A VIEW FROM THE LOG CABIN  FALL 2005

It was a wonderful summer!!  I was so happy to be able to make the long drive and be on Tripp Lake for the season.  I guess the possibility of not being able to be here heightened my enjoyment. The dogs remembered their invisible fence training and romped and played on their own piece of woods and lake.  I had many enjoyable, interesting visitors and the days have flown by at a seemingly accelerated rate.

The Fourth of July celebration on my deck was well attended and much enjoyed by all.  Their delicious food and interesting conversations added to the event. I thought that the  Boat Parade was exceptionally patriotic and colorful this year. The gathering place for the boats was right next to my land, and so we got to view and appreciate most of the participants. The boats were beautifully “dressed” and there was even patriotic music playing as they set out on their parade around the lake.

The birds were plentiful and the annual flowers grew well in their boxes and planters.  Ken Grant supplied freshly caught, tasty lobsters and clams for my visitors and local friends who anticipated these Maine delights.  All was idyllic,  which should have been a warning that change was in the air. The first blow came when my old and dear fiend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She and her husband cut short their stay at their camp on Upper Range Pond and returned to California to begin treatment.  At this writing she is doing well and is very hopeful of full recovery.

The second dark cloud arrived when my young, healthy, energetic Golden Retriever was diagnosed with bone marrow disease.  Despite excellent and compassionate veterinary care by Poland Animal Hospital and the Animal Emergency Clinic in Lewiston,  we could not save his life. The loss of this loving creature and grief we feel is huge, but It’s the price we must pay for their unconditional love and devoted companionship.  George Carlin says, “life is a series of dogs.”  So it has been for me.  Hopefully I will be able to offer another rescued Golden Retriever a happy home and the fun of summers on Tripp Lake.

And now Fall has arrived. The leaves are very slow to change their color this year. Hopefully they will do their magic before I head back to New Jersey in four short days.

A special thanks to the nurses and home health aides from Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice who have been a tremendous help to me and made my stay here easier. I hope that we all have a happy and safe winter and spring and will  be able to return to our lake next summer.

Harriet A. Doolittle, V.M.D.