My daughter Sophia is taking her first crew of the summer out on the trail at Philmont right now. We had to break the news to her on the phone Sunday night that our beloved dog of 12 years passed away after she left for New Mexico. As a parent you know how hard that was to do. Sophia and I literally found our dog Scout and her sister Coker coming home from Camp Coker. Sophia was always an outdoor kid and she accompanied me to a Saturday OA Workday. On the way back home along a rural road in Marlboro County, SC we saw two puppies walking along the side of the road. I pulled over (in my Mini Cooper) and we went into the bushes after them. With no collars and full of ticks we decided to bring them home and that started over a decade in our family life having these sweet sisters. Coker passed in the fall after a protracted illness. But Scout just kinda cratered all in one day. The Vet told me the next day that for it to happen that fast it was likely her heart. I am sure that I'm not the only one of you that has a pet named after something to do with Scouts. But hopefully being on the trail will let some time pass and Sophia will have a great rest of her summer. | 
