A month ago, Harold, a one year old Dingo-mix, came to live with us from the Oregon Humane Society. Last July Elsa passed away and I was overwhelmed by grief for a long time. And then it was time to add another dog. You don't replace one dog with another. At times I call him Elsa. My African gray parrot calls all my former dogs. But she quickly learned to call Harold, so he is now truly a family member.

We're at the Oregon coast this weekend to see if Harold has that natural affinity to sand and surg that so many dogs have. He does. His breed has a lot of energy and I love to watch him use his up running and playing tag with the tide.