When Jaya started demanding a dog, Jyoti looked around at local shelters and online. After some searching, we discovered Sophie on Craigslist. Her family couldn't keep her at their apartment anymore. Our family was very excited to get a dog.
2006 - on the way to a hike
However, soon after Jyoti discovered she was allergic and her prior family asked to take her back. It was heartbreaking for Jaya. But in another twist, Sophie missed us and her family returned here to us a few weeks later, this time for good!
2006 - upon Sophie's return
Sophie was full of energy and loved hikes. Her favorites were Manchester Preserve (aka Pipe Hike), San Elijo Lagoon and Cardiff. She had countless walks at those and other locations. My favorite memories are of walking with her in nature.
2007 - hike at south side of lagoon
2007 - muddy paws
2008 - jogger hike
2008 - lagoon nature center
2008 - pipe hike
2009 - Lake Hodges bridge
2010 - lagoon nature center
2012 - makeshift leash
2013 - seeing her leash gets her excited for a walk
2014 - coming back from a hike
2015 - east of Lake Hodges
2016 - beach hike
2017 - Carmel Valley hike
2017 - lagoon nature center
2017 - she loved our old Passport/Rodeo
2018 - caught in the rain at Cardiff
2018 - very furry at the beach
2018 - Sophie selfie
2018 - Sophie's view of the ocean
2018 - pipe hike views
2018 - windy day at Cardiff
2018 - more beach hiking
2018 - ready to turn around
2019 - Anza-Borrego flowers
2019 - at Bengt's spot in Cardiff
2020 - one of her last car rides
2021 - last walk at the lagoon
She was the most cheerful dog. She always was excited to greet us when we got home. And she loved hanging out on the couch with us chewing a bone.
2008 - at my parent's old house
2010 - chewing a bone on our old leather couch
2011 - a bone bigger than her
2018 - sitting on laundry
Sophie loved people food, especially meat of any kind. She often
would avoid her kibble in the hopes of getting a treat of chicken or
steak. Up to the very end, she would get very excited when she smelled
chicken in the house.
2017 - wagging her tail to get some chicken
Sophie was fine being a solo dog and avoided other dogs. When we took her to dog parks, she usually just sat there and watched the other dogs. She would even avoid drinking from community dog bowls; we would have to bring our own bowls or refresh the water. We tried getting another dog but Sophie not having it and had a tantrum.
2007 - one of the few times she played with another dog
Like all dogs, she loved to sleep and she spent lots of time in sun spots on the couch or in her basket.
2020 - lots of sleep late in her life
2018 - fur ball
2017 - happy sunspot
2017 - cool concrete
2016 - her favorite outdoor chair
2014 - among the pillows
Sophie hated swimming, baths and anything having to do with water.
At my parents old house, we put her in the pool a few times so she could
swim around and find the steps before drowning.
2016 - getting a bath
After a long active life, her health started to fail. A few years ago her hearing went out. Next she started to have problems jumping on the bed and going up the steps. As her arthritis got worse, her eyesight started to fail. We stopped taking her for walks. Her dementia increased this year and she needed constant care. Since she couldn't make it out of the doggie door, we often returned home and found accidents on the floor. Good thing we had tile. She wore diapers at night in our bed. In the last few weeks, she was having a hard time going to the bathroom and would yelp on occasion. We knew it was time. We drove up to visit Jaya one last time and went to the vet hospital where she worked. It was quick and peaceful... and very sad.
We mistakenly left a bowl of mixed nuts on the dining table yesterday afternoon and the dog promptly ate them. Unfortunately for Sophie, some of the included nuts were Macadamias. Apparently, Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. When we woke up this morning, Sophie was suffering the symptoms: wobbly walking, vomiting and depression (although I can't really give a definite diagnosis on this one). Sophie spent the day sleeping in her bed and was fine by the evening, just like a bad Macadamia nut hangover.
The first overnight event of the season for Troop 774 was up in the Lagunas. We headed up to Burnt Rancheria campground on Friday night. As we drove higher, the temperature got lower. The patrols scattered to their individual campsites and everyone setup camp. The night ended up being pretty cold as it got into the 40's. I brought Sophie and I think she was a bit cold.
The next day was filled with some skills work. We taught fire starting, wood tools and cooking. I led a hike along the nearby PCT to a overlook with great views of the desert to the east. One of the troop stoves wouldn't work, so we used a propane burner that I brought. Unfortunately we ran out of gas and I had to head to Laguna Mt. Sports and Supply to get more. That is a great little stored, jam-packed with gear. I also got a coffee at the nearby Pine House Cafe. After dinner, there was a great campfire and an early night for me
Sunday morning we broke camp and headed back into town.
Sophie loves camping and being in the tent.
Sophie covered her food with grass and dirt for some reason.
The dog saga continues... As you know, we had to give Sophie back to her original family. The dog and kids were very sad. But it seems that she wasn't doing back in her new (old) home. Her owner said she was barking alot and the neighbors were complained. So my wife, being a big softy, agreed to take Sophie back. We surprised the kids when we picked her up at Mission Bay on Saturday. She's a good dog and it is nice to have her back with us.
During my walks this weekend, I came across some interesting creatures. First, Sophie and I stumbled across a gopher snake along the railroad tracks. The next day, Jyoti and I saw a young sea lion in Solana Beach.
Also took Sophie for a quick run. She only lasts about a mile then will sit down and refuse to go farther.
