Tina makes Memories our challenge this week – and they are very much alive to me and my family in October every year. This year, two of my best friends, and my husband, turned 75 and one dear friend turned 70. My mother’s husband turned 93 and his younger brother turns 90 next Wednesday. So, a lot of celebrations – and many memories of days gone by.
I remember when I started blogging, and I was supposed to name my first blog in 2011. ( 15th anniversary this year!) Lagottocattleya is its full name because of my two great love affairs – the one with the Lagotto breed and the one with Cattleya orchids.
One of the first pictures I used on this blog, was the header one with my first two lovely lagottos, Mille and Totti. So much love and so much fun we had! I even had a weekly post with my dogs writing… I can still see how Totti trotted in Mille’s footsteps, trying to keep up. He wasn’t a grown lad there. Mille didn’t like Totti from the start…but they soon became best friends. My daughter also had a special bond to Mille – she even saved his life once. Searching her contacts for the right medicine – and she found it. In the gallery it’s Totti being cuddled.
Mille was a one of a kind dog – chasing the autumn leaves for hours, bubbles in the water the whole summer. Catching snow balls and pine cones…My husband used to say he had ADHD – never a dull moment and always full speed. In our summer house for the first time, he jumped into the fridge when I opened it for a bottle of milk. Dragged the bottle through the kitchen with the milk running. Then he pulled down a table cloth from a little table, smashing the vase, crushing the flowers and finished it off with tackling grandmothers walking stick. I can tell you I wasn’t happy that day…
He always got into trubble – drank water with algae and ended up in hospital, rolled in a hayfield and got bitten by a viper. He recovered much thanks to Emma and her medicine, but never became fully fit again.
Totti was a laid back lover of life. He always felt like a proper elderly gentleman in no hurry…Viveka (of Myguilty pleasures) loved him, and he loved her back. I have a wonderful series of 5-6 photos when he struggled to climb up in our hammock – and finally succeeded. You can see him smiling, I am sure!
And I have always loved orchids, and grown many of them. After some years, Cattleyas became my favourites – a perfect combination of grace and beauty. Not too rounded and soft, not too spiky. The first two here were my favourites for many years.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
– L.M.Montgomery
All of these precious ones are gone since long, but the memories will last forever. I take care of flowers and animals the same way. With love. With people, I hope, the same.
I hope you enjoyed following my best friends over the years, even if you have seen them many times. We look forward to your sharing your own memories in response to this week’s challenge. Be sure to link to Tina’s original post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.
Many warm thanks to Egidio for last week’s “Where Does It Lead” challenge, and to all of you who shared your paths with us. Hope you’ll join us next week when John leads us once again on his Journeys With Johnbo. Until then as always please stay safe, be kind and enjoy every day.
Oh such wonderful images thank you so much for sharing ..
Thank you for sharing this precious gift of beautiful memories as you looked back at the love you shared with others over the years. 🪶❤️
♥ Thank you, Carol! So grateful for having taken photos of my best friends.
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What lovely memories. Your dogs were adorable and I’m so glad you have lots of photos to keep their memory alive.
The orchids are gorgeous too, but for once, your little dog photos are my favourites (not flowers).
Thank you, Vicki! Glad you favour them before the flowers!♥
What an interesting post! Today I learned about the origins of your blog name and I was fascinated. It sent me down the rabbit hole of orchids and dogs. Beautiful photos too !
Thank you, Sheetal! So happy to see you here again!
I love this focus on two of your loves, Ann-Christine. It is clear to see how much they mean to you on your beautiful photos.
Thank you, Sofia – many happy memories…and yes, they mean a lot to me.
OMG, such sweet dogs, how very adorable and photogenic… <3. And the flowers! Dang!
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Such a touching gallery! L.M. Montgomery’s quote is so true—nothing is lost as long as we remember. Your photographic record of your special pets and flowers is truly precious. Thank you for this lovely glimpse into your memories! 🐕🌿
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Such handsome pups. Thanks for sharing the good memories.
Thank you for reading and commenting on them!
I had so much fun revisiting with both Milo and Totti Ann-Christine. Have loved their appearances in your posts through the years and it’s wonderful to see them again. I think you and I started blogging at about the same time, and I’m so glad that we embarked on the Lens-Artists Journey together. Here’s to more fun ahead ❤️
Thank you so much Tina! I am glad too – to have found you and the LA – a great comfort in this crazy world. I think we started the same year maybe? Happy you remember my besties too. In fact I cannot live without living beings like cats or dogs. I think I mentioned once that I’ve only had one single year without a furry friend – and that year was a great pain. Not even my husband could endure it.
Ann-Christine, thanks for sharing these memories of your beloved dogs. Your photos of them are so fun. I love the one of Totti in the hammock. The orchids are gorgeous! Enjoy all of your October celebrations.
Thank you, Beth – happy to share some joy from them! And now there’s only one celebration left – a bit exhausted!
Marvellous set of memories, A C! I love the photos of the dogs, especially Totti and your hammock! And your Cattleya orchids are stunning
♥ Thank you, Sue! I don’t remember if you ever met him?
Totti? Yes!
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Dogs are our precious friends, and live on in our hearts when they are gone. My precious memory is of Molly our pit mix. She was a lover of people, an active swimmer and diver and could catch two balls at once. I’m glad you have precious memories of Millie and Totti. They will last forever.
Thank you, Anne, that you shared about Molly too! She could cath two balls simultaneiously? Wow!
Thanks Ann Christine. Just to clarify, Molly would catch one ball, and while it was in her mouth, she’d catch the next one. She would also dive into a 9-ft. swimming pool, go to the bottom and retrive the grandkids pool toys. Our current dog is just a lover–that’s important too.
WOW!
Very cute dogs, memories, and photos. I hadn’t heard that breed name before. And those flowers are new to me too and beautiful!
♥ Glad you enjoyed, Brad!
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Your photos of your family pets are precious, and I’m sure they have cathartic memories for you, Ann-Christine. I love your flower photos, as well—cherished moments, all.
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What a wonderful gallery of your beautiful dogs and flowers, but especially the dogs 💓
♥ My boys!
Beautiful and heartfelt share and gallery, Ann-Christine. Memories are some of our deepest treasures.
They are, thank you!
Lovely post!
Thank you!
What fabulous memories and photos you have of your wonderful dogs. And October sounds full on with all the celebrations.
Thank you, Jude! Yes – and I am not a party person, so rather exhausted by now. Of course it is great to celebrate – but I wonder why so many in my family and so many among my friends are born in October…
Christmas / New year celebrations! I and my two brothers are October birthdays.
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Those photos of your dogs are so joyful and precious. I can see your love for them in them. And those flower shots, pure magic Ann-Christine.
Thank you, Ritva – furry friends and flowers – yes, they mean a lot. To forget this crazy world…
It’s lovely that you have such a wonderful photographic record of your special moments with your very special dogs and flowers. Enjoy your many and varied up-coming celebrations!
Thank you, Margaret! Almost all celebrations over now – I don’t plan to attend halloween…In fact I am rather exhausted!
Oh dear! In a good way, I hope?
Yesyes😊
Wonderful photos of the boys and their mischief, Ann-Christine. They gave you so much love back. And the orchid photos… incomparable xx
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Lovely post.
Thank you, Dawn!
What sweet memories you shared!!
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Ann-Christine, you shared beautiful feelings and photos. What a joy to have these in your life! Let the birthday celebrations begin and create more beautiful memories.
Thank you, Egidio! There is only one celebration left now. I am not a party person, but some of them are fun. When too many people – I get exhausted…♥
The words and the pictures are such great memories.
They are. What would we do without cameras? There are not many pictures from my childhood, so I know.
Truly lovely memories, Leya! A wonderful gallery – I loved scrolling through it. Best – Millie peeking through the hole in the tree. Priceless! But um, I’ve been calling you ”orchard” all these months? I’m so, so sorry! I feel daft as all get out! Sorry!!! xx
Pam – I don’t get it…orchard? I haven’t noticed?