Just Some Fun with Joe

Had a student once who insisted he was just Joe.  

From that day forth, he became Just Joe in my eyes.  Now in his 40s, he still gets a "Happy Birthday, Just Joe" greeting from me every year. 

Well, along with Todd and Brooke, we have a much younger grandpuppy named Joe. He's 2 years old. 

So far, I haven't attached the qualifier aka adjective to our Joe, even though he is just another Border Collie among our group of beloveds. 

Yesterday afternoon, soon after Annie and Bill headed off to the airport, Debbie and I loaded up Joe and pointed the pickup toward Rapid Lightning Creek Road where we planned to do the loop around Gold Creek.

Debbie had never been up the Box Canyon Road, and, for a time, I wasn't so sure I was on the same road we've visited in the past and which  offers a majestic view of the Selkirk Mountains.  

Turned out to be the right one.  So when we reached the turnaround, which has open hillsides around it, we left the pickup and strolled around enjoying the beauty for a few minutes.  

Since we were the only folks up there, Debbie eventually removed Joe's leash.  Our worries that he might just take off running into the forest were totally unfounded. 

Joe stuck pretty close to us, but his enjoyment of the area, with its new grass dotted with hundreds of wild strawberry blossoms, along with a perfect playing stick, made for some fun camera action.

So, on this Monday morning, I present to you a one-dog show, brought to you by what we think is JUST the prettiest Joe ever.  

Happy Monday.

Enjoy the photos.