Album The dogs of backcountrypost.com

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June 8, 2015

Today I said goodbye and lost my best friend. I'm so confused with emotions. For 5 years we hiked almost every day. Many times twice a day. Not your leisurely walk around the block. Most was cross-country two plus milers.

East Creek, Little Park Road areas (GJ). But before Grand Junction it was Mill Creek area in Moab. She knew the drill: park the Jeep, get out and the race was on.

On our hikes she was always in full alert mode listing / looking for anything that moved. On occasion, she would startle a hiding rabbit and the chase was on... but not for long. Needless to say, the outcome was predictable. Rabbit 1, CeCe 0. It's all about the hunt anyway. Kinda like some of my hiking.

What a lady she was. Her way and I want it now. But out on the hikes, we were a team. She would always follow her nose and ears but if she strayed beyond my visual or audible range for a minute or so, a shrill whistle from me would bring her back. I also learned that it was better to, every so often, simply tap loudly on a dead tree branch so she could hear my location. This worked very well. I could always hear her heavy breathing close by, though I may not be able to see her because of the trees and shrubbery.

Winter was spent mostly in the Little Park area. No need for water to cool down. Summers in the East Creek area to stay cool. So many places for her (and me) to explore. She loved the snow. Probably her favorite time of year. Must have been the Husky in her.

She would on occasion get an injury when in full pursuit. Once injuring her ankle badly. Other times just limping from a minor injury. She also would impale some cactus in her paw. Even though she became pretty savvy being around the stickers (cactus and the like), in the heat of the battle she would inadvertently step on some. I would simply say "stickers?" and she'd stop and let me pull them out.

And that's pretty much it. Eat. Sleep. Jeep rides. Hike. Didn't get any better than that for both of us.

It won't be the same without her. I hurt a lot. Time's not doing it's healing job yet.... maybe never.

Not sure what I'll be doing without her. Once the team is no more, I can't even guess what the next days, weeks, and years will be like.

Rest In Peace girl. God is looking out for you now.
 
Very saddened to read about your loss @ROKTAXI. Sounds like you gave her a dog's dream life. I hope you can find at least a small amount of solace knowing what a great life she enjoyed.
 
ROKTAXI said:
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It won't be the same without her. I hurt a lot. Time's not doing it's healing job yet.... maybe never.

Not sure what I'll be doing without her. Once the team is no more, I can't even guess what the next days, weeks, and years will be like.

Rest In Peace girl. God is looking out for you now.
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Rest in Peace husky dog! It will get better @ROKTAXI. 6 months out on losing my dog Merlin and I still miss him nearly every day. Now however the thoughts are all good memories of companionship and fun and no longer thinking of the pain, the illness and the last days. We are even broaching the idea of a new rescue for our family. It hurts to lose them but the joy of them adopting us outweighs that pain, for us.....
 
Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and condolences. It's been almost a month now. My twice daily hikes are still at zero. Weather has some bearings on it I would hope. At least I don't get emotional anymore talking about her.

An old proverb (mine maybe).... "it too shall pass" I still and probably always will think about her often.

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ROKTAXI said:
Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and condolences. It's been almost a month now. My twice daily hikes are still at zero. Weather has some bearings on it I would hope. At least I don't get emotional anymore talking about her.

An old proverb (mine maybe).... "it too shall pass" I still and probably always will think about her often.

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So very sorry for your loss. I can really empathize as I just lost my beloved hiking and fishing buddy of twelve years last Friday. Matisse RIPIMG_0628.jpg
 
Lucy the Pudelpointer
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gdog said:
Lucy the Pudelpointer
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She's a beauty (awesome collar, too)! I thought she was a German Wirehaired Pointer at first glance, which will probably be my next dog--hopefully far, far into the future.
 
Our new dog have had a busy couple of weeks lately, roaming the hills:



Peaks he climbed:
Mellenthin, La Sals
Centennial, La Plata mtns
Hesperus, La Plata mtns
Handies, San Juans
Uncompahgre, San Juans
Cooper ridge traverse, San Juans
Wetterhorn (stayed below the final scramble), San Juans
Matterhorn, San Juans
East Temple, Winds.
 
Kullaberg63 said:
Our new dog have had a busy couple of weeks lately, roaming the hills:
Peaks he climbed:
...
East Temple, Winds.

Peaks he climbed:
...
East Temple, Winds.
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Great! Another mountaineer at BCP. We were on Nystrom last weekend just south of there. Must of just missed you. Were those your tracks leaving Sweetwater Gap TH? :)
 
slc_dan said:
AND here's Mya-Another Mountaineer dog on Nystrom.

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Mya. Good Dog! Look @Kullaberg63 there are you and your doggie on East Temple in the back in this view. It is the peak between the high, center point (Temple) and the high, right point (Wind River Peak). What is your dog's name?
 
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Hah! Wasn't quite a nice day like that on our trip, July 7-8. Camped at Miller Lake, had rain at midnight, some clearing at sunrise, but the summit at 8 am was completely in fog. Rain started shortly after that and lasted the entire hike out.

First Wind River trip for me.

image by jan nikolajsen, on Flickr

We named him Scotty, but my teenage son changed the spelling to Skotti.
 
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