I guess its only natural that we start aging from the instant we are born, but its just not fair that our loving & loved canine companions age so much faster than us. My first love, Rainier, turned 12 years old yesterday (January 11) and while part of me gets sad knowing she is in the latter portion of her life expectancy, I am very fortunate, grateful, and happy to have been a part of her amazing life thus far and to have had her be such an important part of my life. I have always loved her unconditionally and have thought many times I would be willing to trade my life for hers. I go would through and do anything to save and protect her. You know you love something so much when you love that something more than yourself. We have been on countless adventures, hikes, and climbs together and have made so many unforgettable memories. She is such a special gal, the sweetest thing I know, and has been my best friend since I picked her up at 7-1/2 weeks old in Charlotte, NC in 2003. I cannot imagine my life without her. I hope she feels the same. While she is of course slowing down and getting more aches and pains, she is still such a trooper and is able to hike very well. We have all been so fortunate Rainie has been such a healthy dog her whole life. Except for a malignant tumor over a year ago, which was completely removed and excised, she continues to amaze me and many others in her abilities & energy for being 84 years old in human years.  I have so many photos of our adventures over the years, but here are a few blasts from the past:

Rainie on Lavender Col after climbing Mt. Sneffels in July 2004

Rainie on Lavender Col after climbing Mt. Sneffels in July 2004

La Plata Peak summit (August 2004)

La Plata Peak summit (August 2004)

Rainie coming down the class 3 summit pitch on Wetterhorn Peak in 2004

Rainie coming down the class 3 summit pitch on Wetterhorn Peak in 2004

Mt. Harvard summit (August 2005)

Mt. Harvard summit (August 2005)

Tent-bound on a winter attempt of Challenger & Kit Carson Peaks in 2006

Tent-bound on a winter attempt of Challenger & Kit Carson Peaks in 2006

A friendly Kristine & Brandon with a young Rainier on the summit of Huron Peak in November 2006

A friendly Kristine & Brandon with a young Rainier on the summit of Huron Peak in November 2006

Rainie with a young Kona

Rainie with a young Kona

Me & Rainier on the summit of Blanca Peak (Memorial Day weekend 2007)

Me & Rainier on the summit of Blanca Peak (Memorial Day weekend 2007)

Me & Rainier on the summit of Mt. Wilson with El Diente behind (September 2007)

Me & Rainier on the summit of Mt. Wilson with El Diente behind (Labor Day weekend 2007)

Wilson Peak summit (Labor Day weekend 2007)

Wilson Peak summit (Labor Day weekend 2007)

Me & Rainie on top of San Luis Pk, my final Colorado14er, in August 2008

Me & Rainie on top of San Luis Peak, my final Colorado 14er, in August 2008

Her namesake

Her namesake

Crestone Peak summit in  July 2009

Crestone Peak summit in July 2009

She likes her beer

She likes her beer

Rainie & Kristine at Lake Powell in August 2009

Rainie & Kristine at Lake Powell in August 2009

Rainie ready to climb Pyramid Peak

Rainie ready to climb Pyramid Peak in August 2009

Rainie & I descending from Pyramid Peak's summit

Rainie & I descending from Pyramid Peak’s summit. Photo by Caleb Wray

Mt. Yale's east ridge climb in winter of 2010

Mt. Yale’s east ridge climb in winter of 2010

Rainier makes a high-speed descent of the steep north face of Crystal Peak (April 2010). Photo by Derek Drechsel

Rainier makes a high-speed descent of the steep north face of Crystal Peak (April 2010)

Photoshoot

Photoshoot

A 2011 Covergirl. Cover photo by Joel Gratz

A 2011 Covergirl. Cover photo by Joel Gratz

Rainie taking a rest on climbing Mt. Antero, Kristine's final Colorado 14er in August 2011. Photo by Joel Gratz

Rainie taking a rest on climbing Mt. Antero, Kristine’s final Colorado 14er in August 2011. Photo by Joel Gratz

Summit of the Spider, Gore Range, with Rainie in July 2012

Summit of the Spider, Gore Range, with Rainie in July 2012

An old favorite - Uneva Peak summit in the Gores

An old favorite – Uneva Peak summit in the Gores

Summit of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico in May 2014

Summit of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico in May 2014

So, last night, as I believe one of Rainie’s favorite activities nowadays (other than having a tennis ball in her mouth) is swiss bob sledding down a ski mountain in my lap, we hiked up Arrowhead at a nice, enjoyable Rainie pace and cruised down perfect corduroy for 1,800′ in less than 10 minutes. Not to toot our own horn, but we have pretty much perfected the human/70 lb dog swiss bob sled down a ski mountain together. She absolutely loves it. She wouldn’t think of walking/running down on her own. She just circles around me waiting for me to say I’m ready for her in my lap. It was a perfect birthday outing.

Rainie & I atop Arrowhead for the nth time before our birthday swiss bob run

Rainie & I atop Arrowhead for the nth time before our birthday swiss bob run. This was also a great outing to try and forget the Broncos’s horrible loss to the Colts an hour earlier. However, I still love my new Broncos beanie cap thanke to Ken & Dianne

Maybe a year or so ago, Joel Gratz took this iphone quality video showing Rainie & I pushing off from the top of Arrowhead on our swiss bob. While the video is dark and somewhat grainy, I think it does show Rainie’s comfort & enjoyment. I hope to borrow J’s GoPro soon enough and video the entire bob run down the mountain.

Happy 12th bday, Rainie. Love you and looking forward to the next few years together!