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.
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| 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.
