Steve's Final Hike
Donation protected
I was really alone when Steve came into my life. I was scrolling facebook when across the screen a brindle dog was up for adoption. They owners said he was full of energy and I didn’t really put much thought into it the fact that I was a renter and Steve looked like the "mixed breed" he was described as. The history books will say it was love at first sight. A few belly rubs and we were ready to go.
When Steve jumped into the car he put his first step on the center console of the Subaru and I looked over my shoulder and I said "I don't know what you were doing back there but we are in for a wild ride." Steve reignited my spirit immediately. I lived in Richmond at the time and we would go on walks two to three times a day regardless of weather. We went to Dominion River Rock alone at night and he did great. Our first hike we went to White Oak Canyon with a friend of mine. It rained from start to finish. It was warm out and we were soaked but stoked and the journeys continued.
In the time I had Steve, we went on countless hikes together or with Traci overnight. Nothing was off limits. Mount Rogers, The Grayson Highlands, Mount Pleasant, Cold Mountain, Tar Jacket Ridge, Spy Rock, Crabtree Falls, White Oak Canyon, The Priest, Three Ridges, Sharp Top, Wilburn Ridge, The Buttermilk Trail, Belle Isle, Richmond City Floodwall, Brown’s Island, Capital Bike Trail, every battlefield park in Richmond, Doyle River and Jones Run Falls, Uncle Mike's deluxe resort at Starwood, up and down I-81, I-64 and RT 29 looking for the next trail. Pete’s Cave and North Mountain, Torry Ridge, Big House and Little House Mountain, The Maury River, last but not least a walk up to St. Mary's Falls would be his last trip. Some of these were multiples, with; I think the favorite being Mt. Pleasant. Rain, snow, sleet and hail didn't matter. If I was packing my bag, he was on my heel.
If any one man had these names under his hat in 2 and half years he would be very content. Steve could guide you down any of these. His tracks will forever be ingrained in that soil as long as the mountain has its story to tell. He was very easy to live with on trail and always just 10 feet ahead looking out for Dad. Steve was always a leader on trail but rarely in the pecking line. His humble spirit would shine through at rest or while waiting for dinner. He had my back and best interest at all times and always looked over his shoulder for my approval. He was ready for business at 9 degrees and 2 a.m. on Mount Rogers with a skunk trying to steal our food bag.
Steve made many friends on trail also. Humans were the norm but we crossed black snakes, copperheads, deer, box turtles, ol snappin’ turtles, frogs, a shelter skunk, insects, and most breathing living things. He always approached with cautious curiosity; especially ticks and carried Lyme disease, with grace. He was a constant companion and a class act top to bottom.
At home Steve was the easiest dog I have ever been around. The guy just loved to make you feel special. His heart was gold and his spirit so strong that it's just not possible for fire to snuff out. You could correct Steve just by the tone of your voice. You could lure him into a belly rub with a glance. From the time I brought him home and cleaned him up we had a bond that was unspoken. He was always my son in my eyes and when I came or went so did he. My nieces could walk Steve and he would never pull and always look over his shoulder for them.
With all this in mind and the outpouring of love and support, we as a family decided to start a gofundme account. With this you can contribute to our decision to cremate Steve, collect the ashes and spread them in some of our favorite spots. Sunrise views of course. Any extra will be donated to Pit Bull Rescue and Richmond Animal League to aid in fulfilling another dog rescue and owners destiny. It’s worth every penny if you knew the amount of love Steve brought into my life. This is a very complicated time for us and the loss of Steve has left a void and a set of paw prints few will fill in his absence. The home can be rebuilt, the car can be replaced but Steve cannot. Words are hard to describe but I felt compelled to give a little back story of how our timeless and limitless bond came to be.
Anything will help and thank you from the bottom of my humble heart.
Mark & Steve
When Steve jumped into the car he put his first step on the center console of the Subaru and I looked over my shoulder and I said "I don't know what you were doing back there but we are in for a wild ride." Steve reignited my spirit immediately. I lived in Richmond at the time and we would go on walks two to three times a day regardless of weather. We went to Dominion River Rock alone at night and he did great. Our first hike we went to White Oak Canyon with a friend of mine. It rained from start to finish. It was warm out and we were soaked but stoked and the journeys continued.
In the time I had Steve, we went on countless hikes together or with Traci overnight. Nothing was off limits. Mount Rogers, The Grayson Highlands, Mount Pleasant, Cold Mountain, Tar Jacket Ridge, Spy Rock, Crabtree Falls, White Oak Canyon, The Priest, Three Ridges, Sharp Top, Wilburn Ridge, The Buttermilk Trail, Belle Isle, Richmond City Floodwall, Brown’s Island, Capital Bike Trail, every battlefield park in Richmond, Doyle River and Jones Run Falls, Uncle Mike's deluxe resort at Starwood, up and down I-81, I-64 and RT 29 looking for the next trail. Pete’s Cave and North Mountain, Torry Ridge, Big House and Little House Mountain, The Maury River, last but not least a walk up to St. Mary's Falls would be his last trip. Some of these were multiples, with; I think the favorite being Mt. Pleasant. Rain, snow, sleet and hail didn't matter. If I was packing my bag, he was on my heel.
If any one man had these names under his hat in 2 and half years he would be very content. Steve could guide you down any of these. His tracks will forever be ingrained in that soil as long as the mountain has its story to tell. He was very easy to live with on trail and always just 10 feet ahead looking out for Dad. Steve was always a leader on trail but rarely in the pecking line. His humble spirit would shine through at rest or while waiting for dinner. He had my back and best interest at all times and always looked over his shoulder for my approval. He was ready for business at 9 degrees and 2 a.m. on Mount Rogers with a skunk trying to steal our food bag.
Steve made many friends on trail also. Humans were the norm but we crossed black snakes, copperheads, deer, box turtles, ol snappin’ turtles, frogs, a shelter skunk, insects, and most breathing living things. He always approached with cautious curiosity; especially ticks and carried Lyme disease, with grace. He was a constant companion and a class act top to bottom.
At home Steve was the easiest dog I have ever been around. The guy just loved to make you feel special. His heart was gold and his spirit so strong that it's just not possible for fire to snuff out. You could correct Steve just by the tone of your voice. You could lure him into a belly rub with a glance. From the time I brought him home and cleaned him up we had a bond that was unspoken. He was always my son in my eyes and when I came or went so did he. My nieces could walk Steve and he would never pull and always look over his shoulder for them.
With all this in mind and the outpouring of love and support, we as a family decided to start a gofundme account. With this you can contribute to our decision to cremate Steve, collect the ashes and spread them in some of our favorite spots. Sunrise views of course. Any extra will be donated to Pit Bull Rescue and Richmond Animal League to aid in fulfilling another dog rescue and owners destiny. It’s worth every penny if you knew the amount of love Steve brought into my life. This is a very complicated time for us and the loss of Steve has left a void and a set of paw prints few will fill in his absence. The home can be rebuilt, the car can be replaced but Steve cannot. Words are hard to describe but I felt compelled to give a little back story of how our timeless and limitless bond came to be.
Anything will help and thank you from the bottom of my humble heart.
Mark & Steve
Fundraising team (4)
Kelly Kidd
Organizer
Mechanicsville, VA
MARK MIDGETT
Beneficiary
Mark Midgett
Team member
Lauren Casillas
Team member
