Dog Hair Stuck in the Couch

Pure logic is the ruin of the spirit

Best Wishes, Larry Biittner

By

On January 7, 2023

In Baseball, Happiness, Heroes, Life

Last night as I tried to fall asleep, thoughts of my childhood sports idol, Cubs’ Larry Biittner, came to mind. Sleep was not to be until I Googled ol’ #26. Browsing Wikipedia, I quickly learned that he had passed just a year ago. As my 10-year-old heart sank, I physically felt a sadness flow through me.

Larry Biittner mostly played left field and first base for the Cubs. He wasn’t a superstar and didn’t always start but was a solid utility player who would make a clutch hit or provide a most exciting play. He once dove for a ball in right field and the ball came out of his glove and rolled into his cap. He was looking around in circles for the ball as the fans yelled out to him that it was under his hat. He finally found it and threw the batter out at third! Once, he pitched when the Cubs bullpen was thin. The TV screen flashed “LARRY BIITTNER IS PIITCHING!!!”  Biittner was an exciting player to watch and gave Cub fans some excitement at a time there was little exciting about the Cubs.

I remember sitting with my friend and fellow Cubs fan, Terry Bradford, writing fan letters to our heroes – he to Bobby Murcer and me to Larry Biittner. My letter was filled with hope for a World Series win someday (as all true Cubs fans believed, even though during the late 70s, the Cubs were often vying for last place in the NL East). I declared to him that when I grew up, I wanted to be the first girl in the Major Leagues and wanted to play shortstop for the Cubs. I was certain it was to be, just like the World Series win.

A couple weeks later, having waited daily for the mailman to arrive, I saw an envelope addressed to me with a Cubs return address! I carefully tore open the envelope to find a large photo of my hero with the words in Cubby blue ink, “To Momi, Best Wishes, Larry Biittner”

Now, I have no idea what kind of man Larry Biittner was and frankly, I don’t really want to know (as my Dad stated after refusing to watch “The Right Stuff”, “I don’t want to see my heroes humanized.”). What I do know is that a little girl’s dreams were supported by her larger-than-life hero and that picture was framed and hung next to her bed and gazed upon countless times in her childhood.

1976-77 fifth grade class photo in my favorite Cubbies t-shirt and Cubby blue suede shoes with red laces (I snuck out of the house with a sweater over my shirt so my mom wouldn’t know I was wearing it for my class photo)

So, I’m a year late, but his death is fresh to me today. To honor him, today I don my wool #26 Cubs jersey — yes, Cubs fans, I know it was Billy Williams’ number which is now retired, but to me it will always belong to Larry Biittner.

Thank you, Larry. Wherever you are off into the ether, I send you my best wishes.

50 mile camping Cubs Cubs2016 Dad Death Dogs end of life Family Father Friends Heroes Larry Biittner Leadership Life Loss Magic Mom Mother Musings Norbert outdoors Philosophy road trip roadtrip ruffwear Scott Breeden SignatureWorkout sleeping platform Speleofest Spirits Spirituality Subaru suppup TAXA TAXA Cricket Tennessee Texas The Doghouse Thoughts Trail Running travel US History Velveteen rabbit WorldSeries2016

Gertrude and company (or “How I learned I am surrounded by dog spirits”)

By

On June 18, 2021

In Death, Dogs, Family, Happiness, Life, Spirituality

In my mother’s final days, my brother and I took turns keeping vigil at her nursing home bedside. One of her roommates, Gertrude, who kept residence in the middle bed, would occasionally have visitors with whom she would converse. Sometimes those visitors were of this earth while other times they were invisible to our mortal eyes.

If you read about people nearing the end of life, or speak with those who work closely with them, this is not a rarity. Some believe these individuals are hallucinating, while others believe they are straddling this world and the next. Having spent hours on top of hours sitting on the other side of a privacy curtain from Gertrude, both my brother and I can state definitively, she was having full conversations with someone(s) – there were long pauses where she was listening to “them” and would respond accordingly. 

Other times, Gertrude would suddenly speak to me through the curtain or ask me questions about one of the invisible people in the room. From my days of working with a search and rescue team, I learned that when working with someone suffering from dementia, if they produce a story that doesn’t make sense or they think you are someone you are not, it is best to go along with the story to help calm them. I did that with Gertrude, and it did indeed seem to put her at ease.

“Whose dog is that?! Is that your brown dog?!

A couple days before my mom passed, I was sitting beside her when suddenly Gertrude exclaims, “Whose dog is that?! Is that your brown dog?!” I ask her if her dog is there with her. She tells me no and that it isn’t her dog, but that it was my dog. I ask her, “My dog?” (Norbert and Bugg did make the trip with me to the area, but I kept them over at my brother’s house). Gertrude then exclaimed, “That’s your brown dog. And the other one too.” Going along with her, I tell her, “Oh, okay, I’ll keep them over here and quiet.” Gertrude seemed to calm a bit and said, “Oh, I guess they are here to visit.”

I sat for a moment thinking of Norbert and Bugg and then felt the hair raise on the back of my neck as I thought about my first two dogs, Achates and Scout. Achates was a dark brown chocolate lab and was my mom’s first granddog. When he was a puppy, she would dog sit for me when I’d leave on vacation, which included taking him out for drives during the day so he wouldn’t get bored.

My second dog, Scout, was one she was particularly fond of and was also her namesake. My mother’s name was Socorro Marina so I named Scout, Scout Marina. Achates was named after my dad, Hal, who had passed in 1988. My mom’s pet name for him was Prince Hal so I gave him the full name of Prince Hal Achates.

Achates and Scout

Achates and Scout

For the next several hours, Gertrude would occasionally comment on the dogs – sometimes telling me that she wasn’t sure they were allowed in the room and other times noting that it was nice that they were there to visit. I found myself feeling a sense of peace and calm with their presence and feeling that they were there to ease my mother’s transition.

That evening, my brother came in to relieve me as Gertrude was talking about the dogs. He looked at me a bit perplexed so I told him what happened. We talked a bit about her very elaborate conversations that she would have with others and agreed that she was definitely speaking with someone. I left to go feed and walk Norbert and Bugg and told my brother I’d swing back by later to visit, before calling it a night.

When I returned a couple hours later, having not said a word or being seen as I entered the room, Gertrude yells through the curtain toward us, “You can’t bring those two dogs in here! Is that your dog? Is that your brown dog? They aren’t supposed to be in here!” My brother looks at me a bit startled and I reply to Gertrude, “It’s okay, they’re with me.” She calms a bit and grumbles, “Well, I guess that’s okay but I don’t think they are supposed to be in here.”

The next day, one day before my mom’s passing, I was helping one of the nurse aides assist with my mom and change her bed sheets. As we finish, Gertrude turns to us and asks, “Is there a dog in here?!” The aide tells her no. I turn to the aide and say, “Well, maybe there is.” She smiles and nods, and says, “Yeah, maybe there is.”

*************

Epilogue:

Throughout my life, I’ve dreamt many times of dogs from my life who have passed and have always found comfort in their visits. This past year, I’ve had several dreams about my parents where I interact with them in different times and space. Most recently, I had a vivid dream about them and in one part of the dream, I was in a future state with my future dog and was with my dad looking for my mom. We were about to venture out in search of her when I find that future dog has called upon his friends to help with the search. As I look outside on the porch, I see there are hundreds of spirit dogs there beside us, ready to help (perhaps, the hundreds I worked with in Tylertown, Mississippi, post-Hurricane Katrina?). I woke from that dream feeling such a wonderful sense of support and companionship.

As I took Norbert and Bugg for a walk that day, I felt we were not alone and that the spirit dogs, both past and future, were there with us, walking in stride.

Don’t Fear the Beeps

By

On January 9, 2021

In Happiness, Health, Life, Running, Trail running

About 10 years ago (and 15 lbs ago), I would run loops at Pate Hollow to train for ultramarathons. Today, I pulled into the parking lot with hopes of completing the 6+ mile loop for my longest run in over 3 years. What was once my “short” run, was now my long run goal.

A few weeks ago, a Facebook friend posted a message encouraging her “dog peeps” to join her in the virtual Iron Paws Stage Race, an 8-week stage race where participants run, ski, sled, and/or bike with their dogs attached to joring equipment. It was exactly what I needed, both physically and mentally.

I’d been hiking fairly regularly with the pups but was only getting out to one local trail about once or twice a week for a couple miles. The Iron Paws event helped me set goals to get out with the boys at least four times a week and now, in the Canicross division, to run a minimum of 12 miles per week.

The boys, Bugg (l) and Norbert (r)

The boys and I headed out on the long loop at Pate Hollow counterclockwise. This direction always felt harder to me, but I thought if I found myself a couple miles out and decided the full loop wasn’t in me today, that we might at least reach the lake view section of the run before turning back. I had attached my new GoPro to my chest harness in hopes of capturing some good footage, but one thing I forgot to do was silence the default beeping on the camera.

You see, in the House of Misfit Toys that I call home, my boys, Norbert and Bugg, have some quirks about them. Though they are litter mates, the two couldn’t be any more different. Norbert carries more of his father’s Cattle Dog characteristics. He is focused, driven, and takes his role as protector of the family very seriously.  Bugg is much more hound-like (their mother was a Treeing Coonhound/Basset mix). He is aloof, often scared of his own shadow, but mostly happy-go-lucky.  They are yin and yang.

One thing I learned soon after Bugg joined the family was that he was terrified of the notification beeps on my iPad. He would run into another room and curl up in a ball if a number of text messages came through all at once. We eventually worked through it and at most, he now looks up at me worried that the world will implode, before calming back down and relaxing.

Today, 1.5 miles into the run, I started recording on the GoPro…. However, the cold temperatures prompted it to turn off a minute later. *BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP*

Bugg immediately went into full panic and hit the brakes as Norbert dragged him along on their neckline.  I slowed and stopped and reassured Bugg that the end of times was not approaching, but he refused to leave my side.  After untangling the joring line several times, trying to prompt Bugg to start running again, and cursing silently in my head (*For God’s sake Bugg, WTF???!!! It is a BEEP!!!), I realized, I needed to stop pressuring him and instead listen to him and work through this trauma…. I detached their neckline and let Norbert pull the line out ahead while Bugg clung beside me as we hiked the next half mile or so.  I kept talking to Bugg and encouraging him with positive words. His ears started to relax and the panic in his eyes began to wane.  We started to trot, and after about a mile, I was able to hook their neckline back together and Bugg joined beside his brother for the rest of the run, both smiling.

Pate Hollow trail

I’ve always found these trails and the miles I’ve spent on them to be healing. As we continued down the path, I thought about the many miles I had run here and how, in those hours, I worked through so many of life’s problems and challenges and fears. Today, as I found myself a bit older, slower, and less in shape, I started thinking about my professional life and how of late, I had been feeling the weight of the glass ceiling (that felt more like 3ft wide Plexiglas) coming down on me and hoping that maybe I’ve put some cracks in it for the next generation to break through.

And then as I looked at my boys trotting ahead of me, with their tails in sync, I realized there is still so much potential ahead, be it running miles with my dogs or something else. You just have to work through some of those fears sometimes and not get paralyzed by the negative voices in your head, or in Bugg’s case, the beeps coming from the new GoPro.

Tails in sync

Beartooth Highway

2020 TAXA Outdoor Explorer posts

By

On December 30, 2020

In Cricket, Cricket Trek, Family, Happiness, Health, Life, TAXA Outdoors, TAXA trailer, travel

This past year, I was one of the inaugural professional ambassadors for TAXA Outdoors, sharing stories and habitat experiences through blogs and social media. As a steward of the TAXA culture, via writing and media posts and practicing a respect of the outdoors, I supported the community of outdoor adventurers, base campers, and pioneers who embody the TAXA founding philosophy of “OUT IS IN”.

Below are links to my blog posts from the past year.

April 14, 2020

https://taxaoutdoors.com/grounded-finding-joy-in-the-static-journey/

May 11, 2020

https://taxaoutdoors.com/in-every-direction-four-great-road-trips-north-east-south-and-west-from-the-crossroads-of-america/

August 14, 2020

https://taxaoutdoors.com/happy-place-safe-place-happy-place/
Mom

Mom

By

On June 29, 2019

In Death, Family, Life

MomMy mother, Socorro Marina “Penny” Ford, passed away very peacefully in the early hours of June 26, 2019.

I had a complicated relationship with my mom, but these are some of the things I believe to be true.

She was a woman well beyond her time. She was one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever known and definitely the most resilient. The obstacles and prejudices she faced in her lifetime are innumerable, and in many ways, likely hardened her, yet she always seemed to keep moving forward. Mom was one of three women in a class of 103, accepted to Loyola Medical School in 1950. Though she only stayed a year, as she followed the expectations of her times to raise a family when she became pregnant, she was still very much a trailblazer. Though she never completed her medical degree, she most definitely cut through, and cut herself on, some of those sharp brambles on the trail, and helped clear some obstacles for other women to blaze it.

Mom

She was also an incredibly talented artist. My brother Dan noted in her final hours that had she stayed in medical school, she may never have had the opportunity to create beauty in her silkscreens, painted rocks, and pressed flowers.

She always had an awareness of social justice and taught that to me through actions such as when I was in grade school and we had an annual national oratory where students had to memorize a speech or poem or historical document and recite it on stage to others in the school. While most students chose Lincoln’s Address or the Preamble, mom pulled out Native American poetry books and handed them to me and told me to pick out a poem. I didn’t have a complete grasp of the history at that time, but remember receiving a standing ovation and realizing this was something bigger than reciting poems from an older period of our nation’s history. Years later, as I think back to that time, I realize she knew I may not have fully understood the lesson, but that I would, later in life.

She taught me to be proud of who I am, regardless of whether society may state differently.

I also learned lessons indirectly from her own human weaknesses. I learned the importance of forgiveness and letting go and that by not doing so, one can create their own isolation. To do so though is not an easy task, but for a woman who persevered and persisted, she provided me the willfulness to find a way to do that.

Her show of love was often subtle. My dad would come home from work every night and change into these patterned polyester pants and often relaxed under the apple tree with a book. One day he came home and couldn’t find them. Mom had thrown them in the laundry basket because they were so dirty, they were ready to walk away on their own. For anyone who knew my dad, he was about as easy going as they come. However, not having his patterned polyester pants in his usual spot after work was very upsetting to him. What he likely never knew after that day, was that mom made sure those pants were always cleaned and dried for him when he arrived home, never ever letting him know that for years, she made certain they were there for him.

There are so many different pictures that come to mind as I think of my mom in her 90.5 years, which by the way, I don’t think is a coincidence. She was born on the 26th, as my dad was, and passed on the 26th. She had an obsessive habit of having to have things in front of her straightened out or in a line or in an order of some sort. It doesn’t surprise me that she left this earth at 90 years and 6 months, to the day.

I have nothing but gratitude left in me for this incredibly complex woman, full of strengths and flaws, who I often see in the mirror, but now, with a lot less judgment. I see her as an innocent child, a brilliant youth, a steeled adult, and a vulnerable elder. I love her and I wish her peace. And, I will miss her.

Socorro Marina “Penny” Ford – b. December 26, 1928, d. June 26, 2019

https://www.hjfunerals.com/…/…/26/socorro-marina-penny-ford/

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Bugg the Brave

By

On May 23, 2018

In Canine Biathlon, Cricket, Cricket Trek, Family, Happiness, Health, Life, Running, TAXA Outdoors, TAXA trailer, Trail running, travel

A timid boy

In late February of this year, Bugg joined our family of misfit toys after his previous owner needed to rehome him. Bugg is a Treeing Walker Coonhound/Australian Cattle Dog mix and one of ten pups whose mother died of bloat soon after birthing them. If this story sounds familiar, Bugg is indeed, a littermate of my boy Norbert, who I’ve had since he was five weeks old.  When I heard his brother needed a home, and knowing I wanted another pup, it seemed obvious that I should see if we could make this work.

The moment Bugg trotted up on my front porch, it was love at first site. His warm eyes and sweet disposition were the first thing I noticed. I knew within hours that we would likely offer a home to him. Though red and white to Norbert’s tri-color, the two have many similarities – their butt spots, the way they hold their ears, their affinity for casing the cats… They also differ greatly. Where Norbert is headstrong, dominant, and protective, Bugg is passive to the point of frequent bouts of submissive urination.

This has been a challenge. Bugg is a big boy and Bugg has a big bladder.

Pre-race prep

Just prior to our new addition, I learned about the US Canine Biathlon from a Canicross Facebook page that I had joined.  Norbert had been my constant adventure buddy from the start – trailrunning, paddleboarding, skijoring, etc… He was quite the athlete and I thought participating in what is essentially a Tough Mudder with your dog, seemed like a great way to spend the day with him.

Once Bugg joined the family, he became part of our weekend hikes and runs. He quickly took to the fun but wasn’t quite as athletic/agile as his brother and was often timid when faced with a challenge (Bugg vs Log). In time, he started to try new things such as jumping in the lake and swimming out to retrieve a stick, but his insecurities were still a mountain. I called my trainer in to help and started a routine with me to help build his confidence.

Additionally, I took Bugg on a couple of road trips and camping trips with Norbert and me.  After his first road trip where he stood in the back seat for 4.5 out of the 5 hours each way, excited about every truck that went by, he had liquid diarrhea for two days following.  A camping trip later, his anxiety about riding in the car started to subside (though he still gets really jazzed about trucks!). Our next trip to Alliston, Alabama was a long one so I was prepped with some Pro-Pectalin on hand, just in case….  I planned on bringing him down with Norbert and me for the race so he could be exposed to the event, crowds of people and other dogs.

That was the plan.

Roadtrip to Alabama

“Look, a truck!!!”

What about Norbert?

Then, last week, my Norbert didn’t live up to his perfect social media persona and snapped at a hiker on a trail where some friends and I had been camping. Long story short, the guy was very understanding about things, but I was a mess. I had failed my dog. I knew he reacted to strangers sometimes and I made several mistakes (not being aware of my surroundings, not having full control, verbal or otherwise, of him, and not keeping the space I know he needs when out and about).  I had also made the mistake many owners make of not taking it seriously enough sooner (“MY kid isn’t a bad kid!”). When a dog is labeled “reactionary” people tend to think of the big dog that really bites down and could kill someone. Norbert isn’t that dog; but, he is the dog that will rip clothing and might just get some skin while doing so – he will also sound like Cujo as he’s doing it and is a fairly big dog which is intimidating to many. It can’t be a pleasant experience for the casual hiker just going out for a peaceful walk in the woods…

I was a wreck over it. Me, the dog person who knows how to work with my dogs, completely failed. I immediately recognized the errors I made, but also lost my own confidence that I could be certain not to let it happen again. It shook my world.

A call to my trusted trainer, Jeff Hacker, to postpone Bugg’s training to discuss, and work with Norbert, became priority. After just one session I felt 100 times better and had a plan in place that is already showing promise.

However, I was just days from heading south to Alabama and though I knew they allowed for dogs of all sorts to participate in the event, I was new to it and wasn’t going to put Norbert nor myself in a situation to err again.  After talking to my trainer, I decided to run Bugg instead, but still bring Norbert with me so he could be exposed to the event and see what was happening, but under my watchful eye.

With the decision made, we headed south with the The Doghouse in tow.  Norbert, who has many road trips in the books, settled in and napped most of the hours on the road while Bugg stood for all but about 15 minutes, excited about every truck that passed on the highway. “Look, a truck!  Look, another truck!!!”

I was glad I had Norbert with me. It was hard enough to make the decision to not run him, but to leave him at home would have broken my heart. When a stranger approached my camper at my stop Thursday night, where Bugg would have likely hid in a corner and wet himself had we been alone, Norbert was fully in tune and on the ready to protect me. Norbert may have a bad attitude at times, but is ever loyal and protective.

Sweet setup

Bugg’s Big Day!

The event was at Vapor Wake K9, a training facility for dogs who are trained in explosive detection. This was the fifth year for the Canine Biathlon, which I was told, has doubled in size every year through word of mouth alone. Many of the participants were from military and police backgrounds and had dogs trained in specialized programs – there were a number of Malinois, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinchers, many of which were dog or people aggressive, but in full control by their handlers. In fact, during the whole weekend where there were over 800 dogs out and about, the only issues I saw were with pet owners (not the working dogs) whose dogs got loose or whose leashes were dropped during the race.

The forecast called for thunderstorms all weekend.  As it turned out the only time it rained was when I first arrived. We had about a 15 minute downpour just as I was setting up camp. Since I didn’t expect it to stop, I was completely drenched by the time I had everything set up.  Then the sun came out for the rest of the weekend.

The event and course was designed with dogs and their safety in mind, first and foremost. Humans be damned! As Paul Hammond, the Mad Brit, who designed the course stated in his opening remarks, “We always send the runners off first without dogs so they can clear the snakes for our beautiful furry friends!”

The course was a tough 4.1 miles and winds through the woods where there is plenty of shade and water.  It includes about 50 different obstacles that included sand hills, steps and platforms, pools of water (humans have to go under while dogs are able to swim above), A-frames to climb up and over, rocky creek beds with flowing water (Spider Mile), drainage pipes to crawl through, mud crawls, cars to go up and over (how many cars can be left in the middle of the woods???!!!), giant wooden spools to climb up and over, Snake Mountain which is an up and down hard dirt tortuous route with ropes for the humans to climb up and down (I left part of my left buttocks on one of the hills), a wall of tires to climb up and down through, Heartbreak Hill, the dunking pool, and a dog carry across a log (that was the one and only obstacle we couldn’t complete).

I had no idea how this was going to go but I knew we weren’t going to be racing. I knew Bugg would be glued to me out of sheer fear and would likely need some coaxing to complete some of the obstacles. If he refused or was too anxious, I would take the penalty and get through the day with him. He needed some time solo with me and I figured it could only help boost his confidence.

The course had two to three lanes with wide paths.  The starts were staggered, so that dog/human could go together without conflict. This helped prevent congestion and with rules that clearly stated to give faster participants the through way, there was plenty of space.

When it was time for us to go, Bugg wasn’t quite sure what to do.  The course starts by going up and over several small sand dunes. Bugg’s first reaction was to head off the course to the road but I prompted him to stay by my side.  Next came steps and a platform that included a wobbly bridge to cross. Bugg was a bit shaky and I could see he was considering jumping off the side which would have taken me with him since he was attached around my waist.  After several seconds passed, we made it across. Two short obstacles and already others were passing by us. I thought to myself, this was going to be a long day of going slow and providing lots of positive reinforcement. We’d take as much time as Bugg needed. A pool of water came next that had wires across the top just inches above the waterline.  Dogs could swim across and stay above water but humans had to go under to make it across. Once I entered the pool and was able to lift Bugg in, he completed it fabulously.

Then came a short run through a couple of windows to climb up through, a stream to run through the middle of, and our first drainage pipe to go through. This one was short and Bugg got in next to me and went through fairly well. Ah, he’s getting it!

We continue on down a path hurdling over a number of logs and then winding us back into the stream and to our next longer drainage pipe.  I had watched others do this in the morning and saw that all had let their dogs lead through. I did the same…

Bugg starts through and I follow on my belly, head first and crawling.  About a third of the way in, Bugg starts to panic and tries to turn around. With no room to pass me, he climbs on top of my head and folds his body in half over me.  I talk him down calmly until he melts into my arms and I end up slowly pushing him out backwards all the way through and into the water.  Once out, I layer on the praise and he starts to get excited. We head further down over rocks through the stream and get to the next, longer drainage pipe. I decide to go in first this time and cheer him on from the front. He follows me through and I give him major props when we exit.  I can’t remember how soon after that we went through our next pipe, but after that point, he was all about leading the way (and happily dragged me through a couple of them)!

Mud crawl (photo cred: T&C Pet Photography)

Later in the race, after Bugg had found his confidence!

The A-frames were another big challenge at first, but he quickly figured them out and was great about waiting on the top for me to find my footing and manage to make my way over with little bruising. As we entered the woods, he seemed to get more and more comfortable. Many rock beds, mud crawls, car climbs, and rugged trails later, we came up to three rows of three giant wooden spools. I guide Bugg up the first and hold him steady telling him to wait (he’s NOT all that well trained yet and I had images of him jumping over and taking me with him like a paddleball ball on a rubberband).  He stays focused, eyes on me, as I jump up and make my way over.  The second spool goes just as well with Bugg waiting on top, though a bit shaky, as I make my way up and over again.  The third spool is higher than the first two. I help get Bugg to the top with his harness handle and tell him to sit, which he does.  I jump up but can’t pull myself up.  I drop down and let the leash out as far as I can to give me a little room for a jump start. I start to pull myself up again, but my arms shake and give. I drop back down. I look up at Bugg and he has moved over to one side of the spool and looks me in the eyes. I swear I could hear his thoughts repeating to me what I had said to him in that drainage pipe curled into my arms, “C’mon mom, you got this!”

I step back and take a run hop and struggle with all my might to pull myself up just enough to steady myself and push with my feet on the spool sides until I could rest my chest on top.  I hold steady for a second and look up to see Bugg’s eyes looking down at me, “I knew you could do it, mom!”  I climb the rest of the way up and we get over to the other side and start heading down the trail for the tires, Snake Mountain, Heartbreak Hill, the dunking pool, etc…. From that point on, Bugg had a swagger about him. With his tail lifted, he carried his head up and was lighter on his feet.

When we crossed the finish line, I was handed a finisher’s medal which I immediately hung around Bugg’s neck. He seemed to know he did something special.  I sat down and hugged him and told him how proud I was of him and then the rain started… in my eyes.

Bugg the Brave!

A well-earned medal!

Epilogue

Bugg is still a work in progress when it comes to self-assurance, but the dog I brought to Anniston, Alabama is a completely different dog than the one I brought home to Bloomington, Indiana.  Both he and I have a new bond and level of trust with each other and both walked away with a bit more confidence.

K9 Grit

Deborah Glovier from K9 Grit and her Malinois, Ju-San

As for Norbert… I learned quickly in Anniston, that Norbert’s issues are mild compared to what many people there were dealing with in their dogs. The difference was that the people who were handling those dogs (mostly professionals), were fully aware of their might and had full control of them (in fact, the only issues I saw the whole weekend were with pet owners). I spoke to many others who had dogs that were reactive to either people or other dogs (and for a short moment had an image of taking Norbert through the Scared Straight Program). They provided a space where I could talk through some of my own fears without any judgement on their end. I walked away feeling certain I’d own, the hardest part, and be able to address these issues with Norbert (and myself).

After running the course with Bugg, seeing the layout, and the extra care they take to allow for dogs of all types to participate with their people safely, I’m sure I can do this with Norbert next year (and if I can stay in good physical shape myself, I might just run it twice so each dog gets a chance at it!)

These two boys from the same womb, have such different doganalities and needs. When I look at them together and separately, I know we are all meant for each other. I can’t wait for our next adventure!

Tired pup

Nothing like a fridge-fan pillow in the Alabama heat!

Orange Everest

By

On January 30, 2018

In Happiness, Health, Life, OTF, Running

My morning at Orangetheory Fitness in Bloomington, Indiana:

Alarm goes off at 4:59am

Brain: Alarm! Alarm! Get up!

Protective Layer of Fat: Hit the snooze! Get back in bed!

Dog: Gotta pee! Gotta pee! Gotta pee!

Cats: We’re starving!!!  Feeeeeeed us!!!!!!!!!

Brain: Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee!!!

Heart: Yeah, up and at ’em! Gettin’ in shape! Transformation Challenge, Day Two!

Brain & Heart: It’s Orange Everest Day!!!

PLoF: WTH! You hate incline days. Get back in bed! Snuggle the dog! You need me to keep you warm.  It’s still winter outside!

Caffeinated Brain and Heart, ready to embrace the day, head out the door to OTF

Brain: Yeah, let’s do this! Head to the treads!!!

Heart: Let’s do this!!!

Coach Motivator: Okay, it’s going to be a 3G day, today! Treads only have 14 minutes on the mountain!

Brain & Heart: Yay! 3G!!!

PLoF: Only?!

Coach Motivator: Okay, 2% incline, joggers and runners at a push pace! We’re going to go up Everest to the top and then we’ll work our way back down!

Brain & Heart: We got this!

Coach Motivator: Let’s go to 4% in 3, 2, 1…

Brain: We got this!

Heart: Hello, Orange!

PLoF: Um… we’re only a couple minutes in here…

Coach Motivator: Alright, 6%!

Heart: Holy crap!

Brain: We’re good!

Coach Motivator: Treads we’re moving up that mountain! 8%!

Heart: OMG…

Coach Motivator: Bend into the hill. Eyes up!

Brain: Eyes up! She’s talkin’ to you.  Eyes up! Wait, is that Donna Summer on the soundtrack? Yeah! “Lookin’ for some Hot Stuff, baby, this evenin’!”

Heart: “I need some hot stuff, baby, tonight!”

PLoF: Disco is Dead.

Coach Motivator: We’re going to 10% now! You are stronger than you think!

Brain: I am! I am stronger than I think! We’re climin’ Everest!!!

Heart: Um, Brain, maybe we should take the speed down a bit more….

PLoF: You’re gonna give Heart an attack, Brain!

Coach Motivator: Treads look great!

Brain & Heart: We look great!

Coach Motivator: Treads to 12%

PLoF: Bite me, Coach M.

Heart: Oh, crap.

Brain: Okay, okay, let’s walk a little bit.

Coach Motivator: We’re going to the top of the mountain! 15%!

Brain: Just keep movin’! We can do this….

Heart: Okay, Brain… What’s this song?

Brain & Heart: “Wake me up when it’s all over! When I’m wiser and I’m older…”

PLoF: It does have a catchy beat…

Brain & Heart: We got this!!!

Coach Motivator: We are going down the hill now! Back to 13%!

Heart: Okay, we’re over the hump!

Brain: Yeah! C’mon Heart, let’s start runnin’ again!

PLoF: You know, technically, we are NOT going downhill.  We are still going up, just at a slightly lesser incline. Slightly! I thought you guys were college educated!

Brain: You know, Protective Layer of Fat, I think you’re right…

Heart: This is still hard.

Coach Motivator: Going down to 11%

PLoF: What have I done to deserve this? I feed you chocolate and beer and all you want to do is get rid of me? Where’s the love??

Coach Motivator: We’re heading down that mountain to 9%!

PLoF: This ISN’T down! It is still an INCLINE!!!

Brain: Oh hush, Protective Layer of Fat. It FEELS like we are going downhill now!

Coach Motivator: As we go down the hill, see if you can up your speed!

Heart: Let’s not get crazy, Coach Motivator!

PLoF: Coach Motivator has no PLoF! If she ever had any, she murdered it! “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!”

Coach Motivator: 7%!

Brain: Yeah! Let’s up the speed.

Heart: Um… okay…

Coach Motivator: 5%! You are so much stronger than you know!

Brain & Heart: Yes, we are!!!

Brain: Is that MJ playing?!

Heart: Yeah, Michael!!!

PLoF: You two are so 80s…

Coach Motivator: Going to 3% for one minute followed by a 1 minute all out at 1%! You are almost there!

Brain: C’mon we can do this!

Heart: Easy on that speed, Brain!

Coach Motivator: 1%! One minute all out!!! See what you’ve got left in the tank!

Brain: Yeah! Let’s do this! All out!!!

Heart: Um, tank is runnin’ low.  A minute takes a while…

Coach Motivator: 30 seconds!

Brain & Heart: 30 seconds?! We can do ANYTHING for 30 seconds!!!  Up that speed!!!

PLoF: Help me! I’m meeeeellllllttttting!!!

Coach Motivator: Okay, treads to rowers; Rowers to weight floor; Weight floor to treads!

Brain & Heart: Yay!!!

PLoF: *sigh*

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My Magic Carpet and I

By

On November 26, 2017

In Fiction, Happiness, Life

After visiting my mom this Thanksgiving, I picked up a box of papers that she had set aside for me years ago.  In it, was this story I wrote in grade school some forty years ago.

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The text reads as follows,

My Magic Carpet and I

It was just another day when I was reading my Spider-man magazine, when I turned the page and I saw an advertisement for a magic carpet for $10.99. I had my money saved so I sent in for it.

Three weeks later they sent me a yellow and red magic carpet. There was only one problem though, I didn’t know how to drive. Then I said, “I sure would like to know where there is a driving school for magic carpets,” Right then my magic carpet took me up in the air. It stopped in Egypt where there was a sign saying ‘Go to Jonny’s flying carpet school’.

So I walked in with my magic carpet and asked how much it cost.

The cashier said, “One dollar please.”

“Hmm, that’s cheap,” I said, “where should I go to?”

“The right please,” the cashier answered.

“Will you come in?” asked a man, “my name is Jonny and you would like to know how to ride a magic carpet do you?”

“Yes.” I answered

“The secret is just to tell your magic carpet what to do.”

“I know that, but, what about all the other stuff like the clutch?”

“Strictly for show.”

I left with a dollar down the drain.

But I kept my magic carpet. From then on it was just my magic carpet and me.

Momi Ford              

My Work Families

By

On September 14, 2017

In Life

Having spent the busiest month of my work year in order to join my siblings to care for my 88-year old mother as we transitioned her over to assisted living, I found myself entering a hidden world of elders where so many extraordinary tales were waiting to be told. I’ve hashed through my mind several chapters and standalone stories worth their weight in gold. But today, a different one emerges.

One thing I realized both when I was gone and especially when I returned, was how extraordinary my co-workers were during my absence. I always knew I worked among a group of people who care about each other and have each other’s backs, but I had not experienced the impact of it firsthand until now. Many reached out when I was gone to provide support and assurance to not worry about work. Others offered more words when I returned and had to find my footing once again. So many picked up the extra weight that comes with the start of a Fall semester at a university and shined while doing so.

As I thought about my local work family, another one, full of colleagues from other universities who I meet with regularly and who also sent me words of support and encouragement during this time, came to my attention.

As I was heading to bed last night, I received an email from the Program Manager of my Higher Ed Forum, a group of higher education professionals in the IT Help Desk industry that meets three times a year at various schools throughout North America. We meet and engage in intensive meetings on the latest topics of interest in our profession, share ideas, and open our campuses and hometowns to each other. We work hard and play hard together and grow close in the few days a year we connect. We come from all walks of life and backgrounds, yet find a common thread that makes it easy to share and open up to one another. We have seen each other go through marriages, divorces, sickness, childbirth, losing loved ones, and now, losing each other.

When I saw the email reach my inbox with the subject line of “Sad news”, I thought for a moment that someone was leaving the forum. I didn’t expect to hear that Rion Morgan, a young and brilliant light of a man, was one of the victims of the Plano, Texas shootings this past weekend. I had only met Rion on a couple of occasions when he attended meetings, but he was quick to participate both in our professional discussions and our after hours gatherings. He had a smile that was contagious and a warmth that made you feel like you had been longtime friends.

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One of my absolutely favorite nights out was in November 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas when our forum met at Texas Christian University. We had just completed a Vertical Lessons leadership program with Manley Feinberg which included “mastering” the indoor climbing wall at TCU.  A group of us found ourselves wandering the area after dinner and landed at the Fort Worth Water Gardens. It was dusk as we walked down into the gardens and I remember Rion very quietly and sweetly offering me a hand as I found my footing down the steps in the dark. When we came upon the Mountain sculpture, of course, we decided it was an opportune moment to scale it.  It wasn’t until afterwards that we noted it may not have been the safest thing to do in our street shoes (Belay off!) when we saw the “no climbing” sign on the wall. If there is one thing about this group, it is that you always go home with a story!

I didn’t know Rion well, but I will always remember his light and he will always have a special place in my heart and be a part of this extraordinary family.

RIP Rion

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Paying it forward (updated 09/02/2018)

By

On May 28, 2017

In Family, Happiness, IU basketball, Life, Stand Up Paddleboard, SUP, Trail running

Hoo-hoo-hoo Hoosiers!!!

Hoo-hoo-hoo Hoosiers!!!

I spend quite a bit of time searching for good travel spots with my pup Norbert.  After all, I purchased a Cricket trailer for him (okay, for both of us, but really for the ease of traveling with my BFF along).  With the trailer, I can easily find places to stay, but I can’t always find the best dog friendly stops.

I often want to find a town where I can stop, go to stores (usually some sort of Outfitters), a restaurant or brew pub.  Trying to find places that are “dog friendly” is not as easy as one would expect in this day and age of split second Google searches.  Big cities usually have listings but not every moderately populated town does.

So, as I search through areas for my next trip, I realize I happen to live in a place that is often a destination for travelers. Bloomington is a college town in southcentral Indiana with a population of 80K.  The 46K students turn this town from a busting mid-sized city to a smaller town during the summer.  In addition to all the many IU attractions, Bloomington is also a summer mecca for many who travel to spend time on our large Monroe Lake or one of the many smaller lakes in the area, camp at nearby campgrounds, or visit Bloomington for all its many attractions.

I’m lucky to live in a very dog friendly community.  We have several hiking/running trails where one can bring their dog along for a day hike or several days of backpacking; a number of forests and recreational areas for camping; lakes for paddleboarding, kayaking, and motorboating; and restaurants and breweries that have plenty of outdoor seating where your canine companions are welcome.

As a consumer, it is time for me to give back to the dog-loving community and list out some of my favorite venues in the Bloomington, Indiana vicinity.  Below is the start of my list which I have no doubt will be updated as friends will remind me of places I forget to mention.  If you find this list useful, please pay it forward by posting (on your own blog or in a comment below) your favorite local dog friendly places or findings in areas you’ve traveled.

Pate Hollow trail (Paynetown)

Pate Hollow trail (Paynetown)

Restaurants/Brew Pubs (dogs welcome in outdoor seating and indoor at non-food serving locales; notes include Norbert’s favorite meals):

  • Scenic View http://scenicviewbloomington.com/ (outdoor patio with a view overlooking Lake Monroe; Norbert always looks forward to an order of the thick cut bacon; humans love the Sunday half-priced Bacon Bloody Mary)
  • Upland http://www.uplandbeer.com/
    • Upland Brew Pub (outdoor garden area; Norbert loves the local Fischer farms hamburger, plain and cooked rare; humans are fans of their sours, but there is a brew for all tastes here; if the pooch isn’t with you, stop by the Wood Shop next door for a sours extravaganza)
    • Upland West (great dog locale! No food, but you can bring your own. Dogs are welcome inside or out on the patio; humans say you can’t beat their $2 Sunday pints)
  • Big Woods no longer allows dogs at their outdoor locations.  I’m not sure whu but was told during the Summer 2018 that their corporate office changed their policy. Big Woodshttp://quaffon.com/
    • Big Woods Bloomington – formerly Quaff On! in the heart of Bloomington has a small outdoor deck and a new garden area (Norbert has been known to coerce a few bites of the Soft Pretzel sticks w/ Beer Cheese; humans swear by the pulled pork bbq nachos)
    • Big Woods The Original – this one is again, in nearby Brown County (Nashville, IN) and has a small deck where you can bring your pup; there is also a Big Woods Pizza a couple blocks over though I’m not sure about outdoor seating for your dog
  • Oddball Fermentables http://www.oddballcyser.com/ (a unique drinking experience open on the weekends that is a labor of love between some local friends who created a variety of cysers (cider-mead hybrids) that you can taste individually or in a homemade concoction. This house turned into a cysery has a small outdoor seating area in the back and a food truck that brings some extraordinary tastes for the foodie in you. Like Big Woods West, Oddball Fermentables is not a restaurant so I believe you can bring your pup inside as well – call first to make sure though!)
  • The Tap Bloomington http://www.thetapbeerbar.com/ (yet one more craft brewery in Btown along with a plethora of other rotating craft brews on tap with a small strip of outdoor seating where your Fido can accompany you)
  • Function Brewing http://www.functionbrewing.com/ (another local craft brewery with a small outdoor seating area where Norbert has been welcomed that is worth a stop)
  • Switchyard Brewing http://www.switchyardbrewing.com/ (the newest brewery in town that welcomes dogs inside their premises. Like Upland West, they do not offer food, but you can bring your own or have something delivered)
  • The Inkwell Bakery & Cafe https://www.facebook.com/inkwellbtown/ (great little local bakery with breakfast and lunch options. There’s two tables outside where they welcome dogs. If you go, I highly recommend their homemade pop-tarts, especially the FROG tart, when available – fig, raspberry, orange, and ginger)
  • Laughing Planet Cafe http://www.thelaughingplanetcafe.com/ (restaurant that features locally-farmed foods in burritos of the week with a large outdoor deck where you can dine with your buddy)
  • Story Inn http://www.storyinn.com/ (a bit off the beaten path in our neighboring Brown County, but if you are visiting Brown County State Park, it is well worth the trip; check and make sure the outdoor area is open; Norbert still hasn’t made a visit there, but his older brother Tucker swore by the bacon and eggs)
  • Bruster’s Real Ice Cream https://www.facebook.com/BloomingtonIndianaBrustersRealIceCream/ (this is entirely outside but I mention it because when you get your treat, you can also get a free Pup Cup that is a small vanilla scoop with a dog biscuit in the middle for your pal)
  • There are many other restaurants in Bloomington that have outdoor seating so I imagine many/most/maybe all, allow you to have your pooch alongside.

Stores where my pups have been welcome:

Outdoor activities:

Vacationing at home!

Vacationing at home!

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