“Conservation Considerations via Canoe Tour”

What a great way to enjoy a beautiful day with The Conservation Foundation via canoe tour down one of the most high quality sections of the Fox River! We got to breath in the fresh air and share this experience with those that can truly appreciate our protected lands. Navigating this 7.5 mile journey between sandstone bluffs and transplanted life all the way from Canada and Minnesota was quite magnificent to see... not to mention nesting eagles! We had a brief beachhead stop to provide room to stretch the legs and listen to the flowing creek tranquility among both damselflies and dragonflies, the former more unfamiliar than the latter, wings propped up instead of out and apparently prone to the fashion scene with its exquisite midnight blue hues. Doing our part to collect an occasional parcel of trash felt good to properly purge the otherwise non-biodegradable blemishes to these preserves. Perhaps it is in our true nature to embrace our open lands and understand that word-of-mouth-outreach can help each one of us to get off that couch :)

More info on the Lower Fox River Conservation Plan here:
http://www.theconservationfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Lower-Fox-LCP-final-brochure-1.pdf

“Paw- based Post Op w/ Teddy Bear Comfort”

It was a tough day last week- taking in my boy to get an objective perspective on the quality of life that comes with health challenges and aging. Bosley had developed a growth, under his paw, that was starting to cause mobility issues not to mention occasional distress. Add to that an uncomfortable sore on his lip that his canine would rip open while eating every now and then, and this 17 year old lab was just not feeling so great. It’s a fine line- a balance to know that I would never want him to suffer on my account, and then seeing him bust out in a random gallop when he’s doing his business while wagging his tail- ugh... what am I supposed to do?! 

Thankfully, getting him seen for a wellness check resulted in a healthy heart stronger that most labs his junior, so he wasn’t showing any signs of decline due to age typical of senior labs. After the blood work came back, it was clear that we had a path to remove both the sore and growth under his paw. And, with any surgery, there are always risks. So steeling my nerves, dropping him off yesterday had me feeling a bit empty- contemplating life without my Bosley. On one hand, I have no regrets- volunteering with him and his brother was such a rewarding experience for all of us. On the other hand, not being able to come home to the kind of unconditional love that I’ve grown used to would feel like a major life change. Either way, I was prepared...

And so, with the grace of fate on our side, Bosley made it through like a champ! He’s super out of it (if you can’t tell), but looking after him this holiday weekend is a need I’ll happily address! Thanks to everyone who have grown to know and naturally adore this Labrador Retrieving sweetheart :) It’s amusing to see that he uses his teddy bear more often as a muzzle pillow than anything else! But whatever paw-based post op comforts Bosley needs is absolutely fine by me!

“Tethered Generations...”

Pick a suit... any suit... with clip-on ties from when I was in elementary school to “Madhavan-style” ties you taught me to fold as if it were second nature. I remember that first day you leaned over me and maneuvered those wraps and folds with such precision- looking in the mirror and thinking how cool you looked in those glasses... I wanted to be cool like you one day. Each tug made that neck of the tie so aligned, until the fit had no more room for perfection. It was in those moments where we would attend all of those award ceremonies celebrating you as an entrepreneur that I met the first person in my life with laser focus- the retrospective recognition and newfound respect of hard work. And now with this photograph, sharing the moment of a family foundation legacy that you established to help others leverage laser focus to see new ways to make the world a better place- for this I will always be grateful. Well, that and my tan :) Happy Father’s Day.

"Bosley's Big Check"

How special it was to turn Bosley's 17th bday into an awareness campaign for special needs rescues including seniors?! The Wilbur Memorial Fund was established by the A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter (Animals Deserving of Proper Treatment) to support special needs rescue pets including seniors. And so, a $1700 donation was made to this fund post the giving away of 17 x $5 gift cards at each of the 5 local Two Bostons Pet Boutiques. Patrons of this locally owned business simply had to say "Happy Birthday, Bosley," to get their respective gift card. This allowed everyone shopping at all of their store locations to learn more about A.D.O.P.T.'s  Wilbur Memorial Fund. 

Being able to have a beautiful black lab ambassador for the rescues that are often overlooked or left behind is something to cherish. Perhaps one might perceive the premise of my creative expression as an experience to celebrate the otherwise mundane or often unseen. These parallels, in part, define my affinity to develop more empathy for others...

© 2019 Ramon Nayar. Words. Images. Storytelling. All Rights Reserved.

“Bosley’s 17th!”

Happy 17th birthday to the best black lab I’ve ever known! He’s pretty much my world and keeps teaching me to love the simple things in life. Although he’s taking it a lot more easy these days, he still sports that wagging tail and, as the Two Bostons - Wheaton trio team can attest, he still has an astonishing appetite (he basically inhaled 1/2 of his bday cake in the blink of an eye)! Bosley’s a bit on uncharted territory for his age, so I’m inviting anyone and everyone to stop by sometime during this bday week bonanza and snap a selfie with this cuddle bug. I know he would love to see some peeps from the different rescues we’ve had the honor of working with since he’s the reason I’ve developed a true heart for animal welfare :) Thank you for making this 1st day of his bday week extra special!