This is my very good girl Ruby. She’s been with us for nearly fifteen years; her fifteenth birthday is this August. We’ve had Labs since before my wife and I were married; my wife got her first Lab from her oldest sister, a Lab breeder, in 1979. His name was Rhett and he was best Lab at our wedding. Rhett lived to be 16 years and three days. When Rhett was seven, I got my very first real pet, a black female Lab we named Katie. She came to us as an eight week old puppy in 1986. She lived to be fourteen. We’ve had other Labs since, and they’ve all outlived the average age for a Labrador Retriever. Each dog has had their unique personalities, and I’ve loved them all. But the one characteristic they’ve all shared has been their mellow, loving nature. Ruby is no exception.

So as these days go past I intend to pick up the pace photographing her, and maybe share them here. I know what’s to come. But that won’t stop me from enjoying every moment with her (and her sister Annie).