Cherry was able to celebrate her seven month ampuversary during our annual four week trip to Yellowstone. Cherry loves traveling and had been excited beyond word for the week preceding the leaving. She started settled into her normal routine as we passed Sacramento (2hr) and by Donner Summit Rest Stop she was back to her normal traveling self. Cherry used to turn heads with her “show ring” gait, but here at the rest stop we noticed that she turned heads for another reason. I appreciate that many show empathy to her condition, but she does not need pity because she has a full life. As we drew closer to Yellowstone, her appetite returned to pre-diagnosis levels, and all was well with the world. During one of our walks around the Grizzly RV Campground, she met two couples and one of the foursome had been checking the campers in when we arrived. I had told her of Cherry's condition during check-in and she remarked how great Cherry looked.

The day before her seven month ampuversary, Cherry was struck with the same symptoms of the intestinal problem that struck last March. She would not eat, would not quick drinking, and her abdomen bloated. She literally “sloshed” as I picked her up to go “outside”. Throughout the late evening, she experienced convulsions attempting to vomit, but nearly every time nothing actually came up. This continued though the night until approximately 3:00 AM when the two of us finally were able to get some rest. Each time these convulsions started, she would look for the dish pan I had on the hide-a-bed with us, and put her head into the dishpan until the convulsions stopped. Yes, she is that smart! Emily and I stayed with her the next day. Since she had not eaten in nearly 36 hours, I started to force feed her 3 teaspoons of food every four hours. On Saturday, I decided that Cherry and I would take Emily into the Upper Geyser Basin and then return that evening to bring her back to the trailer. As has happened so often during this journey, these trips marked a turning point for Cherry.

We drove the 32 miles into the basin, dropped Emily off, and sat in the truck parked in front of the Lower Hamilton General Store for approximately one hour. Cherry watched as people walked by and I watch Cherry and Geyser Hill. We were even able to radio call to the Visitor Center the eruption of Plume. The evening trip was even better for Cherry actually ate two biscuits during the trip in. Again we parked but this time I took Cherry out of the truck and we sat in a swing, under the porch at the General Store. We talked with many of our Geyser Gazer colleagues. They previously knew of Cherry's condition and remarked how good she looked and how good she moved. From that day on, the first question most posed was “how is Cherry doing”. The next day, Cherry had improved sufficiently that both Emily and I returned to the Upper Geyser Basin. In March, it took six weeks for Cherry to fully recover and I was expecting a similar recovery time. I was never so happy to wrong in my life. Her appetite had totally recovered during the next week.

We left Yellowstone less than eight days after Cherry's intestinal problem started. It rained most of that first day on the road and we arrived at Wells NV for our usual first stop on the trip home. I parked the rig, picked Cherry up from the back seat of the truck, and as I lifted her from the truck, we were greeted by an Australian Cattle Dog who was also a TriPawd. Still holding Cherry, I explained that Cherry also was a TriPawd and was fighting bone cancer for seven months. The Cattle Dog was also fighting bone cancer and had the rear left leg amputated a month previously. Small world!! I told them of TriPawds.com and hope that will join our group. Jerry had sent me some cards with the information. However, they were still at the Post Office with all the rest of our mail that held during our trip. Another highlight of that day was the great new regarding Nova.

This has been a very long posting with many twists but the bottom line is that Cherry is now home and again going well. I often post that we must treat the spirit as well as the body. That day Cherry and I drove Emily into the Upper Geyser Basin and then returned in the evening is a prime example. The 128 miles the two of us traveled that day truly are priceless for so many reasons. We look forward to many more ampuversaries but hopefully less eventful – just celebration.

Bob & Cherry

Cherry's Campground @ Grizzley RV Park

A larger and more detailed photo can be viewed at http://home.com.....ark_04.htm