The Dog Blog

WICKER IN THE SKY

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:02:31 -0700

About 2 am yesterday morning, Wicker made his way over to the Other Side.Together we made one last easy slow drive over McClure Pass to Paonia with the light of the full moon reflecting off of the snow...a trip we have both always loved to make. He let me know he needed a cold place, so we camped out on the sun porch at the Farmhouse. Working together like we have so many times over the past 14 years, he went about the hard job of dying while I went about the easy job of holding a space for him to do that. So reminiscent of sitting those last hours with Dad. Wicker's final movement was one last wag of his tail.

By daybreak it was clear that his spirit was no longer in his bumpy, bony, bedraggled, beautiful body. But his spirit was (and remains) clearly still around...like in the air...or maybe in the sky. Some place where activities such as hearing and walking and sitting aren't even relevant, but loving and being loved are everything. I don't miss him, because it feels like he isn't gone. Perhapss the new challenge is to see what it is like to keeping on holding healing spaces together, me from This Side, and him from the Other Side.

Wicker has had more patience/patients than any therapy dog I have known. He greeted each client in both my therapy and my mediation practices as if they were the most special person in the world. He usually brought them each a gift...a mitten, or one of their shoes, or perhaps a roll of toilet paper if they were crying. Some clients did their best healing with their arms around him, or when he was taking them for a walk. He always ushered them out at the end of their session. No one ever taught him such things. It was just his nature.

I feel grateful for every moment I have had with this devoted, intuitive, kind, unselfish companion.It was especially touching that he hung around long enough to share some sweet floor-time with little Nina last weekend. He taught me everything I know about non-verbal communication. He taught me how to love in ways I will always practice. He taught me how to see Nature in a new way. He taught me a great deal about tolerance. Mostly he was just there for me.

To those of you who were so helpful in these past few days, I thank you. And to those of you and your dogs who have been Wicker's "other families" when I have been away in the past few months, Wicker and I both are deeply grateful.

I don't think I'm in a very good place to talk about this yet. I'm still in that combination of feeling bereft, empty-nested, in denial, and exhausted. But any e-mails you might want to send will be warmly read. Sorry for the size of the picture; I'm still a beginner at some electronic stuff.

If you find yourself missing Wicker, try paying attention to the sky.

Peacefully, Mom/Barbe

WINTER HIKING

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 11:08:04 -0700

Photo Above: Boy Scout Trail overlooking Glenwood Springs, CO.
Photos Below: Redstone, CO.

Certified Therapy Dog

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:26:34 -0600

Morgan passes his test for Therapy Dog Certification!
Grand Junction evaluator Cathy Clark and friends of TDI were humored by his performance.

“To belong to Therapy Dogs International (TDI®) all dogs must be tested and evaluated by a Certified TDI Evaluator. A dog must be a minimum of one (1) year of age and have a sound temperament. Each dog must pass a temperament evaluation for suitability to become a Therapy Dog, which includes the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). The test will also include the evaluation of the dog’s behavior around people with the use of some type of service equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.). “
Therapy Dog International.

Photos—Morgan practices “sit and stay” with 15 year old Wicker (above), and Frankie and 6 mos old Johnnie (below). Sunlight Mountain, Glenwood Springs.

Photos below: Morgan plays Tether Ball with foot ball player Joe Liotta.

Morgan’s Last Hurrah

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:17:17 -0600

Frankie and Johnnie Weaver host a pool party for Morgan who will be neutered in the morning and off the show circuit.
Photo Above—Left to right Kathie, Karma, Morgan, Jan, Johnnie and Frankie. Kathie throws sticks in photos below.

Photo Above—Morgan (full of testosterone) dunks Johnnie.
Photo Below—Johnnie too tired to swim next morning.

Photos Above—Dinner party at the Weaver’s ranch home in Fruita, Colorado. Left Frankie, Right Johnnie Weaver.

The Crystal River, Redstone, CO

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:09:04 -0600

Morgan’s breeder Sandy McFarland brings her Goldens to swim on the Crystal River. Photo Above: left to right—Teddy, Morgan, Macallen, Glory, pregnant Piper, and Shimmer. Also featured below is Fred Zimmat.

Photo Above—Morgan lifting leg in rear of the pack....He is ready for neutering!

“Morgan, God Dam It!”