Eleven years ago on this date, another Saturday morning, Flyer, 13, and I entered the van, leaving Chief and Navi at The Haasienda. I knew Flyer’s health was rapidly failing.

We visited our favorite haunts in Dayton: the Wright family graves at Woodland Cemetery, Orville Wright’s Oakwood home, Hawthorn Hill, and Carillon Historical Park at the base of the carillon tower erected by Colonel Edward Deeds and his wife, Edith.

We spent about forty-five minutes lying in the grass beside Wilbur Wright’s grave. Normally, we’d spend a few minutes with the Wrights before taking off on a sixty+ minute hike. This morning, our hikes were now our history.

Back at home, she rested on the deck with Chief at her side. By the end of July 2013, over seventy-five people came to say “goodbye” to Flyer, including my mother who spent nearly a week with her favorite pooch for whom she often watched during our trips.

Flyer continues living in my thoughts and heart.