Peyton playdate

Mavie had a sleepover! We entertained Peyton for a few days, but really his goofy personality entertained us! 

Maverick by my side

Now I just take Maverick everywhere I go! I stopped by Joe’s house to pick up something and Peyton snuggled up on his bed!

Joe’s receptionist at the vet’s office made a beautiful magnet and photo collage of my last days with Sheba. So thoughtful!

I put it in the living room cabinet, right next above her ashes.

And I took Maverick to a Leadership Collier lunch!

Spreading Sheba’s ashes

I stayed with Andrea for a few days, and we took a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains to spread Sheba’s ashes. Andrea, Sage, and Cava were good company for Maverick and I as we returned her body to North Carolina, where she was born. 

She and Maverick always loved the mountains; both doggies grew up as puppies here, and we did a lot of camping trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was really bittersweet! This pic is from 2009, on our first backcountry camping trip there. 

Athan & Guinness visit

Athan drove over from Cleveland, with Guinness, for a doggy adventure. We thought Maverick would like the companionship.

We played in Elk Creek, splashing around.

Then stopped at a brewery for some refreshments.

And a visit to Lake Erie. Athan said it’s much prettier on the Pennsylvania side than the Ohio side!

Dogs had a ball!

RIP Sheba: the sweetest dog there ever was

Sheba is happy every morning, but this is a very sad day for the rest of us :(

Mav and I want to lay in bed and pretend like we don’t have to take Sheba to the appointment.

After breakfast, we gave Sheba a raw bone from the butcher and we all sat outside together. She has been on a strict diet for months, so I bet this tasted amazing!

Mom and dad went with us to the appointment, Maverick, too! Dr. Scibetta was so kind and helpful through the hardest parts. She let us say goodbye, then performed the surgery to remove Sheba’s spine. The samples were sent to the lab at the University of Minnesota to be analyzed so that information can help future dogs, and dog moms, with degenerative myopathy and hopefully find a cure. Such a trooper, that Sheba! She would be so happy to know she is hoping other dogs.

Presque Isle with dogs

Sheba’s first swim in Lake Erie! Maverick’s, too, but he’s not so into getting wet!


Lots of ball time.


She is pretty good at swimming without her chair. Loves the ball so much, nothing will hold her back!


Sheba is barking at me to throw ball, while Mav and Pete pee on every blade of grass!

Happy dogs, enjoying the beach. Only 2 more days until Sheba’s euthanasia, so we’re doing all the fun stuff on her bucket list.

Edinboro Lake with Grammy K

After a nice swim in the lake, we stop by the dairy aisle for some puppy cones.



 They know what to do with ice cream!

Happy dogs cozy up to Grammy K on the way home.

We all enjoyed the beautiful sunset across the field!

Two farms today

Sheba had a fun day exploring the Falkowski Farm. She cruised after the chickens and cows and barked to her heart's content :)

We spent the morning just being outside.

I love how much they love each other!

In the afternoon, we explored the pasture at the Beck Farm.

Lots of good smells and soft grass. And cows!

Such a beautiful day to be outside. PA in the summer is simply divine. And there are wild daisies, my favorite flower.

The trusty Subie does the job transporting two tired and muddy doggies back home.

Dogs enjoy a swim

Sheba loves that ball! And swimming!

Even Maverick got into swimming- but only up to his neck. He doesn't like to get his collar wet! Sheba gets good exercise swimming after that ball. 

Dogs enjoying the yard

Maverick, at his favorite post. He loves to sit at the top of the yard and just watch. Pennsylvania is his happy place :)

Sheba loves it, too! She cruises through the grass in her wheelchair like nobody's business!

I noticed some bees building a hive in the tree and Dad had a remedy- fire. And lighter fluid. No more bees!