Green River lakes, WY.

Point Reyes, CA.

Grand Tetons, WY.

“Perhaps one central reason for loving dogs is that they take us away from this obsession with ourselves. When our thoughts start to go in circles, and we seem unable to break away, wondering what horrible event the future holds for us, the dog opens a window into the delight of the moment.” 
― Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

6 years ago, on May 29, I picked up the most wonderful dog I have ever met (and I have known many a great dog). I knew the minute I met him that he was special, and we already had a significant bond. His name is BART (an acronym for Bay Area Rapid Transit since he pulled him like a train when I first got him). He is my heart dog, and we have an unbelievable bond. 

Cayucos, CA.

He went from being found on the streets of Tulare County, CA to the SPCA (where my friend Rosie who worked there found a no-kill shelter to put him in), went through two different homes before he came into my life. After getting him, I worked with our trainer Debbie Tisdale from All Ears Dog Training and we worked on getting his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) from the AKC. 

Western side of the Grand Tetons, WY/ID.

We then went exploring throughout the United States. In the past six years, he has been my constant travel buddy. We’ve been to California, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. He even got a pass when I was networking at Outdoor Retailer. He loves to look out at the mountains and lakes (especially at sunrise and sunset), go fishing in lakes, hike for long hours, chill out at our van (Vanny Devito), and is happy as long as he is with me. 

On the road to South Lake, CA.

He has protected me from a grizzly bear in the Wind River Range, and I’ve protected him from his seizures (he developed epilepsy over a year ago - but he is over a year seizure-free now on medication!). We look out for each other, cheer each other on, cuddle when we’re sad, and look for squirrels (his favorite pastime). 

Wit-sa-nap (Convict Lake), CA.

Since I do not know when his birthday is, I have always considered today his big day. He was probably 1.5-2 years old when I got him, so I say he is now an 8-year-old doggo. The best 8-year-old doggo. We are about to go on our next adventure, and I can’t wait to see what the next year of adventures has to bring us. I love you, Bart, with all of my heart and soul. I am grateful for every minute you are with me. 

Rock Creek, Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, MT.

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring–it was peace.” 
― Milan Kundera