::: BIG BEAUTY :::

It's been a long and tiring week of trying to catch up with work, running my car into a wall and an unhappy dog, who I never knew could sing quite a nice aria. Big Jim found us 5 years ago and he is probably the most beautiful animal we've ever encountered. Beautiful on the inside. He also has stunning good looks, and a constant and loving stare, that reminds me to stop what I'm doing and go out and play. I will admit that we chose to be "one of those" irresponsible owners that "chose" not to get him neutered for many reasons. The first being his personality. It's amazing and we worried it would change. The second was he had no interest, nor change of mood in all the time we had him and the third, we had two other male dogs (large collies) in our 25 years together, that both got terrible infections and sick from the procedure. This week, our Big Beauty went to the vet and had the inevitable surgery. He came in the door, with John, on Tuesday, barely standing, saw me and did his usual (but slower now) extending of his paw and did a slow slide onto the floor, where he laid all evening near us. Our cat, Mama was filled with crazy-joy (secretly!) at the site of him and although she probably added to his drugged out brain, she has realized how incredible he is and has kept watch over him. He is doing so amazingly well and has been outside visiting his best friend, Sally, our other "spayed" rescued sweetheart (but very difficult to photograph). This morning I spent some time throwing his ball and held onto it for these pictures. He lasted about 2 minutes before I had to give it to him. He has amazing concentration and is doing so well. Big Jim is definitely a very under-appreciated gift to us. If more humans were like him the world would be a better place. (and just a note - I always say I normally never sharpen eyeballs and other than some contrast and a slight vignette, this is out of the camera -- I will hang onto my 5D's as long as I can!!!!!)