What about Griffin?

If you know me, you likely know my dog Griffin. In 1999, he and I met online at the Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue site. I liked his goofy ears. He liked that I could make food appear. But alas, he was in Florida and I was in Virginia. A match made in heaven was separated by many miles of Interstate 95. As good luck would have it, several such long distance relationships had developed and a hearty DC-based Rescue volunteer drove to Florida to bring back some pups. Griffin was one of about six Ridgebacks packed in a minivan traveling north on I95. I don’t have the details, but I think they stopped at South of the Boarder to get fireworks. And to pee.

Griff and I have been together since then. We’ve camped, we’ve trained for running events, we’ve caught possums. To be sure, our most notable adventure was an eight month cross-country motorhome trip. On that trip we visited forests, mountains, glaciers, oceans, deserts and prairies. We enjoyed the company of friends and we chased off evil-doers. It is that trip that inspired the “beyond the dogpark” name, as it represented a notable experience in leaving the familiar behind in search of the unknown. For more information on that trip, click HERE.

As I’ve discussed the upcoming motorcycle trip with friends, the first question inevitably relates to Griffin. Sadly, Griffin will be staying behind on this trip. I have very seriously considered solutions involving a side car or trailer to carry Griffin or a motorhome to haul the bike. But no solution seems plausible. I want to do this trip on a bike, and I think that Griff might be a couple years too old to handle being in the elements on a near full-time basis.

It will be difficult for me to leave him behind as he has been my everyday example of how to set aside constructed concerns and make the most of each situation. But I will leave knowing that he will be in the good care of our friend Lauren. She and Griffin will “hold down the fort” at my house for the next several months.