So, who would have thought I’d ever blog?

I’m someone who eschews social media and cringes in horror when someone reviews me on our dermatology practice website (which I never check for that reason).

I’m writing now on the cusp of retiring from medicine so I can share my adventures with those I love without the stress of social media platform distractions…

I’m retiring early-at 56-due in large part to Bertie, the beautiful boy above.

Bertie died at the age of 2 of a rare spinal cord tumor.

I’ve learned many of my life lessons from dogs, and Bertie taught me my most profound one-live as fully as you can for as long as you have. He was full of life until the very end and was up for any sort of adventure. Our car sports a “betriewouldgo” sticker to remind us of his spirit and how we want to live.

He sailed Puget Sound on our boat’s bow barking at seals and crossed the Georgia Strait in a gale, standing steadfast in the cockpit getting soaked with waves. He never passed up a hike or beach walk, and was the first one in the camper for whatever adventure was next. He rode shotgun in our truck, always looking forward with excitement, anticipation, wonder and joy.

He was who I want to be…

So, my last day of work is December 7 and I’ll be the first one in the truck channeling Bertie as we take our Tab 400 down the coast of Oregon and California to Tucson, looking forward to whatever adventures we encounter along the way!