I am behind the 8-ball on my blogging and other social media sites, which I had set as a goal to complete in September. I wanted to share with you my experiences in the backcountry and share my passion of the outdoors. However, I’m missing a very important friend and I am finding it very difficult to think about, let alone write about the details.My special backcountry friend, Angel (aka Angelgirl), of 20 years went to doggie heaven October 15, 2008. I am still having trouble going for hikes, skiing in the backcountry, and even taking a walk to the park. I don’t know if some of you can relate, but when you have a dog that is truly your best friend, it is a great loss when they are no longer here. It may be like loosing a child, because as far as I’m concerned she was my child. I say this because, it was my responsibility to care for her, raise her up to have purpose, and a companion to share many wonderful adventures with. Maybe sharing with you the blessing Angel was in my life will be part of working through the grief and also healing for my heart.
Angel went with me everywhere and I am sure it was annoying for some people. But when you have kids you want to include them in everything, and Angel was included in everything I did. I will share details throughout my writings but now for a quick introduction: I got her from the shelter in Frisco, Co. She was from a litter of 5 puppies that were dumped on Baldy Mountain and found by some boys that were hiking. They put the puppies in their pack backs and brought them all to the shelter. Only two lived from the group they brought down. (Thank you to whomever those guys were).
I was looking for a specific dog at the time because I wanted one I could train to be a search & rescue dog, (specifically avalanche). The shelter contacted me and said these puppies may not be exactly what you are looking for but you need to come and see them. Well I fell in love with both of them at first sight. I went for several weeks to visit the puppies and decided I was going to take the black and brown one. The all black one never came out to visit but watched us from underneath a building. I couldn’t wait for the day they were finally old enough to be released from the shelter. When we went to pick them up the black one came running and jumped in my lap. Those of you that are dog lovers know which one I had to take now. My friend Lynn took the black and brown one!
When we first got them they were still weak and a little sick, so we bottle fed and nursed them to good health. These puppies from the beginning were perfect and they were only around 12 weeks old. They were housebroken in two days and never chewed on anything unless we gave it to them. Lynn named his black and brown one LB for ‘laid back’. See the photo of LB in his best form. I named my little black one Angel (after the Angel of Shavano). The Angel of Shavano is a snowfield that looks like an angel and is one of the places I’ve skied.
Speaking of skiing, Angel got her first taste of what her life was going to be like 2 days after I got her. I took her skiing on Mt. Evans, the Summit Lake chutes. Mt. Evans is one of the peaks over 14,000 feet. This is also the easiest one to ski because you only walk about 1/4 mile to the top at 14,264 feet. I had her in my backpack while I skied down, then a few hundred yards from the bottom I took her out of the pack and skied away. The tiny little thing ran after me and was whining the whole time! We all laughed and picked her up and said Angelgirl this is going to be your life, you better get used to it!
Next issue: The Fourth of July weekend in 2008 was our most memorable trip together.
Have any of you had a special backcountry furry friend for many years? I would love to hear one of your exceptional/memorable experiences and what you did to continue enjoying the backcountry again after your loss.
