My Aura

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. 

For me they are the role model for being alive."

Gilda Radner

There was no greater dog, nor do I imagine there will be a greater dog, than my Aura. And today our journey together ended, but the unconditional love that she gave me for 11 1/2 years will be a part of me forever. There is no companionship like that of a dog - and there is no dog like Aura. She loved everything about life - she was my running partner, my squirrel hunter, my kitten-cat-puppy-dog-frog-children lover, my heating blanket, my diary, my assistant teacher, my road-trip buddy, my shoulder-to-cry-on. When I was happy, Aura wagged her tail and tap-danced endlessly. When I was stressed, she chewed on her leg until I found my peace. She was, without a doubt, a reflection of every minute in my life. 

Aura lived in my first apartment with me. She moved to three different rental houses with me. She was by my side when I bought my first house... when Zach moved out and John moved in... when I got married... when the girls were born. She attended every holiday function in our family, every birthday, every gathering. Aura loved opening presents. She was Cali's first family dog companion. She was with us when Sam and Murphy joined my parent's world. She welcomed Lucy into our home. She was a role model for puppy tolerance when Ginger and Charlie arrived. Aura was my journal for the past 11 1/2 years; there is nothing that she didn't know. And I am forever thankful for our time together and the place in my heart that will always belong to Aura.

The first snow

It snowed on Wednesday night. It was a snow that I spent all day Wednesday hoping for - you see, Aura loves the snow. My faithful companion of nearly 13 years has always LOVED the snow. And we were preparing ourselves (however poorly) for this to be her last snow. I'm not convinced that it isn't, but I feel like it snowed for her. And I'll be damned if she managed to get herself off the floor and insist that she join us outside - and I'm sure it did her old arthritic bones not a bit of good to be out in the cold, but so be it. The vet, as of this morning, put her on some pain meds that will either make a huge difference... or not. He was nowhere near ready to give up, so I'll peel myself off the floor, wipe the tears, and do the same. But while I wallow in my pathetic and insufficient coping skills, please make sure to notice and enjoy the little things...Like the first snow and all the wonderful memories it triggers. 

Kale and Onion Egg Burrito

Nothing fancy here - just a little egg burrito that was a perfect lunch today. I'm trying to be somewhat conscientious about adding a little protein here or there now that I'm running fairly frequently again. I get 2-3 good runs in each week with the stroller - the girls have always been awesome running company- and then I shoot for 2-3 runs each week solo. And by solo, I mean totally solo. My faithful running buddy for the past 8 years hit her wall this summer. With her white face and slower gait, Aura's age (11 yrs) is showing. In early June, she and I were running and for. the. first. time. ever, she needed to stop and walk on a run. This dog has covered some serious territory with me throughout Lawrence - I have no doubt that she could navigate her way from our last house to downtown, to the farmer's market, up to the campanile and around the chi-omega fountain and back, across town to my parent's house, down Tennessee to my brother's old house, and all without missing a beat. Aura is the very reason that I started running - about a year after I got her, the vet said she needed to lose about 4 pounds, which he shared was significant in that 4 extra pounds on a dog is equivalent to 30 extra pounds on a human. Well, I'd be damned if I was going to have a fat dog (even though I had some pounds to shed myself). Fast forward through our running days and low and behold: Aura lost 4 pounds and I lost 30. That vet is one smart man. I look forward to some cooler weather when running isn't quite so taxing and my faithful companion can head out for some short jogs with me again.

And... jog on back with me to the protein. This morning's run was hot and tiresome, so for lunch I wanted to refuel. I think eggs often get overlooked because of the cholesterol issue - we are not egg-white or egg-replacement kind of people. Not only are eggs high in protein, but the egg yolk is good source of choline, which is important for brain development (during pregnancy) and function. Crack a couple eggs, toss in some greens, roll up in a tortilla and refuel!

Kale and Onion Egg Burrito

• 2 local eggs
• 1/4 medium organic white onion, diced
• 1 C chopped organic kale
• Splash of organic milk
• Salt, pepper, salsa
• Local, whole wheat tortilla
• Whisk eggs with milk, salt, pepper
• Heat 1 T olive oil in nonstick pan
• Saute onion until translucent
• Add kale and cover until wilted and tender
• Add eggs and scramble
• Roll up in tortilla with some salsa