u/Outdoors__Water

Section 1 18.75 MM - 21.65 MM, Section 2 28.50 MM to Grindle Shelter

Brandywine Creek Gorge in the Winter. I did not get close to the falls at all because of the log lams and my carbide boots only can do so much.

You loved deeply without saying a word. You always knew when I needed to be cheered up. You knew the moment I opened my sock drawer and would magically appear out of thin air.

You could be having a coma nap and wake up when the ice cubes were being touched or the crinkle sound of a cheese wrapper you would appear.

Your side eye game was strong and was always willing to talk about your day at great length.

When I think about you and how you gave me the best 15 years of life.

From puppyhood until adulthood, I watched to change into the perfect dog.

You started to go blind and I thought it was from being older. As time went on and I noticed changes like having accidents in the house with urine and the need to drink excessive amounts of water. I noticed you tried to hide your symptoms, but your dad knew you had something going on.

I took you to the vet and the final diagnosis was diabetes.  You allowed me to give you shots twice a day and never batted an eye.

You started having seizures and I flipped out and took you to the vet.  The vet increased your dosage and then had the real talk with me.

He talked about how he knows our bond was so strong and with you being a cairn he would walk through hell with me if I would let him. He said it’s the medication that’s keeping him going and for now it’s manageable.

I would watch you like a hawk but would notice little things. Your trips to the sock drawer were less frequent and your normal vocalizations were becoming less.

You had a bad seizure one night and I held your tongue as it stuck out and I cried o God I cried “like now”.

I remember taking you to the vet for our final visit together. I remember kissing you one last time on the muzzle and you kissing me back and then you where gone.  O I felt so alone that day. The sun never hits the same and you are missed every day.

I see your cedar box, and I will tell you good morning and I hope you hear me. It is hard to believe its been 16 years.

I miss you buddy and I can’t wait to see you again.

Love,

Me

I used parts of the Mohican Trail 6 Mile Loop, North Rim and Mohican Mountain Bike Trail, and parts of the Lyons Falls, Hemlock Gorge and Pleasant Hill Trail Loop.