Caccha's Labradors: Maine Bound

It has been four years since our last trip to Maine. Pearl was only 5 months old and it was Willow's last visit to the cottage. This trip will be Willow Sunshine's first trip to the coast, she has never seen the ocean, rocks, seagulls, lobster boats, or scented the salty brine of fog. We are excited to say the least, but there is a sense of nostalgia. I have never been to the cottage without Willow, at least since 1996.

Willow, 8 weeks, and Theia - Willow's first trip to Maine, 1996

It was a week, maybe even a couple of days, after I brought Willow home from Wendy's, that we made the long trip from Guilford, CT to the South Addison, Maine. Willow was only 8 weeks old. Willow's dam, Theia, came along for the trip. I let Theia most of the training at that time.

First swim - 9 weeks old - 1996

It was this first trip to Maine when I began a religious documentation of her life. I knew I was given a gift, an angel, to keep and hold. From that moment on I tried my best to live in the moment, as dogs do, and absorb every little bit of Willow's essence. I did this for 15 1/2 years!

Willow - 1 year old, and Lobster with Leah

The wonder at that time, when Willow was only a puppy, would not dissipate. Who would she become, would I be able to train this quizzical active little soul, and socialize her properly? What kind of dog would she become? Now she is gone, and I look back on her life, in wonder, amazement, and love. She became an agility dog, canine good citizen, avid squirrel huntress, mother of nine puppies, survived lymphoma, raised a wonderful son, survived vestibular disease, and internal bleeding after her spay. Her life seems so short to a human, imagine living only 15 1/2 years. No life is too short when lived as full and rich as Willow's.

Maine - 2005

In that first year of her life, Willow made four trips to Maine. We returned as often as we could, sometimes we would miss a year. No matter, the next trip was always the same. Nothing changed.

Maine- 2009

The most memorable trip was in 2008, this was the last trip Willow, Nash and I went alone. We stayed in the cottage for seven days that year. It was a week of bliss. I wrote about it in Seven Days in Maine. Upon return from that trip Willow was diagnosed with lymphoma, I actually think she had it during the trip. I remember thinking she seemed "off" Sluggish, but not enough to make me think something was wrong.

Willow 2008

Each of my dogs has been there within their first year.

Maine 2000, Nash's first trip

So - here is to a new adventure, new stories, new photographs. Starting this Sunday, the 25th, we are going to disconnect and reconnect with ourselves, and I will fall in love, again, with my three little angels.

2009, Pearl 5 months old - her first trip