Happy Birthday!

Birthday boy, Artemis

Artemis (aka #1018 or The A.I. Baby around campus)

Lightning (aka #739 around campus)

Pure luck afforded me the privilege one year ago today to be present when the reindeer you see in the first two photos was born.  Go here to read more on that.

Although there was no pomp and circumstance--he is after all a research animal--I thought it only fitting to get a baby's first birthday photo.  Thank you to George Aguiar of the Reindeer Research Program at UAF for taking the time to listen to my silly request to find out The Baby's number and location.  Without his help, I would never have figured out which reindeer was the right one.  Additionally helpful was the website for the Reindeer Research Program listing all the reindeer names. So now I can tell you that #1018 was dubbed Artemis.

The bottom photo is Lightning.  She's Artemis' mom.  Seems only fair to include her since she did all the work. Last time I saw her she was worn out from a long birth, the poor girl.  Looking good now though, wouldn't you say? 

If you'd like to take part in naming a reindeer, here's a link.  Go ahead.  Use your imagination.  Put a name in the hat and maybe your name will be chosen for some lucky reindeer!

Where's my mama?

pausing for a bite to eat

This little guy or gal (??) visited our back yard last night.  For lack of knowing if he's a she or she's a he, we named it Saskatoon.  You weren't expecting Pat or Terry, were you?  After silently munching on willow, Saskatoon slowly ventured over the hillside and into the valley.  The snow loudly shooshed down the slope and winter's dried, brittle underbrush cracked loudly letting us know the route taken.  We never saw or heard Mama in the area.  Maybe 'Toon is alone in the world.  We'll be keeping an out for more visits though.

Thematic Photographic #141 - Windows

Zazu in role of Sad Dog

Just a few minutes prior to this photo Zazu was bounding around the living room, playful.  "Smiling" the way dogs sometimes do.  Flashing chestnut colored catch-me-if-you-can eyes up at me as he'd slam his front paws down, bum in the air, tail wagging.  A barely audible "boof" said "you're it, chase me".  We played for a couple more minutes then I stepped onto the deck, leaving him inside.

A single glass window separated us.  Yet his eyes stared off into eternity.  My heart sank at the sight.  Yes he's a dog but his eyes could be the windows to his soul too.  Sad eyes.  Cruelly left there alone in the world.  Oh, the despair!  Woe is him.  He pretended not to notice me.  Even as I spoke aloud letting him know I'd be right back.  Apparently though he's an elite member of CAG (Canine Actor's Guild).  His eyes never acknowledged outside contact.  Nary a twitch of a doggie brow was seen.  The ears remained stick straight.   Oooh this Sad Dog character was good, deserving of a Wag-Emmy Award.

Not surprisingly Sad Dog was nowhere to be found when I re-entered the house.  Just Zazu, aka Happy Dog, greeted his human upon my return from the far, far away side of the evil window.

(For more Thematic Photographic 141 - Windows, visit Carmi at Written Inc.  You'll be glad you did.  Guaranteed.)