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The weekend immediately following my mother’s emergency and Ursa’s emergency (what a fucking week that was, huh?), we sought refuge at James’ parents’ cabin in the Poconos. We figured if this really was Ursa’s final weekend with us, what better place to spend our time together than in one of her favorite places on Earth. And I desperately needed to get away from Cartwheel Farm to help quell the anxiety and stress I was feeling every day as the sun began to set. It’s amazing to look back on those days, which really weren’t that long ago, and feel so grateful for how far I’ve come and how much better, less scared, and more normal life feels. I am so relieved that I received the support I needed as quickly as I did, and that it really has made all the difference. That’s a whole other post, a conversation about mental health and taking advantage of and using the resources available during times of emotional and mental struggle to help feel safe once again. And the various challenges or taboos with doing so. It’s been marinating for weeks…

ANYWAY, back to our weekend in PA.

We delighted in our usual lake adventures. Swimming, berry picking, swimming, super man diving, swimming, and more swimming. Kaki’s FGPs were nearby for a wedding, so they visited us briefly at the lake before heading to the festivities. Sunny stayed an extra three days with James’ parents and one of her uncles after we departed on Sunday to give James and I one less dependent to worry about. She came home with a bag filled with treats from a trip to a local candy store, so I’d say she had a great time.

^^ Check out that bologna tongue!^^

^^James’ parents have two black labs, and live in a cabin aptly named BLACK FEET LODGE during the summer. When our girls descend, the place truly lives up to its name. Four black retrievers. It’s awesome.^^

^^Please take note of James’ epic head shake in the background.^^

^^Huckleberries for Kaki.^^

^^FGPs and Baby Brie in the house (or “on the docks,” as it were)!^^

^^Fully clothed and diapered, and yet we let her completely submerge herself while we swam the dogs before heading back to Vermont.^^

And our Wonder Dog, doing her Wonder Dog thing. We thought this would be our final weekend with her, and yet, once again, she totally defied the odds. Here she is choosing to do her racing dives off the dock rather than swim from the shore like the vet requested we have her do. You try to tell the Three-Legged Cancer Dog to take it easy! Girlfriend is still racing around like it ain’t no thang. The vet thinks that her emergency was simply a bee sting that caused the sudden onset of pain and panic, which is why it subsided relatively quickly after. OF COURSE OUR DYING DOG WOULD GET A BEE STING THAT WOULD PRESENT ITSELF LIKE THE DOINGS OF THE EVIL CANCER LURKING WITHIN! Fucking bees. (Apologies for the double F-bombs in this post. Apparently I’m feeling rather saucy.)