A Little Fun and a Ray of Light from the Red Dog

We've had a rough year here at Red Dog Central Command, so Shiva's Mom and I decided to make a quick getaway (thanks to Aunt Dian) to Folly Beach over the weekend for some much needed R&R.  As long-time readers may remember, this was not our first trip to Folly.  In fact, the initial visit was so much fun we commemorated it in a series of videos entitled "Red Dog's Folly" and "Follypalooza."  That trip also was where we discovered our crazy Cattle Dog mix Joey's aversion to sea foam.  Thankfully, this time he decided being a beach dog might not be such a bad thing after all.  To that end, we are happy to provide you with evidence that Joey is no longer frightened of the foam:



Sadly, this trip also was the first made without this blog's namesake and constant travel companion, Shiva the Red Dog, who left us in July.  Furthermore, the first Folly trip was our sweet Katy's last beach trip before her eventual decline and demise a little over a year-and-a-half ago.  This made for a bittersweet reunion with the lovely island, one that Shiva's Mom and I did our best to enjoy in spite of some painful reminders of those we have lost and left behind.  Fortunately for us, we were accompanied by the little ones (Shiva's favorite "things" in all the world), who did their best to keep us occupied and happy.

Shiva's favorite little girls in one of her favorite places in all the world.

As if to reward us for living life in spite of our sadness - and just in the way Shiva would want us to - we were blessed to capture the following while taking a final picture of the beach the morning of our departure:

A blessing.

We like to think this is the Red Dog's way of touching us one more time, providing us with a beautiful and tangible reminder that she's with us every day, an ever-faithful companion lighting the way on our journey through life.

Farewell, Fair Beagle

After a long, glorious walk in the sun, our sixteen year-old Bailey the Beagle finally ran out of gas and joined Shiva and Katy across the Rainbow Bridge.  There, she reunited with her human "grandmother" Mrs. Gann to begin enjoying an eternity of unlimited Buddy's Bar-B-Q.

Although sad that we had to say goodbye, Shiva's Mom and I will be eternally grateful that we were able to spend the last few years of her life with this sweet girl.  From the moment she miraculously fit-in with our established pack, to her final moments in our arms with the wonderful Dr. Bea there to help, Bailey made our lives better.  We're lucky to have known her.  Sweet dreams, little girl.  We miss you!