Back at the Ranch

A year ago, we took a trip down the California coast to Santa Margarita, where we stayed at Seven Oaks Ranch, which has three vacation homes nestled on 200+ acres. We got to go there again last week, where this time we stayed in the owners' home while they were away and puppysat for their 3-month old cocker spaniel, Margie (pronounced with the G like "guy", rather than like "gender").

close up of little chocolate brown cocker spaniel sitting outside on wooden deck, she has her head lifted upwards in a somewhat regal poseMargie is an adorable, spunky little gal who adored Cabana--and piddled on the floor as soon as she saw her, the first of many piddles to come, unfortunately! But aside from the challenges of potty training, it was fun to see Margie and Cabana interact.

cabana and margie biting opposite ends of a stuffed snake in a feisty game of tugThey played a lot of tug with this stuffed snake. Cabana was great with the puppy, very gentle and playful and PATIENT!

cabana laying on the deck outside while margie lays on top of cabana's head and backCabana endured quite a bit of ear biting, face nibbling, general pestering, and getting climbed on.

cabana and margie from the back as they both stand and look outside the glass paned backdoorAs if they weren't enough for each other, here Cabana and Margie are waiting for a certain male visitor.

cabana standing outside with a german shorthaired pointer wearing a bright orange collar, he is off leash but cabana is on a retractable leashScout belonged to the people who were staying in one of the other vacation homes, and he would come over often for canine companionship. His owners let him roam around the property at will, but I wasn't quite comfortable with that and kept Cabana on leash around the house and the pond. The water level in the pond was extremely low, making it very full of algae and mud--oh no, I was quite aware of where Cabana would end up if I let her roam around off-leash.

cabana standing and looking toward the camera, on a sandy path that leads into a grove of treesBut Cabana got plenty of off-leash time on our daily hikes AWAY from the pond.

distant shot of cabana on a steep path, turning to look back at me, it's hard to show incline in a photo but it was fairly steepWe climbed some steep ridges.

at the top of a ridge, where you can see the path meandering for a spell, there are hills all around below the pathBut the view was so worth it!


closer shot of cabana with mouth open looking at camera, hills behind her as she stands on dirt pathNot a building or another person around us for miles. Nothing but beautiful, vast, open expanse--exhilarating!

cabana with wet fur walking along on the sandy beach with ocean and people in the backgroundThere are lots of great beaches in that area. Avila Beach has a section that is just for off-leash dogs.

cabana on the shore with three other dogs, all standing and looking off in different directionsThere were tons of friendly dogs to meet and play with.

cabana and another yellow lab running through the waves, the other dog has a floating toy with rope on it in her mouthCabana gravitated toward a fellow yellow Lab, one that is a TRUE retriever, unlike Cabana.

other lab is off to the side while cabana runs in the other direction, the shot catches her in midair, no paws on the groundBut that's okay, Cabana found other ways to amuse herself, like levitation.

cabana basking in the sun on a deck that has patio furniture on it, trees surrounding the deckThere wasn't much time for R&R, but Cabana managed to get in some sunbathing on the deck. Still, no matter how great a vacation might be, it's always so nice to get back home and sleep in your own bed. Does that make me sound really old? Then, I guess I must be old!

Cassie & The Dogs  – (August 10, 2011 at 12:17 PM)  

Funny! We both leave town and ended up someplace where we still could have met up! Cabana went to Avila with us too :-). Glad you guys had a great time! It looks like a fabulous vacation!

Kari in Alaska  – (August 10, 2011 at 12:58 PM)  

Oh wow looks like it was fun. Where did Francie stay?

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Infrequent Flyers  – (August 10, 2011 at 1:15 PM)  

Cassie, when you said you were going out of town last week, I almost asked you where you were going because I thought you might be going there!!

Kari, Francie got adopted almost 2 weeks ago, so she's with her new owner!

Min  – (August 10, 2011 at 6:32 PM)  

I love the picture of Cabana running/levitating! She leads the perfect doggy life.

Elizabeth Bergesen  – (August 10, 2011 at 9:51 PM)  

Wow, what a beautiful place you went to!!! Love the scenery, the beach, and all of your playful doggie photos!!

Lisa and pups  – (August 11, 2011 at 6:54 PM)  

Oh wow, what a great time! Margee is so cute!

Susan Campisi  – (August 12, 2011 at 1:29 PM)  

That looks like paradise - for dogs and people. I might have to take a road trip there with Tommy - and Louise!

Tessa99999  – (August 12, 2011 at 1:44 PM)  

Cabana is such a cutie! She really does seem like an amazingly, perfect lab! She's so sweet and good with other dogs and people!

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