Jabba’s trip to Pilot Mountain

When Jabba-bear was diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma, we vowed to do everything we could to ensure that whatever time we had left with him was well-spent. Unfortunately, doctors orders prevented us from doing anything really fun with Jabba for at least two weeks after his surgery (although we bent the rules a bit and took him on some very short walks since he begged for them). Once Jabba-bear was deemed healthy enough to resume normal activity, we promised to take him for daily walks (as long as he had enough energy), to schedule regular play dates with his friends, to give him as much steak and cheese as he wanted, to shower him with new plush toys (which would inevitably end up as a pile of shredded animal parts, loose thread, and  stuffing within seconds), and we promised to take him for weekly adventures so that he could live out his Bucket List.

Our first adventure occurred two days after Jabba-bear had the staples from his lobectomy removed (on Saturday, March 9th). Early that morning, we asked Jabba-bear if he wanted to go for a hike. He responded by initiating a very excited happy dance (i.e., rapid fire stomping of his two front legs: pitter patter, pitter patter, pitter patter), which we interpreted as a resounding, “YES!”. So, we decided to take Jabba to Pilot Mountain, where he could run free, off-leash and scale the mountain at his own pace.

Jabba-baar had a wonderful time at Pilot Mountain that day. He definitely exceeded our expectations. He must have hiked close to 2 miles (of his own volition); his endurance was remarkable. We were so happy to see him climbing the mountain, wandering off occasionally, but never straying to far from his pawrents, yet we recognized that this may be his last climb.

The following pictures and videos capture the fun that we shared on our trip to Pilot Mountain:

Jabba-bear smiling on his way to Pilot Mountain
Jabba-bear smiling on his way to Pilot Mountain.
Click on the image to view a video of Jabba-bear climbing Pilot Mountain.
Click on the above image to view a video of Jabba-bear climbing a trail Pilot Mountain.
Jabba resting happily on the first "leg" of the hike.
Jabba resting happily on the first “leg” of the hike.
Jabba-bear on "Pride Rock".
Jabba-bear on “Pride Rock”. 
Jabba and his dad perched on a ledge.
Jabba and his dad perched on a ledge.
Jabba getting a belly-rub from his mom during a break from his hike.
Jabba getting a back-rub from his mom during a break from his hike.
Jabba at an overlook near the summit. He posed in an effort to beg for some potato chips from a passerby who was snacking on lunch.
Jabba at an overlook near the summit. He posed with his best cute smile and begged for some potato chips from a passerby who was enjoying his lunch.

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Jabba near the peak, licking his nose.
Jabba near the peak, licking his nose.
Jabba-bear is all smiles near the end of his hike.
Jabba-bear is all smiles near the end of his hike.
Click on this image to view a short video of Jabba climbing stairs at Pilot Mountain.
Click on the above image to view a short video of Jabba climbing steep stairs at Pilot Mountain.
Jabba and his mom taking a break after a long climb.
Jabba and his mom taking a break after a long climb.
Jabba in the car on the way back home.
Jabba in the car on the way back home.
All tuckered out!
All tuckered out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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