Remembering my Xela

Yesterday marked one year since I lost Xela. I hiked up into Ram Valley to remember her and spread her ashes. The last hike Xela and I did together was into Ram Valley, and while there I made her sit on a rock outcropping for quite some time so that I could photograph her in the low, soft, winter sunlight. It was on that same rock outcropping that I spread her ashes.

The day yesterday was much like the one a year ago ... perfectly blue skies, a fresh dusting of snow and gentle orange sunlight. My friend Matt came with me ... it was very nice to have the company and support. Zippy and Matt's dog, Peak, also joined the entourage. As we hiked down out of Ram Valley, back to my cabin, the sun set over Cook Inlet to the west, and full moon rose from the north. Very peaceful and beautiful!

Whither

Here are the photos from the hike Xela and I took (with Tomba) exactly one week before Xela's passing.

We went out the cabin door and up the side of a mountain to a beautiful hanging valley, called Ram Valley. We hiked right through the cloud cover into bluebird skies. The low-angled, soft light made it perfect for photography.

As any adoring mommy would do, I made Xela sit for a photo shoot. At the time, I think Xela felt it was a little unfair, since Tomba got to run around while she had to obey my every command.

The snow on that Sunday was light, dry and fluffy ... perfect for glacading down. It took the three of us a half hour to get down the mountainside that it took us two hours to climb - well, at least me two hours to climb. Between all the running back and forth, Xela and Tomba probably climbed that mountain five times over.

Back at the cabin, Xela curled up in her chair and took a long snooze. Tiring her out was a major accomplishment for me. She got so used to her daily runs that they became the equivalent of a stroll in the park for her.

Underneath the photos below are the lyrics to "Whither," a song I frequently hum to myself (the first half is from Psalms).

All the photos can be enlarged by double clicking.

Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit

Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence

If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there If I make my bed in hell Behold, Thou art there
If I take the wings of the morning
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea

Even there shall Thy hand lead me And Thy right hand shall hold me

Grace unto you

And peace from above

Peace from on high to Thy spirit Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am God

Grace has come to us today

Grace has come, let it stay

A tribute to my beloved Xela

Snow falls, covering Xela's paw prints on what would be her first birthday
My powder hound who loved fresh tracks just as much as I do ...
Velvet black leaping through white crystals - a few clinging to her muzzle
My Xela
My sweet, beautiful, playful, faithful Xela
May you have mountains to climb, dirty laundry to sniff and peanut butter to fill your belly

"Please take me home"
"I like these mountains Mommy take me to"
"My yellow football is my favorite toy, I even snuggle with it at night"
"Why would you want to work when you can play with me instead?"

Best friends

Shadow and Xela
"Mommy, I have no idea how your book bag got wrapped around me"

Snuggle time with Joshua"Nothing like a good foot to rest your head on" Mommy and Xela
Happy Dog

"This is what I do while Mommy makes newspapers""I'm not so sure about not having all four paws on the ground"
"Will you throw my stick, mommy?"
"Look, I found a good size stick"

On Sunday Xela got hit by a car and passed on while we were driving to pet emergency. A neighbor dog came to play, and in the joy and excitement of the moment Xela leaped out onto the road just as a car came around the corner.