Cricket

Hello friends and happy Sunday!  It is currently sunny and 39 degrees on this lovely, late-Fall November day.  We are just days away from Thanksgiving and the start of the Holiday season.  This week was fairly uneventful, with our regular nightly walks and my final night of work travel for this year.   We have settled in to the time of year where is it nearly dark by the time I get home from work every night, so our nightly walks are a bit shorter and definitely less exciting.  But that's just how late November goes!

I did have a couple of highlights this week as I was able to spend some time with my good friend Kim while I was out of town for work on Wednesday night.  It's always nice to be able to spend some time with her and visit over a nice dinner.  We spent the night in at her house with some take-out from the Rusty Bucket and her adorable boy, Baxter.  And any night spent with a dog is a good night in my book.

The biggest news of the week is that we brought in our newest foster, Cricket.  Cricket is a hound mix who is just about a year old.  She hasn't had a very good start to her life.  She is pretty scared of the world in general, and since she came into the shelter in early October, she's already been in two other foster homes.  I think the instability and constant change haven't helped her in overcoming her fears, but she is a very sweet girl and she won't be leaving my house until she's ready to move on to a forever home.  I plan to give her lots of love and stability, and hope to build her confidence over time.  We have had her for less then 48 hours and I have definitely seen some improvements, but we have a long way to go.

Our original plans for Friday night had been to attend the Silver Bells in the City parade and State Christmas tree lighting in downtown, but Cricket would have been far too overwhelmed, so instead we stayed home and watched the parade on TV.  Everyone seemed happy with our choice to stay home.

After a lot of anxious pacing and worry about some scary areas of the house, like the hallway, Cricket found a spot next to the toys where she seemed to feel safe and was able to relax for a bit.

Saturday we were up early and outside to do yard work and leaf clean-up.  This gave Peaches and Cricket plenty of opportunities for some fun games of chase.  They spent a good part of the morning outside chasing each other, sniffing around, and just enjoying the day.  Cricket also discovered that the neighbor dogs like to chase her along the fence, so each time she goes outside she runs to the fence looking for them.  It was a great day to be outside and even Maddie was happy to spend some time out with us.

While she is slowly settling in, sometimes it feels like we take three steps forward and two steps back in our progress.  The biggest challenge so far is getting her to come into the house.  Going through doorways seems to be very scary for her and I am patiently allowing her to make the decision on when she feels brave enough to come inside.  Many times it takes me putting her on a leash and walking in with her, but she's making progress.  I'm hopeful, and pretty confident, that by next week, she'll be running right through the doorway.

We were also happy to celebrate our little buddy Bentley's 7th birthday with him yesterday.  Of course we had an ice cream party to celebrate the day.  Cricket wasn't sure what to think about ice cream at first, but eventually I was able to get her to try some.  She thoroughly enjoyed it. 

When we weren't outside, Cricket spent most of the day yesterday safely far away from us on my bed.  Eventually I convinced her to come stay with us in the living room and she has finally decided that she really likes the recliner. 

After an early start to the day this morning with a good game of chase in the backyard, she has found her way back into the recliner for a good nap.

I look forward to watching her grow brave and blossom here with Maddie and Peaches' help.  I'm hopeful that she'll be loving life as a dog in no time. And I look forward to sharing her journey with you.

The girls and I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Snowstorms and snuggles

Oh what a week it had been! It was a busy week full of appointments and to-dos.

The week started with our first snow storm of the season.  I had the luck of having to travel to Toledo for work during the worst of it.  The trip, which usually takes less than two hours, took me four hours on Monday.  But I made it there safe and sound.

I enjoyed the view working from my hotel room and the dinner I had just down the road at the taco place.  I even picked up a couple of geocaches while I was there.

And I was extremely happy to see the sunshine as I headed out to my work meeting the next morning.

Thankfully the weather was much better on Tuesday for my drive home and it went smoothly.

Boy was I happy to get home to the girls.  They were really happy to see me too.  Maddie insisted on being next to me on the couch all night and I loved having her there.

Peaches was happy to snuggle up with us too.  Boy do I love these girls!

Maddie had an appointment with the Vet this week for her monthly Adequan injection.   She was an exceptionally good girl and got lots of love from all of the staff. She even sat still long enough that I could get a good picture of her. 

Despite the colder weather, we have been able to get out for some nice walks this week.  It has been nice to get outside to enjoy some fresh air and a good walk every night.  This time of year it is always fun to see how excited the girls get to spend some time out in the snow and to watch them as they sniff around intensely, searching for the scents of everyone who has traveled the route before us. 

I have also noticed that they have been more likely to snuggle with each other now.   Maddie has always loves to snuggle  and finally Peaches is starting to feel the same way.  They are so darn cute!

We were excited to get a box in the mail on Friday, the long awaited delivery of something special.   Peaches had won a prize in a random drawing held by one of our favorite Instagram accounts and it finally had arrived.  It was fun to see her get excited about the box and I think the highlight of her week was getting this toy.  She loves it!

I was so happy when the weekend arrived after my long,  busy week.  I had plans to do some cleaning and to catch up on some things around the house.  I woke up Saturday less than inspired to do anything, but the sun was shining and it seemed like a nice walk would be a great way to start the day.   

We headed out mid-morning for a walk on the Lansing River Trail, which we all enjoyed.  We then headed to pick up lunch from Gump's BBQ.   The girls love stopping there because the owner always brings them some pulled pork as a treat.   Peaches was very pleased with our morning trip.

We then headed home for the big football game, which we also enjoyed!

We ended our day with an early evening walk around the Capitol.  While I did nothing that I had planned for the day, it was restful, relaxing, and just what I needed.

This morning we'll be heading out for an adventure on the North Country Trail with Vanessa.  By the end of the day, we will have less than five miles left to complete our 100 miles.  It is exciting to be so close to finishing!

I hope.you all have a great Sunday.  I'm looking forward to a good day and some Sunday evening snuggles!

November is upon us.

We have moved into the time of year when it's dark early,  the weather is unpredictable, and spending time outside can require much more effort.  This is not my favorite time of year, in fact, it is one of my least favorite, ranking second only behind the month of January and it's bitter cold.

So far we've been lucky, since we have only received a dusting of snow, and the temperatures have, for the most part, remained above freezing.  Our Fall colors have seemed to stick around longer this year too.  We have nearly reached the middle of November, and I haven't yet had to rake.  But all that is about to change, and  Winter will be here soon enough.

The good thing about November is that it is good weather for taking a nap or snuggling up with a warm dog.  Maddie loves a good snuggle session.

We have also been taking full advantage of the milder temperatures we've been experiencing,  Maddie is thriving with our current temperatures.  I've found that temperatures in the 30s and 40s are ideal for her.  She has had an extra bounce in her step and has been able to take longer walks.  Peaches and I have both been happy to see that Maddie is keeping up with us. Plus it's so much fun to watch her when she is so happy.

We have enjoyed this Fall as we've continued to find places where there are still leaves remaining.   The walk along the river is one of the places in Lansing where leaves remain so we started our weekend there on Friday evening.

It was a beautiful night for a walk and Maddie went strong for about 2.5 of our 3 mile hike.

Also, there is something special about the November sky.

While our weekday adventures are generally quick and close to home because of the early sunset, we are using the weekends to continue to make progress toward completing our 100 miles on the North Country Trail.

Saturday was sunny and in the low 40s, so we loaded up the Jeeps and headed South to Albion to see how far we could hike.  This time of year you have to take advantage of sunny days because they become fewer and fewer.

This recent reroute of the trail in Albion has been a favorite section of ours over the last several weeks.  It is quiet and surrounded by fields and a small wooded area.  Typically we are the only ones out on this section of the trail too which gives me the opportunity to let Peaches get in a little off-leash time and a run through the woods.  The joy she experiences out there just makes me smile and I'm so proud of her for listening so well.  I'm really thankful for her former owner who obviously spent a lot of time with her to make sure she was well trained.  Sure does make my life easier!

We have watched the color change here over the last month and it is amazing what a difference 4 weeks makes. The leaves here are almost all gone. I'm sure they all will be gone by next week.

We had a great time on the trail yesterday and completed 4.25 miles.  We are now 6 miles away from completing our 100.  My goal is to be finished by Thanksgiving.  I'm confident we can do it!

The Fall also means sports and other activities for my nieces and nephew.  Earlier this week, I headed to Mt. Morris to watch Sidnee and the Chesaning Volleyball team compete in the District Championship game.  Unfortunately they lost in a hard fought match, but I was glad to be there for her final high school volleyball game.

On Saturday night, I went to Chesaning to see Brezlyn perform in her first play.  It was a production of "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" and she played Susan.  She did a great job and really enjoyed the experience.   She's already talking about trying out for the Spring musical!

We're expecting our first significant snowfall of the year tomorrow.  While I'm never really ready for snow, I know we will embrace whatever comes our way and find a way to get outside and enjoy our time together.  

Leaf Peeping, Fall Fun, and Final firsts: Part 2

A year ago tonight I took Imke on her final walk. A Year ago...how can that be?  It was just the two of us on a nice slow stroll around the neighborhood.   We went at her pace as she enjoyed all of the smells of Fall and I enjoyed being in the moment with her.  I remember that walk so vividly, the smell of the air and the colors of the leaves, the kids who stopped us so they could pet her and watching her little old body slowly meander down the sidewalk.  I remember when I got home thinking how much I had enjoyed that walk and how much I appreciated getting that time-being forced to slow down and really enjoy just being there, in the moment, with her.  At that time I didn't know that would be our final walk together, and I'm glad that I didn't because I probably wouldn't remember it so fondly. 

As we have gone through the last couple of weeks, we have had several final firsts...first moments,  experiences,  events, without her.  And it has been hard. It's been hard because she loved this time of year and she loved all of the fun we would have trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, dressing up and waiting for the kids on Halloween,  walking in the woods, and all of the new smells a mid-Fall rain brings.

I have tried hard to keep us busy and to take advantage of all that Fall has to offer.  We have spent lots of time out enjoying the Fall colors and the North Country Trail.

Maddie and Peaches have been thoroughly enjoying all of our Fall adventures and I'm so glad to be spending quality time with them.   They make me smile and I just love how much they embrace each moment of life.  We could all learn a lesson from them  on how to live joyfully.   I'm lucky to get a first row seat to their lives.

We had a great time decorating for Halloween and carving pumpkins.  Peaches enjoyed the special treats she got while helping me carve the pumpkin.

Halloween  was so much fun!  The girls were excited to dress up.  They know that those costumes mean something fun is going to happen.

Peaches spent the whole evening watching for and greeting our ghouls and goblins.  She loved it and got lots of love and attention from the kids.  Maddie spent the night napping.  It was a good night.

Halloween was always Imke's favorite Holiday and this was my first Halloween in this house without her.  I believe that getting our first snow of the year on Halloween was a sign from Imke letting me know she's okay, and I'll be okay too.  She would have absolutely loved a snowy Halloween night!

On Friday night,  I spent time with my family celebrating my parents 50th anniversary.

Over the weekend, we even took time to visit some new areas, find some new trails, and eat some ice cream!

While I have enjoyed all of our Fall fun and adventures this year, each experience has been a reminder that Imke is not here, and she never will be again.  While I know it will get easier over time, I also know that each Fall I will remember the joy it gave her and smile.

I have only a couple more firsts left...our last night together and the anniversary of her leaving us.  I can't believe it's been almost a year.  I still miss her so much...I'll always miss her.

Leaf Peeping, Fall Fun, and Final firsts: Part 1

Over the last couple of weeks, the Mitten has really been showing off her Fall finest.  I first noticed the show as I traveled for work nearly two weeks ago and, once I saw the beauty, I just couldn't get enough.  While I know Fall last 3 months, what we all love about Fall, the warm sunny days and all of the beautiful colors, is really fleeting.  So when the colors arrive,  I think it's important to get out and fully experience Fall to its fullest.  And for the last 10 days, that's what we've been doing.

Fall has always been a favorite time of year for the girls.  The scents of Fall and all of the critters out preparing themselves for Winter are both pretty exciting for them.  Plus this change in seasons really has seemed to help Maddie.  As she has gotten older, she has really become less and less tolerant of heat and humidity, so these cooler days have given her a little extra pep in her step.  It doesn't matter if we're close to home in Lansing, or out in the woods, the girls love it all.

In addition to getting out on daily walks to enjoy the weather, we also got out for some time with my family to watch my nephew, Mason, play football.   While the Indians didn't win, it was nice to get out for a little football on a nice Fall evening.  

We have also been busy enjoying the Halloween season.  There are so many fun things to do for Halloween and the girls really enjoy the activities too.  The Friday before Halloween is always celebrated with the Howl-o-ween doggie trick or treat event in Lansing's Old Town.  We have been attending this annual event every year since it started and it is always a hit.  As soon as I get out the costumes, my house erupts in excitement and this year was no different.  I had the girls dressed and in the Jeep heading toward Old Town in no time because I wanted to get there early, before the crowds.  An event crowded with dogs is not ideal for Peaches, but I didn't want her to miss out on the fun.  We arrived just as trick-or-treating started and headed off to see how many of the 28 locations we could visit. 

I had determined that if Peaches wasn't handling the crowds well, I would put her back in the Jeep and allow Maddie to finish on her own, but Peaches did surprisingly well.  The day was not without challenges, but it was good to practice some good behavior skills with her and she was so excited about all of the people and treats that she ignored the other dogs for most of the time.  As we finished the trick-or-treat route, I noticed that the crowds of people and dogs and grown...and I had never seen so many people out for this event...so I needed to find another route back to my Jeep.  So off for a little trek down the Riverwalk we went.

We met a newly wed couple out for some pictures and enjoyed a nice walk along the river and finished at the Turner Dodge House where we stopped to get a couple of pictures.  Peaches was just happy to be out enjoying the day!

After a nice walk, we headed back to the Jeep for a quick stop at Preuss' pet store.  This is a hub of activity for Howl-o-ween and not a good place to stop with Peaches, but I wanted to give Maddie a little one on one time so she could enjoy greeting other dogs and getting a little extra love.  This was our first Howl-o-ween without Imke and some mom and Maddie time was important to help me through it.  It was such a great time and I was so proud of both of the girls for doing so well.

Ever since getting back from Hawaii, all I have wanted to do was head North for a Fall color tour.  While I knew it was unlikely to happen, I kept trying to figure out a way I could make it happen.  Then I remembered something I had seen for a Fall color tour that I could do right here in mid-Michigan, and as a bonus, most of the tour followed the general direction of the North Country Trail.

So last Saturday morning, despite the possibility of rain, we headed out to see what we could see.  After a nice drive down M99 through Eaton Rapids and Springport, we arrived at stop number one-Albion.  It was comfortable and dry as we started our hike down a new section of the trail there.  With the threat of rain, there weren't any other hikers out, so I did something I rarely do and gave both of the girls some off-leash time.  Peaches was leaping and bounding up and down, through the grass and into the cornfield.  She was having the time of her life.  Meanwhile, Maddie plodded along at her own pace. a few feet behind me, but enjoying her time out on a nice Fall day.  We made it to the cemetery in Albion, did a little geocaching, and then headed back to the Jeep.   By the time we got back to the Jeep, we had completed 2.9 miles- a great distance for Maddie. 

We then loaded up in the Jeep to head West to Marshall and enjoyed the colors along the way.  The colors along the country roads were outstanding and I was enjoying the tour thoroughly.

As we hiked along the Marshall Riverwalk, we enjoyed some Fall colors as well as some spooky Halloween displays which had been set up along the trail.

As we neared the end of our hike here, it began to sprinkle.  Luckily the trail here is pretty well covered in a canopy of trees, so we didn't get very wet.  After 1.7 miles on the trail in Marshall, it was time to get back in the Jeep and continue our journey.

By the time we reached Kimball Pines in Battle Creek, there was a pretty steady rain coming down, but we weren't going to let that deter us from getting just a little more time on the trail.  So off we went.  We didn't go far and ended up finishing only a mile here, but at the end of the day , we had knocked out 5.6 miles. Overall it was a very successful day!

 

As we were leaving Kimball Pines, I notice a Biggby across the street and decided I had earned a hot chocolate and planned to get the girls a puppacino.  Boy were they in luck because this Biggby location was dog-friendly, so they got to come inside to enjoy their treat.  I think the employees were just as excited as Peaches that the girls came for a visit!

We took the scenic route home from Battle Creek and enjoyed the beautiful color along the way.  What a great day we had together!

I have more great adventures to share, but not enough time to share them all tonight, so we'll say good night for now, but watch for Part 2 in the next couple of days.