This weekend started out like most weekends do with a quiet Friday night at home followed by Dog Walking with the shelter dogs on Saturday morning. After a cold Saturday morning walk, I came home for a walk with the girls. It was a beautiful, sunny day, the kind of day that I really look forward to this time of year. Peaches, Maddie, and Zi were all excited for the chance to get out and explore the world. After weeks of walking a confused and tangled mess, I think they all finally figured out how to walk nicely together so we had a nice 2 mile walk.
With the nice weather, we spent the day outside. While I was doing yard work and enjoying the sunshine, the girls were busily exploring and sniffing and looking for squirrels. It was nice to be able to get outside for some extra exercise and fresh air. After spending a couple of hours in the yard, it was time to run a few errands for the day so the girls all jumped in the Jeep and we were off to get things done and then finally head home for a relaxing evening in order to rest up for our busy Sunday.
But before we could relax for the night, we had to celebrate because Sunday morning Zi would be leaving us to meet a new family. And so, like we have done 38 times before, we had an ice cream party. The ice cream party started with our very first foster, Vivian, seven years ago and has become an important tradition for us. In the beginning, I felt like it brought us good luck, but now it is just a way to celebrate a new beginning for our temporary family member as we send them out into the world. It is a tradition that I love and I think the girls love it too. I know Zi loved her ice cream!
I woke up before the girls on Sunday morning and we spent a little time snuggling before I had to force them out of bed for breakfast and a potty break. We had places to go today and I didn't want to be late. Soon the Jeep was packed and we were ready to head to the Michigan/Indiana border to meet with Zi's new family.
Of course we couldn't drive all that way without stopping for an adventure along the way. As is tradition with all of the foster dogs we've driven there to meet their new families, we made a stop to get in a quick hike on the North Country Trail at the Historic Bridges Park just outside of Battle Creek. As you can tell from the picture below, no one wanted to listen to me very well...and Peaches decided to protest while Maddie just ignored me completely. But we had a brisk walk and got rid of some excess energy before continuing our journey.
So off we went to spend some time on the Lake Michigan shore at Warren Dunes State Park, another traditional stop when bringing a foster to meet a new family. We spent a couple of hours there walking the beach, wading in the lake, and exploring the dunes. Peaches was in her element and having the best time sniffing and running and splashing in the water. Maddie moved at a little slower pace, but was happy to be at the beach too. It was the perfect way to spend our day.
Much too soon, it was time to head back to the Jeep so that we could continue our journey home. With a quick stop to pick up a burrito at Moe's, I was on the road toward home with two snoring girls.
It was a good day and another foster success, but I couldn't help but notice someone missing on this trip. It was my first time ever on the North Country Trail without Imke and it was our first trip to a Great Lake without her as well. But I am thankful for the traditions we built together, the legacy she left, and that I got to share those traditions with Peaches. Although things have changed, some things never will and those traditions will continue on after Peaches and Maddie leave me too. And I'll be grateful for them and for the memories we created today because of them.
With the nice weather, we spent the day outside. While I was doing yard work and enjoying the sunshine, the girls were busily exploring and sniffing and looking for squirrels. It was nice to be able to get outside for some extra exercise and fresh air. After spending a couple of hours in the yard, it was time to run a few errands for the day so the girls all jumped in the Jeep and we were off to get things done and then finally head home for a relaxing evening in order to rest up for our busy Sunday.
But before we could relax for the night, we had to celebrate because Sunday morning Zi would be leaving us to meet a new family. And so, like we have done 38 times before, we had an ice cream party. The ice cream party started with our very first foster, Vivian, seven years ago and has become an important tradition for us. In the beginning, I felt like it brought us good luck, but now it is just a way to celebrate a new beginning for our temporary family member as we send them out into the world. It is a tradition that I love and I think the girls love it too. I know Zi loved her ice cream!
I woke up before the girls on Sunday morning and we spent a little time snuggling before I had to force them out of bed for breakfast and a potty break. We had places to go today and I didn't want to be late. Soon the Jeep was packed and we were ready to head to the Michigan/Indiana border to meet with Zi's new family.
Of course we couldn't drive all that way without stopping for an adventure along the way. As is tradition with all of the foster dogs we've driven there to meet their new families, we made a stop to get in a quick hike on the North Country Trail at the Historic Bridges Park just outside of Battle Creek. As you can tell from the picture below, no one wanted to listen to me very well...and Peaches decided to protest while Maddie just ignored me completely. But we had a brisk walk and got rid of some excess energy before continuing our journey.
As you can tell, the walk was a great success!
Zi and Maddie settled in for a nap for the remainder of the trip, while Peaches sat nicely looking out the window.
We were blessed with beautiful sunny day for our road trip and I was grateful that the weather cooperated to give us such a great travel day. Traveling along I-94 in SW Michigan this time of year, you never know what you could get, but we got lucky. In no time at all, we had reached our meeting spot and Zi met her new foster-to-adopt family-Philip and Dani.
They were so excited to meet her and get her home with them and I think they are great! They've been waiting a long time to add a GSP to their family and I think that Zi will be very happy with them.
After a round of hugs from Dani and Philip, I gave Zi a hug and kiss on the head, told her to be a good girl, and then we were off. Just me and my two girls ready for some more adventures before heading home.
So off we went to spend some time on the Lake Michigan shore at Warren Dunes State Park, another traditional stop when bringing a foster to meet a new family. We spent a couple of hours there walking the beach, wading in the lake, and exploring the dunes. Peaches was in her element and having the best time sniffing and running and splashing in the water. Maddie moved at a little slower pace, but was happy to be at the beach too. It was the perfect way to spend our day.
Even though the temperature was barely above freezing, the sun was warm and it was so calm that it felt a lot warmer. We were met by many people along our walk and Peaches happily greeted each one. She made friends with an older gentleman who stopped to ask me about them and I enjoyed my chat with him. I meet so many nice people because of these silly dogs.
Much too soon, it was time to head back to the Jeep so that we could continue our journey home. With a quick stop to pick up a burrito at Moe's, I was on the road toward home with two snoring girls.
It was a good day and another foster success, but I couldn't help but notice someone missing on this trip. It was my first time ever on the North Country Trail without Imke and it was our first trip to a Great Lake without her as well. But I am thankful for the traditions we built together, the legacy she left, and that I got to share those traditions with Peaches. Although things have changed, some things never will and those traditions will continue on after Peaches and Maddie leave me too. And I'll be grateful for them and for the memories we created today because of them.
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