Life. It's an adventure. It's fun and exhausting, happy and sad, fulfilling and, at times, frustrating. It is a wonderful thing, life. As we plod along day after day, I don't think we realize just how lucky we are for each day we are given, for each moment we have. In the grand scheme of things, all of our lives are just a small blip compared to the vastness of time, and yet, it is also miraculous and wonderful to think of the ways in which we can have an impact on time, on the future, on our fellow human beings, and on all of the other wonderful creatures here on Earth with us. Maybe our lives won't make a lasting impact and live on in the history books, but our lives make an impact on those around us every day-our family and friends, and even complete strangers, and we can be fondly remembered with love. And in the end, that's pretty amazing.
A dog's life is much shorter, but no less impactful in my opinion. I've learned a lot from some pretty special dogs over the years. I have traveled thousands of miles in the company of dogs. We have explored amazing natural wonders, sat quietly in nature, visited big cities, and explored so many amazing places, and I've always loved watching them explore the world with interest and excitement. Each new place brought joy and excitement. Each new place offered the opportunity to meet new friends and to make someone smile. Watching the world through their eyes, I've learned about life and love and, most importantly, I've learned how important it is to greet each day like the great adventure it is. For that, I am thankful.
At the end of April, I wrote about Maddie and the struggles we were having at that time, and I honestly wasn't sure she'd make it to the end of May. But here we are entering August, and she's still here with us. She's slower and less steady on her feet than she was, and sometimes she needs a little helping hand to get up or get around, but she is still approaching each day with her special sense of adventure. She still loves life, refuses to miss out on an adventure, and is as stubborn as ever. And she still makes me smile every day. I have really enjoyed this Summer with her, despite the challenges, or maybe because of them.
While Peaches and I have had to adjust our normal routines and adjust to living life at Maddie's pace, it has been nice at times to have to slow down and to really live in the moment. It really has forced me to notice to the everyday, mundane moments that make up life and appreciate them more than I would normally. I have had several days this week that were nothing special, and yet they are days I never want to forget.
One of those days was early in the week when we loaded up the car and headed out to Gump's BBQ to pick up lunch. The girls love going there because they always get a visit from Gump himself with some special treat, usually some pulled pork or bacon. Peaches knows the route now, and as soon as we turn onto Elm Street, she whines with excitement, and this day was no different. I went in to make my order and as soon as Gump saw me he grabbed some bacon and headed out to the car. I followed him this time so I could open the back hatch to allow him to feed the girls and make it easier for Maddie. But neither of them were going to settle for sitting patiently in the car, and since it was near closing time, I let Peaches explore the grassy outdoor eating area in front of the business. Maddie wasn't going to be left behind and, after eating her bacon, wobbled around exploring too. The girls were a hit with everyone that was there at the time (one customer and her daughter, Gump, and an employee) and we had some great conversations about dogs and how special they are. There was so much joy in this simple moment, I almost forgot to pay for my lunch! But I went back in grabbed my food, paid, and then the girls and I headed home to continue our day. It wasn't anything special, and yet it was such a wonderful and special thing to see them both so happy and enjoying life.
Another one of those days was Wednesday at Maddie's weekly vet appointment for laser therapy. Once again, it wasn't anything special, and yet somehow, these are exactly the kinds of days I want to remember. Peaches sat nicely in the back of the car with the back hatch open as I unloaded Maddie and got her ready for her appointment. I couldn't have been more proud of Peaches just lying there so nicely and watching the world go by, never even thinking about jumping out of the car.
Meanwhile, Maddie wanted out of the car to take a potty break and explore. We wobbled around the parking lot waiting for the vet assistant to come get her, and eventually she sat down, happily waiting to see her friends. Finally the staff member came to get her to take her inside, and I had to capture this sweet picture of him helping her slowing make her way into the building. Once again, a precious memory of what our life looks like at this point in time. It also makes me happy to see the wonderful care that our veterinary staff take with my special girl. They are the best!
We had some special snuggling moments throughout the week too, but none sweeter than this one. Maddie sure does love to snuggle, and she sure does love Peaches.
While the weather at the beginning of the week was HOT and humid making it harder to get out for very long with the girls, the end of the week brought us some relief and some really wonderful sunny and 70 degree weather. These are the days I love to get out and explore, and I was happy to take the girls out for some fun.
With the perfect weather and the MSU students still gone for the Summer, I thought a nice walk on Campus was in order. Campus is huge and has lots of areas to explore, so we checked out some spots we hadn't been before as well as some old, familiar places. I probably shouldn't have taken an apple off this tree, but I couldn't resist the snack! It was a beautiful tree and full of fruit which sadly, will probably just got to waste.
While I tried to get some nice pictures here, Peaches was distracted and Maddie decided that she wanted out of the stroller to explore on her own a bit, and so I got her out and both girls spent some time in the grass. Once again, another simple moment in our every day lives, but a good reminder of the simple pleasure of lying in the grass on a Summer evening and taking in the scenery that surrounded us.
Eventually I got Maddie back in her stroller and we continued our walk. We explored the area around Beaumont Tower and then sat down for a little break.
We chatted with a few passersby and the girls got some love from them which made them both very happy. They weren't impressed by the group that walked past without sharing their ice cream, though.
We stopped at this cool Oak tree which is well over 100 years old and was struck by lighting many years ago, but despite the fact that more than half the tree is gone, it preservers. Peaches is sitting inside of what would have been the trunk. It's pretty cool to see in person.
Friday night, we spent the night at home enjoying a quiet evening on the patio. I made dinner using some of the fresh veggies in my garden which I decided earned us a trip for ice cream, but other than that, we spent the evening together outdoors until the mosquitoes forced us inside. It was a wonderful way to end the work week and start our weekend.
We went out to run a few errands and pick up a couple geocaches on Saturday, but spent most of the day at home. We had plans for a fun day of geocaching along the Saginaw rail trail with Vanessa on Sunday, but after going only about a half mile on the trail, we turned back to the car because the mosquitoes were so bad. That will be an adventure for another day when the bugs and brush die down a bit. Even though it was only a mile walk, both Maddie and Peaches enjoyed some time walking along the trail.
Once we were back at the car, we adjusted our plans for the day and still had a great day of geocaching fun. I'm pretty sure the girls had fun too, even though they didn't get out as much as I had expected. I think they are always happy just to be included in any adventure. We got home, had dinner, and then the girls crashed for the night.
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