A Good Dog



Heather and Maceo 2007 at Alki

 Dog is Good.     I saw that bumper sticker lately and  it made me smile to think of the ardent dog lover  who must be driving that car.   I smiled and then I a got a little twinge of loss when I think of my own 'Dusty Dog'  who has been gone for 14 years.   Now I'll get a twinge thinking of Maceo.  Dusty was Mark's dog who became my sidekick when Mark went in to the Army.  She was my best dog, my only dog and a doggone good friend.   I never replaced her because I thought I never could and living in the city I couldn't reconcile myself to raising a dog who couldn't run free on the beach and through woods whenever the spirit moved her.      Mark and Heather's little pug gave me a chance to enjoy a dog  again but also to have to say good-bye to another little being who gave non-stop and  unconditional love.

Maceo

                    

Maceo, beloved dog and  recently passed friend of  Mark and Heather was meant for city folk.  Maceo a pug who descended from a long line of royal lap dogs  was perfectly suited to spending endless blissful hours napping on friendly laps.  Loving and cuddly.  Quick to greet you and make you feel like her long lost friend.   A sweet natured and lively dog who had the happiest of homes.   She will be so missed.



Mark and Maceo

               





Dusty in the 80's and 90's who ran like the wind on the beach and would double back to lick my hand as she jetted past me again or would wait for me to make it up the hill to her on a climb then throw her head forward and  leap with joy to continue on knowing her slow footed human was safely behind.

Dusty and Mark reunion on Hartsine Island

Dusty and me at Ken Lake

Winter bike ride

 With all good intentions, I plan to be fit and in shape for active retirement.    Taking life easy is a little addictive though.   I was aroused from the cozy environs of hearth and home by an invitation from Erika.    How about a mountain bike ride?   She showed me a video of the place which showed airborne bikes.


web photo of mountain bike trail

 Uhhh I'm not too sure.   Even though, we had just watched the movie "ET" again over the holidays and cheered the boys who took flight with their bikes, this looks entirely too real for me.    I cannot picture myself enjoying such a thing.    But with reassurance that there were cross county paths which officialy state that your wheels will  mostly    stay on the ground and a desire for adventure, exercise, the woods and a good companion to share time with off we went.  

The daring bike riders that we encountered couldn't have been nicer.   Helpful with path directions, always saying hi.   They love what they are doing so much that it seems to be their pleasure to share the joy.   Even when they saw a grandma aged rider like me they had encouraging things to say.   I moved aside for a biker to pass me on this bike bridge.

  I felt I had to explain and give myself some cover for going so slow.    "This freaks me out - it's all pyschological I know..."    He said "At least you are trying".     If I could have taken my hands off the handlebars I would have patted myself on the back - Yes, I'm trying!  Hurray for me.   One has to grasp at every straw when your hands are glued to your handlebars in fear of life and limb.     I have no problem balancing on a trail as flat as this but raise it a few inches off the ground and I feel I'm going to tip over....   


I couldn't have done it without the encouragement from Erika.   




Erika patiently waiting for me

she has time to take pictures while waiting

 

 



  
By the time we had done the 'Boot Camp'  a 2nd time, I was getting my confidence and started to enjoy (going oh so slowly)  the berms and gentle bumps  of this trail marked "Easy".

                    Some Web photos of the trail


Pick your route-I take the path of least resistance