ABOUT THE PARK:
Washington Rock State Park - NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Washington Rock Park - Somerset County Park Commission
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.61328, -74.47337
TRAIL MAP:
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HIKE DISTANCE: 0.67 mile
THE HIKE:
After a long discussion with Shawnee's chiropractor the day before, it was agreed that she was deteriorating and that it was time to release her from a body that was starting to shut down. Shawnee had developed skin ulcers that were becoming infected, most likely the result of the mast cell cancer she was diagnosed with a couple of years ago. I contacted her veterinarian and made arrangements to put her to sleep first thing this morning and requested the veterinarian do it in the car so it would be easier on Shawnee. Instead of going straight to the vet's office, we left early to stop on the way for a final little hike. Shawnee had a hard time doing the .67 miles but it just confirmed in my mind that it really was time to let her go. No wheelchair, no stroller, just me and Shawnee.
 | ||
| SHAWNEE ♥ March 2001 - August 1, 2017 |
Special thanks to...
Dr. Penelope Rochelle, Thrive Veterinary Wellness Center, for keeping Shawnee's body in hiking shape up to the very end and for spending so much time with us helping to make this final decision.
Dr. Jennifer Feeney, Somerset Veterinary Group, for caring for Shawnee her entire life and for her gentle kindness and compassion in making Shawnee's final moments stress free and peaceful in the familiar surroundings of our car.
All of you who have come to care about Shawnee through this blog. It is because of her this blog started and it will continue because of her. There will be another hiking dog but there will never be another Shawnee.
Shawnee will always be in my heart as a sweetheart and gentle hiker who, though I never met her, I felt I knew her well. Thank you for being such a wonderful mom to her which no doubt contributed somewhat to her great disposition. I will miss all the wonderful pictures of her. That is a pretty park where she last hiked, particularly pretty was the pictures with Shawnee near the flagpole and view. I cannot feel as deeply as you but I do feel quite sad and, again, I will miss her. I hope everyone finds a friend like Shawnee.
ReplyDeletePS What helped get me hiking was the post when you, Shawnee and a brown lab hiked High Mountain in Wayne. Within a few weeks that became my first "real" hike and I do it often since it is withing 15 minutes and yet quite pretty. God bless and comfort you Shawnee.
Bill from Clifton.
Thank you, Bill, and thank you for sharing that. It made me smile.
DeleteDaniela
I'm so very sorry, Daniela. I don't know what to say. I just want to give a big thank you to Shawnee for all of the joy she brought to us. You were blessed to have her and she was blessed to have you. She will be missed so very much.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dan. As much as I will miss her forever, my life is all the richer for having known her and I wouldn't have it any other way.
DeleteDaniela
I always look forward to reading your beautiful posts. I am so sorry for your loss. I know there are not words but I will be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Rachel.
DeleteDaniela
It seems like the ones who know us the best are always taken too soon. You gave her a home where she had none, you gave her a life where she was loved. May you heart heal soon and her memory be sweet someday <3
ReplyDeleteThank you Grace. You right, it is never long enough no matter how long we have them.
DeleteDaniela
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I've enjoyed seeing your adventures together, and I'm glad Shawnee got to see one last beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. It did not even occur to me to take her there until I woke up at 4 AM and could not get back to sleep. Seemed like the perfect place.
DeleteDaniela
I'm so sorry to hear Shawnee has gone over the Rainbow Bridge. Any pet would be lucky to have go on so many adventures with someone who clearly cared very much for them. I'll miss scrolling through the first few photos of your posts to see if it's a "Shawnee trip".
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. I warms my heart to know how many people cared about her.
DeleteDaniela
Thank you for sharing this wonderful love story. Her final hike was a perfect way to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill. I was thinking about you. I remembered a hike you did in the Catskills years ago that I had always wanted to do and never got to do before it became too much for Shawnee. I think I will go do it this weekend.
DeleteDaniela
I loved to read Shawnees posts and will miss her. This last hike must have been hard for both of you. Auf wiedersehen Shawnee! No more pain, no more old geezer problems. Run free and romp wild beautiful girl!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pia. How fitting, auf wiedersehen for a German shepherd. Vielen Dank.
DeleteDaniela
I’m so sorry for your loss, Daniela. Shawnee was a wonderful dog and great hiking buddy. I really enjoyed reading about her adventures, and always thought we’d bump into Shawnee on a trail at least once in all these years. She’ll be missed.
ReplyDeleteDawn
Thank you, Dawn. We did almost bump into one another at Wawayanda a few years back if I recall. It's a shame you never got to meet her in person.
DeleteDaniela
I'm so sorry. Something told me to check in on the blogs early this morning before I get ready for work and now I know why. This is such heartbreaking news. I loved to read all about the adventures you shared with Shawnee as she made me feel I was right there with her. She is surely a Blogville icon who will always be remembered with love. Sending you lots of hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. It is so heartwarming to hear how she touched so many people.
DeleteDaniela
I'm so sorry for your loss. Shawnee will be missed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kyle.
DeleteDaniela
No dog ever had a more faithful, loving owner. You did right by her.
ReplyDeleteThank you. That is the nicest compliment I could ever get.
DeleteDaniela
I am very sorry for your loss. I have been using your blog for hiking suggestions with my own dog for the last 6 years. Shawnee definitely lived life to the fullest. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jay. So nice to know you and your dog have benefited. She would have liked that.
DeleteDaniela
Daniela, I'm a photographer and discovered your blog through Google images. When I searched for photographs of various hikes, inevitably photos of Shawnee's bright vest would show up and I knew I was in for a treat. For years I've felt that I followed you and Shawnee around the area and often wondered when seeing a dog's footprints in the mud if they were her's. May your hiking companion rest in peace and may this beautiful body of work you have created provide comforting memories of the many, many miles you and Shawnee shared. Thank you for stewarding a very valuable resource for hikers and people wanting to experience the natural spaces in this area. - Best Regards and Deepest Condolences, Richard Lewis Photography.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Rich. I am very glad I do have this to look back on and remember all of the good times we had on the trails.
DeleteDaniela
We've followed you and Shawnee for years, hiked some of your hikes, used this blog for the valuable research tool that it is. We are so sorry for your loss! This blog is a testament to the grand and wonderful life Shawnee had! As a vet tech, I'm comforted to hear that your veterinary care team was kind and compassionate all the way through her care. Our thoughts are with you!
ReplyDelete-Beth and Dave
Thank you Beth and Dave. So nice that you have followed us for so long. Neither vet is convenient to us but both most definitely worth driving a distance to get to and drive we did.
DeleteDaniela
I read your blog regularly for many years. I'm at my desk crying as I type this. I am very sorry about the loss of your pal. Dogs improve the hiking experience 1000%. My dog is approaching 10 and doesn't hike like she used to. She's getting a few extra kisses and bites of pork in her supper dish tonight.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeff. I agree about dogs improving the hiking experience. I'll have to go alone this weekend, not my preference, but at least I did it some while Shawnee was still around so it won't be something new to me. I am sure that this time she will be with me in spirit. Give your dog a kiss from me, too.
DeleteDaniela
I'm so sorry for your loss. Our dogs were the same age and I truly understand the pain of losing them.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think the longer we have them, the harder we fall.
DeleteDaniela
Like many others who have commented here, I am very sad to hear about your loss. I've never met you or Shawnee, but I feel as though I've hiked with you dozens of times. May peace be with her and I hope you continue to find peace and happiness in your hikes. RIP Shawnee, she will be missed dearly.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Hiking is exactly what I will be doing to find some peace. I wouldn't know of any other way.
DeleteDaniela
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have been reading your blog for a few years now, and it something I look forward to in my email inbox.
ReplyDeleteThank you. So nice of you to say that.
DeleteDaniela
Love to you and the spirit of Shawnee. So very sorry for your loss. Keep up the great blog - yours is one of my favorites! Godspeed, Shawnee. We all loved you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peggy. I will definitely keep the blog up. It's like my scrap book of hikes and the bonus is that other people like you find it useful. That is all the encouragement I need.
DeleteDaniela
Shawnee will be miss. Never a dog so loved by so many, and most never to have met. The choice you made is a hard but the right one. May you find solace in her memory.
ReplyDeleteThank you Teri. It does amaze me how people who have not met her love her. I think her softness and gentleness came through in the pictures. She was such a kind soul to everyone and everything.
DeleteDaniela
So very sorry. She was a great friend and inspiration to all of us who followed her adventures.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lev. That makes me feel so proud of her.
DeleteDaniela
Thank you for the adventures.
ReplyDeleteThank you for one last walk, one last sniff, one last balloon in a tree.
Thank you for the tears and the beauty. Thank you for sharing,
Thank you faithful Shawnee.
Thank you, Jerry, for your nice comments.
DeleteDaniela
Hugs to you, you are such a wonderful dog owner.
ReplyDeleteThank you Holly, so nice of you to say.
DeleteDaniela
So very sorry for your loss Daniela....I am crying as I read this and look at Shawnee's last hike. I will definitely miss seeing her in your blog. However, I know in time you will get a new hiking buddy. I lost two dogs and I know how it feels. Each dog has their own personality and we get so attached to them. It is very hard when we have to let go. At least you have a lot of fond memories with her. Joanne from NJ
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joann. The shelter Shawnee came from is already on notice and they are "keeping an eye out for another dog that needs me."
DeleteDaniela
Thank you for letting your readers share your wonderful hiking trips with Shawnee. Your accounts of your journeys together have been so vividly conveyed. I fell in love with Shawnee in the process and I will miss her terribly. At the moment, I am facing the challenges of nearing this daunting crossroads with my elderly cat (not a hiking companion, but beloved nonetheless) and I will keep your dignified and compassionate care of Shawnee in my heart as I make ready. I am so glad to hear that you will be continuing your excellent blog, and I will continue to read it faithfully. Thank you again for sharing with us.
ReplyDelete--Rachel
Thank you so much Rachel. So sorry you are facing this with your cat also. They say that letting our beloved pets go is the ultimate act of kindness but it is also the most difficult.
DeleteDaniela
RIP, S. You loved well and were well loved. Your mama gave you many happy years doing what you both loved. You brought great joy to her and to all of us who followed you as you visited all those wonderful "sceniks." We'll miss you and will always be grateful that we shared some of the joys in your life. Prayers for all who loved you to recover from this sad loss. xo
ReplyDeleteLove and licks,
Cupcake and Mom
Thank you so much and I have always so enjoyed your comments. It has been a pleasure getting to know you through them.
DeleteDaniela
I am crying like I know you both. Well, I kind of do know you both through both of your blogs. Thank you so very much for sharing your hikes and your lives with us. You always make me smile and give me ideas for new hikes. So it is time to stop crying because it is over and smile because it happened.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Skritches,
Brenda
You are absolutely right, Brenda. You made me smile big because it happened. Thanks.
DeleteDaniela
I stumbled upon your blog a few years ago when I was looking for hikes where I live. I always enjoyed the pictures you posted of nature. Thank you so much for sharing your hikes. Shawnee will be missed terribly. You and Shawnee inspired this Philly girl to get out and explore the Delaware Water Gap more with my family!
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome, Erica. Thanks for sharing that.
DeleteDaniela
So very sorry to read the sad news, we are going to miss dear Shawnee a lot. She had a fabulous long hiking life and we loved joining you on your hikes.. except maybe the recent one with the bears! That was too scary.
ReplyDeletelove & wags from Teagan x
Thanks, Teagan. I always knew when Shawnee saw a bear before I did because she would turn and look straight at me with this look like "I think you want to come see this." I always knew by that look that she had just seen a bear and sure enough, there would be a bear!
DeleteDaniela
I'm sorry for your loss. Reading this made me a lot sad but I'm happy that you & Shawnee had such a great relationship & strong bond with each other. It's obvious that you cared & loved Shawnee so. I found your blog a few years ago as well doing research on hikes in the NJ/NY area. I look forward to your email updates on a new hike with Shawnee every time. We just did the Palisades Interstate Park Giant Stairs hike as you recommended and saw a few dogs struggle on the Giant Stairs and wondered how the hell did Shawnee complete that!? Just wanted to let you know that You & Shawnee are inspirational! Still looking forward to your hiking blogs and still imagining Shawnee treking alongside you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. C. When we did that hike I thought we would give it a shot on the Giant Stairs and turn back if it became too much for her but once you are in, you had may as well keep going. It was not one of her favorite hikes!
DeleteDaniela
Shawnee was a lucky girl to have such beautiful places to hike. We are so glad she got to enjoy hiking until the very end.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yes, I am glad she got to hike to the end also. I think she would have been terribly depressed had she not been able to get out every weekend,
DeleteDaniela
She left this life doing what she loved...hiking with her great buddy...I hope you're doing ok
ReplyDeleteThat she did! I am still trying to come to terms with it. It is so hard to believe she is not here any more. Thanks.
DeleteDaniela
For the past 5-6 years my sons and I have hiked every weekend. We have followed your blog religiously and have hiked many of the places that you introduced us to. My youngest son,Nick is severely Autistic and hiking is his true love. My older son Tyler is now 15. Back when we started he would always ask me where Shawnee went this weekend and many times we would go to the same place weeks or months later. I showed him this blog and tears were in his eyes. Our hearts go out to you and thank you so very much. Richard, Tyler and Nicholas Brahm
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really great. Thank you so much for that. I now have tears in my eyes, too. It sounds like you have raised two fine young men who appreciate animals and nature and I am so honored to have had a small part in that via Shawnee.
DeleteDaniela
Daniela, I can't begin to imagine how difficult this must have been for you but it is just so loving of you to go on a final hike with Shawnee. I've been dreading this news. I've known and loved Shawnee for quite some time, maybe almost 10 years. She really got in my heart. I'm just so sad. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteVicki
It's been incredibly difficult, Vicki. One minute I am glad she is free and the next minute I feel panic wondering how I will go on without her. I guess it has been 10 years. Wow, have so enjoyed our virtual friendship and will definitely have to see that it continues!
DeleteDaniela
You gave her some wonderful last moments of dirty paws - and views for miles -
ReplyDeleteThanks for listening to her -
It's what we owe them -
AND remember, it's not fur-ever...it's just...fur now!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra's Mom
You are so right, just for now. Thanks so much!
DeleteDaniela
I'm so very sorry. We've enjoyed reading all your adventures all of these years. ...and attempting our own Shawnee-inspired hike.
ReplyDeleteMonty, Harlow, and Ramble
That is so nice, thanks!
DeleteDaniela
you and Shawnee in our thoughts. Peace to you my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteDaniela
I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeff.
DeleteDaniela
I feel as though another piece of my heart has been chiseled away. Shawnee was always such a special girl - as were Dixie and Sydney. :(
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, friend. XO
-Jo
You were Shawnee's Aunt Joann and knew she knew you her entire life. Thanks for being such a good friend to us.
DeleteDaniela
I only found your blog within the past year, yet I felt like I came to to know Shawnee. She was a beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing her with us through your blog. I wish you comfort and healing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Violet. So glad you found us.
DeleteDaniela
So sorry to read this, brought tears to my eyes. I have enjoyed reading about your adventures and look forward to many more. Now I just want to go home and hug my dog. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you and yes, give your dog an extra tight hug.
DeleteDaniela
Shawnee was an inspiration not just to her sister animal friends, but to many of us humans. When age or injury - or both - slowed me down on the trail, I can't count the times in recent months I said "If Shawnee can do it, I can at least try". She was in our thoughts on almost every trail we hiked, saying "Shawnee would love this trail" or "Oh, she'd hate this bridge or these steps". Daniela, Shawnee touched more lives - animal and human - than you could ever imagine, and her spirit will continue to do so for us. I can promise you that.
ReplyDeleteWith All Our Love & Prayers,
Linda & Jim
Thank you both so much and for your friendship over the years. I honestly had no idea how many lives Shawnee had touched until this post. It is overwhelming yet heartwarming. Early on I did not include very many pictures with her in it thinking people wouldn't care to see my dog. Then I started using more and more pictures with her in them because she gave the pictures perspective and dimension. Little did I know the profound effect that would have and how people would come to love her through them. That is just plain awesome.
DeleteDaniela
Sorry to hear about your loss. Always liked seeing your adventures and its been inspirational. Keep up the good work and Shawnees spirit alive buy continuing this blog in the future. Thanks for letting us be part of her journey up to the very end.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and absolutely I will keep up the blog. Thank you for being part of her journey.
DeleteDaniela
Abbey Road, my 5-year-old GSD (or am I hers?), sends her love. She and I have been following Shawnee's adventures for a long time now, and though Abbey doesn't blog anymore, she was so excited when Shawnee's mom left a comment on her blog when it was active.
ReplyDeleteShawnee has been a part of my life for years and I have always looked forward to reading when I got an email notifying me of another post. She's been lucky to have found her mom and go on the amazing hikes, taste new treats and foods, and overall, be an amazing ambassador of her breed.
She will be missed by a lot of people and dogs; after all, she did crawl into our hearts in an instant. I'm looking at Abbey now with a tear in my eye. Thank you for being her mom and for letting all of us be a part of her life.
Godspeed, Shawnee.
Thank you so much Donna. Please give Abbey a big kiss from me. Can't believe she is 5 already. Where does the time go?
DeleteDaniela
Oh we are so very sorry to hear this news. We have followed Shawnee on her hikes for quite a few years and felt like we shared her travels and adventures from afar. Run fast run free Shawnee. You were loved by us, Carol and Stella, and we hope you have met up with our angel Rory and are sharing tales. Sending our sincere sympathy and gentle hugs to you. She was certainly loved by you and gave love in return and isn't that a wonderful life to have lived. Know we have you in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, and LOVE, Carol and Stella xx
Thank you so much Carol. I had no idea Rory had passed. I am so very sorry.
DeleteDaniela
Godspeed puppy dog, and many prayers for peace for those that loved you.
ReplyDeleteMark.
Thank you, Mark.
DeleteDaniela
Daniela,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, crying my eyes out ,now. She had a great life with you, and you with her.What wonderful adventures! I will miss seeing her beautiful face.
Thanks, Nanette. I miss her beautiful face, too.
DeleteDaniela
So sorry for your loss - her pawprints will forever be on your heart. I see that I am one of many who have enjoyed reading about your hikes with Shawnee. Thank you for sharing with us (especially this last hike).
ReplyDeleteThank you and yes, you are definitely one of many. So unexpected yet so heartwarming. Thanks.
DeleteDaniela
I stumbled upon Shawnee's blog years ago when I was looking for info on Cranberry Lake. Shawnee remarked on one of her hikes that there were a lot of blueberries at Cranberry Lake. "They should call it Blueberry Lake, no?" I recall her saying, and I have loved her sense of humor and canine observations ever since. Hikemobile, noms, shooter and "blech" have all entered my vocabulary, And I was so proud that she was a Jersey (oops, Joisey) girl. The puppy from Newark was surrounded by fresh air and love, and what better gift can an owner give her dog? My sincere condolences.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy (and neighbor - I am in Union County), what a nice trip down memory lane.
DeleteDaniela
Oh, Daniela -- I am *beyond* sorry to hear the news about Shawnee! I rarely shed tears, but upon reading this, I am doing just that as I type this! :(
ReplyDeleteWhile 2017 has been a _phenomenal_ year for me thus far, it has not been without some sadness: I lost my father to cancer in April, and hearing about Shawnee's death is 2nd _only_ to that!! But I will say this: Shawnee is no doubt in Heaven, and happily hiking on trails, as she awaits you to join her and be united again someday (that is -- after MANY more years on Earth for you!) I only wish I got to meet Shawnee in person...I always thought to myself: If I knew there were 10...20...even *50* Hollywood celebrities hiking on a given trail, and you and Shawnee were on the same trail -- I would absolutely forgo meeting each and every one of the celebrities in favor of meeting you and Shawnee!!
I'm not sure what else to say, except God bless you, and may He comfort you with your loss...and once again -- just know that Shawnee is no longer in any kind of pain, and will *eternally* be young, healthy and HAPPY in Heaven!!
Jim
Jim, first and foremost, my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father. We think cancer is what got Shawnee in the end also. She had been diagnosed with mast cell a couple of years ago so it was just a matter of time. Your comment made me think of a blog follower who recognized us about a month ago and said meeting Shawnee was like meeting a famous celebrity. So flattering to hear things like that about her. She was very special. Thank you, Jim, for being her friend.
DeleteDaniela
Oh so sad. Like others have said, I feel like I know Shawnee having followed her adventures on the trail for several years. She was a lucky dog and had a great life. I know that spot (Washington Rock) and you made a great choice for her final hike, a last chance to look out over the countryside you both shared. Sad, but perfect.
ReplyDeleteAs a statistical person by (retired) profession, I'm just wondering if you ever tallied the total miles you and Shawnee hiked together?
Glad to hear you'll still be blogging, I'm sure in time there will be another hiker dog with you, but of course never one like Shawnee.
--Ken
Thank you Ken. Washington Rock came to mind at 4 that morning when I could sleep no more and it did seem fitting. It was a place where she could look over her world.
DeleteWhy of course, Ken, as a fellow numbers person by profession (unfortunately not retired) I have an Excel spreadsheet with that info, LOL. I started keeping track in 2010 when I started the blog. Here goes:
2010 ( 9 years old) 700.75 miles
2011 (10 years old) 686.10 miles
2012 (11 years old) 765.45 miles
2013 (12 years old) 454.20 miles
2014 (13 years old) 378.55 miles
2015 (14 years old) 330.60 miles
2016 (15 years old) 363.70 miles (155.9 of those in the wheelchair)
2017 (16 years old) 187.10 through 8/1/17 with stroller miles deducted
Daniela
Impressive(on several levels)! The numbers reinforce what a great full life she had. Thanks for the reply.
DeleteThere could not have been a more beautiful crossing, thank you for sharing. Blessings and peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann.
DeleteDaniela
Sweet Dream Baby Shawnee.
ReplyDeleteSO very sorry.
xo Astro
Thank you so much.
DeleteDaniela
Oh noes. I am so sorry for your loss. I am sorry I never met your Sweet Shawnee ~ What a lovely sweet gurl. And what a wonderful life you have given her. I will be thinkin' of you, and sendin' lots of AireZens and {{{hugs}}}.
ReplyDeleteRun free sweet Shawnee, run free....
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Thank you, Ruby.
DeleteMy heart breaks... as a lover of both dogs and hikes, I always looked forward to reading about you and Shawnee's latest adventures. I am so deeply sorry for you loss, but thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I never met Shawnee, but still feel like I knew and cared about her. I will think of you both on my next hike with my pup. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. It means a lot that people who never met her cared so much about her.
DeleteDaniela
My heart breaks for you and I am bawling. She was such a good dog and so lucky to have you and all these hikes together <3 Thinking of you in this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dom. I was very luck to have had her in my life.
DeleteDaniela
I keep coming back to view the last hike with Shawnee - reminds me of my last hike with my 16 year pup. I feel like having her in the photos always made your hikes look especially interesting. So sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim. She sure did give depth and dimension to the pictures. They look so flat without her in them.
DeleteDaniela
So sorry for your loss, Daniela. Your blog has been my "go-to" resource for years now on finding my next hike. Even for us faithful viewers, (and dog lovers) seeing Shawnee on the hikes with you was like seeing an old friend. Her soul will always be with you wherever you go. God bless, Darren
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Darren.
DeleteDaniela
As a dog-owner and hiker, I have been following your blog for years because of your adventures with Shawnee. It has helped me discover routes that would be perfect for my own pup, always with the confidence that Shawnee had come before him. Seeing this post has brought tears to my eyes. Dogs are blessed creatures and we are lucky to have them. Thank you for sharing Shawnee with us all of these years. My thoughts are with you, and I'm so sorry for your loss. I will always remember her!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna, so kind of you.
DeleteDaniela
This made me cry to read. Why can't those special dogs live forever? I keep telling my dog Trek that he must. I've enjoyed reading about all of your hikes with Shawnee throughout the years. What a special relationship the two of you must have had.
ReplyDeleteI used to always tell Shawnee she had to live forever. It was hard to imagine life without her. I'll miss her every day forever. We did have that once in a lifetime kind of relationship.
DeleteDaniela
So incredibly sorry for you loss, Daniela.
ReplyDeleteShawnee was such a wonderful hiker and friend, even to someone who never actually met her.
I've followed your blog for over a year now, after stumbling upon it at work one day, but having let my regular checks lapse the last 2-3 months I was saddened to not see the same pointy ears ahead of you in each picture. Turning back to this post, I see that while it must have been incredibly difficult, you made the best choice for your friend with whom you shared so many amazing adventures.
Shawnee was certainly one lucky dog.
Seeing you two has always been a pleasant reprieve from a dull office setting, and I'll look forward to seeing you in my favorites tab with all of your future canine excursions.
Thank you for all you do.
Tommy
Thanks so much, Tommy. Still miss her every day.
DeleteDaniela
So very sorry for your loss. Although I don't comment often, I have been following your blog and Shawnee's adventures for years. I lost my #1 girl to hemangiosarcoma in November 2017 - long, long before her time - but we enjoyed many adventures together on the trails. I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I still hike with 3 of my other dogs, but there isn't much joy in it for me anymore. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks, Edward. I am so sorry about your girl. I feel your pain. I hope you will find joy in hiking again. I know for me it will never be the same and I will always miss Shawnee. It's different with Brodie. There are some advantages and some disadvantages but I'm getting used to it. We have more good hikes than so so hikes now so I am starting to feel the joy more often.
DeleteDaniela
Very sorry for your loss. I can tell that he's a really wonderful dog and you're a really wonderful owner to him. I once to had a dog that was put down because of old age. I was very much against it at first but as I see him everyday, very weak and suffering, it made me consider. I was just thankful for the pet euthanasia services that was done to him for being the most peaceful and calm that it could've been.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michael. I can't believe she has been gone for two years now. Still miss her every day. So sorry for your loss, too. Letting them go when they get too old is the best thing we can do for them, maybe not the best for us.
DeleteDaniela