A SLC Inner City* Walk

Today, the pups and I loaded the camel-pak with water and headed out on a long walk.  First, Harvey mainly, pulled me toward the creek.  I swear he can sense water from a mile away.  Harve and Norm laid in the Wasatch Hollow Creek and slurped, no gulped water as if they just learned about the global water crisis.  After becoming well hydrated, we headed down the slopes past 15th/15th where the new Tony Caputo's, an Italian market and deli, opened.  A sign advertised the local meat/farmer's market for this afternoon 4-7pm, reminding me I needed to check it out.  We continued on, intertwining through the neighborhoods, passing 1100 E and 900 E, and finally to the dog park.  Harvey, as usual, acts calm and collective, while Norm has a difficult time holding in his emotions.   I release them to play and instantly Norm begins barking and biting Harvey's legs as if he's a cow!  Of course, I try to hold back my anger in public, but Norm was absolutely obnoxious!  Eventually he calmed down and even learned some submissive behavior after a medium sized husky snapped at him.  Oh, Norm!  I sat and enjoyed the socializing dogs and 74 degree weather for quite some time.  I decided it was time to go after Harvey began frantically rolling around on his back with his tail tucked guarding himself against five dogs. (I can't really deny the fact that Harvey started the fight by humping a doberman. Oh, Harvey!)

We finally headed home, uphill.  Of course, every plush, shady grass area we walked near Harvey, then Norm, slowly laid down to cool off.   Soon enough, after periodic slurps from the camel-pak nozzle, we were home.

*if you can call SLC slum

A blurb on caregiving

Today I was thinking, "why does it seem like I take better care of Harvey and Norm than I do my own husband?"  I do cook and clean for Dave, but I haven't even packed his lunch in over a year! 
In contrast, I walk or hike with Harve and Norm almost every day, brush them, give them food and water, discipline them, and play with them.  Is this what kids are like? 

Best Buds

Wrestling at Butterfly lake

Camping at Butterfly lake in the Uinta's

snuggling on the bath mat, a favorite pastime

snowshoeing adventure in Red Butte Canyon

norm being a pest

pooped after a long hike

Therapy Man

Once a week, Harve and I visit patients, families and faculty in the hospital. Some days run smoother than others, depending on Harvey's mood. Today was one of those days he amazed me.

First, he greeted a patient walking slowly in the halls with her husband. As worn out as she looked, she was so grateful and excited to see a dog and asked if Harvey could accompany her on her walk. She held onto the second lead and Harvey walked so gently and slow as to accommodate her. During the walk, several times, he turned and looked at her, smiling and checking in.

On our mini walk around the hospital grounds, Harvey met a little boy being pulled by his mother in a wagon. The boy was wrapped in bandages and could not reach to pet Harvey. Harvey approached him and gave him a gentle kiss and some wags. The little boy smiled.

Of course, Harvey had to visit his favorite nurse. After she vigorously pet him, he decided it was a good time to nap and laid down behind her work station.

Most of the time, Harvey is the conversation starter between the patients' and I. It's amazing the stories of hardship and near death I am told. One woman, while visiting Utah, was in the hospital after having a myocardial infarction. Referring to the EMT/paramedics that took her to the hospital, she said "is this what it takes to have nine handsome men looking at me at age 71?!" We chatted for quite some time while she pet Harvey and intermittently spoke to him with a high tone "you're such a good boy." She said that life is full of worries and that the worries change throughout the years, but the only way to get through it is to be positive and not take everything so seriously. She said, "this, this right here is what it's all about."

On the way home, I stopped by the grocery and grabbed some Frosty Paws a.k.a FP's (ice cream just for dogs!) from the ice cream freezer section. When I arrived home, I gave one to Harvey for being such a good therapy man and one to Norm for being a well behaved little brother at home.

Meet Norm

The arrival of Norm was quite unexpected on July 5, 2009. On a usual Sunday, I would visit the dog park solo, without Dave. On this particular Sunday, Dave came with me. Three little Australian cattle dog puppies being fostered by a woman happened to be there as well. One of them kept climbing on Dave's lap as he bent down to pet him. The woman allowed us to take him home that night as a "trial" to see if Harvey and him would get along. Long story short, he became our little Norm, Harvey's bud, the pest, the creeping disease, our little affectionate friend whom we love.