The Recent Adventures of Maggie

We took a trip to Lansing weekend before last for Sam's graduation from Michigan State. After installing Maggie in the back seat with her premium-grade cushion, we went on our merry way. I was a bit dismayed to glance back sometime later and see the following:

"Hmm, well, I guess if they put me here..."

On the 14th, we had our first trip to the vet. He's Dr. Jerry Harrison, up in Lake Leelanau. A bit far, but worth the trip. Dr. Harrison gave Maggie a clean bill of health, though she has been snuffling quite a bit. "Reverse sneezing," this is called; nothing to worry about. Probably allergies.

Like mother, like dog-her.

On the way back home, we had a nice walk on the Leelanau Trail. Here's how it looks NOT covered with snow:

The cherry trees are starting to bloom! Everything is very pretty. It was so hot, though, that Maggie was overheating a little. We went from shade spot to shade spot (which, as you can see, were pretty far apart).

So a few days later, I thought it would be a good idea to get the canoe out and paddle around the rocky shoreline to the nice smooth stretch of sand that we enjoy walking on. The bay is high, and it's hard to navigate the rocks these days (it was easier when everything was frozen over).

Maggie was not a willing participant in this exercise...at least, not at first. She really didn't want to get in the canoe, but I, being the sensitive mother I am, made her. Once in the canoe, she was fine. In fact, she was quite a trooper! It turned out to be a bit windy, and the front of the canoe was bouncing around a bit...quite a bit on the way back, especially. One thing I'd forgotten to take into account was the direction of the wind. It was at our backs on the way over. On the way back, we found ourselves quite literally BUCKING the wind...there was no possibility of a leisurely j-stroke; it was paddle for all you were worth on one side, then the other, and you might make a few inches...finally, after twenty minutes of exertion, sloshing water all over, and the front of the canoe slapping wildly on the bay, we made it home. Maggie took it all in stride, but scrambled over the side as soon as we got close to the shore, instead of waiting for me to lift her out as she'd done before. Hmm...

I don't know if the Mags will be up for another canoeing adventure. We'll see.

Then last Sunday, we went hunting for that all-elusive forest delicacy: the morel mushroom. We discovered a beautiful place only 15 miles from TC: Sand Lakes Quiet Area. What a nice name, eh? You can already tell it's going to be a lovely experience.

So we looked and looked and found peace, sunshine, a few other campers, some fishermen, an impossibly high bench, and gorgeous lakes...but no mushrooms. Oh, well. Here's the bench:

Me, Debbie, and a bench too high for even an intrepid little dog to reach.

One of the lovely Sand Lakes.

Finally, just a few days ago, a landmark day occurred: FIRST DAY WITH TOES/PAWS IN WATER. Here's Maggie enjoying a little wade in the bay:


Just to show she's no wimp, she did indeed venture into the canoe again. This time I picked a better day. Sun, a little wind but not too much...no bucking this time! A peaceful time was had by all.

Returning home, I hauled my contraband Belizean mahogany deck chairs out of the rec room and we had our first nice sit-down of the season outside the house, looking at our tulips and the lovely bay.

Further adventures await, but that's all for now.