Unexpected beauty

Today's walking - 25 minutes with Brix and Demi

A few day's ago, Brix's best friend, Marano, had a heart attack and died at the veterinarian's office. I never thought about dogs having heart attacks so this death caught me by surprise.

Even more tragic is that Marano was an eight-year old service dog from Canine Companions for Independence who worked with a woman who desperately needed him as she is confined to a wheel chair with advanced multiple sclerosis. We're all devastated - for our friend and for Marano and his doggy buddies. Tragedy strikes in many forms.

I managed a short walk today and, following Hannah Hinchman's directives, came home with something to draw. There's tons of this cotoneaster around this area.  It's invasive but I find it lovely in its own way. The berry clusters are bright and shiny. The leaves have smooth edges, no serrations, with shiny tops and soft undersides.