In Memoriam

As most of you already know we lost our beloved dog, Buddy, this week.

He liked also being on top of the trampoline.  Sometimes when I came home from somewhere I'd see him sitting on top, like he could get a better view of us coming home.

Last summer he was hit by a pick up, that was probably only going 15 mph, just bumping him on his back side.  He limped every so slightly for a few days after that incident. We thought he no longer chased cars, but we realized that sometimes when other dogs were chasing, Buddy couldn't resist also chasing.  Early on in our walks together I trained Buddy to get off the road.  Then last summer, after the hit, I trained him to sit any time a car came by.  The last couple of months I trained him to sit when a car was coming while I kept walking.  Then when the car passed, I would call him to catch up with me.  Once in a while he would start towards me before I called him because he knew the car was gone, but I would remind him to wait until I called him.  He worked so hard to hear, "Good boy!"  Any time anyone said that to him, you could almost see his chest puff out knowing he had pleased us. Often Buddy sat or slumped down before I knew a car was coming.  He heard it before me and acted on his training.

So it was surprising to think he chased a car again.  This time the pick up was probably going at least 30 mph. I heard the thud of the hit and the yelp of a dog and knew it was bad.  I went out hoping it was a different dog, but no, it was our Buddy.  Quinn Heiner, who was driving, backed up and got out to see what happened. Buddy had already crawled under the suburban parked along side the road.  The hit happened just by our driveway. Cody gave me the insight that maybe Buddy was just coming out from under the suburban at the exact moment the pick up drove by.  That could be too.  No one really seemed to see what happened.  No one is to blame either.

In the beginning we used a leash

 Lots of kids gathered around.  Buddy didn't want to leave from under the car.  I told everyone to let me be alone with him and I coaxed Buddy out.  He limped to his pen. I knew the injury was worse than the last time, but I didn't think it would be fatal.

The next day, Thursday morning, I thought maybe he should get up and move a little.  I went out to his pen, called his name and he roused slowly.  He did stand and I thought we would walk to the mailbox.  This was our routine.  He always came with me and he was showing me his heart was still there to go.  We didn't even make it to Hunting's driveway.  He stopped.  I turned around and we slowly walked back to his pen.  He started to go on the outside of the flower bed.  I think he may have wanted to lay on the mat by the front step.  That's a location he'd been frequenting more, just outside the front door.  I think he liked being near to the action of the family.  But part way through the flower bed he just walked over to me and went back to his pen.  That was our last walk together.

I tried again later in the afternoon, but he didn't even want to move.  The only thing he had eaten since the accident was  a little milk with water.  After our walks I usually gave him half water, half milk.  I gave him some shortly after the accident which he slurped up eagerly.  Then Thursday morning I gave him more, seeing that he hadn't even touched his dry dog food.

Both James and Buddy with younger looks

I'm not sure why we had so much hay in the beginning

We kept him in the pen most of the time in the early days

Esther and I were in touch throughout the day about his condition.  After she got home from work, and after a bit of a tense and anxious dinner, we all decided to call our neighbor, Rick Hoskings, who is a semi-retired veterinarian and ask if he could come to see if we should take Buddy in somewhere.  He thought so and recommended an animal hospital in Thayne.  Dr. Jessica Johnson at the animal hospital was outstanding.  She carefully explained everything in ways we understood.  Her bedside manner exuded kindness with a clear love for animals.

 Dr. Jessica examined Buddy, moving his neck, feeling down his spine.  She recommended x-rays.  This entire experience caused tremendous stretching and humbling for Dad.  Growing up on the farm animals that brought money or contributed to the livelihood warranted vet bills, but dogs and cats did not.  We agreed to the minimum amount of x-rays, which showed that most likely his abdominal wall had ruptured.  Dr. Jessica suggested an operation.  Again, it put Dad and I totally out of our element to think about surgery for a dog.  After counseling with Esther, we knew that her feelings and desires were worth the cost.  She taught us, or reminded us, that we should do all we can to save Buddy and leave the rest in our Heavenly Father's hands.  We had been praying for him.  So we said to go ahead.

Dr. Johnson also presented the possibility that when she opened him up the damage could be too great to do anything. If that was the case, then it would be more merciful to euthanize him on the table.  So we needed to say our good-byes in case.  Dad also gave him a blessing and Esther and I both cried.  Dr. Jessica took Esther's number and said she would call after surgery and that it would probably be pretty late.  We left the hospital at 8 and Esther got the call at 9.  When Buddy was opened up, his abdominal wall was shredded, too damaged to suture.  She called asking if she should just euthanize Buddy on the table.  Which of course was the most merciful thing to do.  More discussion.  Esther was the one on the phone.  More tears.  Esther said to go ahead and let him go.

This was our most frequent walk, up the hill.

He liked all the new smells.  

We would never have gotten Buddy if not for Esther.  James joined her in the desire for one of Amori's puppies, but it was really Esther's persistent persuasion that made it happen.  She taught Buddy to sit.  She taught him to listen.  Her example gave me courage to be able to teach and train too. 

Esther decided to go get Buddy's body right then.  Dr. Jessica said she would have him ready.  Esther wanted to go alone.  Dad, James and I drove up to our land to find a spot for burial.  It was pretty dark at this point.  We used headlights and flashlights.  Rain lightly sprinkled.  When we drove back to get Esther, she and Amori were both there.  Buddy was in Esther's car in the back seat wrapped in a sheet from the hospital.  Esther and Amori moved him to the back of the suburban.  We pulled the sheet back to see his face.  I particularly wanted James to see so the reality of it would sink in more.

He enjoyed all the seasons.  Hunkering down on the most wintry days and kicking up his heels in the spring and summer.

At the burial spot Amori and Esther again carried Buddy and laid him in the grave.  We said a few words about what a good buddy he was.  Dad said a prayer and used the priesthood to bless the ground as a sacred spot.  James said, "Love you Buddy", which was also what he said when we dropped James off at his softball game before taking Buddy to the hospital.  James specifically wanted Buddy to know we loved him.  He did know it.  I'm sure.  He had a happy life and felt loved and wanted.

This is the first pet in whom I've felt so invested and loved so much.  Me, a grandma, at my age, becoming so attached!  In my childhood and youth we had a dog, Teddy, for about 7 or 8 years.  He was also killed by a car.  I cried.  But I really didn't spend consistent time with him.  Not like with Buddy.   I remember Scamp, Bear Cub and Rooty, from Montana, and felt the loss of each of them in a tender, but slight way. 

Buddy and I walked almost every day.  I'm sure we did over 500 miles together.  The winter of 2017, our walks saved me.  I knew he needed and really liked to go.  That was my motivation and it kept me from a dark depression to be out in the fresh air, even if layered up, with Buddy faithfully at my side.  Then this last winter, we were very consistent too.  Sometimes in the summers he would be following James on the motorbike, or up fixing fence or something, and I would walk without him.  But mostly he accompanied me on all my walks.  Saturday when I walked without him I felt my heart breaking.  I told Esther, "this is my first walk without Buddy.  Then my next walk will be my second walk without him, and the next the third walk, then the fourth walk, all without Buddy."  Esther said that Buddy would be proud of me for still walking and to just take it a day at a time.  Good advice.

https://www.lds.org/new-era/2012/03/to-the-point/do-animals-have-spirits-what-happens-to-them-after-they-die?lang=eng

Thanks for all your compassion and listening.

His Holy Word

I love the Book of Mormon!  I wanted to share a poem I designed from words in Alma.

A Warrior's Defense

Pour out my soul

In prayer to God

He will

Deliver me

From my enemy.

The Lord, my God,

Will visit me

With assurances

He will deliver me.

He will speak peace

To my soul.

Grant unto me

Great Faith

Cause that I should

Hope

For my deliverance

In Him.

Take courage

With a fixed determination

To conquer my enemy

Maintain my liberty.

Go forth

With all my might

Trust in my God

Who will give me

Victory

Notwithstanding my weakness.

Stand fast 

In that Liberty

Wherewith God has made me

Free.

(Alma 58)

Christmas Catch Up

We thought of all of you during the Christmas break.  We've heard some snatches of all y'all's holiday time, but we'd love to hear more.

Esther was home during the break.  For the first week she worked for UPS.  After Christmas they didn't need her, but she was glad for the $700 she earned. She enjoyed her week.  She would get to the loading area in Thayne about 10 a.m. to help load the trucks.  After that she was assigned as driver assistant each day with Justin Andrews. They developed an alternating system where one of them would run the package to the door while the other scanned the upcoming package.  Monday, they had several adventures in their 100 or so stops.  Justin's route was most of Star Valley Ranch.  Someone needed help getting unstuck.  At certain points Justin would have to put chains on the truck and then take them off again.  One of the homes Justin knew well had an ambulance at it.  He and Esther found out that a young woman home from college at BYU-I had passed away due to a seizure.  Justin gave a blessing in that home.  I think it was on Tuesday they had 120 stops which they did in a shorter time than a single driver did 80 stops.  One home at the ranch received packages every day of the week one day eight, the next day 24 where Esther and Justin had to make several trips.  Each day Esther dressed very warm, but the coldest weather of the holiday break (-7) thankfully happened on her days off.  She brought home several treats.  It seems to be a route where everyone wants to treat the UPS man.  

John and Heather arrived Saturday afternoon.  John, James and Dad helped Grandpa with some snow removal or firewood that day, I think.  Later in the afternoon we had the missionaries and Grandma and Grandpa over for a turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, pie and the works.

We enjoyed playing several games.  Heather and John taught us Qwirkle and Bamboozle.  We played Set, Monopoly Deal, and Dutch Blitz.  We worked on a 1000 piece puzzle of San Francisco skyline. Heather and Esther were the most diligent.  After John and Heather left, Esther finished it.

It is now April 1st.  I saw this incomplete draft and will now add some photos and videos.  We did enjoy a FHE at Grandpa's and Grandma's and  shared some talents with them on Christmas night.

 Our holiday felt more celebratory with John and Heather joining us.  We loved having them.

We each had some old fashioned root beer in our stockings

Esther on the ukulele

John's mouth playing - can you name that tune?

James' quite skilled on the nose flute

Heather and Esther Guitar and Ukulele

All in all we had a very joyous Christmas.

Post Script Photos

Here are some more photos of the half marathon.

Ah, ha, ha, I just wanna be a race star!

In honor of Joshua's birthday, I'm finally posting some of the photos and videos from the Star Valley Half-Marathon.

So you all know how Joshua and Briana got here Friday and Joshua decided that day to run the next morning.  We later learned from another race star, Nicolina, that Joshua's lack of actual training was supplemented by his tree climbing job, and not just the Erickson mental and physical toughness that all y'all so frequently demonstrate.

Joshua and Briana got up earlier than we did to be there for the start of the race.  It was also in the middle of hay season.  But we did enjoy taking time to support Joshua and cheer for him.  James rode his bicycle along side from Grandma's house to the end.

After the race and the cool down, we all hurried home to quickly change to go to a funeral where all the Berezays were.  Lorraine Berezay, Bishop Berezay's stepmother, had passed away.  Lorraine's daughter, Diana Heiner, lives in our ward and had taken care of her mother for the last three months of Lorraine's life.  We gave all the Berezays quick hugs as the viewing time was ending, then slipped out to work in the hay.  Well, actually Briana and I made strawberry jam while the guys did the hay.

After the guys were finally done, we went to Crow Creek to fish.  Joshua wanted Briana to try out some fresh caught trout.  Because of the very wet spring and summer, the grass was over 6 feet tall by the creek. Those of us with hay fever allergies, Briana, James and myself, were completely miserable, finally resorting to waiting in a little more protective environment of the car.  But Dad, Joshua and Grandpa managed to overcome the grass and catch a couple of fish.  Which we did prepare the next day.  When Joshua asked her how she liked it, she said it was a little difficult to separate the fried taste from the fish taste to fully determine the fish taste.  I realized, that yes, so often I'm just tasting the fry taste.  We'll have to try more grilling - so thanks for the awareness, Briana!

So Saturday was a very full day.  Joshua was a trooper with whatever recovery pains he must have been feeling.  He moved stiffly on Sunday, but still with a smile on his face. 

We enjoyed Sunday with Briana and Joshua.  They came with us to our marriage class during Sunday School.  We proud to show them off!  After dinner, we enjoyed watching Pele', which was James' favorite summer movie that we shared with almost anyone who came to visit.

We were so grateful that Joshua and Briana took time to see us before they moved.  I know that their same determination and enthusiasm is blessing them in their new location.

Someone asked who he was as he ran by - I had to proudly say, "That's my son."

Hooray!  

Share the Learning

I know all of you know this but here's something from my Psych class this week:

In 1996, the National Court Appointed Advocate Association (CASA) launched a study on factors related to adolescent substance use (CASA, 2007). Findings indicated that parent engagement was the most effective tool for preventing substance abuse in young people. In addition, risk for substance abuse was especially low in families that frequently ate meals together. Follow-up studies show that although the average family meal lasts only about 18 to 20 minutes, it is an important context for child and adolescent development. Fiese and Schwartz (2008) identify the following positive outcomes associated with frequent family mealtimes:

1.    For families with children under the age of 12, time spent eating together predicts fewer behavior problems.

2.    Children who share frequent family meals sleep better than those who never or rarely participate in family mealtimes.

3.    Frequency of family meals is related to a reduced risk of obesity and a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables.

4.    Family mealtimes are a protective factor against eating disorders.

5.    Children who share frequent family meals are more emotionally content, have better peer relationships, work harder in school, and have better communication with their parents than children who rarely experience family meals.

6.    Frequency of family meals predicts vocabulary growth and academic achievement. Family mealtimes provide valuable opportunities for conversation and storytelling and help children acquire social skills, such as turn taking and table manners.

7.    As children move into adolescence, family mealtimes predict lower rates of drug taking, depression, and delinquency.

What factors contribute to the positive outcomes associated with family meals? Fiese and Schwartz (2008) point out that there is no specific cutoff point for meal frequency and healthy outcomes. However, research suggests that five meals a week seems to be optimal, whereas three meals are not. In addition, the family climate plays an important role, as the most favorable outcomes tend to occur when mealtimes are well-organized and well-regulated. Television viewing during mealtimes is associated with less socialization, conversation, and monitoring of children's behavior and a greater likelihood of overeating. Thus, the television should remain off during family meals. Although the contemporary family is becoming increasingly busy and overscheduled, a very simple routine-family mealtimes-can have significant and enduring benefits for children and adolescents.

Elk, Tillerys and More Elk

Hey Everyone!
Hope all of you are doing well.  This last weekend and the week preceding have been so busy.  Sometimes I'm so busy living the life that I don't record the life.  I need to do better with photos, but what photos I have to give, I give freely.

Last Monday, Dad and James went hunting up on the hill above us, Robinson's hill, Esther and Amori's wipe out hill - that hill.

Dad was just walking out the door for work when Bart showed up on a motorcycle or four wheeler. Bart had been out scoping and there were about 40 head of elk on the hill.  Dad grabbed James, who was off school that day.  They both grabbed their guns and headed out.  I think they need to fill you in on all the juicy details, but they did both shoot and Dad did get a cow elk.  He came back home about noon, left for work and Bart skinned out the elk.  Like I said, I need to improve with the photos.  But here is what is visible now.

Esther was disappointed there was no What's App post, so I told her I would get what I could.  Here it is.

Not a ghost - just the remaining uncut portion of the elk that's still hanging in the garage.

We were still involved in cutting up James' deer from the week or so before, so we had to finish that up before undertaking more. 

 After we had wrapped some steaks and a few roasts, we only had about 35 lbs. of deer meat left.  Which we were thinking of doing part hamburger, part jerky.  It takes 40 lbs of game meat to do one batch of jerky.  Dad added another 5 lbs. of elk meat to complete the batch.  That way we know the quality of the entire batch of jerky.  We finished up the deer by Thursday.

Friday evening the Tillerys arrived, minus Luke.  Chrystal, Cody and Ruby, went up to Grandma's to take a belated card from us for Grandpa's 83rd birthday and to say hi to Aaron and Brent and their families, who were leaving the next morning.  [As a side note, Dad and I had taken Grandma and Grandpa to an amazing concert the night before at the high school in part to celebrate Grandpa's birthday, but that's another story.]

The rest of us got a hot dog roast ready. I had spent most of the day preparing for and taking a math exam.  My brain was worn out.  But I did manage to get clean sheets on our bed for Chrystal and any of her children that might want to sleep there.  Dad spent quite a bit of time preparing liver and onions.  Elk liver.  Chrystal came back. We fed everyone, hot dogs, pork and beans, and brave souls tried liver and onions, even a couple of extra neighbor boys, cousins really, Daryl, Lane and Johnny.  

The next morning, Dad, James and Cody met up with Bart to hunt more elk. They left about 7:30. Cody has a Wyoming license since Luke gives Cody a dual-state thing. I thought they would only be gone 3 or 4 hours and did not send a lunch or anything.  I had potato/egg casserole muffins and pumpkin muffins ready for breakfast the night before, but I slept in some.  Chrystal fed everyone scrambled eggs and pumpkin muffins.  When I got up I warmed up some potato muffins and we sent the hunters on their way.

Chrystal and I enjoyed a walk up the hill and over to our property.

During the day, Chrystal hung a wall grouping for me above the piano that Linda Lee had started in the summer, but I never got finished.  This is the finished hanging.

The mirror that was above the piano is now on the opposite wall.  I love it!  The mirror position now better reflects light from the window which is good for my well-being, to have more light in my space.

I was trying to finish up some school assignments so Chrystal just worked mostly without me.  She cut up a quarter and a half of elk.  Some in bowls for hamburger and some roasts and steaks wrapped and in the freezer.

One of my assignments was to interview a child between the ages of  2 and 6. Ruby is conveniently 6 and I enjoyed interviewing her.  I finished up my school and then helped Chrystal with the remaining cutting.  (Which wasn't much.)  McKay had helped quite a bit too, but he and Zayne would take breaks playing football or jumping on the trampoline outside with all the extra boys that were here.  We had intervals of snow, sunshine, wind and cold, so sometimes they would come inside to warm up.  Movies watched were Lion King and Sorcerer's Apprentice.

After we fed everyone again, Navajo tacos, including a couple extra boys, Caleb and Levi, Chrystal and I cleaned up and left for Kyle and Melissa Heiner's Open House in Freedom.  The hunters still weren't home.

Kyle and Melissa look very happy.  They went to Cancun for their honeymoon.  Melissa served a mission in Argentina so her Spanish ability helped them in Mexico.  Kyle said that people would look at him as if he should be the one who knew Spanish and he would just point to Melissa.  :)  Kyle also asked about Esther, Jared and John, so we gave a bit of an update. Hal and Jann looked very happy too.  Melissa's mother was there, and she, and the already mentioned Heiners, made up the entire receiving line.  Grandma and Grandpa were there socializing when we came and so was Vera Lyn and all the kids except Kaylie and Cameron.  Kaylie's at BYU, liking being a college girl.  Cameron stayed home to be with his dad.  Dallin had to be sure to tell me that he wanted to get together with James.  He remembered playing bananagrams and eating about two loaves of homemade bread and jam the last time he visited us.  

When we got home from the Open House Dad, James and Cody were back.  Bart had gotten a cow about 11 a.m.  After cleaning it out they determined to use pole-like sticks to pack it out.  After hiking out for about three hours, they startled more elk.  Cody shot a cow.  I know for sure he would love to give all y'all the play by play, much better than I could.  He was so excited.  When Chrystal and I pulled in we could see Cody on the phone, talking to his dad.  The first one with whom he shared the great news.

It was about 4:00 p.m. when Cody shot.  By the time it was cleaned out and all it was too dark to do any more hiking.  So they just came home.  It was about 8:30.  The four of them had shared Bart's two sandwiches, that and some Gardettos that Chrystal sent comprised their total nourishment for the day.  Leftover Navajo tacos looked great to them.

Cody's tag and the hat he left behind

Loading Cody's elk

Didn't get a photo of the animal sooner - but I think Cody did.  They decided to take it to the local meat processing place, now called, "The Block" no longer run by Dana's.

Sunday was the Primary program.  Dad sat up on the stand with his class.  I especially loved the closing song - 

After church, Dad, Chrystal, James, Cody and McKay all went up to bring down the two elk.  It was a cold afternoon.  I prepared a birthday dinner for Dad.  Elk roast, mashed potatoes, salad, broccoli, rolls and oatmeal cake with homemade caramel walnut ice cream.  The elk was a little dry after sitting so long in the crock pot, but it has a good flavor.  A friend told me her favorite way to prepare elk is french dip sandwiches.  I think I will try that soon. Chrystal brought some goodies and gifts too.

Homemade salsa Chrystal made

To go with chips

Best tasting milk - Dad's favorite!

New shirt for birthday

By the time dinner was over, there was still some skinning to do, I think.  Cody and Dad went up to Bart's where the animals were.  In the meantime, Grandma, Grandpa and Vera Lyn and kids all came for cake and ice cream. (Esther - Kenyan asked about you)  Dad came back since he was a guest of honor for dessert.  After singing "Happy Birthday" to both Dad and Grandpa, I had to slip out for a stake meeting.  When I came home everything was completely quiet, the house empty, (Dad and James were still up skinning, I think) and Chrystal had left the kitchen spotlessly clean.

My sink hasn't looked this clean in months - thanks Chrystal!

It would have been better to take photos of Chrystal by the clean sink, or the gang of us eating the salsa, or all of us singing "Happy Birthday", as I said, I'll have to get better at recording it all.

Here's the video of my interview with Ruby.

Here's the closing song from the Primary Program - which we've decided is our theme for our trek. "Choose Him Again".

We love you all!  

Mom and Dad