Have You Ever Been to a Hospital?

Well, I have. Now. Let me tell you what happened…

Mom got sick a few weeks ago and then Dad got sick. I knew there was something wrong. Then, over a week ago, some humans came and took Dad away in a big truck. Mom said it was an ambulance. And then she was gone. A LOT. And my hu-sis suddenly came all the way from the Popster land! And they were gone. A LOT. I was really sad.

Then, one day, Mom says: “Do you want to go see your daddy?”

Did she have to ask?

Off we went to this big place with lots of door and elevators and stuff. I wasn’t scared at all. Then, all of a sudden, we were in his room! It was really special–Mom said he was in the Cardiac ICU, whatever that means. And they like dogs there! I was soooooo happy. And so was he.

Every day I go back to see him. All the peeps that come in think I’m such a good dog! He’s now in another room, but that hasn’t stopped me going. 

Here I am! This is my Dad

Dad has to go someplace else before he can come home, but I know I can go visit him. I’m not so sad anymore.Mom here: Sage’s Dad developed pneumonia a couple of weeks ago and then lost all mobility in his legs.  He was admitted to the hospital over a week ago. A few days later, he coded and was moved to the Cardiac ICU. His heart muscle is fine, but he has developed atrial fibrillation (a-fib). After several days of trying to reverse it chemically, the decision was made to insert a pacemaker. There will be another procedure at some point to ablate the a-fib. Then he will spend a few weeks in a rehab facility to regain his mobility. Sage has been magnificent throughout all this ordeal and the awesome ability to be able to take her to see him has lifted both of their spirits.

We probably won’t be around much to visit for a while, but we’ll do what we can.

Mosier Plateau Hike

We’re a little late getting this out, but it was such a good hike that I just had to tell you about it!

Mosier is a little town about 70 miles east of Portland, so we met up with Mr. N at 1000 Acres. A good run before heading out was needed by both of us and the long drive to Mosier gave us both time to catch a quick nap. When we turned off the highway (that always wakes me up), we got a little lost. The trailhead wasn’t well marked, but after Mom got on her trusty phone, we backtracked and found it. Off we went!

We followed the trail past a pioneer cemetery nestled on the side of the hill and soon came to a waterfall.

At the falls

That’s a ways down!

I’ll stay right here

It was a fairly easy hike to the top of the plateau–some stairs to climb and a bunch of switchbacks–and wild flowers all over the place. I saw a lizard and my prey drive kicked in! Good thing Mom always keeps me on a leash when we’re hiking. But I inspected every grouping of rocks–I was sure there were more!

Balsamroot

The best part was at the top–we could see the Columbia making its way to the ocean. What a view!i was glad Mom packed plenty of water…my black coat makes me even hotter! And I’m even gladder Mom puts flea and tick medicine on me–one of those nasty ticks got on me, but Mom got it off before it could do any harm. Those things are just plain icky!!

We stayed up there for a while. Me looking for lizards; the Moms enjoying the scenery and Mr. N watching several Hawks circling overhead.I told Mr. N not to worry. I would have no problem chasing them away. What were they thinking anyway?

And now Mom is off taking care of the Popstar, but we’ll be around to see everyone really soon.

WW: I Pose for Treats!

Pittock Mansion Hike

Right in the heart of Portland, high atop one of the west hills, sits the Pittock Mansion. The Pittocks were prominent Portland residents during the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s and were instrumental in building Portland into the thriving city it is now. The mansion was built late in their lives at the pinnacle of their success and the view was as spectacular as their lovely home.

Overlooking Portland

Sage & Mr. N

The grounds were beautiful

We headed down the trail for a fairly short hike to the Stone House, right in the heart of Forest Park. This building, now in ruins, which was originally built in 1950 as an elaborate bathroom.Graffiti covered several of its walls, but Mr. N and I found a wall where we could pose.  AND, we didn’t even use the facilities!! 😃

Then rain started coming down. We scurried back up the path, but not before I examined each and every culvert. I wasn’t sure what I’d find, but I just had to look.

Mom says I missed one–she must have walked way too fast at that point.

We scampered along Balch Creek (no, I didn’t get to go in) back up the trail to our respective vehicles.

We all got wet, but that’s what happens here!

WW: The Happy Hiker

B&W Sunday: Surfs Up!

Ponytail Falls

Hiking the falls in the Columbia Gorge is always fun and you never know what you’re going to see. Mom said we were going to stop at Horsetail Falls and I had my mind all made up that this is what we were going to see.

Silly me. I guess I wasn’t listening and missed the “Falls” part…

and I sure didn’t see any horses.Mr. N and I cavorted up the path through a series of switchbacks lined with basalt walls. We soon reached Upper Horsetail Falls, also called Ponytail Falls. The water fell into a pool (how I longed to take a dip) and the path went behind the falls!

                                 Have you ever been behind a falls?

Mom loves to know all this stuff about why we were behind the falls, so she said I could tell you. In very simple terms (that’s me, by the way), a basalt lava flow buried a softer layer of rock and soil. Then water and winter ice removed the softer material below, creating a cavern of sorts. And there we were! In the cavern.

Moving along, we hiked to a spot that overlooked the Columbia River

And found a nice spot to take a rest.

WW: My BC Crouch

WW: One Happy Dog

Is it Really Winter?

While most of the US east of the Rockies is still in the deep freeze, Portland chalked up the warmest February on record. Really! Snow packs less than 10% of normal and drought looming for the summer is what’s happening. So, how does this impact me?

– Mud puddles at 1000 acres are almost non-existent — a real problem in my book.

– My hair is falling out all over the place and I HATE being brushed. I think that’s a Mom problem though…

– Hikes have been on the schedule–you’ve seen several — that’s definitely a plus.

– There are still beaches at the rivers — another plus, especially at this time of the year.

And everything is in bloom.

Pee Ess: I know I was going to tell you about my adventures at the Popstar’s (some is on my FB page). I PROMISE that’ll be next, but Mom came home and got the sickies. And, I had to put my nurse cap on again.I don’t know if she’s better yet, but we’ll get by to see you all! Stay warm (and well)!!