Helen's Home World

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Last RPod Adventure for this Summer

Last week, we went to Robert Moses State Park, just the other side of the St Lawrence River from Cornwall, Ontario. It was quite an easy drive despite the long detour I had to make because of a bridge being replaced. I arrived before my sister and brother-in-law and since my site was pretty wide and there was a nice grass verge alongside the road, I decided to try and park Podrick myself. I did pretty well, only had to jockey back and forth about three times. I would have liked it further over in the campsite but where it was, it was pretty level, so that's where he stayed.

To get to the park you have to go through a tunnel that goes under the Eisenhower lock, part of the St Lawrence Seaway. The visitors' center is being rebuilt and the new center is due to open next year so maybe another trip back will be in order. We didn't see any ships going through the lock without WiFi or cell service there wasn't a way for us to check the schedule.

Photo credit: Maureen

Our first day in the park we just took a walk over to see the dam and the marina then over to the beach. On our way over, we had just mentioned that there must be deer in the island when a doe and her fawn crossed the trail ahead of us.

Main beach - Robert Moses State Park

The next day we took quite a drive to go to the Township 7 Brewery. It was beautiful farming country and we saw lots of Amish families in their horse drawn vehicles and working on the farms.

After getting back to the campground, I took Teddy and Liam down to the river to cool off. There was a path from another campsite that went down to a nice private little beach. Liam was having nothing to do with coming in the water once I had his lifejacket on. Teddy loves chasing waves and wading but is not really keen on swimming.

We always eat well when camping. On this trip, we had to be flexible with our plans. The meal we had this night had been delayed from the previous evening due to rain and on our last night we ended up going out to supper again due to the rain. This peach pork tenderloin with potatoes and asparagus was my main meal contribution.

Despite the rain, we had a fire each night and had some great sunsets. There was a path down to the shoreline at my campsite too.

Border marker, but really the border is in the river.

On our last day we went over the nature center in the park. The trails are dog friendly, so after taking a short hike I put the dogs back in the car and we explored the nature center. It poured rain while we were visiting there so had to wait out the rain. Luckily, the nature center has free WiFi and comfortable seating.

After it cleared up, I went for a little drive. There were signs for a picnic area where I thought I'd be able to let the dogs loose, but it was gated off. Along the road though, I saw about a dozen deer, many turkeys and numerous Canada geese. And who knew, we were halfway between the equator and the North Pole.

We took our time getting ready to leave on the last day since it wasn't a long drive home, and we still were able to leave the campsites by the checkout time. The drive home went well, except for a tire blow out when I was only about 30 minutes from home.. I called CAA and messaged my sister as CAA had said it could be three to four hours to get service. My BIL made it out to me and had the tire changed before CAA arrived. So now Podrick needs new shoes again. I'll probably wait until next spring to buy them. It came up in my FB memories today that he got those shoes on this day in 2019.

That's another summer of camping done. Just finished and I'm already thinking of next year.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Wordless Wednesday

K9 Kup Starter Standard

Monday, July 17, 2023

Bon Echo Memories

Last year we stopped at Bon Echo but only for one night as that was all we could get without moving to a different campsite each night. This year we booked early but still were pipped at the post for the sites we wanted. We got sites in the radio free campground that are further away from the lake; it turned out to be a much quieter campground. I arrived at the campground before my sister and brother-in-law; after missing my loop and doing a tour of the whole campground I finally found my site. It took me twice more around before I got my trailer backed into my site, but I did it. I have to say I did give some thought to just taking my sister's site because I could have pulled across that one.

There's a nice dog beach at Bob Echo where the dogs are actually permitted to be off leash. The next day we took Teddy and Liam down for a swim. I had brought their life jackets. Teddy is quite keen to go wading and didn't even mind swimming. Liam had to be dragged out. I did that twice so he would get the idea that with the lifejacket he's not going to sink, then we just let him wade and meet the other dogs.

We had a thunderstorm overnight and had breakfast in the rain the next day. Afterwards we headed into town as I needed milk and so we could go the Pioneer Museum. The bonus was that there was not only cell service but open Wifi so we sat in the pavilion at the small park for a while before heading back to the campground.

Pavilion

Cloyne Pioneer Museum

Later I walked the dogs down to the lagoon and the narrows through the adjacent campground. I walked back on the park road to our campground to get an idea of how far it was; it was quite a long walk.

Lagoon

Colourful canoes.

Mazinaw Rock

Bon Echo is known for the pictographs on Mazinaw Rock but to see them you have to take a tour boat or rent a canoe or kayak. I have never done that, perhaps one day I will.

The next day I drove down to the Narrows to take the dogs wading there. Teddy was all excited to go in wading and bark at boats, Liam stayed on shore.

Come in the water's fine!

I'm not coming in!

Teddy barking at the tour boat.

Later on, that same day, my sister came down with me and we let the dogs paddle again. Liam didn't want to be left behind this time.

Wading is not so bad after all!

When we arrived at Bon Echo there was a fire ban, but we got lucky, with the rain the fire ban was lifted so we were than able to have campfires. It's not camping without a campfire.

My sister's trailer by firelight

Ontario Parks campfire ring

Solar lights for the path to my campsite.

As usual, we at very well, our dinner menus included chicken, salmon, pizza and a charcuterie board. For breakfasts, we had blueberry pancakes and bacon, breakfast wraps with sour cream and salsa, and scrambled eggs, sausage with jalapeno cornbread.

Chicken breast with cheese, tomato and Balsamic glaze

Strawberry shortcake

I really like Bon Echo even though it's quite hard to get into, I'm sure I'll go back again. One day I have to see the pictographs on the cliffs.

I only have one more camping trip this summer as my big trip coming up in Sep is a river cruise on the Danube so Podrick will be going back into storage early. Sad to see the summer camping season coming to an end but getting excited for the next adventure.

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Wordless Wednesday - Liam - Agility Dog of Canada

Liam - ADC (first title)

Score sheet

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother