The Picture of Happiness

Hello and happy Saturday!  If you click to enlarge the photo above you can see the water droplets flying off Wally and LuLu’s wagging tails.  They have so much fun when we take them out, and they’re so appreciative and joyful it guarantees we’ll want to do it again and again because it makes us happy, too.

LuLu had never seen a cow before and she was fascinated… from a safe distance.

She feels secure with her big, strong Wally by her side.  Check out the curl in Wally’s tail (photo below).  The more on alert he is, the more his tail curls.  That is so not the Golden Retriever standard, but I so do not care.  Though he comes from registered AKC stock, we never bothered to register either Wally or LuLu.  We wanted Goldens for their temperament and intelligence.  Wally is the most amazingly brilliant, loving, sensitive and gentle soul and we could never have hoped for a better dog.  I don’t think LuLu could curl her tail if she tried.  She’s going to be a beautiful adult with a heavy coat, but most importantly she’s the very essence of love and sweetness.  She makes it her job to round up the family and usher us all into one room.  When she’s got us where she wants us she settles down beside Wally and waits for the cuddling to begin.  She doesn’t have to ask me twice.  I just sink down into the two of them and bury myself in their softness and love.  It overcomes me every time.

Anyone for a swim?

Come on in, the water’s fine!

LuLu makes like a big girl and brings back her own stick.

Sometimes you just have to run.

I’ll be making sure the kids get plenty of exercise this weekend because Monday LuLu gets spayed.  I’ll miss her during her overnight stay.  I’ll hurt for how sad and abandoned she’ll feel.  Wally will search the house and yard for her, then lay down with his head between his paws and a sorrowful look on his face.  I know him.  I also know what a happy reunion it will be after a long night apart.  Remember when we first brought LuLu home?  Boy, has she ever worked her way into our hearts.

Have a wonderful weekend.  I hope Wally and LuLu brought you a smile or two.  They’d be happy to know it.

Comments

[Denise M]

Smiling here! So look forward to Saturdays with Wally and LuLu. Thanks a bunch for sharing.

[Diane Hover]

Such beautiful babies...poor Lulu....I am sure she will be missed and you will be nervous until she is back home.....thanks for sharing....Goldens are such wonderful dogs....I miss my "Nick" so much...so glad I have Nellie...wish I could get her a "companion"....have a nice weekend!!

[Kris Turner]

The title is truly befitting, particularly when you look at the last picture of Wally - what an expressive face! Thanks so much for the smiles, Leslie. The pix are terrific (amazing how you captured the water droplets!). Have a great day!

[Peggy K]

They ALWAYS bring a smile to the faces in this house. I now get asked every Saturday if we can take a moment to visit with Wally and Lulu. ;)

How is it possible that I love those two as if they were my own??
(Skipping away--Happy Heart)

[Margaret]

Thanks so much for sharing your life with Wally and Lulu with us. They are so sweet. If I didn't have my 4 kitties to love, I'd want dogs like those. Good luck to Lulu with her coming surgery.

[Carol B]

Love your Saturday posts about Wally & Lulu. I've got a red golden, Rosie, who looks a lot like Wally, only redder. She is the cuddliest lap dog I've ever met. Yep, I said lap dog. 50 lbs of legs and muscle that loves to be hugged and cuddled. And my first golden, Sammy, looked a lot like Lulu...very blond and thick, soft fur. Sharp as a tack...almost too smart for her own good. But, she was just the sweetest girl imaginable...I miss her dearly.

[Pamboe]

After 46 years of marriage we rescued our first ever dog two years ago. Your feelings for Wally and Lulu represent our feelings for our little girl!
You say it so well with words and pictures. I LOVE
your doggie posts!

[Pamboe]

Second comment . . . regarding Lulu's surgery.
Our little girl had her teeth cleaned two weeks ago.
My husband and I didn't sleep well the night before and were very nervous taking her to the vet the next morning . . . we were much worse than when I had my knee replacement a couple months ago!!!

[Stacy aka Twinshappy]

They sure have worked their way into your hearts along with the rest of us too Leslie. I enjoy your photo story line, it really is special. Lulu will be happy to be home after the surgery also. Leaving her over night will be hard, I had a hard time with Ranger. Lots of love when she returns I am sure. Enjoy you weekend with the fur babies.

[bonnie weiss]

The love and companionship that we share with our fur children is irreplaceable. No matter how difficult it is to say goodbye in the end, we would not trade one moment that we have with these amazing friends, for anything in the world. And Wally and LuLu look like they feel the same way that you do Leslie.

[Susan Z]

I think Wally and Lulu have worked their way into my heart, too! I so very much enjoy looking at their pictures and reading about their adventures... it's like owning a dog vicariusly. In reality I wish I owned a dog again but right now I am a multi cat owner and that is how I get my warm fuzzies(especially when they are shedding, LOL)

[Terri]

Thank you for the Saturday pics of Wally and Lulu. I always look forward to your pictures of them, they bring a big smile to my face and heart.

Ter ;)

[Tammy Hair]

Terrific pictures of the kids! Interesting how Wally's tail curls, I'm with you, never seen it before and it just makes Wally more special! Hard to believe Lulu is old enough to be spayed, hope all goes well and she recovers quickly. The hard part is keeping her from overdoing but I know for sure, Wally will be very gentle and understanding with her while she recuperates.

[Mary Beth]

Don't get me wrong, your cards are gorgeous and I love to see them, every single one. But I live for Saturdays with joy filled pictures of Lulu and Wally playing together and being so loved and enjoyed by their owners. Best wishes to Lulu as she recuperates. No doubt, her absence will make Wally all the more appreciative of her return!

[Pam C]

I so look forward to your Saturday features with Wally and Lulu! We just had our 12yr old Bichon mix neutered for health reasons and the house so too quiet without him around! Speedy recovery to LuLu!

[Karen R (ON/CA)]

I so look forward to Saturdays to see what the "children" are up to. Thank you for your delightful and heart warming pictures of Wally and Lulu.

[Shirley L.]

I just love all your posts of your two darling dogs. Love the one picture with Wally finding the stick. Our dogs are our children and such an important part of our family. Good luck to Lulu on Monday. The hardest part is keeping a dog from being too active when they get spayed. Enjoy your week-end.
Shirley L.
Roseville, CA

[Sherri Dean]

Add me to the list of those who can't wait for Saturday to see the latest pictures of the two little ones we have all adopted as our own. I feel so sorry for anyone who has never felt the joy a cat or dog can bring to your heart. There is nothing in the world quite like it. It's just love in it's purest & simplest form. I'll say a little prayer for LuLu to make a fast recovery! You will all miss her as much as she will miss you!

[conniecrafter]

that is too cute, seeing them looking at the cow, reminds me when peanut was a puppy and saw the ducks in the river well she must have thought she could walk on water too and she went right off the cement bank into the river and went staight down, (it was very deep there) Greg was right there so he grabbed her out and she was like now how can they walk on water and I can't, it was too funny, it's amazing the joy they bring to our lives!
Have a great weekend!

[Francie (Montreal)]

Pure joy! That's what they make me feel. They are the sweetest, most charming little animals and have worked their way into my heart too. I might add they didn't have to work too hard. They had me at the first photo. What adds to the delight is your fabulous commentary. If you ever give up cards (and I hope you don't), you may want to funnel your talents into more writing. Have a great week.