Kansas City, Line Creek Trail (2022)—the day Rose looked majestic and feral and ready for adventure…and I looked like I was five minutes from joining the spirit realm.

She thrived. I almost overheated and died.

But look at her. Ears at full satellite-dish power. Tongue out. Living her best National Geographic life while I was contemplating which tree I’d haunt if I went down on that trail.

Would I do it again?…Yes. Because look at that face.