Hello everyone,

First, I need to start off by saying my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a fur baby, it seems so many these past few weeks. My thoughts are with all of you!

Following the lead of some pretty bright people (who just happened to have started this little community of ours) Tim and I took the girls out on a camping (RV–more for my husband than the dogs ) trip for the weekend. We rented an RV and started plotting our course, well, trying to figure out where weather is going to be good in the Midwest is an exercise in frustration, so we took our chances and headed up to Indian Cave State Park in eastern Nebraska.  It's about 120 miles straight north of us, so we figured it would be less driving and more playing.  

We got a nice little campsite, plenty of trees, plenty of good stuff to snorfle around in, and set up camp.  OMG–the girls were bugging out.  There's a leash law–which we stretched about 10 feet–but all in all, things were great.  Tika was, oooo, smell this, looky at that, mmmm, different type of branch to chew (Tika is four-thirds woodchuck!).  We spent the weekend, exploring and hiking about, wishing we had a backup vehicle so that we could go a bit further for our Tripawd.

The only weird moment was when the teenage girl from the next campsite over said, OOOOOO, LOOK AT THAT DOG, IT ONLY HAS THREE LEGS, CREEEEEEEPPPPY.  

Okay, folks, make fun of me, make fun of my family, but don't make disparaging remarks about my cancer doggie.  So, I responded in the most grown up, mature manner I could think of:  "Well, WE think YOU are creepy!!!!!!"  Yeah, hubby really loved that.  He almost, ALMOST, took away my wine.  Ooops.  (Folks, there's a reason I have pets and not children, I think you understand)

We found a camp area that they hadn't opened up yet for the season, so we got to give Tika a little time off the leash.  Tim thought if she started doing her Malamute stunts, he could catch a three-legged dog. Well, guess what, you can't.  It takes momma's 'ugly voice' to get her to park herself.  Later she almost ate or adopted a tiny baby squirrel, we didn't give her the chance to find out. However, Rocky, as baby squirrel got named, decided that I was gonna be his new momma.  Luckily, common sense did win over. I've raised enough baby wildlife to know!  I didn't have the camera to get a picture of him…..

So, long story short, once again, Tika (well really both dogs) just amazed us, she figured out the camper, she figured out the long leash…after hog-tying herself once or twice.  She did really just great.  It is soon going to get way to warm for Tika to camp out, but I might try backyard camping with them and go to area lakes.  If she is still with us in the fall, we'll celebrate by tent camping.  She'd love it, I may be going solo as a human….see above! 

I hope you enjoy the pics……

Dog as my copilot

And she's off….it was Kentucky Derby weekend ya know!

Waiting for the fire to get going for dinner (momma CAMPS, so ignore her gorgeous outfit!!!!!!!)

I'm SOOOOO cool, and very, very tired. (Showing off my 'good side' also! )

Love to all, Tika says big Malamute sloppy kisses to those who are hurting, have faith to those who are recovering,
and to NOVA, YOU ROCK!!!

–Tika (as dicated to Kim)

Your babies are so precious and happy, too! It looks like you all had a wonderful time in the great outdoors. It's really great to just kick back and relax for a little while. We are glad to see that Tika is doing so well.

Sheri and Leo

Hi Sue:

I'm so glad you are sounding so much better.  I was really impressed by your ability to express all your fears, anxiety, etc when things took an unexpected turn with Nova.

BTW- I LOVE Great Danes.  They crack me up.  I totally understand why the Marmaduke cartoon was developed.  My friend had one, and it of course insisted it was a lapdog.  She was always embarrassed, but I loved it because at the time, I lived in an apartment and not doggies allowed.

Oh, and peoples' comments, maybe meant with good intent.  However, when Tika was first diagnosed, and I was explaining to my co-workers what was going on and that I would be available but just working from home.  My one coworker said, why would you do that, I can't believe you aren't getting a second opinion. What kind of life will she have?

Fortunately for her, I didn't have the ability to fire her on the spot. Let's just say I wasn't particularly smooth with my response. At this point, I was a emotional wreck, we just had a surgeon, 2 vets, and an oncologist confirm the diagnosis and 'do it now or she will probably be gone in 2 months.'  The rest of my coworkers were appalled also, and I got drug away to have a good cry.

Anyhoo, not to get maudlin.  My hubby is all into the snappy comeback thing now, when we have our weekend 'meeting' with the Tika fan club, I'm sure we'll come up with all sorts of groovy things.  I'll share if we do!

Have a good weekend all!  My goal this weekend is to get all video sorted out to share.  Three legs in the pool, good stuff!

–Kim (and Tika….and Caya dawg who is feeling so left out!)