I think that Buddha may actually love Darby more than he loves me.
When we were leaving for Santa Cruz last week, the only way I could coax him into the car that was obviously loaded with provisions for a long journey (a journey Buddha was not at all about to take) was by telling him we were going to see Darby. The mention of HER name got him to jump right into the back of the car.
I suppose I can't blame him. Look at her. She's as yummy as an ice cream sundae with a luscious cherry on top. I'm certain Buddha thinks so.
Buddha and Darby have been head over tails in love with one another since Buddha's big clunky puppy feet first hit the dog beach in Santa Cruz. He adores her. She's much faster than he is and will usually catch whatever ball has been thrown long before he lumbers up beside her but he will then follow her faithfully up and down and all around until she finally is willing to drop it so that he can do his proper retriever duties and bring the ball back.
They will do this for hours if we let them. It's a match made in dog heaven. I adore Darby's mom and it was with her that I completed the long, arduous San Francisco marathon last year. She was my partner in crime, my source of inspiration, my support when I was certain that my two feet could not go another inch. She was my Darby. Carrying the ball just beyond reach and coaxing me along and reminding me that a sexy fireman wearing a tuxedo was waiting for me with a little blue box from Tiffany's if I would just take one.more.step.
Yesterday, of course, Darby and Buddha had a reunion. The presence of Stella did not dampen the joyous occasion at all and we made plans to make sure they had another date before the dogs and I had back to Utah (yes, Utah, I promise I am coming back!). In a moment that would make the Dog Whisperer so very proud, I got all three dogs to actually sit still for a photo opportunity!
Good dogs. Really, good dogs.
