Just doesn't seem fair.......

2 very different dogs, one same problem.  At age 4 years 11 months Dakota (our rottweiler) was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (or bone cancer).  He lived for 4 more months after we found out before we had to put him down.  Friday I took Myah in to the vet for swelling in her back left leg/ankle and she too was diagnosed with bone cancer at age 4 years 10 months old.  Same leg, same spot.  At first I thought it must be something we were doing, but then realized it's just a really bad coincidence.  They grew up in different towns, ate different food, one was a pound puppy and the other a pure bred. 

 

 

Lex was with me when we found out so we talked and cried all the way home trying to process the information we had just been given.

I waited until late evening to tell Nojah and the tears flowed some more.  I would say he is having the most difficult time with it between the 2 kids or I should say he's showing it the most.  The past 2 nights he's cried himself to sleep with me at his side.  It just doesn't make sense to him why both of his dogs have to go so early for the same reason.  It breaks my heart to see the kids continue to look for her around the house and just watch her with tears welling up in their sweet little eyes.

What makes this harder is dad's gone.  He's in Southern UT fighting fire and hasn't had cell coverage the past 2 days, so he doesn't know yet and he just as much in love with her as the rest of us so telling him will be hard.

Even though she'll probably be with us a couple more months I feel like I have already lost a hiking partner and friend.  As big of a stinker as she's been and the grief she has caused us at times only made us love her more and makes this more difficult.

She was the one that distracted our minds from the last dog we lost to this awful disease.

 She's smart and has a LOT of personality.  She loves people she knows and dogs she knows as well.  Loves her kitty Gilbert.......

and the snow.  For now we will keep her comfortable and spoil her rotten.  It's an aggressive cancer so amputation and chemotherapy rarely buys them much more time if any.  It's also a really painful cancer so I just don't want her to hurt.  I wish I had my husband to talk to, to help me make these decisions but I know he will support me with whatever I choose to do.

Fire season has begun....

Tob is filling in with the LG Hotshot crew as the foreman for part of the summer.  They were sent to The Lost Lake fire in Southern UT yesterday morning, making it their first dispatch for the season.  I stole this picture from the Salt Lake Tribune.  I thought it was mighty impressive and it makes me remember why I cringe when he leaves on a fire assignment. 
The good news is.........
 School is out today our last softball game is tonight.   Then the kids and I are planning to enjoy the summer days ahead while dad is off protecting the forest, homes, and saving Bambi.

Updates in no particular order.......

You may remember my post on one of my best friends weddings.  Well, here she is again the way we normally spend our time together hiking, biking, running, and playing.  This girl (Sandy) has been a huge part of my life for the past 9 years and just moved on the 23rd and I'm missing her!  We had a lot of good memories and she's a great friend.

This is Medusa, Lexy's 4-H project and friend.  She picked out this little fur-ball along with her friend Roca, whom I STILL don't have pictures of, in Salt Lake City on our way home from our 3 week trip in March.  Both of them are pretty animated and squeak a lot.

I also picked out a friend in SLC.  I had been saving up and received REI gift cards for Christmas that contributed to the purchase of my new Kayak, which I got to use for the first time today.  I LOVE IT!!  The lake and surroundings were beautiful and if it wasn't for my precious dog HOWLING on shore it would have been quite peaceful.

Last weekend I wasn't very pleasant to be around, and I would have to say my family would agree.  Because of my foul mood I decided  it would be safer to get out of the house quickly and exert some energy.  These 2 girls decided to join me and we headed up towards Maxwell lake.  We made it over crazy rivers, through waterfalls and snow but not quite to the lake.  It's still a bit early for that.   Time with Lex  always turn around my mood.  She is pretty funny with a great personality and  just plain makes me smile most days.

About a month ago both Lex and Nojah competed in the Hersey's track meet and managed to walk away with 1st place in 5/6 events between the 2 of them, qualifying for state in Eugene.  Lex ran the 200, 400 and the standing long jump, qualifying for state in both the 200 and the standing long jump.

and Nojah qualified in the 400, 800 and the standing long jump as well.  They are quite pleased to be able to run on the infamous U of O track and get to visit with Grandma Karen and Grandpa Tim in July.  Should be loads of fun, if only I could get them to train.

 

 

 

 

Well, I wish I had pictures of softball this year but it seems like a struggle to get those when coaching and keeping books.  So I have none.  Lex is doing really well, has been working hard on her pitching and plays both Center field and third base.  She has improved greatly with her batting and loves the game.  We have two more games left and I will try my best to get a shot of her to share during one of them.

Anyway, I am pooped and pretty proud of myself for just getting this much written.  Trying to get back on the bloggin bandwagon.  Hope life is good for ya'll.