Photos and text copyright Romping and Rolling in the Rockies 2009-2017.

All photographs and text within this blog are copyrighted.

You may not copy or repost any photos or text without specific permission from the author of this blog. When in doubt, please ask.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

The bear and the aftermath

Yesterday, K and I took a morning "wander" in the woods, enjoying the quiet and each other. I took this photo of her, looking serene, in a dark pine forest, and then, almost immediately, she went on high alert. I quickly leashed her.
I'm glad that I leashed her because this beautiful bear ambled toward us just after I'd snapped the leash to her collar.
The gorgeous and healthy-looking bear didn't seem terribly concerned about us. He wasn't even remotely aggressive, even though K was going completely berserk barking and snarling at him from the end of her leash. He briefly backtracked and then made a small detour around us he headed on his way toward a heavily used bear path. Indeed, my trail cameras on that path showed that a flurry of bear activity was underway there at precisely the time that I took this photo. And, this cinnamon bear barged in on all of it. I'll tell you more about the incredible bear activity on that path tomorrow.

The hardest part of the whole bear encounter was how completely exhausted K was after she barked and snarled at the bear. We were less than a half mile from home but she seemed almost too tired to slowly walk that far. She even laid down in the middle of the trail for a rest, as if her legs could carry her no further. It seemed surreal - after all, she was still able to mountain bike with me just a couple of weeks ago.

That was a tough moment for me. I realized that K's cancer is really marching forward, and we're heading toward the end of our journey. I sat on the ground next to her and wept. I felt heartbroken all day, all last night, and all this morning. I spent last night snuggled with K, feeling her ribs rise and fall with each breath. Ah, what a special dog she is.

But, then, my and K's friend came over to visit K. K rallied in a huge way, looking so happy and playful with her long-time friend.
Her great mood has persisted. I know in my heart that our journey is nearing its end but every part of life, even the closing act, is precious.
I love you, K, and we'll be with you every step of the way.

43 comments:

  1. And we are watching from a far -

    Thankful you are PAWmitting us to do so!

    ReplyDelete
  2. As are we! You were meant to be by her side as she has always been by yours. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think the hard part about the journey is that it's not a straight line. There are lots of ups and downs, good days and bad. For me, it was really hard to accept the point when there weren't going to be any more good days, but I didn't have any doubts about it. K is lucky to have you on the journey with her!

    ReplyDelete
  4. She is so beautiful. Our thoughts and our hearts are with you -- it's been said already, but you and K are blessed to have each other. Take care --

    L

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am with you in thoughts & prayers.

    Take care,
    Lucy (Troy, Ohio)

    ReplyDelete
  6. We love you all and are on this journey with you...every step of the way.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We are with you too and will be through the end and onward beyond. Take care. With love and hugs to both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Through the tears, after reading this post, I pray you know that we are all holding your hand from afar and hope in some little way it helps. We wish for K, peaceful days ahead.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle

    ReplyDelete
  9. A happy ending to a good day
    Benny & Lily

    ReplyDelete
  10. You will be there, with tears and sadness, but rejoice in your years together. K will know how much you love her, caring every minute, and
    we share this time with you, hoping our words and thoughts from far away will be with you. From Jean

    ReplyDelete
  11. My first comment got lost in cyberspace.

    First, we will be with all of you every step of the way.

    I suspect that the heightened anxiety in K and her need to protect you, along with her intense barking and snarling were the perfect storm to affect her diminished lung capacity so much.

    I'm glad she rallied the next day. She is indeed a wonderful dog, and you are indeed a wonderful woman.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I picture you and K sitting in those beautiful mountains and you at her side. It is a beautiful picture in my mind, even though you are crying.

    WE are here too.

    Bert and My Vickie

    ReplyDelete
  13. We are with you!!! Every step of the way.

    I see the happiness in K's eyes , and her expression as she visits with your friend.

    K was telling that bear a thing or two- and protecting you as always.
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  14. We're here, too, every step of the way - and beyond. Give K a hug from us.

    ReplyDelete
  15. It is so beautiful that you are sharing every moment of K's journey with her. I am sure her heart is calmed because of it. She is an incredible dog with an incredible spirit and how blessed the both of you are to share this journey together.

    Suka and I continue to send our thoughts and love to you and K, and the rest of your family. K, you are an inspiration!

    Suka and K

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ann..from..THE OUTER BANKS OF NC>>said..It is amazing how God will put people in the right place at the right time...especially when I see that picture of the friend with K and I believe that is what she needed..hang in there... you know there is always something positive that comes out of every situation...and when you look for the good ...that is how you find it..that river of your life is full of joy and happiness and it flows with such kindness..I want my tears.. to be happy ones...for the love of K...she is and always will be special....hugs

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sending lots of love to K. We are thinking of you all.

    ReplyDelete
  18. We are with ya too. MOM really likes that 2nd to last picture. I like it too. K's face is so playful.
    Blessings,
    Goose

    ReplyDelete
  19. We are with ya too. MOM really likes that 2nd to last picture. I like it too. K's face is so playful.
    Blessings,
    Goose

    ReplyDelete
  20. You know our hearts are with you, too, every step of the way. Hugs.

    Jed & Abby

    ReplyDelete
  21. She is such a gorgeous dog. I have fallen in love with her too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. K's body is telling her to slow down, but she is fighting all the way and what a wonderful spirit she has.
    Big hugs to you both xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a meeting you had! Can understand Ks barking , she wantet of course to protect you.
    Yes the truth is hard and sad but K will fight as long as she can and even go hiking with you. Its really hard to know whats coming up.
    Hugs from us!

    ReplyDelete
  24. And we will be with the two of you every step of the way too.

    Love ya lots,
    Mitch and Molly

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a sweet post and what a beautiful bear! We are thinking of you and K in this difficult time.
    ~Milly and Shelby

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sometimes closing acts go through a series of encores .

    ReplyDelete
  27. Everyone is right. We are with you both!

    What a gorgeous bear. We recently had a black bear climb up and fall asleep in a tree on main street. Most likely Mamma Bear had decided this adolescent male needed to move out of her den and get a real job! Wildlife officials tranquilized and moved him back up the mountain. Poor baby! He didn't want to bother anyone though. He was just confused.

    Again, everyone is with you and K through this journey.

    Mamma Heartbeat

    ReplyDelete
  28. K would have spent her very last breath protecting you if necessary... Unconditional love, reciprocated. A very special girl, indeed :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. We are here for you too and in a way, we're sharing your journey with our Benji as we are all on the same journey. Sometimes it's so hard to be strong and upbeat, but you and K are doing it so well....together...which is as it should be.

    Sending our prayers for both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  30. K is so lucky to have you by her side for every aspect of her life. And, as your blog friends, we're so thankful that you allow us to see into your journey. It's truly a beautiful one.
    -Corbin

    ReplyDelete
  31. And always remember that your journey with K will be an eternal one.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I know how hard this must be for you. It's so easy to forget about the cancer when they are acting so alive and then to have her need rest in the middle of the trail like that...

    My heart breaks for you - but please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are so faithful to her to keep by her side during the end of her journey. She is so blessed to have you.

    ReplyDelete
  33. You know, when you said she was barking and snarling at the bear, I thought "I wonder if that will tire her out." :(

    ((hugs to you both)) One day at a time...

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm watching too :) Love you back KB, K, R and the runner.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Beautiful K...beautiful mom....my thoughts and prayers are with you.
    ♥hugs♥
    Bev

    ReplyDelete
  36. What beautiful pictures! Please know our prayers are with you and K.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love and Devotion is a 2-way-street...I can feel your strength seemingly helping K rise up. Your friend's visit was special timing for loving K!

    ReplyDelete
  38. We love you too, K! Sending hugs and love!

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  39. I missed this blog yesterday. I have been busy sewing.

    It makes me sad to think K couldn't make it after barking at the bears. Now she knows.

    Let her know too, that we, Jo, Stella and Zkhat are all going to stay right with her, along with this huge multitude of dear friends. Right now I am looking at the pic of R looking between the bars and he knows too, I'm convinced of that.

    Love and hugs,
    All of us

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Y'all,

    It's so hard when a love one, pawed or footed, is suffering and we feel helpless.

    Hawk aka BrownDog

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hello - haven't commented in quite awhile, but have been reading most of your posts and enjoying your amazing photos. I stopped commenting when my mother passed away in April... I'm sorry, but I just wanted to shout at you "Yes! I know your dog is sick, but my Mother just died!" Browndog is right of course... it's hard whenever we lose a loved one, "pawed or footed," but really KB... I've cried many, many tears over my mothers death and even though it's tough to lose a pet, there's really no comparison. At least that's my opinion.
    Way to keep your cool when confronted with the bear! Yikes!!
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  42. I can picture that point on the trail and feel the lump in my own throat. I'm glad a friend stopped by and I was happy to see her smiling face too if only in photo.

    ReplyDelete

If you are a Blogger registered user, you can skip the step asking you to verify that you are not a spammer. For posts older than 5 days, I have comment moderation turned on.

Thanks for your comments!!!!!