Emmett comes home to Montana

The trip to bring Emmett home to Montana was exhausting for both of us!

I hadn’t flown in 10 years and although security was tight last time, nothing like this trip. And in the preparation, I had not looked at Portland Airport – my destination – I had no idea it was a large airport … relatively speaking. I was expecting something slightly larger than Kalispell Airport. And then, my rental car… My daily drive is a no frills 2002 Jeep Wrangler. I rented a 2017 Yukon XL. I got in the car, picked up what I thought was the key fob, but no key. I spent about 15 minutes sitting in the garage, reading the manual to make sure I knew how to turn on wipers and lights and AC/Heat. Then had to stop a bit down the road to figure out how to adjust mirrors. Sheesh!! I am always taken aback when technology beats me up!!

Despite all of that, I arrived at the home of the Peterschmidt’s about 45 minutes ahead of what I thought.

And I met Emmett. He had just had a bath and was handed to me in a towel. I snuggled him close, looked him in the eye and said “Oh Emmett. Do you want to come with me to Montana and be my dog?”. And then he kissed me. So much laughter and I was nearly in tears. Happy, happy moment.

The Peterschmidt’s fed me, gave me a bed for the overnight and I got to ease into their routine of puppies (2 others in addition to Emmett were waiting to go to their new homes) and their 5 grown up dogs. Plus, 4 of their 7 children still at home and “Grandma” was visiting. I had a wonderful time visiting, talking dogs and life and was mostly relaxed the next morning when Emmett and I left for the trip home.

The trip home involved the 2 hour drive to the airport with a stop at a UPS Store where I shipped home everything but Emmett and me so as to travel light.

The drive and rental return went fine. We checked in with no issues – special check in when travelling with an animal in the cabin. Then security… That went well, but it was busy, noisy – lots of commotion. Emmett did great. With an animal, you remove them from their carrier and go through a different line for the metal sweep and some other checks. Everything else: carrier, handbag, shoes, jacket, iPad went in the standard bins through the scanner. We all came out the other side and reunited. Emmett just snuggled in my arms and did not seem concerned despite the noise. We made our way to the gate and I took him out of his carrier to be in my arms until we boarded. We attracted a bit of attention but everyone was so respectful and asked before approaching. He did fine with that also as people moved slowly and let him make the first move toward them. I was so pleased with Emmett and all of the people!

On board, my carrier fit lengthwise so I was able to position it so that Emmett could see me well and vice versa. He put his head on his paws and relaxed. At the Peterschmidt’s, I allowed all of the puppies to mouth my boots and drag them around so there would be some of their scent on the boots, I hoped. I kept my boots at the side vents of the carrier. Emmett whined briefly as we got situated and then was quiet until our descent. There was a small cry and then he resettled. I’m guessing maybe ears as we started down.

On landing we went to a grassy area and had a bit of outside time before getting in the Jeep and heading home. At home, I left Emmett in the Jeep while I greeted Auggie, freshened his food and litter boxes and listened to his complaints about being left. I then brought Emmett into the sunroom and after a little exploring, put him in the play pen.

I left the sunroom doors closed – let Emmett and Auggie look at each other, sniff and I quietly went about getting situated. In a bit, I let Emmett out of the pen so they could get a better look and sniff. We’ve been slowly spending more time together and there have been nose touches. Emmett gave Auggie a kiss which Auggie responded to with a face that looked like it said “Yuck”!

This morning (Wednesday, 2nd morning) Emmett did a play bow and a little puppy bark to invite play but Auggie is not quite ready. Still, they both advance and retreat and I am very pleased that although Emmett badly wants to play, he resists (mostly) a chase and sits down with his tail wagging rapidly. They will get there!

Meanwhile a few (or more than a few) fun photos from these first days:

Emmett sleeps in the wire crate next to my bed. I put the shirt I’ve worn that day and his big fleecy bone plus a small container of water in with him. He is a good sleeper and the few times he whined in the night, I put my hand in the carrier so he knows I’m there and he goes right back to sleep.

Above is a screen capture from my phone showing the view when dropping in via my Amazon Echo Spot. I can also hear and Emmett can hear my voice if I speak.

Emmett is a joy. It is fun watching him and Auggie work out how to be brothers. Emmett follows me everywhere and lies down at my feet when I sit or am working in one spot. He is getting a bit bolder and exploring the house but does not go far from me. Outside he also follows, and is having a great time figuring out pinecones, sticks – a LOT of sticks! – and other treasures on the ground.

So much fun – happy days here!

March goes out like a lion

But wait! March is supposed to come IN like a lion and go out like a lamb!!

We had a blustery front complete with Winter Weather advisory until 11:00 a.m. this morning. No new snow at my house, just a few light flurries this morning.

The high today was a brisk 34F.

But, it has been above freezing until yesterday…

Out the front door …

…from the front porch…

… the snow is melting. I have ground to walk from house to garage – YEA! Juggling groceries over ice has never been a favorite occupation.

And these girls have been regulars for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

They love the mossy bits on the downed branches.

Auggie is enjoying have less snow and more ground.

And inside, we are getting ready for Mr. Emmett with a redo of the kitchen corner that will allow Auggie, Emmett and me to be together!

While I was at it, a new slipcover for the shredded chair in my office.

Goodbye March and Welcome April!

Almost Spring

On March 20 at 2:15 ish p.m. Spring officially arrives in Northwest Montana.

Meanwhile…

And then…

Auggie and I have “adjusted” to the loss of Bear. Bear’s presence as well as Zack, Gus, Bob and Karl’s have been heavily felt … in a good and comforting way!

And in a little more than 3 weeks time, a new boy will be joining us. An English Shepherd, to be called Emmett.

I fly to Oregon on 4/8 and back with Emmett on 4/9. The family Summers will go forward with Auggie and Emmett while never, ever forgetting Zack, Gus, Bob, Karl and Bear.

One of the 7 male pups born on 2/12/2018:

This pup, or one like him, will be our Emmett.

Almost Spring!

From Wayfarer’s State Park on a sunny Winter’s Day

Wayfarer’s State Park is located on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake, just south of Bigfork and Bigfork Bay. It is about 7 miles south of where I live.

On the capture above (Google Map Satellite), the entrance is from Hwy 35 just south of where Hwy 209 meets Hwy 35. A lower picnic area is the JH Horn Memorial Park. You can park there and walk a loop trail to the lake, up to an overlook and back through woods and meadow to JH Horn. There are also several short loop walks in the woods around the picnic areas at JH Horn.

Wayfarer’s has a campground with beautiful campsites from tent sites up to large motorhome sites and many have views of the lake. There are picnic areas along a rocky beach that looks to the bay and a boat launch at the lake end of the beach. South of the boat launch is a cliff area with benches to sit and enjoy the view or you can walk over the cliffs and find wildflowers growing in the cracks of the cliff rock plus more trails that join up to the campsites.

It is a beautiful park and although it can be very busy 4th of July through mid-August and summer weekends, other times I’ve been and feel like I’m the only person there. Karl and I went there often and outside of summer, I was able to allow him off leash on the trail and beach. It was a bit much for Bear and we went only a few times for walks, but we often drove in and down to the beach and back to see and smell (Bear)!

I went today for the first time in over a year. I wanted to see what the trails looked like for snowshoeing and it was such a gorgeous day, I also just wanted to walk along the lake a bit and enjoy the scenery, the sunshine, blue sky and fresh air.

The photos below are taken near the spot marked Wayfarers Campground. It is faint, but there is a line like the road lines extending into the lake. That is a large dock and I walked to the end to take the photos: the first 2 are looking the direction the arrow points – toward Bigfork Bay. The second 2 are looking south toward Polson, Montana.