THIS IS THE FAMILY PAGE

Sept, 1962. Hard to believe we were once this young--and silly! Hey, I was never much to look at, but as the pictures prove--my bride is still beautiful!

 

January, 1998--a beautiful day at Manchester Beach, on the California Coast. Nobody around! The dogs ran their hearts out on the beach and then posed for this picture. About 20 minutes later, we discovered that between the three dogs, there must have been 300 ticks! No *wonder* nobody was around! We combed for hours--!

 

This is the earliest dog I remember--that is me, with "Old Bootsie". I grew up with this gentle dog, she was my grandmothers dog. My grandmother lived with us. One day, when I was about 9 years old, Bootsie disappeared She went out in the woods where I found her the next day, dug a hole--and laid down and died. It broke my heart. But, she was probably 15 years old at the time.

God rest her soul, may we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge!

 

 

 

 

Rascal was one of our favorite cats. She lived until the age of 13. We had always had cats until we moved to our current location, but the coyote population makes keeping a cat difficult. Rascal is waiting at the bridge, too.

 

 

 

 

 

As Rascal aged, this flower box on the front porch became her favorite outdoor resting spot. My wife chased her out of it hundreds of times--Rascal killed the flowers--but eventually just gave it up, and turned the flower box over to the cat. Possession is 9/10 of the law, I guess!

 

 

Back in the 70s this was a very average catch of nice Rainbow Trout--these

were taken from the Malhuer River, in SE Oregon. Barbra was so proud!

 

 

 

 

 

 We spent many a good time near Sand Point, Idaho at our friends cabin. Naomi loved the water! Nobody ever told her that Dobermans don't do fetch, and swim--how we loved that dog! She was a marvelous companion. We'll see her at the Rainbow Bridge--may we relive those good times!

 

 

 

 

 

Dobermans aren't retrievers? Dobermans aren't strong swimmers? Nobody told Naomi! We once took off in the powerboat, looked back a bit later towards shore--and discovered Naomi about a mile out into the lake, following the boat! After that--she always rode shotgun in the ski boat!

 

 

 

 

Naomi, our beloved Dobie frolics at Sandpoint, Idaho circa 1982? Nobody ever told her Dobermans weren't water dogs!

 

 

 

 

 

Taken around 1984--this 15 lb. native Steelhead was not an unusual catch. We fished most of the spring season, with good success in the coastal streams in Oregon. Alas, the fish are now endangered, the spawning beds have been annihilated by logging, dams, and gill-netting. Those days are gone for my lifetime. Sad. Such good times.

 

 

 

My good buddy Jerry and I caught this nice batch of Silver Salmon out of the mouth of the Columbia River in 1976. From the time we put the boat in until we limited--maybe an hour. You could nearly count on that kind of fishing back then. No more. Again, logging, dams, gill-netting, and greed have come close to killing off all the salmon. I don't even fish any more. We pray the Government can rebuild the once mighty fish runs.

 

 

Naomi in what we called the "Dracula Dog" pose! She would lay in the grass, in this position. Only her eyes moved. As you passed by--she'd pounce on you making all the awful Doberman sounds you hear on TV! It was all play--but she sure scared the crap out of some teen-agers at the beach--!!

 

 

 

This is a 1998 picture of Earnie and Becky--as you can see, they have become best friends! But it was a rocky road--!!! Earnie & Becky play together daily--they think they're still pups! Becky is over 8 years old, or young--and still playful as a kitten!

 

 

 

 

Peggy Sue and a young Earnie square off--they spent a lot of time at this activity. Nobody ever won. 

 

 

 

Any evening I try to relax and watch a movie, or a little TV--this is the

result! Becky and Earnie compete for the best spot on the recliner chair

with me. This has become known as "recliner Rugby"--! It's amazing I have

any circulation in my legs! However, I never get cold--! I admit, I like to

cuddle the fur-babes, too!

 

A very young Earnie attempting the 'ol bone snatch from the disgruntled Alpha-Bitch. It didn't work, either, folks!

 

 

 

 

Peggy Sue and Earnie used to love to faux-fight in the back yard. Here, a fierce Peggy Sue teaches junior a lesson! Too bad it didn't take--

 

 

A common scent at the Richardson household! Michael on the futon, joined by most of her best friends! Probably watching TV--or trying to!

 

Snapped this after a long hike--around 15 miles. The girls were tuckered. Me too. Note the Bear bells--this was Bear Country!

 

 

 

 

The girls pose fetchingly in a fresh winter snow. They love snow!

 

 

 

Another shot of Peggy Sue and Izzy--great buddies! Izzy is in cat heaven. No other cat has ever replaced her, in Peggy Sue's eyes. They usually slept together.

 

 

An every night occurrence! The "feral" Peggy Sue plans an all out attack on the frenetic tennis-ball retrieving machine--this can get down and dirty!

 

 

 

 

 

My wife is an avid reader. She often reads stories to the dogs. Earnie likes

the story of the Three Little Pigs best. Reminds him of bacon. So far, we

have been unable to teach Earnie to read anything, except a large sign that

reads "DINNER"!

 

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