .....

With spring well and truly here Sora has been enjoying more and more time in the garden.

A long time with posts ....

Its been a long time between posts - sorry. Sora had a great time at the beach this morning.

And friends ....

Sora visited Mindy, and friends, and stopped by the park for a shadow photo. Sora is the one with the pointy ears!

Dappled ...

Sora took advantage of S going to work later than usual and enjoyed romping around the park in the bright morning sun.

Someone's stick ....

The other day Sora picked up a stick someone had been whittling and ran off with it. See seemed to like the smooth surface and absence of bark. Here she is playing some kind of game with S where she waits for him to get interested in the stick then grabs it before he cam.

Springtime .....

After a mild winter spring seems to have arrived early and Sora has started to enjoy the new season's blossom. She's had  diarrhea for a few days but is still happily running round so we hope it isn't a problem.

Typical lunchtime at work ....

When Sora spends the day at work with S she gets to go for a nice run around at lunchtime. S and Sora have a few regular courses and yesterday they took the one that heads from work down to the river and then back again. 

Doggy polevault ....

Sora has been limbering up for the doggy polevault competition at the upcoming world athletics champs. This morning she got in some practice while walking on the beach.

Visiting Mindy ....

When visiting Mindy they usually get to spend sometime down at the beach. Today was no different. Only this time we  got them to pose for a formal portrait.

Lunchtime down at the river ....

Sora often has a nice walk at lunchtime but today she went with S for an hour which is a bit longer than she normally gets to enjoy. Here she is on a small bride nearby the river.

What is that look?

Again she wonders why S is trying to take her photograph. Late afternoon in the garden after a busy day for Sora.

Weekend early morning walk ....

As it was the weekend we all got out (not so) early and went for a reasonably long walk in and around the forest. Sora really enjoys the more open spaces rather than the forest tracks as they give her more freedom to run around. Go for it Sora!

Sora had an overnight visitor!!

At the weekend Sora had a new friend (Abi) come and stay. Abi's owners had to go away overnight and as she is only 11 weeks old they wanted someone responsible, like Sora, to look after her. Sora had a really good time, but sometimes got a little fed up of Abi's constant attention. Still, Sora was really patient and we were very proud of her. Abi is a Border Collie - Huntaway cross.

Lunch at the reserve and evening at the lake ....

Sora was really lucky today. At lunchtime S took her down to the reserve near the lake and before dinner M & S took her to the beach. 

Come on, play with me!!!

Sometimes after dinner Sora gets really enthusiastic about playing. The other night she saw M relaxing on the couch and decided she had to play with her.

An afternoon at the lakeshore !!

Sora spent the afternoon down at the lakeshore. With both M & S there she had a lot of fun in the lake retrieving a stick. We figure she went in at least 20 times, and on the return trip we intentionally didn't walk back along the beach. She must have expended a lot of energy as she's hanging round for dinner which is unusual.

Back in the forest ....

Sora has been enjoying being back in the forest near S's work. She isn't big on endurance, maybe because of her spine and leg issues, but she loves to run round at her own pace with sticks or pine cones and soak up the atmosphere. Go for it Sora ....

お帰りなさいソラちゃん

S was away for three weeks so Sora had her longest ever stay in the kennels. The last time she was there for a few days she seemed to get very anxious and lost weight. This time, despite it being almost twice as long, Sora was fine. When S arrived to collect her she was outside playing with another German Shepherd. She been following S around the house and has seemed a little unsettled but otherwise is her normal self. Well done Sora.

Down the river ....

Yesterday Sora enjoyed a walk down to the river at lunchtime and playing near work  earlier in the morning. She has a lot more interest now the weather is cooler.

Enjoying cooler weather ...

Autumn has arrived and Sora is enjoying the cooler weather. The other day it was foggy in the morning and she seemed to relish the conditions. Her bleeding foot from a few days earlier has had no obvious effect.

The first time in a while ....

When she was younger Sora often had problems with dragging her feet and if she walked an the footpath this caused scraping a bleeding. She hasn't had this problem for a while but today it reappeared. After a walk into town and a run around on the park she seemed to be dragging her feet a lot walking back through town (where there is no grass to walk on). Once at home S noticed Sora had scraped her knuckle on her front right paw. You can image she had to had been walking on quite an odd way to scrape a spot that high up. Fortunately she doesn't seem bothered about it but S will have to be careful for a few days.

Tiger, hiding in the jungle .......

I don't think this is Sora's best looking face. Too angular, it doesn't look soft and rounded and I don't think it gives a good impression of her.

Hanging out .....

After work we usually stop for a play at a particular rest area. Tonight S wan't very enthusiastic so Sora got to lie round and contemplate things. But following a short visit to the library Sora did get another swim for the day so all wasn't too bad.

Back in Hastings ......

Sora was back in Hastings at the weekend and we were lucky that low tide was 10 am,  not too hot to go down to the beach.

A special trip to the beach....

Sora has been regularly going to the beach in the morning but its getting too dark  that early now. The other day we made a special trip to a quiet beach after work. The wind was up so there were some nice waves for doggy surfing.

Back from holiday ....

It doesn't take Sora long to get over the excitement on being back from a weeks holiday (at the kennels). After an initial burst of excitement she's back to the bugger dog pose, at least when she is tired. Its hot and sunny again and Sora is finding it a little hard. 

Saturday morning at the beach ...

We have a bit more time on Saturday mornings so we often spend longer down at the beach. More time for chasing sticks and for S to photograph Sora retrieving them.

What was Sora up to today?

After leaving work Sora always get excited as we approach a large roadside rest area. Its a great place for her to run around and she usually makes the most of it.

Resting during a serious session chewing a stick!

After dinner at the park .....

We have had two weeks of hot weather and another week is forecast. Sora has been struggling with the heat a bit but we have managed to get out to the park after dinner when it has been a lot cooler.

Difficult keeping up the blog recently .....

Sorry we haven't done much blogging recently. Sora is fine, as shown in this photo taken yesterday. After more than a week of very warm weather we had some rain and then cooler weather and Sora enjoyed that very much. We can't imagine what it must be like walking round with a heavy fur coat in summer, but Sora does it every day. As its been so hot S has been taking her down to the lake most mornings and she's been enjoying swimming and running along the beach. You'll notice she is wearing a tartan scarf. A Scots friend we met at the market last weekend noticed that and approved.

The classic german shepherd pose ....

Sora in a classic German Shepherd pose. Last night while walking near the office.

Summer time .....

Despite wearing a heavy hair coat Sora often enjoys being outside during summer.

Is she getting patient?

As Sora quickly approaches her 2nd birthday she seems to be getting a little more patient (about some things at least) and she can sometimes be seen quietly waiting for you to play with her. Although more patience might be a good thing I don't think we want her to lose her playful streak as she gets older.

Sora-chan, happy new year!

She drops it and patiently waits for you to pick it up ...