Ranch Country photography
by Robert McCune

April 28, 2010. the end of April and almost time for Maggie and I to load up and head south for Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and southern California. Came close to just canceling our annual spring trip altogether. This, because Shih Tzu Josie is no longer of this world. Should have helped her on her Zen Buddhist way sooner; her health had deteriorated to the point where she had no interest in anything but eating and sleeping. And except when sleeping, she had frequent spells of serious discomfort. All due to Cushing’s Disease and being totally blind.  And not being able to see, her natural tendency toward anxiety increased, which caused spells of difficult breathing. Yep, should have helped her along four or five weeks ago. At the vet’s, I could tell from the way she looked up at me that she was grateful we finally made the decision. That was hard, for Maggie and I and for the people at the Vet’s.

Like I said, we came close to just calling off the trip. Decided to go ahead though and see how it works out. Without Josie with us, there’s a possibility that one evening camped “out there” somewhere, we could get to thinking about it...and just pack-it-in and head straight back home. Josie was such a vital part of the whole thing about driving the back roads of Ranch Country.

On the way south, we're going to have a look at another Shih Tzu. A puppy. He was born April 3, same month as was Josie.  The little fellow lives in Carmel Valley, in southern California near the coast. But even if we “connect” (he with us, and us with him), we wouldn’t be taking him home until he’s 10 or 11 weeks old.