One morning about a week ago, I was filling up the big rubber water bucket on the porch of Widget's House when blind Samantha wandered up for a drink. She went not for the water in the bucket, but straight for the stream of water coming out of the faucet. Samantha stuck her mouth right into the flow, first biting at the water and then slurping at it with her tongue. It was the first time I'd seen her do that. In fact, since blind Stoney -- our other "hose drinker" -- was adopted last year, we haven't had anyone else drink this way. (Well, other than our barn cat Joshua, who prefers the modified approach of a dripping faucet.)
Now it's become a little morning ritual. If Samantha is out on the porch when I'm filling the bucket, she inevitably comes over to drink from the faucet. So on Tuesday, right after letting the dogs out that morning, I was ready with the camera to document her hydrological preference. In the top photo, she's staring at the bucket but not interested in drinking from it.
Here's what happened next -- she lifts her head up and aims for the stream of water:
Then she gets her mouth right in it to start drinking:
And finally, after getting her fill, she gives me a tongue-first satisfied look:
Love that pink tongue!
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Some folks thought Charlie looked sad in yesterday's post. No, don't worry, he's not a sad tyke at all. He's actually a very happy boy. Someone asked how old he was -- as usual with these cases, we really don't know, but the Atlanta Beagle Rescue group thought he might be about 8 years old.
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Don't forget, you can vote every day for us in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge. Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana, and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. We won $1,000 in this online contest last year because of your help and would like to win it again this year.
We're currently No. 7 nationwide, so your votes are adding up! Thank you!
This is the first time I have read your blog. I love it! Samantha is gorgeous. I have a black Lab/mastiff mix, Ludo, and he impatiently waits for summer when he gets to play in the water. Every weekend he gets to chase the water from the hose. I guess it's a lab thing!
Posted by: Rachael | May 05, 2009 at 01:12 PM
What a cute story! Love love LOVE the pink tongue sticking out!
By the way, how is little Brynn doing?
Posted by: Jennifer McRoberts | May 03, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Samantha is such a cutie. She has the most beautiful face (and tongue)!
Posted by: Mary | May 03, 2009 at 07:48 AM
What a lovely face! Sam is indeed one of the prettiest dogs at RDR.
Posted by: JC | May 01, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Drinking from the faucet/hose rather than a bowl seems to be Lab trait. My numerous Lab god-dogs (similar to godchildren) all prefer running water. Must be something to do with their swimming/hunting heritage.
Posted by: Debbie Burke | May 01, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Great photos once again Steve! Those rituals are so endearing, but nothing as much as that sweet face... Samantha's lovely. I have a special place in my heart for older, black dogs. Hugs from us!
Posted by: Margaret | May 01, 2009 at 12:21 PM
So Samantha likes her water "on the hoof?" How cute! I'll join the crowd when I say, Love that pink tongue!
Posted by: Moon Rani | May 01, 2009 at 11:20 AM
We all know that the water straight from the faucet is the freshest, lol. Wonderful pictures of our sweet girl.
Posted by: Debbie | May 01, 2009 at 07:35 AM
Samatha is just so smart. Love the pics, especially the last one of her sweet, gorgeous gray face, pink tongue and all!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | April 30, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Samantha is SO CUTE in that last photo! As you say Steve, love that pink tongue!! :-)
Posted by: Kristen D. | April 30, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Thanks for the tip, Peggy. I was voting once at home and once at work.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | April 30, 2009 at 08:28 PM
That is too cute. I guess Samantha figures out where the water is by the sound. (And where it hits her in the face.) Good for her.
Tip to all blog readers to INCREASE YOUR DAILY VOTING in the Rescue Site contest. I have found you can vote once per day per web browser. I have Firefox and Safari on my computer at home, the same two web browsers on my computer at work and Safari on the scanning station outside my office. So I vote for Rolling Dog Ranch twice at home and three times at the office every day during the business week for a total of 5 times a day! Just wanted to pass that along.
Posted by: Peggy | April 30, 2009 at 06:33 PM
What an absolutely beautiful dog. If I had to pick, she'd definitely be in my top three favorites. Please kiss that gorgeous gray face of hers for me.
Posted by: Lynn | April 30, 2009 at 04:31 PM