Story: Finding Joy at Mount Misery
By Rochelle O’Neal Thorpe
Marching through the snow and hearing it crunch beneath my feet as I trailed through a path of white birch and pine trees trying to keep up with my toddler son as he chases Juno through the woods, gave me such a satisfying feeling that warms my heart.
This twosome have proven to me that a “Dog is not only a man’s best friend,” but that my best friend’s dog can be a boy’s best friend too.
Two years ago when I was widowed and left with two teens and a toddler to raise home life became a bit saddened with the absence of my husband.
A good friend of twenty years happened to be living only a few blocks away has a wonderful dog with a great puppy personality that soon brought lots of love into our lives. Whenever we visited her, her dog Juno bounces with joy at the sight of Gabe - and she is ready for play.
Gabe, my toddler was only sixteen months old when his dad passed away in late January 2006 and having a new doggy to chase the winter blues away really has made a difference.
When the weather warmed Gabe and I joined my friend Nicola for long walks along the Minute Man Trail. Gabe was steady enough on his feet to show Juno the way to Spy Pond, where he would feed Mr. Ducky, a dark brown Mallard who loved eating bread crumbs right out of his hands.
After spending the summer walking along Spy Pond, Juno and Nicola moved to Harvard Square and we no longer took those occasional strolls from Cambridge to Arlington along Minute Man Trail.
What was a mother to do when Gabe would ask to take Juno for a walk? Well, get creative that’s what.
Instead of missing Juno, I invited Nicola and Juno to join us on a day trip. We loaded the car with snacks and lunches and took the twenty minute drive up Route 2 to Lincoln, and although dogs are not allowed on Walden Pond, there is a great hiking park with a wooded path for pets and owners to enjoy, ironically it’s called “Mount Misery,” and it became the perfect place to bring joy to a dog and his boy.
At age three keeping Gabe on the path has become rather entertaining now that he can throw a tennis ball or a stick to Juno as we hike along the narrow trails with our backpacked lunches. Somehow the balls haven’t yet found their way into the stream that follows the path.
The path opens into a natural cathedral with birch, pine and oak trees standing tall like gigantic organ pipes to the sky. During the fall the autumn trees and moss covered logs create a great scene for picnicking. We always managed to find a fallen log to sit on to enjoy our lunches and we enjoy taking a break for water as well.
This year we managed to trek out even in the snow and as city dwellers we discovered the park is frequented year round. In fact, the snow covered hills and bare trees were just as breathtaking as the park in full bloom during the summer months.
Although these excursions gave me ample time to catch up with an old friend, the bond that developed between Juno and Gabe became stronger as well.
From the moment Gabe is fastened in his car seat and we stop to pick up Nicola and Juno, both boy and dog become joyful and bright eyed looking forward to their time together exploring the woods and playing catch.
When asked by passersby the name of his dog, Gabe proudly says “Juno.”
Nicola smiles and doesn’t intervene to correct him, or to say that Juno is really her Dog; she seems to understand the importance Gabe’s answer holds.
To see Juno become my Boy’s best friend brought unexpected joy into my life and I am so grateful that my best friend share’s her dog with us.
In learning that a dog can be a boy’s best friend, I have realized the value of my best friend’s generous heart as well.
So if you’re feeling blue or need a day excursion, try a picnic trip to “Mount Misery” or try sharing your dog with someone blue, in either case you’re sure to learn something new.
Mount Misery is located on Route 117 West of Route 2, on the West Concord and Lincoln towlines.This is Rochelle O’Neal Thorpe’s first article for DogBoston. You can read more about her on her website at http://www.rochelleonealthorpe.com/