It is birthday month for me – yea!

As I approach my 61st birthday – actually, for the last several years – my legs and hips are a bit slower to warm up and move easily after I’ve been sitting or driving.

As the Bear-boy approaches his twelfth birthday in October, he is having some of the same issues. And coincidentally, we both have some extra weakness on the right side – funny! … or not :(

I have a pet ramp but Bear does not like it and in fact, it is a bit steep for the Jeeper. I have a longer ramp on order but will have to go through some training with Bear when it arrives and so I’ve been thinking about options.

Beardog Hill came to mind. I backed the Jeep up to it and thought if it was flattened a bit and compacted, it could make a handy load/unload area that would be very comfortable for Bear.

Yesterday, I heard neighbor Mike fire up his backhoe. He’s been helping another neighbor so I hotfooted it over to catch him and ask a favor while the ‘hoe was warmed up … it is aging also and does not like impromptu starting!

Beardog Hill is now a handy-dandy dirt ramp perfect for a walk in to the Jeep.

First load was successful.

Happy Bear is ready to roll!

What happened to Beardog hill is a mystery to Bear and Auggie, but there is still stuff to dig in off the ramp area – it is just a bit different shape.

Bear and I say a big “Thank You!” to neighbor Mike and the backhoe.