MinPinMoments

For many years, the first weekend in December meant one thing – a holiday photo shoot with my dogs. My goal was always the same – to capture the perfect photo for our annual Christmas card. A theme would be selected. Outfits and sometimes props would be organized. Some years I would take a group photo of the girls, and other years, individual shots would be taken. It was a weekend I looked forward to each year.

The long-standing tradition ended in 2020. Because it was the last December I would have all three girls still with me. The following summer Aspen passed away. I knew then that there would be no more holiday photo shoots. No more gathering the girls and dressing them in festive clothing or costumes. No more positioning them just right. No more taking photo after photo with tasty treats nearby to keep the girls focused on me. No more searching for the image that outshined the rest.

But I did have another project planned the first weekend of December in 2021. I planted flower seeds. When I received Aspen’s urn there was a tiny package of wildflower seeds included in the box. The instructions showed the best time for planting was late fall.

I wanted the flowers to grow in a very special area. One of Aspen’s favorite places in our home was the front windows of our living room. She would sit there for hours looking outside and waiting for something to happen. Under those windows was an empty flower bed. It was the perfect spot. I have no green thumb but did my best in following the directions.

Exactly six months later, the first flower appeared. It was the only one to bloom, but I was grateful to have it.

Last weekend, the first one in December, I had a new packet of seeds to plant. This time it would be in honor of Quest.

I planted her seeds in the same location as Aspen’s.

I hope to see flowers in the spring. Maybe I will see two blooms, instead of a single one.

Malibu

Even during the dog days of summer, the kids were never fond of getting wet. But I could always lure them in with a treat. Once I took the photo, everyone was outta the pool.

: )

Puppies can be afraid of ordinary objects. The pictures capture the first time my then 7-month-old puppies see this ordinary object. I’m not surprised that Aspen was the first to touch the ball. She was always the most fearless of the three. : )

Taking three puppies on vacation is not for the faint of heart. When we took our trio with us on a trip to Colorado, we needed to find outlets for their boundless energy. This soccer field in Telluride was the perfect place to let the girls run wild. We had one escapee (Malibu!), but Bob caught her and brought her back. Never a dull moment!

There’s only a couple of days left until summer vacation begins, but things are very different this year. While last year at this time I had three Miniature Pinschers who I couldn’t wait to spend the summer with, this year I have just one. Last August, Aspen passed away. More recently, in March, Quest passed away. It’s difficult to believe that they are not here anymore. For so long, I had three dogs to care for and dote on so it’s a strange feeling to only have one now. For Malibu, I’m sure it’s strange too.

Today was especially hard because it was exactly one year ago today that Aspen and I attended our final nosework competiton. As she was 13, I knew that with each trial it could very well be our last. I recall that day so vividly. It was a hot and the noise of the cicadas was intense. I had brought a new cool coat for Aspen to wear in the car. If it got too hot, I planned to run the air-conditioning. Aspen’s comfort was my priority. Unlike most trials we attended, we didn’t have to be at this site until the afternoon. We ended up arriving much earlier than we needed to, but you can never predict how the traffic will be on the way. I didn’t want to get there late and miss any of our events. We had never been to this site before, but I was still surprised that we did not know many of the other competitors. Usually, we know most of the other teams, but not that day. Later, after Aspen passed, I kind of wished our final trial was one in which we were surrounded by friends. But I am happy that Team Aspen had the opportunity to compete that day.

Aspen loved traveling to our competitions and spending one on one time with Mom. She also loved playing her favorite game, nosework. Despite her age, Aspen truly seemed to be in her prime. She continued to race to every startline and couldn’t wait for me to release her with the magic word, “Search.” We earned another title that day, Excellent Exteriors. Later, I was excited to learn that we also earned 2nd place for that search. I’m glad that I didn’t know it would be our last trial. Some things are best left unknown.

It’s official! I am on summer vacation!! After the craziest school year ever, I am ready to relax and decompress with my fur kids. Ideally, late June to September isn’t the best time to be off in terms of weather. If I were in charge of the school calendar and could pick my months, I would choose September and October. Those months have fantastic weather with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. Basically, perfect weather for my dogs. But, I’ll take what I can get and make the most of it.

I lucked out this year and my first week of vacation was cooler than average. The fur kids enjoyed many walks and hanging out in the backyard. We even took them to Bass River State Park for a couple of evening walks. That never happens this late in June. Typically, we don’t go there after Memorial Day.

Here’s to hoping New Jersey has a summer full of days in the low 70’s and cool, autumn-like evenings!