When it comes to dogs we like to overlap. That means as one of our pups begins slowing down we start looking for another to join our family. It gives the older dog new life and helps the younger dog learn the lessons of the mountains. Tokul taught Treen and Treen would teach our new puppy.

Then we found out Treen had cancer and we moved up our timetable. We had planned for a spring puppy, but to ensure Treen had a chance to be with our new family member we started looking. It happened surprisingly quickly. Tinkham came home only a week later at nine weeks of age.

Just like with Tokul, Treen was rejuvenated by the young pup's arrival. They played and ran around in the backyard. It seemed like we'd have months or years with both dogs. When we got a decent weekend day, a rarity in November, we headed into the mountains. It was likely the last opportunity to get up high before the snows came.

With Tink (yeah, we often call her, "Tink") only 11 weeks old we opted for a place that would likely be deserted, but not too hard for her or Treen. I wanted to avoid stressing the puppy too much, so we opted for a mellow hike on the PCT. Tinkham would get to ride in a pack.

Sadly, Deuter doesn't make a puppy pack so we adapted a Futura Pro 36. (Amazon affilate link.) Towels in the bottom to provide her a platform to rest on. A leash threaded through the bottom compartment access kept her from jumping up and another from the haul loop prevented her going backward. Best of all: Clara was carrying her.

We got into the snow pretty quickly after leaving the car. Treen rolled in the snow just like always while Tink watched curiously. About half way to our destination Tink decided it was time to get out of the pack and walk. I tried to reason with her, but it turns out 11 week old puppies can be pretty insistent. When she got her paws on the snow she looked at us and at Treen as if it say, "Why is it so COLD?"

While Tink pulled at her leash (attached to a harness I put on upside down), Treen walked along beside me. It was good to have her back on the trail and getting the opportunity to model good adventure behavior for Tinkham.

At the lakes the snow was about six inches deep. Not much for the rest of us, but for Tink that meant her belly was touching. I'm not sure if you've ever lay in the snow with your bare skin exposed, but it's not the greatest feeling. She was uncomfortable enough she went back in the pack and we didn't linger in spite of the spectacular silence and beauty of the coming winter.

Her ride in the pack lasted for about 10 minutes and then she wanted out. Urgently. The only delay in getting her back on the ground was for a hilarious picture of Tink climbing over Clara's shoulders. With Tink back on the ground, our pace slowed. We didn't make great time, but the dogs' tails never stopped wagging so it was well worth it.

Looking back at the pictures and the video I'm sad there are so few pictures of Treen. And the few pictures we did get don't show the joy she experienced being back in the snow. This wasn't supposed to be her last hike. She was supposed to have months left. Months of walks in the woods teaching Tinkham what to sniff, what not to eat, where to rest, where to run, and how to make the most of even the smallest patch of snow hiding in the shade late in summer.

Instead, Treen had one last quiet week at home. (Well, as quiet as it can be with a puppy around.) She had friends come visit and she was comfortable. Then she was gone.

We'll say our final goodbyes on one last adventure. Treen will be laid to rest next to Tokul at one of their favorite places. And every time we return to that spot we'll smile and remember all our good times.