Lulu Belle joined our family late one cold and rainy night in Rockport, Texas. We’d caught glimpses of a stray pup darting around our rural neighborhood for several days, but the little spotted dog never stayed still long enough for us to make contact. That night, something changed.
Perhaps she was lured to our home by the smell of food (or perhaps by the scent of our two dogs) but whatever the reason, she was finally comfortable enough to shelter from the rain on our front porch. When we opened our door to the skinny, wormy, puppy, she wiggled her way promptly into our home, our warm (dog-friendly) bed, and the heart of our pack. And there she remained.
One Big Adventure
Over the next 15 years Lulu Belle traveled with us to more than 30 states and several Canadian provinces. Her favorite stance was perched by the window, head turning constantly to take in the changing scenery. She seldom lay down – even on the longest traveling days – ever vigilant as we drove wide, fast highways and dusty, bumpy back roads, eagerly taking in sightings from moose and orcas to buffalo and elk. Each new discovery would be greeted by an hearty and enthusiastic “woof” as we passed by.
As we set out earlier this month on our eagerly anticipated (and senior dog-friendly) road trip to explore the back roads of New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Colorado, Lulu stood sentry in the backseat, eagerly scanning for wildlife around every turn. While her body was slowly succumbing to a degenerative spinal cord condition, her eagerness for adventure and her love of her pack stayed strong.
Even as her weight plummeted and she began to refuse all food, her eyes still sparkled as she was lifted into the truck, and her tail wagged as her leash was clipped to her collar. She lay down for much of the driving, snuggled against her pack-mate, Stevie Ray, but still popped up occasionally to woof softly at the sight of cows on the open range.
We were just off the Arizona Rim Road, camped for the night under a spectacular crimson sunset, when her body began to shut down. By morning, we knew that it was time to choose the kinder path and end her suffering with the dignity she deserved.
Some Kind Humans Helped Us
Thankfully, a park ranger was able to direct us to a wonderful vet in Show Low (Alta Sierra Animal Hospital) who was able to work in an emergency appointment for our little family. That afternoon, in a cozy little room, with the humans on the floor and the dogs snuggled in our laps, Lulu Belle’s physical suffering ended.
Happy Trails, Sweet Girl
Just before she passed, deep in the throes of an old dog dream, Lulu Belle’s feet paddled in a gentle gallop as she prepared to set off on her next adventure. We take comfort in the belief that one day, when our own human traveling days our done, we will pick up the thread of our journey and travel once more with all the pack-mates we’ve loved and lost – including our sweet old girl.
Until then, whenever we pass a cow or horse or bison – anything that would have caught and held our Lulu Belle’s attention – we say an honorary “woof” in her memory. She was a “going-kind-of-girl” and her sweet soul and spirit of adventure will live on in our hearts, capturing the very essence of our search for beauty, peace, and wildness in all places “woof the beaten path”.
Happy trails, sweet girl…We’re a way behind you on the path we all must travel and we’re happy to know you’re just ahead, scouting the way. We’ll see you again one day, somewhere on a back road just over the Rainbow Bridge.
