Happy New Year 2014

 

Wishing all of our family and friends (both two legged and four) a blessed and prosperous 2014.

 

Gracie, Schatzie and Val

I have decided.....

to become one with the duck!! 

Hope you all had a beautiful Christmas. 

Love, Gracie

We found Santa's Hat...

 

It appears Santa finished delivering gifts here in Hawaii

and was last seen running to the beach

and he was yelling this as he jumped into the surf...

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas Everyone! 

Love,

Gracie and Schatzie

Black and White Sunday...

Think I'm on the wrong list...

 

So I'm naughty...

Schatzie and I received our Christmas gifts from Gramma in Florida on Wednesday. Mom decided we could dig into the box before Christmas since we've been so good. I love getting a box from Gramma, cuz there's always something good inside. Well I wasn't disappointed!  I got this really cool BIG duck. You can see it on the right side of the following photo. The little lamb you see in the picture is Schatzie's present. I was a VERY BAD dog and snagged her gift and proceeded to dismantle it in a matter of 7 minutes. I do think that's a record!! Mom wasn't too pleased and lamb chop had to go to the stuffie hospital for surgery.

Lamb Chop is recovering on the counter and mom keeps giving me a stink eye.

 

Tis the Season!!

 

 

Hello, my name is Gracie and I'm on the Naughty Dog List!!

 

 

Gracie

Pups on Patrol...

If you remember from yesterday I told you we were out on Pup Patrol. If you look really close you will see one of the 1100 Hawaiian Monk Seals left on earth.  Can you see him??

 

Let me help you....

 

 I'll let mom zoom in for you.

This little guy is known as 8HY or as we like to call him

8 Hotel Yankee!!  We don't know how old he is for sure, but his size indicates that he is probably . 3-4 years of age. He has been hanging out on these rocks since Saturday. Just sleeping all day and then he heads out on adventures or to eat during the evening.  He is really green, probably getting ready to molt (he will shed his entry outer fur and skin) then he will be a shinny new gray/silver color.

It's a stressful time for them and they need lots of rest during this process.

 

 

and then....

 

Remember SAM ???

Well not only did we have 8HY, but we also found Sam snoozing just

 a short distance down the beach. He's looking great.

 

 

Enjoying a nice late afternoon snooze. 

 

 wow, you can almost count all his whiskers.

 

 If you are wondering, we were not allowed out of the car while mom was checking on these guys. It's dangerous for both us and the seals. We all carry icky germs that could be potentially life threatening so mom let's us view from the car and then took us home so she could come back and take these photos.  We like to abide by the rules!!

Wednesday Seal Update: 8HY was again out on the outer rocks snoozing and unfortunately Sam was no where to be found and believe me, we LOOKED!!! Maybe tomorrow.

Hope you enjoyed Pups on Patrol!!

 

Love, Gracie and Schatzie

Out on Patrol...

Mom allowed us to do a "ride along" yesterday. Since it's wordless Wednesday I'll have to wait until tomorrow to let ya know what we found. You all come back now, hear!! 

Gracie

Full Moonrise...

Tonight was one of the first full moonrises that we've had without tons of clouds. It was beautiful.

A Hanalei Day...

Yesterday hubby and I went to the North Shore to witness the BIG WAVES! We were not disappointed. They waves were huge and we enjoyed watching the experienced surfers zooming across the huge waves.  Now since we're just beginners to life on the waves we opted to paddle our long boards up the Hanalei River--the water's flat there!!

 

Before we ventured up the river we witnessed a beautiful site on the shores of Black Pot Beach.  We saw dozens of folks clad in bright red t-shirts that had  K.O.R.E  stamped in the front. Wandering around the beach, I found that K.O.R.E stands for Kauai Outdoor Recreation Experience.  This group allows for those with special needs and their families to enjoy a day at the beach under the supervision highly skilled individuals that include physical therapist, lifeguard and firemen. We saw all ages surfing (most doing much better than me), some were snorkeling others were building sand castles. The most impressive site was all the empty wheelchairs on the beach. Freedom from the restraints of their life in those chairs--at least for a short time. I loved hearing their laughter and the smiles were enough to make you tear up. I want to say Mahalo to all those involved with this program, indeed they are enabling those with disabilities to enjoy Kauai's beautiful ocean and SURF!!  If you'd like to know more about this program click on K.O.R.E

 

 A truly beautiful day on Hanalei Bay

Wordless Wednesday...

A Time of Reflection...

This morning I was up at dark thirty and was headed out to check on a seal that has been resting at a nearby beach for the past 2 days.  She and I sat quietly together as the sun rose over the island of Oahu.  I thought how different the sky must have been 72 years ago as Pearl Harbor was under attack.

Remember those past and present heroes. 

Black Friday...

 

I told them not to go, the crowds would be big, the lines would be long, parking would be a nightmare. Did they listen??? 

 

 

Exploring the Wailua River

 

 Look out, here comes the crowd

 

Look at them all lined up

 

kayaks all up and down the river

 the parking lot was jammed.

 

Peeps everywhere, but it's oaky it's a big river!!

 

Even with my warning they went anyway. Yes, up the river with a paddle!!

Bet you thought they went shopping didn't you. LOL

 

It was a beautiful morning on the Wailua River. They paddled 4 miles round trip. Mom said the last 1/2 mile was into the wind--so she's one pooped pup.  Next time they go they'll take their shoes and hike to Secret Falls.

 

Hope you had a great Black Friday.

 

Gracie

Twas the day before Thanksgiving....

 

Twas the day before Thanksgiving and guess what??

I didn't have to wear any of those hats, but...

Schatzie and I were subjected to baths, pedicures and an ear cleaning. Mom said something about us smelling like dogs. Hello Mom, we are dogs!!

Once we were finished getting all pretty mom put us out on the lanai to warm up and then she left us.

Yes, left us!!

 

She went exploring. She'd gotten a message about helping to get some derelict fishing nets off the beach, so off she went. She does that stuff so our marine mammal friends don't

get entangled in the nets.

 

after the net cleanup she went to the Northeast shore of our island.

If you look really close at the above photo (just above the center of the photo)

you might be able to see the

 Kilauea Light House.

 

 Here you see Gary, another monk seal volunteer mom caught up with, he's checking out RN44.

Can you find the seal?? 

 How about this...hey mom, zoom in so they can see it

 

 a  beautiful arch

 

Mom found this Hono, (that means turtle). Isn't she a beauty!!

Gary says she usually hauls out with her bo, but not today :(

 

 Here's K.C. or as the scientist call her RK28

just enjoying a snooze on the beach.

 

 Mom also saw a couple whales ( she didn't get any photos) they were a bit too far out to get good shots so she just used her binoculars and watched the show.

According to her, they saw a number of pectoral slaps and 6 breaches. These were the first whales mom has observed this season.

 

 t'was the day before Thanksgiving...

Mom saw 3 seals, 1 turtle, her first whales of the season and we got baths!!

 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

Gracie and family

Hi...

 

 

 

 

Love,

Schatzie

Someone STOP the Madness....

Yesterday was the blue hat, today it's the green one!!

 

Someone please stop this crazy hat madness.

 

Do I look cold???

 

I'm going to need therapy

 or at least 87 million treats for putting up with these hats!!

what do you think???

 

Love,

Gracie

Mom, did you forget we live in Hawaii???

Last week when poppy visited our farm  mom had him find and bring back our stocking hats.

I told mom that it's plenty warm here in Hawaii and we no longer needed them.

She seemed to have other ideas.

 

 don't laugh

 I'm trying to look pitiful.

 is it working??

 I've had just about enough of this

 it's coming off

 almost...

there, free at last!!

 

good grief mom we live in paradise.

We don't need no stinking  hats!!