Free Range Pumpkin

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Mike

My sweet Golden, Pumpkin, waits for me on a recent hike. Neither of us are young anymore, but when let off leash she becomes much younger than I am. I adore her.

63 thoughts on “Free Range Pumpkin”

Pankaj Jyoti Barua on September 17, 2013 at 9:06 am said:

This is such a cute portrait of Pumpkin…I can almost feel the empathy and the kindness in his eyes…Retrievers (both Labradors and Goldens) are real sweet heats and I know that from experience….
The photograph is so full of character and is so rich….There are so many things to observe and I love the B/W rendition…A very well composed image that actually tells a story…Loved it!!!
http://globalsafari.wordpress.com/

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 9:09 am said:
  
  What a sweet and well crafted comment. Yes, she is a big time sweetheart and I love her very much. Thank you.
  
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  - Pankaj Jyoti Barua on September 17, 2013 at 9:11 am said:
    
    Thank you!!!
    I am going through your blog right now and I am in LOVE with Pumpkin….The retrievers really have something special in their eyes and Pumpkin is the best example of that….
    
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  - Mike on September 17, 2013 at 9:12 am said:
    
    Your blog is wonderful. Pumpkin says thank you and is blushing now.
    
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  - Pankaj Jyoti Barua on September 17, 2013 at 9:15 am said:
    
    Thanks….
    
    Wow…Please convey my thanks to Pumpkin…
    
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Dan Traun - Outdoor Guy Photography on September 17, 2013 at 10:09 am said:

I miss my walks with my big furry kid (yellow lab). They become a huge part of your life; both figuratively and literally. Cherish your times, walks and such for they are far too short in the grand scheme of things.

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 10:13 am said:
  
  I just got back from a walk with Pumpkin and I am well aware of the clock that never stops. That is part of why I love her so hard, the realization. She will be 9 on Halloween.
  You are spot on Dan, and thanks for this.
  
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Marcia on September 17, 2013 at 10:17 am said:

I’m helping my sister after her recent shoulder surgery. She has two 14 month old yellow labs. Wow! What a lot of work they are. Very large and still puppies in their heads. lol I don’t have pets so it is taking me a bit of getting used to having them underfoot. Love Pumpkin’s picture!

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 10:23 am said:
  
  Thanks Marcia. Whew! Two lab puppies! Big goofy loving dogs. You are a really nice sister to do that. Hope your sister mends quickly and in the meantime, have fun.
  
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bouldercountyphotographer on September 17, 2013 at 10:19 am said:

LOL… love it! and love it in BnW!

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 10:24 am said:
  
  This is the most dramatic conversion I have done. The color photo was a throw away. Thanks Bo.
  
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seekraz on September 17, 2013 at 10:22 am said:

Ol’ girl looks kinda tired, Mike….very nice photo….and yes, a hike will make us feel a bit younger than we usually do. 😉

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 10:29 am said:
  
  Well, she must have been tired as part of that hike included her running fast in gleeful exuberance.
  
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RobynG on September 17, 2013 at 12:14 pm said:

Beautiful composition Mike. She sure is a beautiful dog. That face just screams love and devotion. Blessings, Robyn

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 12:29 pm said:
  
  Thanks Robyn. She is my love for sure.
  
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Eric Tonningsen on September 17, 2013 at 12:30 pm said:

Indeed, she’s a beauty. And I love her name! I know how things change when they’re allowed to be off leash. 🙂

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 12:32 pm said:
  
  When we bought her from a breeder we asked what her birthday is, and we were told ‘Oh she was born on Halloween, she is a pumpkin.” Slam dunk.
  Thanks Eric.
  
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natuurfreak on September 17, 2013 at 1:49 pm said:

Very cute portret of your best friend.

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 1:55 pm said:
  
  Danke, Marylou.
  
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Pat on September 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm said:

Love your Pumpkin photos.

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 3:25 pm said:
  
  Nice. Thank you.
  
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Jackie on September 17, 2013 at 5:52 pm said:

Great capture! Love the title. 😀

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 8:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jackie.
  
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LB on September 17, 2013 at 7:46 pm said:

Ah Mike … what can I say that the previous folks haven’t said. She adores you, my friend.

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 8:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks Laurie. She is my sweetheart.
  
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Teepee12 on September 17, 2013 at 8:13 pm said:

I can’t imagine life without our fur kids. Pumkin is a beauty 🙂

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- Mike on September 17, 2013 at 8:37 pm said:
  
  I will tell her you said that as soon as she wakes up 😉
  
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catherinebowman on September 18, 2013 at 3:42 am said:

She wants you to move your tushy so she can see what’s around the next bend. In black and white, your Pumpkin seems almost haunted by knowledge and wisdom that we mere humans cannot hope to share.

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Angeline M on September 18, 2013 at 7:59 am said:

Haven’t had a slice of Pumpkin in awhile. Yup! She’s still a darling 🙂

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- Mike on September 18, 2013 at 8:37 am said:
  
  🙂
  
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apronheadlilly on September 18, 2013 at 10:45 am said:

I see you have been working on your titles. 🙂 Hope you all are drying out finally!

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- Mike on September 18, 2013 at 11:34 am said:
  
  My titles needed work 😉
  It is drying out and is quite nice now unless you are one of the poor souls who lost everything and have nowhere to go, and nothing to do it with.
  
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  - apronheadlilly on September 18, 2013 at 6:06 pm said:
    
    My brother’s house had a foot of water by the end of it–only a foot because my sis-in-law and nephew dammed up the outsdie stairwell. My brother was not home–gone on business! Now comes the mess of cutting out carpet, drywall, and insulation, and going through the damage. Argh. Much better than some, though. My son is going down to help this weekend.
    
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  - Mike on September 18, 2013 at 7:31 pm said:
    
    Well I’m sorry that he had any damage at all. This storm was so unexpected and really out of character for this area. I’m certainly glad that your family is OK Lilly. Positive thoughts to them and you as well.
    
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  - apronheadlilly on September 18, 2013 at 8:28 pm said:
    
    BTW did it come from the north or the west. Typically, storms from the west drop most on the mts.
    
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  - Mike on September 18, 2013 at 8:31 pm said:
    
    You are right about that but strangely this one came from the south initially and also included many cells from the west in the following days.
    
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  - apronheadlilly on September 18, 2013 at 9:23 pm said:
    
    Wow!
    
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caseybean13 on September 18, 2013 at 8:15 pm said:

Love this.

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- Mike on September 18, 2013 at 8:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks Casey. Good of you to take the time, eh.
  
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LensScaper on September 19, 2013 at 1:48 am said:

Those expressionable eyes stare out of my screen. A mix of emotions in those eyes. Beautifully photographed Mike. I can see why she is such a special dog

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- Mike on September 19, 2013 at 7:25 am said:
  
  Thanks Andy. She is having some dental surgery this morning. Send good energy this way.
  
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Regina (Gina) Arnold on September 19, 2013 at 9:55 am said:

It feels like she’s saying, “OK, Dad, I’ll wait for you to catch up. Love, Pumpkin”

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- Mike on September 19, 2013 at 9:59 am said:
  
  Or she could have been saying, “can you move any faster….geez”
  
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Heartafire on September 19, 2013 at 10:18 am said:

Such a beautiful animal…my friend has a golden named “Pumpkin Pie”. too sweet!

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- Mike on September 19, 2013 at 10:37 am said:
  
  Thanks Holly. I’ll let Pumpkin know you said that.
  
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  - Heartafire on September 19, 2013 at 12:12 pm said:
    
    please do…a pork chop might be nice too…for Pumpkin, not me. ❤
    
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  - Mike on September 19, 2013 at 2:12 pm said:
    
    And I was going to get your address and mail you that pork chop!
    
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Chillbrook on September 19, 2013 at 11:48 am said:

Smashing photo of your special girl Mike.

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- Mike on September 19, 2013 at 2:09 pm said:
  
  Thanks Adrian, always appreciate your comments.
  
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tiny lessons blog on September 22, 2013 at 1:27 pm said:

Wonderful picture. She is truly adorable!!

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- Mike on September 22, 2013 at 1:58 pm said:
  
  Thanks a ton.
  
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vsperry on September 23, 2013 at 5:49 pm said:

I’m a sucker for goden pictures, I’ve got two of my own and they end up on blog on a fairly regular basis (sometimes just there fur is there…there always seems to be dog fur on everything outside.) I’ve enjoyed your blog and am looking forward to reading more!

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- Mike on September 23, 2013 at 5:53 pm said:
  
  Oh yeah do they shed. When we brush Pumpkin there is so much hair I wonder if it couldn’t be loomed into something, like a stuffed toy of some sort. We’ll start a company….Golden Toys.
  Good of you to comment. Thanks.
  
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  - vsperry on September 23, 2013 at 6:03 pm said:
    
    I like it! Golden Toys. The birds around here know enough to use the dog fur that I leave on the patio for their nests. Re-use, re-purpose, recycle at its finest!
    
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  - Mike on September 23, 2013 at 7:28 pm said:
    
    That is a great idea!
    
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readingwithrhythm on September 24, 2013 at 5:09 pm said:

very nice

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- Mike on September 18, 2015 at 7:20 pm said:
  
  I am just now seeing this comment. Somehow it eluded me. So, belatedly, thank you.
  
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Lynda on December 12, 2013 at 11:14 am said:

So glad that Laurie has introduced us, Mike. I can see why she loves your work too. I think your B&W and tint works are awesome!

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- Mike on December 12, 2013 at 11:23 am said:
  
  And I think your generous comment is Awesome. Thanks Lynda.
  
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  - Lynda on December 12, 2013 at 11:26 am said:
    
    🙂
    
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Photobooth Journal on September 18, 2015 at 5:11 pm said:

And she is adorable! She looks like she is saying HURRY UP, Pa!

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- Mike on September 18, 2015 at 5:52 pm said:
  
  Yep, I reckon she calls me Pa because we live in the West.
  
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  - Photobooth Journal on September 18, 2015 at 7:50 pm said:
    
    Pronounced “Paw”!
    
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