Courage

On the first day of our trip, we drove only as far as the Colorado-Utah border, stopping to camp next to a dry creek bed near the Colorado River canyon. As we stepped out of the Labmobile into the inky darkness of night, we heard the sound of a bird singing his heart out. That bird continued to sing all night long. We think that he was a male Northern Mockingbird, a species known for night singing. It was a beautiful musical backdrop to our first night of camping.

I was glad to be in familiar terrain because I truly was nervous about K. We had a huge array of veterinary supplies with us and a list of every vet in the areas that we might visit. Yet, I felt queasy with worry, mainly because our vet had a kind talk with me about how the "end" occurs in osteosarcoma cases like K's. It can be quite sudden, requiring a rapid trip to the vet to avoid suffering. The visions of it scared me... especially away from home. However, K was so happy to be on vacation that her mood was contagious!

K and I took a short mountain bike ride together on our first morning of our trip. Lush green aligned the Colorado River.

Later, when I was mountain biking alone, I met the coolest dude. He preened for me.

This Collared Lizard seemed to want me to take his photo! He let me creep very close for a portrait.

Fortunately, over the course of our 2 weeks away from home, my queasy feeling of fear rapidly disappeared, and I started enjoying myself. K loves camping and we had a chance to take her once more. What a gift.

We watched each sunset together, and I admired K's gorgeous chocolate fur and her badge of courage - her gray-furred leg that had radiation 5 months ago.

Then, we sat in the cool night air as the stars appeared, one-by-one.

Sometimes it takes courage to truly live. I'm glad that we found ours so that we could spend these days having fun with K rather than worrying at home. I think that K is the best teacher of how to be courageous. I have come to believe that K knows that her days on Earth are dwindling, and she's teaching us how to live those days with grace and joy.

I hope that it's a lesson that I never forget.