The backpack

I just ran across the "Mandy supplies" backpack that I've been carrying around in my car for so many years. This one was really tough to go through, without completely losing my composure. It has lots of small and large compartments, all of which were full of the items that I wanted to have nearby, any time we left home with Mandy, including lots of dog bags, treats, and regular food, dog coats and a sweater, an extra leash, some small water bottles, medicine for stings or other injuries, a small "pets and people" first aid kit, a reflective leg safety wrapper band. And of course, the wonderful little doubled-up traveling dog bed that Freddie made for her, from a soft fluffy Costco fleece blanket, which I would toss down on any restaurant patio, and Mandy would plop down on it and relax, while we ate.

This backpack has gone with us on more outings than I can remember. For sure, I have fond memories of walking with Ken and Mandy down to Blueberry’s so many times for a turnover or egg sandwich and a latte, but also to Abe’s Cafe, IHOP, Littleton Cafe, Peaberry Coffee, Egg & I, Stone Creek Grill, and Born2Bake for breakfast. 

We visited Kristan at so many hospitals and long term care facilities, and explored their surrounding neighborhoods. This photo is from when I brought Mandy with me into St Joseph Hospital for a visit in late 2011. She learned to do so well with the elevators there, after her first few very anxious rides.

I brought Mandy to work with me, when dog sitting alternatives had dwindled to nil. Then there were walking adventures at Sand Creek / Northridge Park, Cheese Ranch Historic Area, Bluffs Regional Park, Chatfield Park, Roxborough Park, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Centennial Airport, Bible Park, Washington Park, Cheesman Park, Cherry Creek Farmers Market, Denver City Park, Sloan's Lake, Red Rocks Park, Meyer Ranch, Flying J Ranch Open Space, Devil's Head Lookout, Indian Creek, Garden of the Gods, Breckenridge, Saint Mary's Glacier, Echo Lake, Idaho Springs Reservoir, Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen. And of course there were our long driving trips to Atascadero, San Francisco, Benicia, Lincoln, and most recently, Yuma, Arizona. And the multiple airline trips to visit family in Lake Tahoe, Atascadero, and Florence, OR. 

So. Many. Memories. 🥲