Back at it. Started the week in a bit of a mental funk with the events at the tail of the week, but recognized I need to keep grinding for the good.
Monday - 4th of July. We went up and buried Bart at the ABC. I still had the ashes from Lucy's cremation so I put those in with him Won't lie - I was a blubbery mess with all of it and still am as it hits me. It is not the thought of him as gone that gets you but the unexpected things that catch you because they have been habit for 14 years. Going to feed the dogs and realize it is just feeding a dog and you only need to do one dish. Stuff like that.
So it was an day off with the up and down on the mountain.
Tuesday AM - with GW and RT at practice (over there and back too). Gets hot early nowadays but expected. 8.1 miles.
Didn't stay up for the fireworks last night. I was just beat. But saw the better show up on the hill before hitting the rack.
Forgot to mention we did a gig Saturday night over in Vista Ridge. Ir was good fun. Fireworks, rocking ten year olds, etc. Was sorta nutty with rain coming in and then blowing back out and then coming back in over a few times but a blast in any case.
Was up way too late on that day.
Tuesday afternoon - cooled off with it being overcast. JZ got me out on the ditch. 3.7 miles.
Tuesday night went over to Red Rocks and caught Lyle Lovett and Chris Issak. Just captivating entertainers at probably the best outdoor music venue on the planet.
Wednesday. Beat. Long work day. Took the day off from running.
Thursday - up early and went over to Lion's Lair with JV. Been too long since I have run with that guy.
It has been so long since I have been on Sanitas, they completely redid the back side trail (Lions Lair). It is a nice grade but was still an ass kicker for me. Need to get back,
Friday AM - over to Bobolink for a run with the Eagles. 8 miles. A bit tired from yesterday but it worked out a bit.
Saturday - 6.1 miles with GW outta Aquarius. Did a gig at Front Range last night and then one on Saturday night at Mother Tuckers.
I had a pretty amazing moment at Front Range. While playing a woman walked up to me and pointed to her ear. I thought she was saying the music was too loud but then I somehow understood she was saying she was deaf and couldn't hear the music. But she wanted to feel it. She put her hands on the guitar and we enjoyed the music together.
Sunday. Hooboy. Tired. Hot. And busy. Had intentions of getting up early and going to do Green but a 1AM finish with the gig put the kibosh on that. Life chores, etc. Ended up with near hour nap in the afternoon and so a goose egg to cap the most inconsistent running week I have had in a bit. I guess I could rationalize and say I needed the nap.
Bart was born in this house just after we moved in. I have not known this house, our home, without him. He was the first Black and Tan Norfolk I knew. We named him Bart the Dread Black Pirate, although we also some times called him Streaker. Born on Pikes Peak weekend of 2008, as part of a continuous line of Norfolks in my wife’s family for 55 years, he became a cornerstone bedrock to our family.
I have had a lot of dogs, a lot of damn good dogs but this guy… he was a friend for all of us. His ability to make you laugh, forget troubles for a while … he was also nicknamed “Natural High” as he had to that effect on you. Really, he wasn’t just a dog, he was a friend. He was family. He was a part of our home.
Just last week as I changed the disposal under the sink, he crawled in there with me to help. He always wanted to be involved and help.
He was always talking at your with a yip, a growl, a sing, a bark, and some chatter. No really, he talked all the time, even from just a couple weeks old, telling me it was breakfast time or dinner.
He’d eat sprinkler heads after I replaced them. He'd move the hose I set out and chase the water as I hit the gardens.
He enjoyed raspberries from that garden (a habit he might have learned from our also now passed Aussie, Lucy). He yelled at crows, the thunder (we called it barking at Zeus) and anything that flew overhead (an overheat hot air balloon landing near our home got quite an earful).
He’d sing with me as I played guitar and harmonica (I was often convinced he didn't like my music but he came in to sing every time I turned on the amp).
He loved going out to entertain others at the farmer's market, the local pub, or on a walk. He’d sit on his back quarters and shake his paws to ask you for attention or a treat.
He could take out a pack rat lightning quick with a smile. He avoided the street drain where the raccoons came out with great respect.
He loved to swim in the creeks using his tail as a rudder. The vacuum and leaf blowers were mortal enemies but he loved the blow dryer and a good tub bath.
He’d enjoy a game of hide and seek.
He’d float a kayak all day singing with joy.
Snow baths to his face were some of his favorite.
He’d dig in the garden, a wood pile, and often find you something you’d not expect (and you really didn't want what he often found).
He'd bark like I was an invader when I came home, but then when he saw me he'd light up and wag a tail. And then put you to work with whatever task he had for you.
Ball was an addiction. When you were down or stressed he knew how to find you, come and bring you a calm comfort, or at least to get you to think about throwing the ball again.
He’d dance with us in the kitchen as we cooked.
He was there all the time, as a friend, a family member, a comedian, a counselor, and a loved one.
I could go on. I try to remember the good times and take joy from that but as I do I recognize we have lost a friend. And so there are laughs and tears at these memories.
This morning our house is quiet without him. It’s going for leave a mark to not have our friend of 14 years but I am blessed to have shared times with, walks, and talks. With all the dogs I have had, no one has ever had as much personality, was so busy and so creating of joy. I have lost dogs before (although I think this is the only one I have been with at the time of his birth and passing) but this one has really shook me.
I miss you my friend. We do. Thank you for teaching us. Teaching us to live in the moment, have fun, stay busy, enjoy a meal, nap hard, and lift others up … I will try to carry your lessons and your spirit you shared with me forward. Even in your passing, you taught me to be sure to take care in enjoying the moments we have with each other.
I’ll share few pics here (more on his IG the_bart_attack) in tribute. TZ - thank you for bringing these wonderful beings, especially this one, into our lives.
Post script ... adding some edits to the text above now that I am a bit less water logged in the eyes, and adding some video below.
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