Another Trip to the Zoo

Alex, Matthew, my brother Chad and I all went to the Denver Zoo yesterday.  Their new African pavilion area.  It was a nice cool day and we all had a great time!

Matthew and Chad check out the Elephants. 

Of course Matthew's favorite activity a the zoo is still chasing the geese with a stick. 

"I'm so proud of my self that I chased off those baby geese!"

"hmmm... what is this weird stuff that Uncle Chad bought me?"

"YUMM!!! whatever it is... it sure is yummy!!!"

High Park Fire

The terribly destructive High Park Fire started 15 miles northwest of our home town of Fort Collins.  Dry conditions, 90 degree weather and crazy winds resulted in rapid spread of the fire.  At the time of this post it has burned over 40,000 acres.   The ash and smoke in town is terrible.   Many of my patients have been evacuated from their homes and it is really just horrible.   The one positive thing about the fire is that all the smoke makes for beautiful sunsets.

The smoke on the first day of the fire. 

On sunday we went down town for a festival and at the end as we were leaving I snapped this picture from the parking garage. 

View of the smoke over the hill in the park behind our house

The smoke behind our house

Blackhawk flying through the smoke

The smoke is coming from the mountains on the left and moving off to the right. 

Buster, my friend's dog that I am watching, ran off with her leash while I was taking pictures. 

Sunset

Beautiful clouds

The setting sun was burnt red

Reminds me a lot of the smokey's in North Carolina.  

Petunia

Petunia is by far the most challenging puppy I have raised thus far.  She is 14 months old and still acts like she is 4 months old.  Just when I think she is starting to mature she back tracks and gets worse.  I haven't given up yet though.  I keep hoping that when she eventually goes into heat it will help.  I took her hiking with Matthew and I the other day and took a few cute pictures of her.  She may be one of the most difficult puppies I've raised but she is also one of the cutest!

What a pretty girl!

Posing for pictures is tough work. 

Petunia in front of Mt. Evans

 A muddy and wet petunia on our attempt at a 14er together

Mighty petunia

The Family at the top of the rock hill at our local playground. 

She is just too darn cute!

Bath

Matthew loves bath time and he really liked the new toy I got him. 

Skype

Matthew seems to really enjoy skyping with his grandparents in North Carolina. I'm amazed how quickly he picks up technology.

Lake

The lake behind our house is really low this year so Matthew and I walked over to play on the shore.

"Go away Geese!"

Matthew seems to really love water.

"look mom, I found a rock!"

"ugh! ugh! This rock is heavy!"

The Farm

Alex and I took Matthew to one of the many great city parks that Fort Collins has.  The one we went to is called "the farm" and it has pony rides and lots of farm animals for petting.  The baby animals were so cute and Matthew LOVED riding the pony. 

That serious look usually means that he is having a really good time.

Go Midnight go. 

Hi Mom.  

Come over here Mama sheep.

"He he... the momma goat licked my hand!"

The baby goats were so soft and cute!

"Nice Pony"

Wild Animal Sanctuary

Matthew and I went to a local Wild Animal Sanctuary yesterday.  They rescue predators and then house them on huge acres of land.  There is a 1+ mile long walk way that is above the animals.  I really enjoyed taking pictures and I think Matthew had fun too.

"Yippee!  We're really gonna go this time!!  Yippee!"

"Whew... it sure is hot!"

She looks so cuddly... to bad she would probably eat me. 

He is laying just like our kitty does... silly kitties.

"Wait mom, here I come!"

That wolf is either pregnant or really fat!

Look at the size of those paws!  She had an itch. 

I think the obesity epidemic has hit the animal reserve!

Matthew Kicking back in the stroller.

The Tigers were so pretty!

The Tigers were huge.  It was so cute to watch this one drink. 

Taking it all in. 

No wonder the bears are so fat... look a all that fruit!