We spent most of the time in his park. This was the main place we had walked him since his first month home as a baby, and it feels like every turn of the path has memories attached. He had a favorite rock right by the parking lot that he always had to visit before we started out. He would spend as much as 5 minutes sniffing the edges of it to see who had been new there since last time.
He loved wading ankle-deep along the river edges, sniffing on the banks, and trying to sneak drinks of the muddy water when I wasn't paying close enough attention.
And in later years, he had developed a fondness for a little overlook point off the bridle trail. This was about the limit of his range- about a half mile from the head of the trail- and we frequently sat there and rested with him until he was ready to turn around and walk back. There is a nice little bench, and it is high enough above the river that there is lovely cool breeze to lighten the air and bring all sorts of scents wafting up. Swallows nest in the riverbanks under your feet, so you can watch them swooping and diving along the river and occasionally perching in the branches of the surrounding trees.
It was a beautiful day for a walk, and we spent the time reminiscing, talking, laughing, and crying. And we saw a pileated woodpecker along the trail again, so we think Kodo's spirit was out there with us joining in the fun and enjoying his park yet again.
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