Hiking: Madera Canyon, Super Trail; and, Letting Go: Boca and Hera

Liam and Ginger.
Aka: Llama and Mini Hippo

View from the Super Trail. 

Liam.

Looking up. 

When the dogs just won't pose :)

It's hard to see, but this rock says "Belle Falls".

Jenn and the dogs.

Hearts in nature.

Jenn and the dogs.

Liam had a great time playing while Ginger had a great time chasing bugs.

Liam with his pine cone.

Liam fetching his pine cone.

Letting go: I spread Boca's and Hera's cremains today.  It was both easier and harder than I imagined it would be.  This was a place we hiked to often, and felt like a good place to let them go.  Papa Bear and Baby Bear, I miss you both.

Jenn loved my big bear (Boca) too.  And, even though Hera never let anyone else touch her, Jenn cared for her too.  Boca's end of life medical issues remain a mystery and it's still very sad.

Ginger mean-muggin' the bugs.

It's hard to say goodbye, again. 

I see a heart in nature.

Tiny butterfly.

Good Night Sweetheart

Hera came to us in March 2014 as a once feral puppy with extreme fear issues.  She was thought to be a Belgian Malinois mix, about four months old.  The young woman that found her had her for about a month before surrendering her.  

Hera was afraid of everything.  She could screech the most primal noise I'd ever heard.  From fear, she evacuated her bowels randomly and often.  She bonded with Cierra and Boca immediately.  Hera and Boca became known as "baby bear and papa bear".  

Hera was a beautiful girl.  I loved her deeply.  I also knew that anyone else would have euthanized this very complicated puppy that would never live a normal life.

Hera was a lot of work.  In the two years that I had her, she came a long way, and yet had so far to go.

Boca and Hera were two halves that made one whole.  Boca was once extremely dog aggressive and was blind.  Hera was very fearful.  Their companionship was extraordinary.

Boca and Hera were like peas and carrots.  They played together, slept together, ate together and they both loved to hike.  Boca was Hera's solid rock. 

Hera. 

Hiking with Boca and Hera. 

Boca, being blind, always hiked with the long line.  Hera could drag her leash and she never left Boca's side.  

Boca became ill and left this world at the end of December 2016.  Hera was not ok without Boca.  She lost her solid rock.  Her confidence and security were shaken.  In the two years that I had her, she only trusted me to touch her and to give her affection.  Only one time, did she willingly let our friend Jen touch her.  She never willingly let anyone else touch her.  Hera trusted me with her life and the decision to let her go was not made lightly. 

In the simplest terms, I believe Hera was born broken.  While beautiful, she was never right.  She was not ok in this world without Boca.  I gave her time to adapt.  Training and/or corrections were always a delicate balancing act.  She had good moments, however, looking at the big picture, I made the very difficult decision that she needed her Boca bear and I let her go to him.  Hera is a very special girl that will always hold a special place in my heart.  She's with the ones that have gone before her: Cierra, Zane and Boca.  The pack of four dogs I left home with in 2014 are together again.  It's a very, very sad time for me.   

Hera
Oct 16, 2013 - Mar 4, 2017
I love you baby bear.

Hiking: Madera Canyon, Super Trail

Jenn with Ginger.  This is Ginger's first hike.

Laura with Hera.

Ginger's white eyelashes slay me. 

Nibbling on grass.  

Hera will never be a "normal" dog, however, she is happiest when hiking.  She likes to greet people but won't allow them to touch her (yet).  

Beautiful views along the Super Trail. 

Ginger.

Ginger likes to put her head in holes. 

Hera and Ginger.

Pretty views along the Super Trail. 

Ginger.

Hera.

One of my favorite pictures of the day. 

This was one of my best hikes.  Aside from the girls having a good hike, it rained and hailed.

Ginger's face sums up how she's feeling about being wet.  For her first hike, she was amazing.

Hera is happiest when hiking.  I think about Boca every day.  I thought about him a lot on this hike: places we'd hiked, stopped for water, posed for pictures.  I still grieve for him deeply.  

Hera being brave.

Hera likes to follow game trails, she seems to follow a lot of good scents.  

Post hike rainbow, a beautiful ending to a great hike.