01Carson at the Wind River Fleamarket Carson WA Summer 1997 (447x704)

Carson 2 months old

Thirteen years ago an adorable Labby mix puppy came into my life. I was living in the town of Carson, Washington at the time, and so he became Carson. As a traveler I’ve named other pets after places before.

02 Carson in the Muddy River Gifford Pinchot NF WA Summer 1998 (651x575)

Carson 1 year old, Muddy River Washington

How he loved to swim and play in the water.

03 Carson & Gaelyn on beack south of Orik CA from Mike Hagen Sept 1999 (584x378)

Carson 2 years old, Orik California

Yet the ocean waves seemed to intimidate Carson but that didn’t stop him from playing fetch on the beach.

04 Carson with new toy Dec 2007 (1024x938)

Carson 10 years old

Or in the house.

05 Motsy and 1 day old puppies Eagles Cliff  WA Sept 1998 (919x683)

9 one-day old puppies

Carson became a young, one year old, father with the local hussie sweetie who was the same age. Actually Motsy was a fine beauty of collie and Australian sheepdog so he could have done worse.

06 Carson in Lake Creek Siskiyou NF OR Summer 2003 (703x1024)

Carson 6 years old, Lake Creek Oregon

Maybe because Carson was born in the Pacific Northwest he didn’t adjust well to desert life.

07 Gaelyn & Carson San Felipe Baja MX Feb 2005 (1024x668)

Carson 8 years old, San Felipe Mexico

Yet he’d still hike with me up rocky mountains.

08 Carson at trailhead East Rim viewpoint GRCA AZ June 2008 (759x1024)

Carson 11 years old, Grand Canyon

Even as he got older.

09 Carson enjoys the Yarnell AZ spring sunshine March 2008 (1024x767)

Carson 11 years old, Yarnell Arizona

Because he knew nap time would come later.

10 Carson Oct 2005 (1024x768)

Carson 8 years old

Carson gave me the best, unconditional love.

11 Carson Yarnell AZ Nov 2008 (768x1024)

Carson, 2 months before he crossed the rainbow bridge

We aged together. Carson would have been 13 today. Think I’ll go throw a tennis ball for him to chase.  Happy Birthday Carson!