The Bucket List

Although I don't try to dwell on it, the reality in my life right now is that I don't know what each day will bring.  I guess none of us never really know what any day will bring, but right now life just seems more up-in-the-air than normal.  I wake up each day wondering how the day will go for Imke.  Earlier this week, we had the "end of life" conversation with our vet.  It was hard to do, but it was necessary, and now we have a plan to keep her happy and comfortable for as long as logically possible.  How long that will be, no one knows.  With her health issues and with her arthritis, each good day is a blessing.  I just keep reminding myself of that and how lucky I've been to have her around for such a long time.   Thankfully we've been having more good than bad days.

Being a good girl at the Vet

In addition to my focus on taking care of Imke, I am also caring for Peaches, who, I have to remind myself regularly, has terminal cancer.  Although Peaches doesn't act like she is sick, I know that could change at any moment.  And I need to be prepared.  Although medically there is nothing that can be done for her, I'm doing my best to give her natural remedies, a good diet, and a healthy and happy life to keep her going as long as we can.  I think she's pretty happy here.

It's a tough life at my house!

And then there's Maddie.  She's 12 1/2 years old and that is no Spring chicken.  I see her slowing down and I know that her health could change at any time. 

Waiting patiently for a treat

But none of these things are in my control.  So I am focusing on the things that I can control.  I am focusing on the things in life that make us happy and allow us to enjoy the time we have together, no matter how little or how much time that is. So with that focus, I have been planning the next several weekends of fun for us because that is just the best way to continue to enjoy our lives together. 

Albion River Walk-North Country Trail

Shortly after Peaches came to live with us, we made a bucket list for her and, using that list as a starting point, I  have built our weekend adventures around checking items off that list.  As I was planning all of our weekend fun, I even realized that there are some things on that list that even Imke, Maddie, and I haven't done. This is leading us to some fun day-adventures right here in Michigan and not even that far from home.

Last Saturday, we headed out with the goal of reaching Lake Erie right here in Michigan.  I have been to Lake Erie in Ohio and I've been to Lake Erie with Imke and Maddie in Buffalo, New York, but none of us had been to Lake Erie in Michigan and that seemed like something we all should do since we're Michigan girls who love our Great Lakes.  After some research, I found the one spot on Lake Erie in Michigan that was dog-friendly and, after a stop in Albion for a quick walk on the North Country Trail, that is where we headed.  It was a small beach area and the Lake was a little muddy due to recent storms, but all three girls got into the Lake.  After a short walk down the beach, they all posed nicely for a picture.  It was a short visit, but we were happy to be able to check this item off of the bucket list.

Lake Erie, Monroe MI

Next we headed to the River Raisin National Battlefield, just a short drive down the road from the beach.  We have been to several Revolutionary War and Civil War Battlefields, but we had never visited a War of 1812 Battlefield...and how cool is it to have a battlefield to visit right here in Michigan.  There is a short walk around the battlefield with historic points along the way.  We learned that this battle was the deadliest ever fought on Michigan soil and that it was the biggest loss of the War of 1812. 

Posing at the Battlefield

 As we left town to start the trek toward home, we made a stop for a walk around Veteran's Park and found this really cool water fountain close to the park right in front of the fire station.  Imke and Maddie loved it!

And of course, I had to make them pose with the cool dog statue in front of the fire station too.

Chilling out in front of the fire station

After our walk around the park, we were off again, headed toward home with one more stop to make along the way.  In all of the years that I have lived in Michigan(my whole life), I had never been to Hell.  So we took the back roads between Ann Arbor and Lansing to be sure to make a stop.  Although there isn't much there, it was nice to stop and walk around just so we can say we've been to Hell and back!

Hell, Michigan

After a fun day filled with Michigan adventures, we headed home tired and happy.  We had such a great time and enjoyed all of our time together.   The greatest part of the day was just spending quality time together out exploring the world.  That really is what life is all about, after all.

I can't wait for more of our upcoming weekend adventures!