Yup, I'm wearing a hat. Dad's hat. Whatcha gotta say about it?

Exploring around the cabin...

January 2004
Lokie & Dakota in the loft of the cabin.

Nothing like a good lickin....!!!

Spoiled? Who? Me?

Raspberry??

Dakota enjoyed the benches on the deck especially when the sun was shining. He'd bask in the sun for hours if allowed.

Chompin on a bone at the cabin. May of 2003 was when Dakota's birthday was. He was 2 years old this month.

On the bed, as always!

Dakota had a blast with this plastic Easter Egg in April of 2003.

Sleepin away after a hard day at the cabin!

Lokie, one of Dakota's pups peekin under the door to see what everyone is doing.

Comfy at the Cabin.

Dakota's Eyes.

Relaxing and enjoying life.

What pup doesn't like a big ole bone?

Dinner was shared!

Outside at the cabin on the run line for some exercise!

Yes, Dakota thought he should be the one to drive, and we often explained to him that he couldn't drive and hang his head out the window at the same time.

This was when we were in the process of building a loft in the cabin, once we got the floor down we popped Dakota up there and he'd hang out for hours.

Ladie, our purebred Yellow Lab, who had Dakota's first litter of puppies.

Dakota on the deck of the cabin. It was a favorite place of his during both summer and winter months. In the summer there was a cool breeze and in the winter it was a place to watch the chickadees flit and feed on the food we placed out for them.

Ladie

Dakota sleepin on the bed...as always.

Ladie, Lokie & Buck under a makeshift workbench, they liked being under things or in small holes. I believe they felt 'safe' that way...or maybe it was just to keep out from underfoot!

Lokie trying to get over the gate that kept her out of the carpeted area of the house before she was completely potty trained.

This was our attempt to get Ladie (on the right) to have her puppies in a plastic pool so that the mess would be contained, as would the puppies. Well once we had comfy old pillows and a blanket in there, Buck decided that he liked it too. It did eventually work out!

Dakota patiently awaiting the new arrivals. He wasn't quite so patient afterwards.

Such a handsome young pup!

Dakota loved this bear, he had it for MANY years until Ladie got hold of it....

Ladie & Dakota, both knew how and when to beg, it was tough to say NO to either of them when it came to treats!

Nap Time!!
Yup, this is OUR bed... or so we thought!

Dakota, Ladie & Buck all waiting for dinner to be fed to them. They, of course, ate with us and all sat and took turns. Somehow we didn't teach them this, they just knew!

Dakota had two very dear friends, Buck (left) and Ladie, both purebred Yellow Labs with very different personalities. Buck was stoic, steadfast and easygoing, never getting flustered over anything. Ladie we bought as an eight week old pup and Buck took her under his wing. Ladie was more excitable and hyper and always had to know what was going on. They never had pups, even tho that was the plan!

Dakota always showed respect to Buck (Buck was 14 then). Ladie was a different story, he tormented and teased her every chance he got and he didn't care that she was older, bigger and stronger. He was just a pup and faster!

Christmas 2001

Usually a favorite time for most dogs, Dakota was a somewhat picky eater and never wolfed his food down. He chewed everything that was given to him and when he was full would leave his food dish alone, even if there was some left. He was never aggressive with his food and we could take bones away without even a growl.

He always shared our meals with us, whether we wanted him to or not! But all the pups always ate dinner with us and eventually Dakota also learned to sit in front of us with the other dogs and wait his turn as they did. As he got older, he would teach his pups to do the same.