Barking Embarkers

It’s story time! For those who are new here, I have kept a record of Chloe’s and my adventures during our travels! I write and publish these about a year after they happen, for various reasons, but mostly per my grandma’s advice. And I don’t know about you, but you ALWAYS listen to your Grandma’s advice- they know. Here we Go! Brace yourselves, it’s time for an enticing, incredible, thrilling and heart wrenching: A Tail of Chloe Rue (I know its tale, I just can’t help it).

Portland to Albany

It’s pretty ironic writing this as I take a permanent trip to Albany Oregon, about a year after I took a travel job with the same company in the same town. The staggering difference between February, 2020 and March 2021 is something felt across the world, I’m sure.

I remember the feeling of determination I had as I approached this small town towing the camper. Chloe and I stayed at the KOA for our first month while we hunted for a longer solution. I joined the gym on my first day, and by the end of my first week I had been asked on 3 dates! I’m absolutely unsure what on Earth was in the air, but I said yes to every single one of those dates because why the heck not.

A year later none of them worked out, but hey it was awesome to meet guys in a genuine way, not online! After our first month, Chloe and I found our all time favorite place we have ever camped: RainShine Farms in Kingsvalley Oregon.

Kingsvalley is properly named, in the beautiful coastal mountains. We ended up loving our work at this start up home health company called Wellness at Home. It was all a pretty wonderful situation and I was stoked to be a part of this world.

Home Health Pandemic Style

In March 2020 the whole world changed, as we all know. It went from something that was happening in China, to something that was happening all over Oregon. As someone who works with infectious diseases frequently (home health comes with its fair share of bed bugs, C-Diff, and more) I felt prepared to handle COVID patients. We discussed how we would reinforce sanitary practices, how we would communicate to prevent infection and we had no idea how dramatically everything would change.

I was the only occupational therapist with this small start up company. In April we began to see more referrals as the hospitals filled, but it wasn’t until May that I found myself overwhelmed. 60 hour weeks, apparently no active cases (but who really knew at that point), people who were not well enough to be home, trying to survive at home and the team I was working with doing our best to prevent them from returning to the hospital. We ran out of wipes, N-95 masks, and made it through from a donation my mom sent this direction from the farm. Miraculously, despite exposure to many homes and active cases; I made it through the year without contracting COVID. It was definitely a stressful time.

In therapy you run across patients who pass away, or transition to Hospice every so often. This year I’ve had patients pass away monthly at best, one week I had three patients pass away within the same week. It’s stressful, seeing people who aren’t going to necessarily recover and making a plan for their recovery but watching it fail.

I would have truly struggled with this time if it weren’t for two things. My new friends I’d met who were also my co workers. And the wonderful, Chloe Rue. Chloe would come to work with me, be there for me when I was overwhelmed and get her energy out at daycare; because I didn’t have time to give her the attention and walks she needs. Thank God for the awesome community I had landed in, and support system that had grown in the short time I’d been there!

Coping with Quarantine

Okay, how exactly does a practically professional dog- adventure person survive Quarantine and working in healthcare? She spends every spare minute exploring her surroundings, safely. I found some of the most beautiful hikes in my local area while all was shutdown! I bought a fishing rod and tried out the river flowing through my backyard AND I walked around the beautiful Orchard watching Chloe hunt for gophers almost every night.

It was truly my family, friend family, new friends and Chloe Rue. That was the best way to cope with quarantine!

We found:

A River that Lead to the Ocean

Fort Hoskins

All within the same territory I covered for work! Quarantine was long and stressful, but it forced Chloe and I to open our eyes to all that was within our grasp and savor every moment.

We’ve Learned…

I am many wonderful things, including being awful at taking direction. When the government said to stay close to home, that was REALLY tough for me, despite understanding the science and reason behind the recommendation. But I did a pretty darned good job. And I learned that hey, despite despising directions, I can do it as long as I know it’s helping others.

Chloe learned how to be a top notch gopher hunter. We’ve learned how to take training into our own hands (though we do plan to start classes at the American Kennel Club again asap). Chloe learned some awesome skills this year, even skijouring (where she pulls me around on ski’s)! Despite the insanity that was March 2020, we really figured out some good things too.

Most importantly, I learned to connect with those around me, at every opportunity. That’s not the easiest thing when you travel all of the time. And deep connections are hard to forge for any person in the first place. Somehow though, within this community where I was stuck, I found my way to some life-long friends. Human and furry friends too!

What have you all reflected on from the very beginning of the pandemic? Any life lessons you discovered and are willing to share? I hope you all have many happy tails, and that we are indeed on the tail end of this pandemic! Happy Trails ♡

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