My favorite hello

Less than a week after we lost Blitz, we brought Randi home.

Randi (Miranda at the shelter) is just over 50% Labrador Retriever and the rest is a smattering of many different breeds (coonhound, pitbull, German shepherd, rottweiler, beagle, poodle, terrier…). She’s about a year and a half old and still in that puppyish phase where she thinks biting people is a game. (I have the bruises and broken skin on my arms and legs to prove it.)

We started her on training and she’s getting more comfortable by the day. She has various neuroses from her life before us. Fortunately, we aren’t new to dealing with this. Blitz had a lot of social problems and anxiety for YEARS before he mellowed out (which, incidentally, happened after our dog, Reece, died. He was meant to be in a one-dog household). It just takes patience and care.

Anyway, despite her issues, she is a joy to us and we love her so much already. She will never replace Blitz, of course. And she reminds us so much of Reece that we have actually called her that a few times. But Randi is undoubtedly 100% Randi.

As for my training.

Three weeks until MammothMarch. At this time on August 2, I will be almost 2 hours into it.

My training has slipped in the past month. Between celebrating birthdays, Blitz’s death, and Randi’s adoption… it’s been a lot to deal with. I haven’t done a hike above 10 miles in over a month. Though I have combined hikes over a weekend to get double-digit mileage.

I’m trying so hard to get back on track. I don’t have much time.

Some photos from recent hikes.