Sunday, October 26, 2014

Change

Hello Friends.

Change.  Change is enviable.  That's what they say, and they are right.  There are some changes in my life and MOM's too.  Let me tell ya about a few. 

That's me in our Blazer.

And that's my gal pal Belle.  MOM has had this Blazer for longer than she has had me, almost 16 years!  We love it. 

It has taken us to some amazing adventures, hikes, backpacking, leisurely drives.

MOM has done most of the maintenance on the Blazer, here she is changing the fuel filter.  Well the time has come to let the Blazer go.  It was starting to need to much work and frankly MOM does not have the time to do it any more.  I am sure going to miss it, butt... change is just apart of life.

Here is my new ride, a Subaru Outback.

Yea I fit in here just fine.  I still am the co-pilot.  Which brings me to another change, sort of.

Like the Blazer I have gotten older, I am approaching 15.  And like the Blazer, with age I have slowed down a bit and sometimes I brake down.  Don't worry MOM is not trading me in for a newer model, butt..

You know I am a lover of the outdoors.

Hiking

Backpacking

Strolling in nature

Blazing trails

You get the idea.  It's a big part of my life with my MOM.

Butt in the last year it has gotten harder for me.  OH I STILL LOVE IT, but when we finish I am sore, extra tired, and it is hard for me to get up after a nap.

And even more recently I have trouble climbing, and jumping over logs and gaps in the earth.

I have lost muscle tone in my back legs making it hard for me.

Steep inclines like this I use to run up and down a half dozen times before MOM even got to the top.

Now it takes a lot more effort.  A time or two in the last year MOM has had to help me, even once carrying me about 1/4 of a mile out.

So this past weekend MOM and I were going to go on a 4 day backpacking trip.  Butt a few things came up and it got cut short to maybe 2 days.  Then MOM decided maybe it wasn't such a good idea, she was worried about me.  Butt I convinced her we should go.  I slept with her hiking boots, sniffed them, would whine push the boots and look at her.  So she decided we would go on a SHORT trip.  She could tell it was important to me, so important that she did not go to church (don't worry others filled in for her so we could make this trip).  That's what the photos are of.

Look how happy I am.  I just love being out there.  Just me and my MOM.

MOM of course kept a close eye on me and she seemed to take a few more breaks during our adventure.

She would sit along the river while I took my break standing in a pool in the river.

Well I stood there until I noticed a stick across the way that may need rescuing.

And it did.  Good thing I was there.  For some reason MOM just looked at me and smiled.

We took it slow through fallen leaves and bare branch archways where tree roots made steps for us along the way.

I may be old butt I still lead the way and MOM let me decide where we should go.

There was such beauty everywhere we turned.  Butt nothing more beautiful than time spent together doing what we love.

We sat and talked, MOM shed a tear or two.  Oh this won't be the last of my adventures, it's just a change in the adventures.  I won't be climbing up and down mountains, but stroll through woods and easy trials.  I won't be flying through the air and sailing over logs, but find an easier way around.  I won't go on 5 day backpacking trips, butt shorter ones or maybe just day hikes.  Change can be hard, that is true.  Butt I am going to make the most of it and enjoy it every bit as much as my more rugged adventures.  As long as I am with my MOM it really does not matter where we are or what we are doing.  MOM said there will be more couch snuggle time in our future.  Now that is change I am looking forward to.
Blessings,
Goose






















35 comments:

  1. You said it Goose! The impawtant thing is that you and your Mom are together!
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful pics with us.
    XOXO

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  2. I luv your pics.

    And I know what ya are talkin bout Goose - I'm 12 and I used to go up and down hills and dese huge stairs wif my momma - no problem. Now sometimes walkin round da neighborhood are tuff. But me and momma are still together and have fun.

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  3. What a beautiful post, and I am not just talking about the pictures! The love you and your mom share is pawsitively beautiful, Goose.

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  4. Goose, mate, we love ya to bits and pieces. We understand life makes changes we sometimes don't like but that's life and we have to flow along with it (even though sometimes we feel like stopping for a break). Love your photos and we're sending you and your mum gentle hugs just cause we want to.
    No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  5. BRUUUUUUUUUUDDER GOOSE!!!!!!!! Do not fret, if you can not walk...I will bring you your beer and cheetos...cuz dats what friends do. Unfortunately, change can be hard, new routines can suck, and growing old is just a new phase in life...but it's inevitable.
    I hope dat when i gets older like you dat i will be as wise as you.
    I loves your moms new car. I wonders if hers will let me drive it. As you know, i is a very good driver...Goose, stop laughin;.
    Boy has i evers missed da snot out of you!!!!!!

    Puddles

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  6. Together is what counts you are so right. We still miss our Beast that went two years ago but the new little run around is so much easier. Lovely pix Goose. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  7. Absolutely beautiful post!! Goose, you and your MOM share such a special bond and your adventures are awesome. Your new ride is really awesome too! We love Subarus!! Thanks for sharing your great adventures with us!! xo Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug

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  8. We understand goose....mom has had to make changes to our walks too....with the arthritis in my feet I can't walk so far anymore and I have to take pain medicine before and after walks. Mom says it is so hard because the mind is willing but the body is letting me down but I love walks so very much and she knows I would be a sad unhappy dog without them.....so yes...shorter walks and adventures and more time just being together sitting quietly is perfect

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  9. Hari OM
    Oh Goose, the inevitable change of the years... this is your golden, bronze and copper time, the autumn time of life... so very glad that you and mom can make the best of it; and share the beauty with us. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  10. you can still outhike me dude. your my idol

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  11. this makes me sad and happy at the same time.. the photos are so beautiful, and I am glad you got to go on a short trip. love the new ride. my friend Lola just got one and she loves it. hugs to you and mom and your new life.

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  12. Bro I totally understand that some things go slower when we get older... oh... wait I have to bring some tissues to my mom... better? yeah? right. ok. maybe we can't climb no longer on the matterhorn, butt we can climb on the hill in our neighborhood. and as long as we are together, the world is good. even when we have to take a rest from time to time, then we rest together. I feel a little sorry for your Blazer, even cars are like family members, my mom cried a river as we sold her ole hyundai. Butt now you have a cool ride, it's even silvergrey and in fall you have the perfect weather that it turns even silvermistygrey like you :o)

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  13. OMD Goose..... Our Cussin Sarge is gonna LOVE your new Ride.... he and his mom are on their SECOND Sabaru and they LOVE it as much as they did the Furst one... Have you made SNOT ART on the windows yet?
    Buddy We just LOVE this post... CHANGE ... like the Changing of the Autumn Leaves CAN be a Beautiful thingy... and YOU and your MOM are making the MOST of the changes in your life... You have slowed down... to SMELL THE FLOWERS... and Enjoy the more quiet and calm times together. THAT is super wonderful... TOGETHER TIME is FABULOUS.

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  14. Goose, I completely understand how our adventures in life change with age. I used to be able to go on long hikes and seemingly never tire; I would hunt through all the brush and bushes and run circles around everyone. Now, I am lucky if I can make the whole hike and I am so tired afterwards. I still love all the beauty...the smells, the sounds....but my body just doesn't do what it used to. It's important to still get out there though...it is great times with loved ones, enjoying the peacefulness of nature and bonding with each other. You go where you want to go and for as long or short as you want. The important thing is that you still go! Oh...and BEAUTIFUL photos, pal.
    Oz

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  15. Wow Goose, we had no idea you were 15! That is amazing and boy do you look great! Those are some beautiful shots Mom took on your hike... and congrats on the new wheels!

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  16. That's right Goose. You can still go with mom but in short trips. Bet you look real fine in your nice new car
    Lily & Edward

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  17. I keep telling our mom that old is better, we know your momma will continue to do wonderful hikes and make even more wonderful memories with you buddy just in a different way...we really likes that new car a bunch...it doesn't look much like a clown car like ours do.
    stella rose

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  18. This is so beautiful Goose, mom's eyes are all leaky right now so we are just gonna say
    We love you!
    hugs
    Mr Bailey & Hazel

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  19. Goose you and your mom are lucky to have the adventures you can at your age. We love your new ride too.

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  20. You keep on truckin' Goose! You can do anything as long as you believe.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  21. Crikey Goose ..... you sure know how to say things, aye?? That was beautiful, mate and tell Mom she needn't worry about not going to church. You two were in God's great garden and that's better than anything man can build, aye?? When my Mum needs a deep and meaningful with God she gives the man made church a miss and goes straight to the source. She calls it God's cathedral.

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  22. Oh Goose, what a fantastic post. As long as you two are together, thats all that matters! Those pictures are gorgeous, what beautiful memories!!!

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  23. What a wonderful post. The pictures were great. I love hiking with the dogs. And you look AMAZING for 15! Wow! Congrats on your new ride, too!

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  24. Life is all about changes, that is very true. That's a pretty nice ride Goose. Did you get a Subaru driver license? Since you aren't going to be hiking and climbing mountains maybe your mom will let you drive more often. Do NOT let Puddles drive!!!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  25. We luv yer photos... so bee-you-ti-full!!!

    Yep, change can be tuff... sumtimes my Momma gets sad cuz of da changes time has wrought on me... I usta have lotsa fluffies, but now cuz of my allergies I's missin' sum fur, and now I's got dis ear thing dat might make my ear not stand up anymore... but Momma sez none of it matters, whutevfur happens, I's always her purdy pup and she luvs me to the stars and back... Time marches on, and we's all lucky to have each other to go on our journey wiff..

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  26. Momma has leaky eyes...

    We love you, Goose.

    Monty an Harlow

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  27. I shed a tear over this one. What sweethearts you both are.

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  28. I'm crying too Goose! It's so hard when our hiking buddies slow down!

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  29. Goose, you are such a love. We are all affected by the passage of time... eventually. You and your mum are so lucky to have each other.

    Love,
    Bella Snugglebutt and Ruthie (neither of whom writes in our blog;-)

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  30. GOOSE WE LOVE YOUR NEW WHEELS...I BET ALL THE K9 CHICKS WILL WANT TO RIDE IN IT WITH YOU. YOUR LAST SENTENCE SUMMED UP EVERYTHING IN LIFE..IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE WE ARE OR WHAT WE ARE DOING AS LONG AS WE ARE WITH OUR MOST SPECIAL LOVED ONES. YOU STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES ANY TIME YOU WANT TO MY HANDSOME FRIEND.
    YOU KNOW I'LL BE 13 IN MARCH 2015...SO YES LET'S JUST SLOW DOWN.
    HUGS AND KITTY KISSES MADI YOUR BFFF AND MOM

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  31. I understand that kind of change so well, Goose. And you're right - as long as you and your mom are together, you'll both be happy. You don't need huge adventures to be happy together. Short walks through the woods and quiet rests under the trees are wonderful. Sending you lots of love... and your mom too.

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  32. That is a cool new ride you have, Goose. My mom says she has trouble getting up after a nap too, but then she is really old--way past 15, but my sister is 15 and she was losing most of her strength in her back legs. Mom had to help her a lot, so she started Annie on Cosequin DS which she got at Costco and in about 2 weeks it was like a miracle, Annie is so much better she even runs a little bit. Lady Caroline

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  33. Goose, slow walks are good! Like my mom says, it gives you a chance to stop and smell the roses!
    ~Winston~

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  34. Hi Y'all!

    Gee golly, I thought only Humans got old! BOL!!! Yep, Goose, it's a partnership with our Humans. We look after them and they, in turn, look after us. As long as you can keep enjoying snuggles and hugs and taking hikes, life is good.

    Oh love your "new ride". My Human Papa told my Human Mama that that's what they should have for these mountains, but it doesn't have Onstar or a similar system independent of the cell phone, so Mama stayed with a Chevy.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  35. Hi Goosie! You know, a very wise woman once told my mom, "Change is just change. It isn't necessarily better or worse." You are SO right that just being together with your MOM is what's important!
    Your new ride is very cool! Do you get to drive? Or do you prefer being driven?
    Sorry we haven't been able to do the blog circuit lately. Mom has some major changes of her own going on and she's trying her best to keep everything going.
    Cammie!

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