This one is hard to write. I had fully expected this to be a fun, celebratory post, because Choppy and I finished up Year 4 of the Dog Walk Challenge on April 30. Now, obviously, it is anything but celebratory.
I’m going to keep on with the walking. I have grown to love walking, even though it has been rough all week without Choppy. I’ll still post, too – I need to keep myself accountable, and this has proved a great way to do so.
When the walking keeps me healthy (hopefully for a long, long time), I’ll have Choppy to thank for it. She certainly wouldn’t have wanted me to stop walking, because her walks were the highlight of many of her days – and many of mine, too.
***
One of the last pictures I took of Choppy – this was the morning of her surgery, and the second-to-last day of Year 4. It was a rainy morning, but we still ventured outside. I was trying to get her to go back in her cart, but she really wanted to keep walking – hence why she doesn’t look the happiest with me.
(Picture taken April 29, 2020)
***
The Walks:
Day 365/1,461 (April 29 – Home) – Total Mileage: 2.1 Miles (1 Walk)
Day 366/1,462 (April 30 – Home) – Total Mileage: 2.2 Miles (1 Walk)
Day 1/1,463 (May 1 – Home) – Total Mileage: 2.1 Miles (1 Walk)
Day 2/1,464 (May 2 – Home) – Total Mileage: 3.8 Miles (1 Walk)
Day 3/1,465 (May 3 – Home) – Total Mileage: 4.2 Miles (1 Walk)
Day 4/1,466 (May 4 – Home) – Total Mileage: 2.1 Miles (1 Walk)
Day 5/1,467 (May 5 – Home) – Total Mileage: 2.1 Miles (1 Walk)
The Walk Stats:
Weekly Mileage Total: 18.6 Miles (Average: 2.6 Miles/Day)
Year 4 Mileage Total: 920.1 Miles (Average: 2.5 Miles/Day)
Year 5 Mileage Total: 14.3 Miles (Average: 2.8 Miles/Day)
The Writing:
Day 287/651 (April 30) – Daily Words: 687
Day 288/652 (May 1) – Daily Words: 815
Day 289/653 (May 2) – Daily Words: 710
Day 290/654 (May 3) – Daily Words: 552
Day 291/655 (May 4) – Daily Words: 1,317
Day 292/656 (May 5) – Daily Words: 715
Day 293/657 (May 6) – Daily Words: 794
Total Words (Year 2): 195,799 Words
Travels with Choppy 
You gave her such a good life and she gave so much back to you as well – hope, health, happiness.
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I was recently marveling at the passage of time, recalling the celebration of your thousandth recorded walk with Choppy. I have discovered there is a different kind of beauty and love walking with a ghost dog. My wise friend Chuy taught me this:
“I would not let the rain stop me from this walk. It is filled with beauty, and the rain is part of it. Still, the Catbird greets me.”
http://www.chowdogzen.com
Our thoughts are with you these solemn days.
Love,
Paz, Sasha, and the ghost of Chuy.
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I agree, I’m sure she would want you to keep walking. She would want all the best for you–the love of her life. I’ve had you and Choppy on my mind for the last few days. My heart is with you and your hubby and Schooner. ❤
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Future walks with Choppy will provide a whole new meaning as you’ll be walking with an angel. Take care, Sarah and know we’re thinking of you especially as you grieve. 💖
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Sarah: these past days must have been so challenging for you. Every time (= many, many times) I’ve gone back to read your last post about Choppy, I’ve cried. What a wonderfully caring and empathetic group of people your blog-followers are! Such heartfelt and warm comments. It sure is evident that we all loved Choppy and the fun that she brought us…with your help! Yes, keep walking…fresh air is wonderful for the body & it’s such good exercise. You’ll always miss your furry friend & so will we, but the emotions will become less raw, with time. You will heal. Huge hugs…stay well ❤️❤️ PS…my glasses are catching my tears, making it difficult to see & write 😢
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She’ll always be with you Sarah.
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❤
She's watching you walking from behind the Rainbow Bridge. She will always be with you.
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Wonderful perspective Sarah. Always remember what Choppy would be happy seeing you do. She was a motivator to get you into this routine, and she would no doubt be happy if you continued. For yourself … but also for Choppy … keep it up! 🙂
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She will always be at your side on your walks.
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(and chasing the bunnies…)
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🐾❤️🐾
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It’s good to walk the walks you did with, Choppy. At this moment in time you will feel sad but there will come a time when you remember the happy times, and only the happy times. Thank you for continuing to post even though it must be difficult for you. ❤️
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Hi Sarah,
Thanks for posting this. I know how painful this is and you’re right, keep walking. Keep posting. You have a community of friends here who not only loved Choppy, but we love you and we love Schooner and Paul too.
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I’ve been thinking of you a lot, Sarah, sending you healing thoughts during this heartbreak. I’m glad you are going to continue walking, which helps physically as well as mentally. Nature helps put things in perspective, it teaches us about natural cycles of birth and death, and renewal. Sad as I feel, it helps me accept that loss is a part of life. I don’t love it, but I must accept it. Sending you and Paul lots of love. ❤
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Best picture ever of Choppy! I really took this pretty hard as well as my husband. I still find myself tearing up now as I’m writing this, but its inevitable. Finding friends like YOU and Choppy on FB. First thing in the morning I looked forward to your awesome walk and dress up stories, and they just seem to make my day. Keep up with your walks and enjoy each one of them. I know it’s going to be very hard not having Choppy by your side. Take care and be well Sarah!
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I always looked forward to your walks. I wished I had such a beautiful area to walk my babies. Choppy will always be walking by your side. I still feel my Bob Dog next to me and loving me. Much love from Lucky, Munchkin, Baby Dog, Donut and the ghost of Bob Dog.
Margaret
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