Posts from the ‘Auggie’ category

How we’re doing

I’ve received emails and DM’s … how are you doing and I/we are thinking of you and Auggie.

Thank you so very much. I do not have the words to say how much those thoughts mean to me. Often there are a lot of condolences at the time but later … life goes on.

I shared nearly seven years of my life with Bear. Auggie shared most of his 4 1/2 years of life with Bear. Bear’s passing leaves a huge hole in both of our lives.

Still.

Auggie and I go forward. I work, I bake and cook, we go outside … snowshoeing and shoveling and just enjoying the outside.

Auggie still sticks close to me and whether it is the change in the house, the loss of Bear, the weather, the plethora of mice in the house … whatever, he is my good and sweet Auggie-boy and snuggle buddie!

As for me, I’ve progressed from the initial stages of shock (it does not matter if you know it was coming, the finality shocks), fear, relief (anticipation of having to make the decision …) and just an overwhelming feeling of loss … to a place of memory … sometimes laughing at something remembered, sometimes just feeling punched in the gut at the fact that he is not with us, sometimes just overwhelming love and gratitude for having shared some years.

Crap! It is hard.

But I do not regret one single moment.

And I cherish the memories:

Auggie and me

Auggie has been my companion and snuggle buddy…

And fellow enjoyer of a woodstove fire! The warmth of Auggie near goes a long way to making me feel better.

We got back on snowshoes and back in the woods the day after. Yes, a bit difficult, but I am so grateful that Auggie comes with me and it helps to focus on the good times that Bear, Auggie and I had together in the woods.

After, we relax/cool off (me) on the front porch.

One day at a time. When sorrow threatens to overwhelm, I look to the wonderful comments and emails from all of you who cared for Bear and who care for Auggie and me.

Thank you to all who sent us love.

Booties for Bear

As the snow got deeper and deeper, Bear and Auggie made good use of the “no snow” zone next to the house. Above was before Winter Storm: Round 3 dumped another foot or so…

The no snow zone is a bit tunnel-like now. Meanwhile it got colder and when it gets below 15F, Bear starts having trouble with snow flash freezing on his warm feet.

A couple of days after Christmas, we made an emergency dash to the local PetSmart and picked up some booties. We tried booties once before – unsuccessfully. I’ve been using a foot wax called Musher’s Secret and that helped but this year it was not enough.

The booties were easy to put on but the rubber pad at the bottom didn’t really stay under Bear’s foot. It flopped around and that made things more difficult.

I recently bought myself some extra thick LLBean boot socks and having dashed outside in just socks and my feet stayed dry, I got to thinking…

Yes, Bear is wearing LLBean boot socks and they work for him. I cut off the Velcro strap from the PetSmart booties and use that under the cuff to keep the socks up.

Right now, we are just doing front feet and getting used to socks. It has warmed up slightly so this is working but if it gets super cold, at least I know we have a solution.

Auggie says the solution is to stay in the house.

Winter Storm: Round 3

This storm was originally advertised for Thursday through Saturday. On Wednesday, I took a quick run into Bigfork for just a few things. Everyone else was doing the same AND it was snowing hard then with what was forecast to be a “trace”, already almost 4 inches.

Then it cleared. And the storm warning moved to Friday through Saturday.

Thursday was snowy but my house was in a wind shadow from the NNE wind. Overnight it warmed up, rained and then dramatically got cold.

NOAA says: “An atmospheric river is colliding with an arctic air mass over western Montana today and tonight. The strong westerly flow associated with the atmospheric river is pushing against the arctic air and stalling the front.”

Bottom line: a LOT more snow (10-20 inches more) is forecast before things calm down on Saturday (tomorrow) afternoon.

Even though Bear can’t run through the deep snow like he used to, he’s got his snow legs now and is using the paths I tromp down.

And he enjoys just lying in the snow and eating it ??? Auggie is more of an inside guy this winter, but he runs out for a quick explore and then right back inside.

Winter Storm: Round 3

Oh happy day: clear (er) air

Clear air, Auggie!!

Happy Dance!

Happy Happy Dance for a clear, cool morning after a long run of hot and smoky.

The morning walk was a huge pleasure for all of us, after Bear and I just endured being out this past week.

There is still some smoky haze, but the mountains are visible.

The sun is at that angle that creates a beautiful light and says Fall is on its way.

Home sweet home with a bit of sunshine and blue sky!

A good walk.

Oh happy day!

House Hunting

Actually, it is the aftermath of house hunting. And not looking for a new house … hunting INSIDE the house.

I think the last big mouse invasion was after a very wet Spring.

At any rate, Auggie has been on the job. It is a nighttime job and after several nights of a lot of activity he apparently needed some catch up sleep. Usually he is pestering to go out before I have my coffee made but this morning, even with Bear out and the doors open, he didn’t budge.