Photo Album - The Cricket

Cricket was only 8 weeks old here. Now she is a robust 22 pounds, and chock full of sassy, independent personality.

One of my all time favorites pictures! She and I are so alike. Actually though, I would rather clean than cook… I can’t burn the vacuum cleaner.... well, actually, a few fan belts have indeed met their maker after I whipped through the house at warp speed trying to clean for dinner parties… was definitely b.y.o.f.... bring your own food.

I used to feed about 14 horses a day that are on the property, and Cricket used to run around by their feet., so I put her up on the haystack - out of hoof-harm’s way. She is only about 3 months here so the ears are half up, half down… awwww!

Not really a Watch dog per se, maybe more like a Listen dog.

Jen Nashie came for a visit, and she bought this sweater and then stitched the Crick’s name on the side. Because her legs are about 2”, the sweater gets too dirty with everyday use, but she wears it on special occassions.

She is my snow bunny. And like a bunny was almost taken away by a coyote the other day. I rushed to her rescue though and really need to get trained on how to shoot a gun. Just call me Annie.

One of my best friend’s children had a class project called “Flat Stan” where you took Stan with you everywhere and then sent him back two weeks later with all of his mementos he picked up in his journeys. Cricket was really his chaperon since I was a bit busy.

My friend Harlan told me that indeed she is not a harlot but instead that I have made her feel very comfortable.

Skiing at Heather’s Aunt and Uncle place at Salmon Lake, MT. Cricket was offered a seat in the boat, but she was too busy flirting with the neighbor kids. But then the boat took off, and I jumped in to ski, and she was crick out of luck.

Part wombat, part fox, part dog, part cricket (the long back and jumping thing), part hyena (you should hear the sounds that come out of her in the morning while trying to get me out of bed) and part donkey or yoda bunny.

She so rarely gets in trouble, but when she does, she knows. And then makes this ridiculous face. To which of course I laugh and she jumps on me and wags the nub in joy.

Yeah, Crick knows what is important:
1. Making time to nap and snore
2. Getting in daily exercise . . . even if that means throwing some coyote carcus pieces around to herself
3. Stopping to smell the pond grass

Honestly, if I could paint I would paint this. Wouldn’t you? You can tell me if you want throw me off the dock.

After the Crick swims her laps in the pond, she runs about the long grass like a little funny fairy who has just fallen in love. 

So I would never do it, but she did come with a docked tail. I think because the real one has feathers and would constantly be collecting dirt. Anyway, the nub, when it gets to wagging (or wiggling?) is definitely a site to behold.

Honestly, the “nub” is a flotation device which helps this otherwise bottom-bound fuzzy log just cruise along like part Cricket, part Crock.

Cricket’s favorite non-toxic, all natural toy? New SPCA-adoptee - FROGGY the Cat. (What are the chances that I would have two animals named after two other types of animals that HOP? The match was meant to be!)

So here it is. All I had to do was send Karen, the artist, a photo of her via email, and then a few months later this arrived. I know it might be weird to have a pet portrait (or that is what Heather contends), but all is know is it makes me smile every time I look at it, and it really adds great personality to the Bozeman Headquarters!

This captures the Crick in her puppy mode, which is hard to do as she is becoming a big girl now! This Nov she will be two. ;-)

Just wanted to show just how long she is. I call her my fuzzy corn dog.

She seems a bit sad she wasn’t invited into this shot that we were doing for MT LIVING MAG.

She can run alongside for miles and miles – in fact, she does 8-mile trail rides with Lou (my horse) and me quite often. However, she does love to give her little stubby legs a break and be carted around like the queen caramel cake she is!

A photo that was taken for the Old Navy Mascot competition… which she didn’t win (gasp) but at least we got great photo out of it. ;-)