Day 218: R.I.P. Kipper; AKA, Kippy Dippy Doo Rah Rah

I was saddened by the news that my very favorite pooch, outside of my own, had finally succumbed to old age and cancer; the same thing that took my girl Lune a few years back. Kipper lived a great life with her family. She loved “her boy” “El” so much that when she’d hear him coming up the Tamalpais Drive trail (AKA, the Cowboy Rock Trail), she’d dive for the door with the enthusiasm that only a Labrador has for their people.

Kipper was a submissive girl that never liked to rock the boat. At the same time she remained true to what she loved in life; a hike to the beach, a trip in the car, and her boy “El.” I don’t know that her guardians know to the extent that Kipper was devoted to them. She would kind of cheat on them when they were gone, but the very moment that she heard their whistle as they'd walk up the trail, she'd be gone within moments. My ex-wife and I used to believe that Kipper would run around the back of our house so that her family wouldn’t know that she was hanging out with us, and with our dogs. She was much smarter than she let on.

My fondest memories of Kipper are of the nights that she’d nudge at our hundred-year-old door until it would open. She would then sneak downstairs to our bedroom where we were sleeping with our dogs. She would lick my hand before diving onto the bed where there were already two people, and two 60+ lbs dogs. She’d settle in for the night and then leave as soon as she’d hear her family in the morning.

Kipper will be missed by her family, but also by so many others. It’s hard for all of us “Dog lovers” to lose our good friends, but their life spans make it impossible for us to avoid the inevitable. As my boy grays more and more by the day, today is a reminder of what I’m going to face all too soon.

Today’s ride is dedicated to Kipper. I rode on trails, that I know without a doubt, that she had walked with her people. I thought about her during the entire ride. It’s good to show respect for our four-legged companions. We’ve given them a lot in terms of food and shelter, but they have given us so much more in return.

I rode up Railroad Grade today. I rode to the West Point Inn, and I even saw “F” and “K” while they were on one of their long hikes. After getting rained on from Hoo Koo E Koo to the inn, I headed towards the sun that was shining in the Headlands. It looked glorious, but I still had to get there. I rode over to the new stretch of the Coastal Trail, where the rains that were prevalent on Mount Tamalpais had stopped. The views were beautiful.

I rode across the ridge while stopping often to take photos of the big skies. It was a great day to ride. I finally reached Muir Beach where I reflected on the very last time that I was there with Kipper, Tugboat, Fifi, and “N.” That day was also glorious in terms of the weather and the views. It was almost a year ago to the day. On that day we were being careful about Kipper since she’d recently had a bad “episode” during which her people thought that the end was near. Fortunately for everyone, she made it another year, so people like me were able to spend more time with the Kippy Dippy Doo Rah Rah. :-)

Kipper’s passing brought back many other memories that I can only share with my ex-wife, but we will not be speaking any time soon, if ever again. It’s a reminder to me that there are memories that I’ll own solely moving forward. I have other memories that I, or only a few others, can share moving forward. As an example, memories of my brother Rick can now only be shared with my sister-in-law. Life is odd in this way. When we’re young, we think that a memory is a memory, but as we get older, a memory is something that we want to share directly with those with whom we had directly experienced them. Sometimes you end up being the only person with that memory.

In closing tonight, I want to give Kipper her due, and tell her that she was the sweetest Labrador to ever watch over the top of Homestead Valley. She was vigilant, and also a peacemaker. Kippy Dippy Doo Rah Rah, travel safely, and I hope that Mick, Lune, and Miles greet you with a warm and familiar welcome.

Distance: 22.84 miles
Calories burned: 1,873
Time: 2:31:01 hours
Elevation gain: 2,903 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/23052455