Dogs ... and why Park City is a hub for furry friends!
This one is personal. I am a major dog lover. Scratch that, lover of all animals, really.
Born and raised in Park City, it was instilled in me throughout my entire life to rescue, donate, adopt, and care for our furry angels. Growing up, I never realized that nearly everyone in our town owns a dog. There is no need to wonder why, if you have ever loved a dog and been loved by them in return (which, hello ... they are the most loyal creatures on Earth, they always love you back), then you know exactly what I am talking about. Now, I know what you are thinking... "I am from L.A., NYC, Boston, Colorado, and we all love dogs just as much as the next person." However, I will take this opportunity to state (total bias) that we do it best.
Our small mountain town offers over 400+ miles of trails and is recognized across that nation for being a hub for outdoor activities.
Our tails morph from season to season, giving us exactly what we did not know we needed. Whether you are here in the Winter and enjoying the slopes, planning a Fall trip to wander through the foliage, or coming out during the Summer months for dining events, incredible hiking, and nearby bodies of water, we truly have it all.
Mountain Trails maintains nearly 1/2 of the non-motorized trails in Park City.
Take your staff out for an afternoon of community service, grab your friends for the day and then take them out for well-deserved cocktails afterward. Mountain Trails Foundation currently maintains over 150+ miles of our beautiful trails, and they continue to create new additions each passing year. We owe them a huge thank you! For those who want to give back to the community, consider contacting Clay Karz (clay@mountaintrails.org) to set up a volunteer trail workday.
Let us not forget to mention Basin Recreation, to whom we also owe a huge HOORAH! Basic Rec. serves over 170+ miles of local trails with only 4 full-time trails hands and seasonally hired workers in the warmer months. They deserve a round of applause and a lot of recognition. They understand the importance of maintaining the quality that our local Parkites have come to know and admire.
Now, back to dogs.
4 years ago, my Father tragically passed away. That was a very challenging time. His death and forever absence tried me over and over and over again. I had no way of knowing what I needed, but it came to me as if it were written in the stars. He had a dog named Maggie, a Border Collie mix, and a rescue, of course. When my Dad passed away, he volunteered as the CFO for Nuzzles and Co (a local shelter). On the day I received the news of his passing, I received another call that (Nuzzles) had his dog, Maggie, and she was not doing well. She was stressed, packed full of anxiety, and they were completely full; she had no space to roam or lay down. My sisters and I jumped into the car to pick her up. I will spare all of the sad and heartwarming details and jump to what I feel is most important to convey. She saved my life. Maggie was 12 years old when we brought her into our home, and she went for 4-8 mile hikes with me every single day. The sense of peace and total comfort she provided was something I could never put into words.
Fast forward a few months to an event for Nuzzles and Co. that my Fiance and I were invited to. We went, we donated, mingled, and held a couple of small puppies who needed to find their forever homes. 2 days later, we were at the shelter, adopting our dog Beans. Yes, her name is Beans, and I still laugh about it.
Fast-forward almost 6 months. I need you to sit down for this one because I still have a hard time believing it. Maggie's health began to deteriorate.
However, I was the only one that saw/felt it. Everyone told me she was fine, not to worry. I knew that something was off, so I took her to the Vet on December 4th (one year to the exact day that my Father had passed), only to find out that she had cancer that had spread so severely throughout her body and that the had less than two weeks to live. I lost my Maggie nearly 1 week later. She changed my life, taught me how to navigate grief, showed me parts of myself that I love and may have never found, and brought me more joy than I may ever be able to put into words.
Fast-forward again!
A couple of months later, I was early for an appointment I had in Salt Lake City. What did I do with my spare time? I walked over to the Best Friends shelter in Sugarhouse. I asked if they had any black & white dogs (Maggie and Beans are black and white). They said no; I said hi to all of the furry friends and dropped all of the cash that I had in my wallet in their donation box before heading to my appointment. After all, I was not ready for another dog, but curiosity piqued my interest. As I walked out of the building, a woman stopped me and said, "7 hours south of here at our Best Friends Sanctuary, there is a litter of puppies, all of them are different colors, but ONE is black and white. They are looking for homes after the Mom gave birth at the shelter. Give me your number, and I will send you the info". Not knowing what would come of it, I awaited her message. Of course, I saw his face and heard his Mom's (Dora) story.
I showed my Fiancé the pictures I received, and we fell in love. They explained that it would be 2+ months before he would be available for adoption. When the time came, we loaded Beans up in the car with all of her favorite toys for the 7-hour journey to meet her new little brother, Boots. When I laid eyes on him, I knew he was in my life for a reason; he was born with a couple of days of my Maggie's passing. Looking into his eyes, I felt a deep connection that I couldn't explain; Maggie was there, present, in him. We loaded him up with his new older Sister and began the journey back home.
The real message here is that there can be beauty in deep pain, suffering, and loss. Had my Father not left this Earth, I would have never had the chance to love/be loved by Maggie. Had we not taken Maggie in, I may have never found Beans, and the story goes on and on and on. We cannot lose sight of what these precious animals give us, loyalty, understanding, connection, love, patience, and comfort.
We maintain our trails for many reasons. For mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, etc. However, I feel that it is crucial to maintain our trails so that we can attempt to give back a tiny portion of what our dogs give to us. The opportunity to run, be outside, go for an adventure, and feel the wind beneath their .... fur.
Now, the end of a long and personal message. I leave you with some of my favorite dog-friendly spots in Park City. Read on, and I hope that you hug your buddy's extra tight tonight; I know I will.
Dedicated to my Dad and Maggie. To my Father who left this Earth far too soon. I miss you, I love you, and I am grateful not only for the gift you left behind but for all of the lessons you have given to me as I continue to navigate life without you. To my Maggie, may I always be the person you thought I was. I miss you every single day, thank you for the most amazing memories and for giving me Beans and Boots. You are survived in each of them.
Hugo Coffee Roasters, every time you stop in for your favorite morning pick me up, you are helping save Dogs. With over $51,000 donated to date, you can feel good about what you're sipping on.
animal Shelter Highlight:
Nuzzles and Co.
The Humane Society of Utah
Best Friends Animal Shelter
Favorite dog walks/hiking trails/parks:
Robs Trail
Round Valley
Run-A-Muk
Willow Creek Dog Pond/Trails/Park
Iron Mountain
Blood Lake
Frog Valley at Deer Valley Cafe
