Whirlwind

Dear Daughter extended her Montana vacation and was here for a total of eight wonderful days. Here is what we did not do:

  • Float the river

  • Visit the Bison Range

  • Ride our bikes every day

  • Hike the “M” trail

  • Any other fun Montana thing

When she goes back to work and people ask her what cool things she did in Montana, I am not sure what she will tell them. Fed too many cookies to dogs?

Remembered why Sparkle is her favorite canine sister?

Rode in Trusty Rusty, my old but reliable truck?

Made a new friend we call Dump Lady — that blue shack is where our new and very nice friend spends a lot of time…

Dear Daughter reports that the half-marathon, which we did just after she recovered from Covid, was actually the easiest part of her week here.

Yep — we cleaned up.

And it was AWESOME.

So much gratitude to Dear Daughter — and I hope she invented some cool vacation stories to tell her colleagues while she drove home yesterday.

M-A's Excellent Day

On February 25 — filled with the optimism of the morning (and caffeine) — I registered myself and Dear Daughter for the Missoula Half-Marathon. In my journal I wrote: “…having a goal seems important... Step One – get running shoes.”

Yesterday was the day. Despite having just recovered from Covid and needing to get up at what she considers a completely uncivilized hour, Dear Daughter joined me. That girl has GRIT.

Rather than deal with shuttle buses, we got permission to park at our veterinarian’s office and so we did that and walked the short way to the start. We were six minutes late and so were the last ones to start, which meant that we were followed by the police at first — one of the few times that such a situation feels fun…

But we did not stay last for too long, although I think it is a remarkable thing to do a half-marathon no matter where you end up…

There is something just so amazing about being in a moving community of people who are doing the same thing but for their own very personal reasons…

Missoula comes out to support the event — the signs and people are amazing…

This was my most favorite sign — it spoke to me for so many reasons and for so many people…

This sign was pretty awesome as well…

And then it was done…

My real start was back in February, when the dark clouds of disillusionment and the shrapnel from the Betrayal Bomb were still so thick in my air. When I posted my happy finish photo on Facebook, I wrote, “Take that, Adversity” but what I wanted to say was much more colorful and not appropriate for a general audience.

There is something very satisfying about transformation — and yes, I am more than a bit smug about running past and through all that whatever we want to call it. Literally and figuratively.

Take that, indeed.

And then we walked across the bridge towards our meet-up spot…

Big Dipper ice cream with our Designated Driver, Suzanne…

And then — because the day was still young and the clocks recently turned back fifty years — we went to a protest.

Everyone deserves to be wanted and loved and cared about/for — and I am not really talking about the protest actually.

What an amazing day. Worth every sore muscle.

BIRTHDAY

Today is a wonderful, amazing, terrific, and awesome day — nine years ago the iPups entered the world.

Newborn Sparkle

These very special dogs — sons and daughters of Zoey and Fil — went into the most perfect homes…

I wish I could say that all eight were still with us — and actually they are, but just not all physically on this earth anymore. I must start this birthday celebration, therefore, by remembering — with love — Scarlett, George and Kidd. Yes, they are still with us, tucked safely in our hearts.

Please rest your heart and mind on those three iPups and their wonderful families who will especially feel this bittersweet birthday.

I know well how blessed I am to have my fun and funny, amazing and awesome, energetic and excellent Sparkle in my life for these past nine years…

Alison wrote about iPup Tristan that he was nine going on three — I laughed out loud because that is 100% Sparkle. She is a lot of happy dog — all the time. Going on a walk? Barking and spinning and jumping — repeat. Bowls on the floor? Racing around to pick them up.

Everything with Sparkle is full speed ahead — including her JOY. She is so aptly named.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPARKLE!!

iPup Nikko has been receiving treatment for Histio since last fall — this is why it is 100% fine to choose to treat a dog with cancer…

It is not wrong to want more birthdays. Nikko has done so well with his treatment, and I cannot say enough good and grateful things about the care he receives from his loving, smart, and kind family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKO!

Nine going on three Tristan…

Active and happy and dapper.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISTAN!

(to be continued)