– Remembering AspenAspen Lookout

Rarely a day goes by that I don’t remember you. Your zest for life, your love of swimming and your desire to clean up every playground we ever visited are the first things that come to mind. Backyard bred, a hot mess of structure, and a heart of pure gold. You were my dog.

We resided in 7 different places in your short 6 years of life. You never complained about our nomadic lifestyle. If you could find your food & water dish, your favorite bed and me; you were home. And I felt the same. You joined me for work trips and vacations. We logged miles from the wine country of California to the bluegrass of Kentucky. We visited the French quarter of New Orleans and to the ballooning capital of Albuquerque. You held your own during our road trip home when the Explorer’s A/C died. In August. In Oklahoma.  Nothing phased you.

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Aspen stump2003

Louisiana back yard. Showing off your multi-tasking skills.

You were the consummate retriever. It seems you always had something in your mouth, from your favorite toys, a retriever bumper, trash, or that one time a very large frog. You would find and retrieve any hunt test mark in practice with ease. And you never felt the need to come straight back; you had 50-75 yards of exploring to do. When you were done you returned.

You were hardly ever leashed the last couple of years of your life since we lived and worked on 60 acres. We could not go within 20 yards of the training ponds without you dashing in for a swim.  You must have been a fish in another life. After living in several cities, it was a pleasure to let you enjoy all our walks sans leash and all the open space running you ever wanted to do.

You were an expert in reading other dogs. I trusted your instincts every time. You could bring shy dogs around and wore out the high energy ones. No dog ever felt threatened by you and you were good at diffusing situations before they went bad. You taught me a lot about reading dog signals. You were not subtle. That helped me when we fostered rescue dogs. Thank you.

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Aspenbackpack

Our first backpack trip.

You were a great hiking and camping partner. You helped raise those silly Labrador puppies. You never had enough games of fetch. You finally got over your car-sickness (that was one long drive from CO to KY). You kept my feet warm at night. You always made me smile (and mostly laugh!)

I wanted you to grow old with me. It wasn’t meant to be. I know you helped me find your replacement and she has done well filling in. But there was only 1 you. And you are still missed.

JBA Durango’s Mystic Aspen, CGC  “Aspen” 11/1/1999 – 9/10/2006

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September 056

Playing around the pool with your brother.

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Aspen & marnie2

Loved a game of fetch.

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Aspen at USN2002

Work trip to KY. People came by just to say hi to you!

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Aspen001

Hiking along the river. Your happy place.

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Mistie Aspen xmas 2004.jpg

Such patience with the lab puppies.

 

 

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