Falltime with Darwin

[Camilla and Darwin]

I was hoping that I would be able to follow my last blog post with something humorous or interesting, but alas I am no Laurie and another boring blog post is what you all get.

I just thought I would add some recent photos of Darwin and update everyone on our happenings as of late. We've been super busy because school is in full swing, midterms were last week and I'm glad to be past that! Darwin is too - because it means we have more time to play! 

Darwin is great, his fur is getting fluffy again and he's just as adorable and goofy as always! Here are some of our recent adventures

We went camping at a local lake and it was beautiful! This was our first time having a true camping experience together (without a motor home or running water, etc) and the first time with Darwin. It was a really fun and not fun, and overall interesting experience for us! Darwin enjoyed some things and hated others.

Darwin did not enjoy

-The fact that he wasn't allowed to swim in the lake. What? No fair!

-The wind and the rain. I think this was a cause of the pacing.

-The bumpy car ride to get to the lake

-The fact that he couldn't play with the neighboring bulldogs.

-The fact that despite being on a camping trip, he was still expected to eat his regular kibble.

-The tent. He was up all night pacing. Since it was a 2 person tent, he was pacing directly on top of us.

Darwin did enjoy: 

-Leaving the tent at 3am to sit outside in the moonlight because we couldn't take the pacing and panting he was doing.

-The lake, even if he could only wade in it on leash.

-The insects, small animals, weeds, and questionable looking substances that he rubbed himself on

-Trying to eat the rocks, which we strongly discouraged much to his dismay.

-The small pieces of corn chips that he ate as we dropped them.

Things that I learned

-I should never assume that I'm smart enough to set up a tent.

-I should never bring Darwin on a camping trip and sleep in a tent with him.

-I should check the weather to make sure there isn't a rainstorm the night that we camp.

-Camping is fun but hotels are funner. :-)

Another fun thing was that Kate came for a short visit! Darwin was thrilled to see her, and they had a lovely couple of days snuggling and playing. We sometimes wish that Darwin loved us as much as Kate (or that Kate loved us as much as she does Darwin for that matter) but we console ourselves with knowing that they have each other and it makes them happy. He he. 

Since the weather has been getting cooler, Darwin is more prone to snuggle on the couch rather than laying on cold tile. I love it when he's cuddly! In warmer months it requires a good deal of effort to get him to snuggle with you. First off, you have to beg him to get up on the couch.

"Come on up Darwin. Darwin, come on. Please? Will you get up? Are you sure you don't want to get up?"

Then after a good amount of begging, he'll cave in and reluctantly get up. Then you have to push further, by grabbing him and hoisting him onto your lap (This can be bad news for your back). He'll humor you for a good 30 seconds, then move off to the other side of the couch and cuddle the armrest instead. He prefers the cool touch of furniture to a warm loving human being. Heartless.

BUUUT, in the cooler months, he's a sweet cuddly boy. I take advantage of this as much as possible! Just look at that face...

Our favorite thing so far has been running and playing in the crisp fall air! Watching Darwin makes me happy because he's so clumsy and goofball looking when he runs. People have compared the sight of it to a polar bear, a sheep, and even the abominable snowman. Oh, and a couple of people have called him a wrecking ball. Unfortunately he's not very aware of obstacles like human bodies, other dogs, large light poles, walls, holes in the ground, etc. It's a miracle he hasn't been injured.  I'd like to blame it the hair covering his eyes, but he does it when he's cut short too. LOL

Anyways, when he's playing and running he just looks so happy and it's infectious!

Anyways, it's been a really beautiful and enjoyable fall! I know I will probably take this back soon, but I can't wait for it to snow! Darwin loves the snow, and I love the holidays! 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Darwin is so expressive in his photos! You can almost read his feelings! I'm with you in that hotels are better! The thought of the three of you in the tent is too funny! What gorgeous photos! Love you Darwin!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks so much everyone! I pretty much got my fill of camping for the next 5 years at least, we'll see how I feel at that point. LOL. 

[Miss Ellie]

Camilla...Darwin is just gorgeous...those big beautiful brown eyes are just so amazing...and your pictures are just out of this world.  Love how you capture his emotions in every picture...I agree about Fall...it is just an amazing time of year...leaves are just beautiful right now here in Canada.  And I too can't wait for the snow and the holidays.  It will be our sweet Ellie's first experience with snow and I can't wait to see her reaction...our golden retriever Jack just loved the snow and loved going tobogganing with us!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Great blog Camilla.  Thank you for sharing your Fall with us.  In Florida there is no fall ; ( so I always love seeing it through everyone else's eyes!  And speaking of eyes.  Love the bed pictures of Darwin and his big brown's!!!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Love this blog.  The first picture of Darwin tells it all!  Like really???  I am totally with you and Darwin, give me a hotel anytime and I am a "Happy Camper"!  All your pictures are beautiful and Darwin just puts that special touch in each one of the photos.   

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Great blog, Camilla! Fall is my favorite season and I loved seeing it through your eyes. You were brave to try camping with Darwin. Looks like a beautiful location, but no thanks....give me a hotel :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

World class photos! And I know Darwin loves you and Jacob more than anyone in the world, it is a scientific fact! We have had a beautiful fall too and I am in no hurry for snow at all. BUt whatever we want, the weather will do it's thing. I enjoyed your blog, not boring at all. With a bit more room, better sleeping arrangements , a bathroom and electricity camping would be fine : )

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Oh what beautiful pictures! Love the ones with the "puppy dog eyes" look and the running polar bear! Fall??? Oh how I wish we had some of that here!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Camilla, I love this blog! The photos are spectacular, Darwin is adorable, the scenery is breathtaking, and Kate is looking pretty great, too! And you did just fine in the 'humorous and interesting" categories, too. :)

Amen to that last thing you learned. Hotels are definitely funner! 

[PJ and Zach]

What a great blog post! Just loooove the pictures!! My hubby is set on finding a used Westfalia to camp with. I'm all for it over a tent...need to keep those bears out. Have you ever camped at Antelope Island there near Salt Lake City? We did in the spring and it was incredibly beautiful.