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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Aug 12, 2009 - 01:24am PT
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The healing power of the land of Earthborn spirit cannot be over emphasized. We'd love to have you, no Wasabi needed!
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all in jim
climber
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Aug 12, 2009 - 01:47am PT
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Summit looks like a sweetheart.. looks like she had a great life.
It's a hard thing to lose your dog!
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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
Arid-zona
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Aug 12, 2009 - 03:33am PT
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Sorry to hear about this man. She was a sweetie.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Aug 12, 2009 - 03:38am PT
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hey there nature... say, keep an eye out on your home-front mail... there is something on the way, to add to this rememberance time of your life, as to the love you have for your dear dog...
wish i could do more to help cheer your heart...
god bless... new steppingstones to working on how the old mememories can become a good strong part of you, as part of the medicine, to getting over such sadness...
once again, god bless...
sincerely, from ol' neebee...
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Aug 12, 2009 - 06:15am PT
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My condolences as well. I have five dogs and can't imagine losing any of them though I know that time will come. From your altar, it seems you might believe in reincarnation. If so, be on the lookout for a new puppy in a couple of months. You'll know if it happens.
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perswig
climber
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Aug 12, 2009 - 09:23am PT
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Ah, Nature - just getting back to the Taco to see this. Sympathies from our house to your's, but also kudos for pulling out all the stops to do all you could, including knowing when to say 'when'. Take your time and heal right.
Dale (and Sara and our tribe of ruffians)
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Jobee
Social climber
El Portal
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Aug 12, 2009 - 10:20am PT
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Nature,
I'm sorry for your loss; all choked up now, had not expected this. ...sigh.
She is beautiful and will shine on through you.
thoughts of you and summit today here in Yosemite, and at Yoga tonight.
love, Jo
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drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
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Aug 12, 2009 - 12:40pm PT
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Doug- everyone mourns and heals and has their own process for experiencing loss. Do it your own way. Get loaded if you need to. Hole up and cry all day if that's it. Get a tattoo. Whatever. Just know that as that hole in your heart heals itself, days will get easier. Summit will always be with you.
Take her ashes to her favorite spot, make the trip, no matter how far away.
For me, I had to write a song. To this day, years later, It can be hard to make it all the way through without crying or at least chokin up.
*FOR KAYA*
I've been so lonely, been so lonely
let me tell you why.
'Cause I- I lost my best friend, can't stop from cryin'
don't even try.
For fifteen years we rambled together,
she came along for the bumpy ride.
And in all those years, you know I never got lonely,
'cause I had Kaya right by my side.
She- she loved to run in the mountains, could leap tall boulders
in a single bound.
And she- she was so loyal, when I climbed high up
she waited on the ground.
When it was cold we slept together, when it got hot we slept outside
Laying underneath the moon and the stars of the Arizona desert,
with good ol' Kaya right by my side.
Well we- we done criss-cross the country
from the highest mountains, sea to shining sea.
And we- we had a special connection, a finer companion
I doubt there'll ever be.
She left me with so many memories
I hold them dearly so deep inside.
And now that she's gone for good
I guess I'm not that lonely
'Cause I can feel Kaya
right by my side.
I'll always have Kaya
right by my side.
Forever Kaya,
right by my side.
Thinkin bout you brother.
Take care of yourself, for her!!!
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Aug 12, 2009 - 01:41pm PT
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Doug I hope you know you did the right thing for your blessed companion.
20 years ago my wife found a litter of pre-weaned puppies in the garbage of a small Colorado town dump. All the pups had there tails cut off. Only two were still alive. Though the vets she talked to said they couldn't survive she wouldn't give up on them.
After many trials and efforts she figured out a formula that they would accept and thrive on. As a school teacher she took the little pups with her to school in a basket and fed them with an eyedropper every day. They did indeed thrive and both survived for fifteen years. She found a good home for one of the pups and adopted the other. At the time her sister was married to an Apache medicine man/shaman who held a full traditional naming ceremony for the little tailless dog. From that day on he was TiWiWass, which is Lakota for "bow string that won't break". What a remarkable dog he was. Loving and loyal and always there. At thirteen years of age he was diagnosed with bone cancer and given a prognosis of three to six months left. The vet wanted to remove a leg and do the chemo/radiation treatment. But TiWi was old already so we opted to medicate for pain and monitor for quality of life instead. He was a total survivor and lasted for almost two more years. He never gave up and was always there for us and the kids. Towards the end I was having to force feed him medication and carry him outside to do his business. It was obviously getting close. But he never gave up and was always happy to be with us.
One morning it was clear that this was it. I was able to wake the wife and kids before school to say good bye. I had laid him on a comfy pillow and put him next to an indoor fountain that he liked the sound of. Everyone went to school that day with tears streaming down their cheeks. I returned from delivering my youngest to school and TiWi was still hanging on but just barely. I sat down and cradled his head in my lap. Stroking his fur gently I told him how loyal and wonderful he had been. Then I told him it was OK to let the bow string break. He turned his head to look me straight in the eye and rattled a last breath. He was at peace and actually looked content. I buried him deep in the back yard and built a water garden and water fall over him in his honor. Now when I sit and listen to that water feature it makes me smile with good memories. But even now, five years later, just writting this is making me ball like a motherless child. We loved that goofy ol' stumpy tailed family member and he loved us. He was spared from certain death and lived a full and wonderful life. Our lives were richer because of him.
Peace be with you Doug and may the memories take the place of the pain.
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salad
climber
Escondido
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Aug 12, 2009 - 02:13pm PT
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nature,
sorry for your loss. tessa was very sad to hear the news. she vividly remembers Summit and the search for her at the JT Sushi Fest.
Hang in there....
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Aug 12, 2009 - 02:30pm PT
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Wow Philo, thanks.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Aug 12, 2009 - 03:02pm PT
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Philo, yer killin' me.
But in some sort of a good way...
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L
climber
Wrung through the paradox, broken into wholeness
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Aug 12, 2009 - 03:05pm PT
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Thanks Philo...that one made me cry, it was so beautiful.
We're all keeping you close in our hearts, Doug...and Summit, too.
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dirtbag
climber
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Aug 12, 2009 - 03:06pm PT
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My heart is breaking for you. I feel like crying now.
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 12, 2009 - 04:46pm PT
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philo.... I don't know what to say. Thank you for sharing that story...
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Moof
Big Wall climber
A cube at my soul sucking job in Oregon
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Aug 12, 2009 - 05:51pm PT
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My condolances Dougy. I've lost a few dogs over the years, and it's never easy.
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Denise Umstot
climber
somewhere by the beach
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Aug 12, 2009 - 06:52pm PT
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Nature know that you are in my thoughts. You have many friends here on the Taco who are with you.
Philo what a beautiful story! Thanks for sharing.
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Carolyn C
Trad climber
the long, long trailer
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Aug 12, 2009 - 07:08pm PT
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Hey, I don't know you but I'm so sorry! I know how much a dog spirit fills your life. I had a good old dog, Chloe, for almost 20 years; she was one of my two best friends (the other was a cat, who lived to 19.) I miss them both so much. I'm wishing you peace. And rest in peace, Ms. Summit.
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Ed Bannister
Mountain climber
Riverside, CA
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Aug 12, 2009 - 07:10pm PT
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Good thoughts sent your way on a very difficult day.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Aug 13, 2009 - 10:07pm PT
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I hope you're doing a bit better, Doug.
Remember the good times you had together.
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