The Very Special Scarf

July 4, 2023

It was 9:00 PM on Saturday May 24, 2014 when we rolled the large travel crate out of the arrival terminal at San Francisco International Airport. I had been waiting anxiously for this evening for almost two months. We rolled the crate into an elevator and found our way to the outdoor parking lot for a few last minute details before taking Kali home to Livermore. This was the beginning of a life changing event not only for me for me but also for Kali who had traveled all the way from Taiwan and into my arms. Her life became mine, and mine became hers. Neither of us would ever be the same! New readers can learn more about the origins of Golden Kali here.

As we were preparing to drive home to Livermore a volunteer from the local rescue group, True Love Rescue, placed a scarf around Kali’s neck. The scarf was red, white, and blue with patterns of stars and stripes. A fitting symbol for Kali now that she was an American Girl. The scarf became an immediate and special symbol of Kali’s journey, and of her emerging life in America.

That was Memorial weekend 2014. Kali wore the scarf for the rest of the weekend until I took it off and tied it onto her crate. She wore it again on Fourth of July and then it went into a drawer. Kali and I are big fans of tradition, Since that first Fourth Of July together, and for the past nine years, I only take the scarf out on Fourth of July for Kali to wear for the day.

Except Kali is not with us anymore. This is the second “4th” since Kali crossed the bridge. So like last year, and for hopefully many more years to come, her “little” sister Kloe will “carry the torch” and carry on the tradition of wearing the Very Special Scarf,. But only on the Fourth Of July.

Kali (left) July 4, 2019. Kloe (right) July 4, 2023

Note to self…

June 3, 2018

Note to self: Don’t work on sprinklers and drip irrigation when your two year old pup has a 6 month old friend over to play. Although there was plenty of dry ground available for playing chase and wrestling the water was like a magnet and these two had quite the time.

Thought bubble over Kloe’s head: “That was awesome!”

Thought bubble over six month old Chewie’s head: “Are we in trouble?”

Needless to say, baths followed and the irrigation project was put on hold for a couple of days.

Swim Time At The Lake

September 18, 2017

It was almost as though the water took the weight of the world off my eight year old Kali. Well, I guess in some ways it did because when you’re paddling and floating the water is absorbing much of your weight instead of your joints and bones.

And so it was for Kali this afternoon at the lake.

With summer winding down we wanted to get the girls back up to the lake for another romp in the water while the weather was still reasonably warm. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind the cold freezing snow melt later this year but Holly and I would! Kloe loves the water and we knew that she would have no problem getting in the deep stuff so we were prepared this time with the long 30 foot leash. We’re not yet comfortable letting either of the dogs, especially our little dare devil Kloe, into the Lake without a “safety net”.

Kloe had a blast, as expected, swimming out to retrieve the sticks we threw in the water. This was the first time she really had an opportunity to outright swim without her legs touching the bottom of the lake and it was fun to see her eyes when she realized she was floating and then started paddling. She did get a little more reserved the deeper out she got. This actually made me feel relieved because one, she knows her limits to a degree, and two, I wouldn’t have to reel her in like a Marlin. On the other hand if squirrels could swim and happened to be in the lake all bets would be off and I’m pretty sure Kloe would hyperplane towards the dastardly swimming vermin.

But Kali was really the surprise star of the afternoon.

Kali had been hanging around in the shallow water as Kloe swam out to retrieve sticks. We gave Kloe a break and put the long leash on Kali just for grins. Before we knew it she was romping and stomping in the water. I threw a stick as a joke but the joke was on me. Kali dove into the water, swam out to the stick, grabbed it, and brought it back and dropped it. I threw it again and she repeated the exercise.

So shame on me for underestimating my (aging) Golden Kali who seemed years younger as soon as her fur hit the water and her feet began to paddle. Most days with Kali are a joy but today will stand out for many months to come.

She won’t get a lot of points for style or grace but I give her a 10.0 for effort and heart. Good girl old lady!

Doggie Daddies, BBQ, and Flannels

June 19, 2017

It’s Fathers Day in the U.S. of A. A day to celebrate good o’l Dad and lavish him with praise, gifts, and hugs while he slaves over the BBQ attempting to satisfy his primal urge to ~~drink a lot of guilt free beer~~ feed his family and ensure their very survival. After a day of hunting at the local butcher shop dad will season up his ~~kill~~ purchase, put on the gaudy apron one his kids gave his last year, throw the fatted cow (or chicken or fish or all three) on the coals (or propane depending on his heating preferences) pop open a frosty beverage and “get it on”.

There is nothing more American than these Father’s Day rituals except of course Mother’s Day and Apple Pie. And Old Glory, rodeo, and baseball. Oh and white picket fences and Levi’s jeans. OK, well sorry Dads there are plenty of things more American so I guess we just need to work harder…

Meanwhile, Kali and Kloe wanted to wish all the Doggie Daddies a very happy day. Any Dad worth his cook’s hat has a flannel shirt in his closet. As a tribute to all of you Kali and Kloe dawned one of their own Dad’s flannels to pose for this picture.

Happy Fathers Day!

Memorial Weekend

May 28, 2017

Memorial Day. A holiday in the United States to honor those who died while serving in the armed services. Before I launch into the main topic of this blog let me say thank you to all those and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our country. I hope it was a justified and last resort decision by our government to put you in harms way.

Memorial Weekend. The unofficial start of Summer. Warm weather, BBQ’s, and frosty adult beverages. A time to strip off layers and lather up in sunscreen. A time when Rock and Roll gives way to Country music and Jazz moves aside for Bluegrass. At least on my play lists…

There is certainly room for both perspectives on a long three-day weekend. We can simultaneously pay tribute to those who have passed during dark times while enjoying the brightness and warmth of the sun in the present.

Around the Golden K there’s other reasons for gratitude and remembrance. Events that have greatly shaped this latest phase of mine and Holly’s life.

It was three years ago this Memorial weekend that Golden Kali’s foster care givers drove her and 22 other rescued Golden Retrievers to the airport in Taiwan. The care givers stayed with the Goldens cooing and petting while waiting in the terminal until the last possible moment before placing them in a travel crates for the 12 hour flight to SFO. Meanwhile, Holly and I and our daughter were driving from Livermore to SFO in great anticipation of meeting Kali and welcoming her into our family. The plane landed and eventually the 23 Golden Beauties were wheeled in their travel crates into the terminal and united with their new families for a second and well deserved chance at forever happiness.

It was just one year ago this Memorial weekend that Holly and I closed the door behind us in Livermore and drove away to our new home in the mountains. After 23 years of raising three kids in Livermore we sold our home, packed up our belongings and drove away. But not before taking one last walk around the empty house, mostly in silence, remembering both the good and challenging times with a melancholy fitting for a major life changing event. As we walked out we paused and hugged, choked back a few tears, closed the door, and drove away.

When we drove away Kali – our Golden Treasure – was there by our side as she had been for the past two years. But now there was also Kloe. Kloe – the ten week old precious puppy we adopted just a week before the big move. Some would call it crazy to adopt a puppy before making a major life change. But thats how we roll and we considered ourselves blessed to have this little girl at Kali’s side as we drove into the future.

Our home in the mountains is called The Golden K. A year ago we were mesmerized to be living in the middle of the Stanislaus forest under pines, oaks, and cedars. A year later the magic remains. Except this year the boxes are unpacked and we sit and relax on the patio looking up at the pines, cedars, and oaks reflecting on a year of great change and good fortune. I look down at my feet and see my rock, my girl, my Golden Kali who’s been by my side every day all day for the past three years. Next to Kali is Kloe who a year ago was 15 pounds and now weighs in at 80. Still very much a puppy and so very much a part of the fabric of our lives.

So it’s It’s Memorial Weekend 2017 and we are so blessed here. Here at The Golden K with our two girls and a romantic perspective of life at 3100 feet.

Warm sunny greetings to all from Kali and Kloe @ The Golden K

Cooling down at the Apple Orchard Park

Golden Kali in her later years

Kloe’s stoic look pretending not to be a puppy

The Golden K Memorial Weekend 2017

In spite of the faces they had a ball playing dress up in dad’s flannel shirts

The Golden K at dusk

The Outdoor Bath Tub

July 17, 2016

Of the many canine friendly amenities at Kali’s new mountain house there is one that will make both our lives easier about once a month. The outdoor bath tub. The previous owners were dog lovers like us. They had three of their own and many things in and around the house were very clearly designed to be dog friendly and safe.

The tub was pretty dirty from winter and not being used for some time and I finally got around to cleaning it today. The out door bath tub is located adjacent to the stand alone garage up the hill from the house. I headed up the to garage with some cleaning supplies and Kali followed along.

I was only planning on cleaning the tub – not Kali. But that all changed as I as I finished cleaning and looked over to my right to see Kali laying down in a large puddle of mud. It’s been pretty hot the past several days and I’m sure the cool muddy water felt very good to her. I look over at Kali and start to laugh. Kali looks up and smiles as if to say, “Hey Dad – this is great! A girl needs spa treatment every now and then and this mineral laced mud and mountain water will do wonders for my skin and completion.”

So what better way to christen the outdoor bath tub than on a warm Sunday afternoon enjoying Kali’s new life in the mountains.

The tub and Kali’s “mineral springs” to the right

I love this place

Can I get a Pedi next?

Blazing New Trails

August 16, 2015

The neighborhood was all a twitter as the engines rolled in with sirens and hoses. One after another the engines kept coming and more and more firemen hit the trail.

You know you live in a quiet neighborhood when the biggest event in recent history is five or six fire vehicles pulling onto your street to douse a small fire. But, it could have been a much larger fire – lord knows the elements are prime for a huge blaze – but our guys took care of business quickly and efficiently.

The trail head to Kali’s creek trail begins at the end of the block. After over a year of walking the trail almost daily Kali knows the trail like the back of her paw. Pretty much the same sights, same smells, and same neighbors out for strolls with the dogs, a bike ride or a jog. Hit the trail head, stop for a quick poop (Kali not me), wrap around the golf course, bark -if antagonized – at a couple yap-yap dogs through a fence in a trailside home, on to the duck pond, a quick jaunt past the dog park (past being the operative term here since Kali is not ready to go in yet), and then we head home. It’s our routine.

So it was of some personal interest to Kali and I when we heard the fire engines and saw that they were converging at the trail head from both sides of the creek to address a fire that had started in the brush. One of the fire fighters told me that the fire had been started by someone throwing a flare into the creek. I hate to assume it was kids who did it but boredom in suburbia after two months of summer vacation is the likely circumstance for someone to “see what would happen”.

We’re in the middle of a mini-heat wave and the temps were in the low 100’s yesterday and will remain so for another couple of days. So on top of an already drought-ridden landscape the high temps and moderate winds make anywhere in this area prime for a major fire with little effort on mother nature’s part of any one stupid enough to throw a burning cigarette – of flare – into a wooded area. Fortunately, the fire was put out quickly with minimal impact to the creek and no harm to any of the surrounding homes.

I’ve always been fascinated with fire fighting. When I was five years old I told my mother I wanted to be a fireman. To this day I wish I had gone into that line of work and don’t have a reason or excuse for why I didn’t. When I see news stories about fires this time of year, homes in danger, and acres and acres ablaze I feel compelled to drive to the area to see what I can do to help. “Give me a shovel. Here, I’ll help move that hose….. “. “Stay out of the way old man. If you wanted to be a fire fighter you should have done so years ago when you were in your prime!”. Sigh…. “OK, I’ll just watch from here but let me know if you need anything. I’ve got a real cool dog – you want to meet her later? Maybe she could ride in the engine next to you.”

Gaining access at the trail head

Crews Converging

“Let’s roll boys! We’ve got a fire to put out before the game comes on back at the fire house….”

I guess this is one way to get the water level back up in the creek….

All is well again at the creek

I have few if any regrets in my life but not being a fire fighter may be one. And if I had been I guess I’d be adopting Dalmatians instead of Golden Retrievers, right? NOT! I can guarantee you that If I was a fire fighter my Golden Kali would be riding and smiling along side of me in Engine No. 7 and helping to keep her community safe.

Piper

July 19, 2015

As expected Kali and Piper quickly established territories, roles, and generally worked things out. My prediction of kissy-face by the end of the first day fell a little short but they were co-existing nicely, mostly calm and relaxed, both seemingly comfortable with the situation.

What’s a Piper?

In my last post I wrote about our friends Stephanie and Dillip who would be on vacation for two weeks. Holly and I offered to take care of their one year-old Australian Shepherd, Piper, while they were gone. Even with Kali’s anxiety around other dogs I was confident that she would adjust and quickly accept – perhaps even enjoy – having Piper around for a couple of weeks.

Piper

Steph and Dillip dropped off Piper with the car seat, crib, diaper bag, doctor’s phone numbers, and blankie (their going to make great parents!…) and were off to the airport for India via Dubai. Holly and I decided to stay a lot closer to home and went to the backyard to hang out with Kali and Piper.

The two meet and greet “play” dates for Kali and Piper we had over the past couple of weeks definately made a difference. Even though Kali was not totally on board with things yet I could tell that she was familiar enough with Piper to know 1) she wasn’t a threat and that 2) that she wasn’t going to go away. So after a couple of minutes of posturing and barking – much like she did at the start of their meet and greets – Kali settled down at my feet and watched as Piper began to explore the yard. There were a few more intermittent barks especially when Piper picked up a few of Kali’s toys but overall it was pretty non-evenful as hoped and we went about our day.

Inside the house Kali would give Piper an occasional face-woof if Piper got too close. So Piper was very reserved at first and found safe haven underneath the dining room table. Then she discovered the toy box.

It was fun to watch Kali watching Piper pulling out toy after toy and taking them to her new den underneath the table. At one point Kali had enough, got up and took a toy from Piper, which prompted Piper to try to get it back from Kali, which led to running and barking in the house, which led to me pushing them out into the yard, which led to more running and – wait for it – Kali playing with Piper.

I finally got my kid to go under the Gymboree parachute! I realized I had a BIG smile on my face as I watched Kali chase after Piper with a playful bark. It was a “I’m bigger than you and and older and I’m gonna prove it to you” bark. Then Piper would stop, hunker down, pop up and begin chasing (herding?) Kali barking, “Yeah, but I’m way faster than you are, and I’m younger, and I can do this for hours.” When Kali got tired and seemed to lose interest in the game Piper would go nip her in the butt and the game would start over again. Very cool for this Dad to see his girl having fun whether she wanted to or not. 🙂 Yes, I realize this is normal behavior for most dogs so what’s the big deal, right?

Well, this IS a big deal for Kali. OK…this is a big deal for ME. And while I know it’s not supposed to be about me, this time it is.

So after almost 24 hours so far so good. I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks with these Aussie and Taiwanese “Gal-Pals”.

The Aussie and Taiwaneese “Gal-Pals”

Keeping Your Pets Cool This Summer

June 16, 2015

Good advice for newbies and great reminders for experienced dog lovers.