Cullen was always a dog with a lot of energy. Nothing could
get his active personality to simmer. Not even three mile runs at age three months
(probably a 10 mile run for his little legs). He constantly was pushing me for
more, and as time took its course Cullen and I started going for longer runs,
kayaking, mountain biking, four-wheeler trips, and eventually mountain hiking.
Which leads us to our 8 mile trek up the 5th highest mountain in NH,
Mount Madison (Dec. 14th 2012).
That morning started off more special than usual. On my way
up to the mountains I witnessed two shooting stars, and at the time I just
thought it was a great way to kick off our adventure up Madison. We ascended up
Valley Way, which is a fairly moderate route that can be a rocky trail at
times. The air at the trail head was already cooler than most of the temperatures
we had experienced at any of the mountain tops so far. Cullen didn’t look as if
to mind. As soon as his paws graced the trail and we were off. The hike, for the most part, was surprisingly
going better than anticipated based on the memory of our last icy hike up
Wildcat. Not to say there was no ice at all, but when we did encounter ice
Cullen was easily able to show me ways around the hoarfrost.
Ever since he was a pup he hated the ice, always trying to
find the routes that avoided it. Now-a-days he is able to navigate the trails effectively
enough where if I just follow him I don’t really have to worry too much about
slipping. About an hour and half later we reached the junction with Watson
Path, which is the shortest way to reach the summit, but it is an extremely
rugged trail for 1.5 miles to the top, and of course we decided to take this route.
As we made our way forward the tree line started to thin and the wind started
to scream. The temperature was dropping fast, so I decided to take Cullen out
of his jacket and into his snowsuit. As we were about to exit into the exposed
mountain side I saw a sign giving way to a warning. This sign cautioned us that
we were about be enter a place that experiences some of the worst weather in
America and if you were not confident and prepared then should turn back,
because many people have died; we kept moving forward.
The exposed mountain top was more intense than I had originally
thought. The winds were so strong it felt like a grown man was pushing me over
and the air so cold my water was freezing within minutes. However, Cullen was
still moving forward. As we struggled our way to the top I tried taking a few
photos and to gaze upon the vistas, but
the weather was too relentless. Too teary eyed from the wind and cold we, unfortunately,
experienced the summit for what seemed like seconds. However, those seconds
were of great meaning. I got to look across this land with a new set of eyes. Before
we started our descent I decided to check the temp. and the reading showed zero
degrees. Shocked by this I knew I had to get Cull Dog back into the tress. We
safely made our way back into coverage as fast as we could, and from there on
our hike down was full of warmth and joy. Cullen had just reached a place no
one would have thought possible for him. A 15lbs min pin a top the 5th
highest mountain in NH during the winter. There is no end to what is possible.
Most people feel sorry for Cullen when they hear about the
adventures we go on, but the truth is it’s not me who has taken us to the
mountain tops, it is him. He leads the trail, and with that my life is full of
more satisfaction that I thought imaginable. He has shown me to look deeper into
things; to see past what my own eyes allow and into the truth. In the beginning
I honestly didn’t see Cullen doing all the things he does. I didn’t even have
the intention, but his persistence, strength, and innocence is what keeps him
true and progressive. He is not undone by the harsh words of this world. His
gift is that he doesn’t understand the unkind remarks others have to offer, and
with that someone’s sympathy, negativity, or misunderstanding will not be able
to deter him from moving forward. Cullen has shown me that if you are able to
see past the oblivious, great things can happen. Just take the time to reflect
and accept that this world is not here to limit you, but to let your life be
limitless.
There is no doubt that those shooting stars I saw driving up
were meant for us. I didn’t see one or three or four. I saw just two, a
shooting star one right after another. It was not just by chance that the day
we accomplished one of the greatest hikes we have yet been on we experienced
such a rare and beautiful aspect of this world. Possibly a gift sent from my
mother, God, or who knows. All I do know is that the stars were symbolizing the
experience we were about to have. Two shooting stars on their way to somewhere full
of peace and enchantment.