My promise to Destiny

When Destiny fell ill back in April... there were a few long and scary days where I wasn't sure if Destiny would pull through. I was heartbroken because we had just gotten out on our own... it was supposed to be me and her against the world - the Adventures of Cilly and Destiny! I had grand plans of taking her camping, hiking, swimming - all the things we loved to do... and then in a moment, all those plans were put on hold.

As she was healing and on the road to recovery, as I was administering fluids to make her stronger and well, I promised her that this summer - if she pulled through - if she had strength - would be the best summer of our lives.



I promised her long afternoons of lazing in the sun. I promised her napping and flicking butterflies off her ears... I promised her swimming, hiking, and seeing beautiful things. And, to the best of my knowledge - she wanted all those things to come true, because she got strong enough and well enough to experience them all. I lived out my promise to her, and took her to all our favorite places last summer.

One place in particular is a 200' waterfall in the mountains of western Maine. Its a gem of a place, not that many people know of it, and its always been a magical place for me and my girl. I was anxious to take her back there, and I was thrilled to show it to Mike and Derby the Dalmatian for the first time.

Destiny was still shaky from just recovering from her first bout of renal failure. I wasn't sure she would be able to handle such a hike.




But my girl, the Queen of Ten-Ass-City.... took to the trail and hiked gallantly along side Derby.

To get to the waterfall, we have to cross a river 5 times... some areas were easy to cross... others were a little scary. At one point, Destiny's reign over Ten-Ass-City was being challenged, and it didn't look hopeful that she would have the nerve to cross over with the rest of us.




I kept her leash tight so she knew I wouldn't let her be swept down the rapids... and I kept saying "C'mon Des! You can do it! I've got you! C'mon Destiny!"..... Mike and Derby got across, and he joined in the cheering section... "C'mon Des! C'mon Girl! You can do it!"

Since it was a holiday weekend, there were alot of people hiking along with us.... and soon, as people hop-scotched across the rocks and made their way to the other side of the river, and they looked back at the timid white dog.. and something about her made them join in... "C'mon girl! C'mon Destiny!"

Before I knew it, a dozen strangers were cheering on my girl... she looked at all of us with hesitation, then she looked at me with determination.... and she leapt into the water and made her way over to us.... with tears in my eyes, I joined in the applause and cheers that the complete strangers had engaged in.... little did they know the battle my girl had fought to be there that day - little did they know who they were cheering for.... they were cheering for the White Wonder... Destiny - the Queen of Ten-Ass-City. She made it across and was greeted with pats on the head -"Atta girls" and I even saw some people doing high-5's...

That moment will live in my heart forever.

Once we crossed that tenuous part of the river, the rest of the hike was a piece of cake, and we approached a 200 foot waterfall....

We stayed there a few hours... long enough to eat lunch - talk with fellow hikers, and gather strength for the trek back.

Appropriately enough.... this location is named
Angel Falls.

I received Destiny's ashes back on Thursday, along with a Tera-cotta mold of her paw print. I promised Destiny as I sat with her last Friday that I will take her back to Angel Falls, and she will forever be the Queen of Ten-Ass-City.... and that moment that she showed to herself, showed me, and showed all those wonderful strangers what she was made of, will live on forever.