I just finished downloading more photos onto my laptop and start to review them 
and do a tad bit of editing. I notice a common thread amongst the photos taken this past week….Bear. My little guy is in at least half my photos.
Bear has been a part of our family for over thirteen years and has provided us with so much joy, love, and entertainment. Al and I question which of the three of us has enjoyed this past month of traveling the most. It appears to be a toss-up. Bear is having the time of his life. He is a great traveler and can’t wait to explore our next location. Al and I share in his enthusiasm.
At his age, Bear has his good days and some not so good days. He has some minor leg problems and therefore we are extremely careful to control the distance and pace of his walks. We’ve had some scary moments here at Lake Pleasant and thought Bear was declining or suffering from muscle spasms.
Al and I examined his paws and legs several times by running our hands up and down his legs, around his paws, between his toes and pads and found nothing amiss. We decide perhaps a trip to the Veterinarian should be in order to make sure it isn’t something serious.
Bear is starting to look a bit unkept. Prior to a Vet visit, I decide to trim him and clean him up a bit. I wear my glasses (I hate getting old) to be sure not to cut anything that shouldn’t be cut or hurt my little guy in any way. As I trim his nails and the fur on his paws, I detect a large knotted fur ball in the center of his paw, the paw he keeps shaking. I gently get the scissors in there to cut it out……..ouch……..it stuck me. Oh my, the poor little guy had a thistle in there. The guilt, oh the guilt. What a bad doggie mommy I am! This calls for extra treats for good little doggies.
Al and I at different times and several times had felt his paws for just this kind of culprit. This is the desert after all and thistles and thorns are plentiful. Sneaky little thing. There was so much fur matted around the thistle, it had felt like Bear’s hair until I started pulling on it.
Bear is all trimmed up, thistle remove, and ready for a walk. With a new found spring in his step, nose in the air, pulling on the lease Bear is anxious to explore a new route and visit with the dog down the way.
We are so happy to realize nothing is seriously wrong with Bear and he will continue to bless us with his presence and unconditional love. Bear and I go for a walk and all I can do is smile as I watch this special little creature loving life 🙂
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