Today I will hike with my 8-yr old niece out along the Colorado Trail near where Calpurnia met Jerry for the first time to spread some of her ashes and say good bye.  My niece was particularly close to Cali – she "raced" with her as a lead dog in some of the junior sled races the past few years after Cali became a tripawd.  It is going to be a beautiful, but emotionally draining day.  And frankly, I am not sure how much more I can endure right now.

After we lost Calpurnia on May 20, Bucky (da Hound) blew out his second ACL and had to have extensive knee surgery on June 9 with a 8-week crate-confined recovery.  We were just getting that managed when our patriarch of the pack, Worf, suddenly and unexpectedly developed bloat and we had to make the immediate decision to put him down on June 15.  We are reeling, to say the least. 

I know others are in various stages of dealing with broken hearts, so I wanted to let you know you are not alone, but also to ask those who remember Calpurnia to send a though or two out to her today.  It is a warm, sunny day in Colorado, with birds chirping and spring runoff waters bringing cold, clear moisture to the mountainside.  There is a little doe with her brand-new spotted fawn learn the ways of the wild and I am impressed with how life goes on.

I hope the day went ok.  I'm sure it was emotionally draining, but it could have great meaning too.  I'll keep you and your pack in my thoughts, and hope for all the strength in the world for you so your family can heal from these hard weeks. 

Leslie

I wanted to post my condolences earlier but simply couldn't see through the tears or even think straight. To have to endure such loss and pain is almost unbearable but you have so many friends on here sending healing pawsitive thoughts your way.

You and your pack will be in my thoughts…I am so sorry for your loss

Anita, mom to Xena and my Angels, Spammy & Chloe

Wow, you sure have had a rough day and a rough month with your crew.

I hope your day was as good as it could be spreading Cali's ashes.  She was a beautiful girl with a lot of heart!

Hugs to you,

Tracy & Maggie

Thanks Elizabeth and Sammy.  I am glad that I got a chance to show you how much these dogs love to run.  It is what they were bred to do, and what makes them sing with joy.  It is too bad that, like with so many things, a few bad apples give people the wrong impression about the majority.  I think humans tend to give a lot of attention to negative things, and we don't hear about the good stuff.  One of the great lessons Cali left me with is this: "Lead by Example."  A good lesson in many aspects of my life.