The Sunny Side of Life

This past weekend Chris, Justice and I took a trip to Dragon's Tooth, somewhere between Roanoke and Salem, a bit past McGaffee's Knob. It was a great day! We hit the trail at 9:30am with two other groups of folks. The viking group went first (one fella had a viking helmet on), followed by an older couple and then we tried to meander our way far behind them. We passed the viking crew, as they took a break to drink their alcoholic energy drink, and then passed the older couple and found ourselves all alone on the trail until we got to the top! At the sign we are half way there. A really pretty trail takes you from the parking lot to the AT. At this junction there was a meadow in the trees that would make a perfect camping spot! We traveled up and up to where the trail turned to rocks and we clambered up passing Justice from one person to the other. He was tired. There were a few places where I was very nervous about him. But he did great.

The rock seat is us at the the top before we head over to the Dragon's Tooth.

Then a dog's eye veiw from the top.

Heading back down.

We were so glad we got there early. We headed back down somewhere around 11:30 and were met by through hikers and half of VA Tech. It would have been way too many people for us. I would say 9:30 is the latest I would start that hike. I'm sure we'll do it again next year.

Oh, so that's what life feels like...

Smiles the cat.

The other day I had my feelings hurt. I had forgotten I had any. Anyway, it was interesting, as I found myself cleaning the litter box and became very upset that Smiles was dead. And then it reminded me that Smokey was gone and that I would never see his circus dinner dance, nor would he jump into my lap again. This in turn reminded me how Buddy put his head in my hands just before he died.

One animal death forces me to re-live all the other animal deaths I have experienced.
It is all very painful.
I will have to turn these feelings off now...a matter of self preservation.

Dog Gone

Wednesday, October 8th, some son of a bitch ran over Smokey and killed him. It was morning, Chris was letting everyone out to pee and came around the side of the house just in time to see the car brake, heard the dog yelp and watch the car drive away.

Smokey was a good dog, very sweet. The best little dog as far as little dogs go. He is missed. You know, I look around for him and he's not there. I even called him the other night...

So on the same day, later that afternoon, on our way back from town, we arrived to find Smiles, our lovely little kitty smashed in front of the house. She was still warm, so we knew it had just happened. I saw her aunt Star yesterday and went to pick her up and called her Smiles.

It's been rough. I know people think, 'hey, you've got a thousand animals, you probably don't even notice they're gone.' WRONG. Each of our animals are so unique in their own way, that we do notice, and are sad, and mad - if you can't tell.

New and Old Tattoos

Here we go - new tattoos! I got the hip one at Harry's Tattoo Shop in Danville. I love it - he did a great job. I think it really fits me. The knot between the shoulders Chris and I got last year for our 8 year aniversary. No tattoos to commemorate this year though. I hope that soon there will be more to come.