we shall call it the "Eddie Trail".....

It has almost been a month since we lost our sweet Eddie Bear. 

We got his ashes back last week, and of course, that just made me grieve all over again. I miss his energy and his unique and happy presence, every time I walk the paths we used to walk together....I have walked Reece daily on these paths and trails for 9 months now, but have also been able to walk several of the shelter dogs on the farm, on the same trails that I carved out specifically for Eddie. I decided to call this collection of paths "The Eddie Trail" in his memory. 

You see, when Baby was here, she could be left loose while we were outside and never leave our sight, but Eddie was a special case... For starters, he was heartworm positive, older, and the vet felt neutering him at his age had no health benefit (and was actually a little risky), so he stayed an intact male. That meant we could not take any chances of him getting away from us, but he would run off in a heartbeat the first few years because it was just the way he was - he was a little rebel in that way.... Prior to us, he had lived his whole life in a fenced pasture with his horse buddy, Rose, so he had to get used to the leash, and I wanted to make his walking experiences as stimulating as possible. 

I carved out trails with a saw, lopers, hedge clippers, and my lawn mower. He is THE REASON we have such beautiful paths to walk here....

Reece and I walk the path that goes around the entire property, through a pine forest, around the horse pasture, by the chickens and goats, through a park-like hillside, and down the dirt road.... In the last few years we had Eddie, he knew the trails so well, and loved walking them, that I would unleash him once we got started good..... I followed him, and he'd look back every once in a while and make sure I was still there....

So, many thanks to THE Eddie Bear for gifting us with almost five years of your unconditional love and these beautiful trails. They will be used for many more dogs to get a little quiet break from the shelter....