White Sangria

Here's a little Holiday Spirit Dawn made for a recent party we had and it was a hit. I have never heard of "White Sangria" before until someone mentioned the idea of it to me on a recent trip I was on.

Well, I brought home the idea and told Dawn. We decided to try and put something together so Dawn went to the store and gathered ingredients, based on what was in season this time of year. She and I put it together and I began playing with various combinations until I thought I had what would work.

As I mentioned, we served it at a recent party and, yes, it was a hit! So, here it is for all to share and maybe try for yourself during this Holiday season. We have added it to the cookbook in progress, but may alter it a bit in the future, when different 'white' fruits are in season.

Here's the recipe:

Mahalo for cooking with Captain Bobby Mitchel

Hanging With The Honu While The Humpbacks Serenade

Oh, the love of diving...slowly sinking beneath the surface to another world below.

I began as a young boy in 1972 at the young age of 11 and was immediately addicted to SCUBA diving, although I missed out on many years of it, traversing the world on other adventures and finding myself.

From a kid, lying on the bottom of our swimming pool in Hawaii Kai as did Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate, escaping the world above, to 'being with' the beautiful creatures of our undersea world as I watched Jacques Cousteau do so every Sunday evening on the color TV (with the round knob channel changer that only went to 13) while I was growing up, diving has for so long been a love of mine.

So, back on point now...Here's a sampling of what I mean. Here in the beautiful Hawaiian waters off Maui, I came upon this beautiful Hawaiian Sea Turtle (Honu), just grazing in the grasses on the bottom while the Humpback Whales sang off in the distance. It was whale season in Maui and the humpbacks, large and small, were everywhere. The Honu let me slowly come up right to her and just hang out. It was absolutely amazing!

Enjoy...

I suspect there are two types of people that watch this video. The one that goes, "Oh, cool, look at the turtle," and moves on. And then there's the other that 'gets it' and watches the video while concentrating and listening to the beautiful sounds of the Humpbacks in the distance and/or looks into the soulful eyes of the Honu as she feeds. Which are you? If you were number one, did you go back?


Either way, thank you for taking the time to hang out here.


“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.”  ~~ Jacques Cousteau


~~ Life is good

Mahalo for diving with Captain Bobby Mitchel

Happy Birthday To My First Officer

Just a quick note to say Happy Birthday to my First Officer, Kona Kai Waikoloa.  We picked her up when she was just 10 weeks old and she is now 5 years old (35 in 'people' years).  How could we resist this face?

Like many of us, she's been through a lot in just five years. From losing her 'bestest buddy' Shilo in 2007, when Kona was just 9 months old, to undergoing surgery on her left knee and having titanium implants installed from a cruciate ligament tear. 

Shilo taught Kona everything from chasing chipmunks to fetching sticks

And what did she get for her birthday? Yup, a trip to her favorite place, Donner Lake. Enjoying the weekend at the cabin chasing chipmunks and swimming in the cold, cold water.

"Someday I'm gonna own this lake!"

"...And that day is now"

And, oh yeah, she was hit by a car 6 days ago, but thankfully, she's fine now with just a wound on her front paw.

Yes, you've come a long way, my little poser puppy.

 Anyway,...Happy Birthday Kona Kai!

"Weeee...Happy Birthday to meeee"

Mahalo for flying with Captain Bobby Mitchel

Panko Crusted Passion Fruit Wasabi Mustard Mahi Mahi

On a recent trip to Kauai and driving back from hunting rainbows in Waimea Canyon, I slowed down as Dawn and I drove through the small, quaint town of Waimea. On the Southwest shore of Kauai, Waimea reminded both of us of the small town atmosphere of the seventies on Oahu where we grew up.

Just as we were leaving, I looked over and remembered something that Dawn had mentioned earlier in the day on our way to Waimea Canyon. Listening to your spouse/partner and actually remembering what he/she said? Money, baby; pure gold! Well, I made an immediate left turn and she knew exactly what I was steering for, as she said, “Oh, Aunty Lilikoi’s, you remembered!” Yes, she had read about Aunty Lilikoi Passion Fruit Jellies, Jams, and Mustards in the inflight magazine (Hana Hou) on our Hawaiian Airlines flight to the islands and she wanted to make sure we checked it out.  Their products were highly rated and raved about by many people.  But, we needed to find out for ourselves what all the fuss was about.  A local-kine shop with local-kine products made by local-kine people? We’re in, baby! 

Walking in, it first appeared to be a back room packaging and shipping operation lacking the amenities and the layout you’d expect from a tourist-type product store. Did we come in the back door? Is this the right place? Were they laundering money? Should we be armed? Should we call Five-O? It didn’t look like an outlet store either. We thought we had the wrong location until Dawn asked the one person in the shop if we were in the right place. A warm and friendly islander woman, whom we later found out was born and raised in Kauai, immediately greeted us. Yes, we had the right place, indeed.

The main reason for our visit?...Dawn was intrigued by the flavor combinations they had to offer and had seen the products in the hotel shop, but wanted to sample a few items before we bought them. She asked, “Do you have any samples?” to which the reply was, “Ah, no,…sorry,” with a big smile. Immediately, Dawn was bummed, "Oh, maaaan..." Then, from behind the counter our hostess pulled up a tray and out came a whole display with samples of every jelly, jam, butter, marinade, rub, dressing and mustard they carried. We all laughed together and so began our taste testing.

Let me just say this, in one word, WOW!  Every single thing we had was absolutely fantastic.  These products would be a dream for a Chef of any experience level.  They would make perfect sauces as well as compliment an array of recipes.  Even on their own, tasted from a little plastic spoon, each was a unique flavor sensation.  Passion Fruit or Lilikoi is one of our favorite Hawaiian fruits and Aunty Lilikoi obviously knows how to make the best of an already awesome fruit.  They also carry a line of all natural beauty products and candles.  Their authentic local and award winning flavors would make awesome gifts.  They definitely beat the usual chocolate covered macadamia nuts, ABC store trinket, and the all too common “they went to Hawaii and all I got was this lousy t-shirt” many island visitors take home to loved ones. BTW, we bought gifts so the beanbag is spilled right here. If you don’t get one from us, you didn’t make the cut, probably because you don’t comment on my blog or we don’t have your address. ;) hint…hint…

We both most favored the Lilikoi Wasabi Mustard, their star attraction.  We came home bearing jars of jelly, mustards and bottles of dressings, waiting for the right meal to crack them open.  My first idea was a seared and baked Panko Crusted Passion Fruit Wasabi Mustard Mahi Mahi, adorned on top with Aunty Lilikoi's Famous Lilikoi Passion Fruit Wasabi Mustard.

Here's the outcome:

Onolicious? ...or what, brah? Oh, yes it was very much so. It was my surprise dinner for Dawn on the first day back from this Kauai trip.

Here's the quick recipe. The full recipe has been added to the cookbook.  While any fish would do, I chose Mahi Mahi.  But I'm sure any smooth, flaky whitefish would work well, like Ono, Opah, or White/Orange Roughy.

Ingredients:

2 fish fillets (of choice)

Soy sauce

Rice Wine Vinegar

2 cups (approximately) Panko bread crumbs

2 cups (approximatelu) Flour

1 egg

Asian spice rub

Aunty Lilikoi's Lilikoi Wasabi Mustard

Let fillets marinate in soy sauce and rice wine vinegar mixture for about 15-20 minutes. Drain and dry fillets. Brush each side of the filet with The Mustard and generously dust fillets on both sides with Asian Spice rub. Let the fillets rest and become one with their spices for at least 20 minutes. Beat 1 egg. Carefully coat each side of each fillet with the egg wash and coat with flour. Re-coat with the egg wash and then generously coat each fillet with the panko bread crumbs. Cover and rest in refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. (The fish, not you)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Melt 1 TBS each EVOO and butter in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat to 375 degrees.  I added a dollop of coconut oil as well. Cook each fillet for 2 minutes on each side for, allowing skillet to regain its temperature between the flip for a nice, golden sear. Then place fillets in the 400 degree oven, elevated off the pan with a rack, for 2 minutes.

Remove from oven, drizzle the top of each fillet with Aunty Lilikoi’s, Passion Fruit Wasabi Mustard. Serve atop a bed of steamed, brown rice with fresh steamed broccoli, steamed carrots, and for a starter, a side of fresh jumbo shrimp cocktail works great.

We also picked up some of Aunty Lilikoi's Mango Java Steak Rub for meats and can highly recommend them as well. We used our steak rub on some beautiful filets one evening and they were fantastic.  The coffee, mango, and secret spices all melded together but without over-powering the meat.  Instead, the rub brought out the best of the rich flavor of the beef.  Well done, Aunty!

So next time you’re in Kauai or on the Internet, I’d strongly suggest you give Aunty Lilikoi a visit. You will luv it. Oh, and try fo send us da kine too, brah…as one gift. ;)

(Dedicated to our friend, Julia, who wanted a Hawaiian dish posted)

Mahalo for traveling and cooking with Captain Bobby Mitchel

Paradise On The Lake

Mahalo for traveling with Captain Bobby Mitchel

"Shhhh...You'll Scare Away The Rainbows"

Who doesn't love a rainbow?  But how many of us stop and truly enjoy Mother Nature's beautiful creation when we see one? How many of us pull over, turn towards, or even try to follow it when we see one? How about waiting and “being with” a rainbow until it goes away? Moreover, how many of us actually set forth on a drive, hike, walk, or journey for the specific purpose of seeking out or 'hunting' rainbows? Well, I do, I have, and I always will do so. And, hopefully, after reading this, you will too. Just remember these few things about rainbows: they're completely safe, non-toxic; they will not harm anyone, even if provoked; no license is required; they can be found all over the world, although for obvious reasons, some places are better than others.  Oh, and for my blonde readers, they do not come out at night...or do they? ;)

First things first, who remembers from grade school our 'ole friend ROYGBIV? Yup, ‘ole Roy, the colors of a rainbow. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Oh, sure when you see a rainbow you see the colors, but have you really every seen the true, deep violet, or been able to distinguish it from the indigo? So many of the rainbows the average person sees are first of all, not complete from one end to another, and secondly, usually not fully developed so that each of the spectrum of colors is viewable. I, for one, don’t even remember the last time I saw the deep indigo and the violet. Oh, wait, I do! It was last week on the island of Kauai! When and if you do see a rainbow in its entirety, you will just stop in your tracks and enjoy it in its splendor as Mother Nature created it.

The vibrancy and size of the rainbows we encountered in Waimea Canyon were absolutely stunning!  Although not complete from end to end, the one pictured above was a vision to behold.

Growing up in Hawaii, I was often privileged enough to see many rainbows. Whether hiking the Aiea Loop Trail, boating and fishing off the Oahu coastline, hiking the hills behind Hawaii Kai, or just passing over the Pali or up in the Manoa and Tantalus area, rainbows were quite prevalent with the many passing showers across the island. I’m a Type A personality kind of guy.  I spent 21 years in the United States Air Force flying military jets, and currently fly 737s for a major US airline.  But, it’s my right brained side, the artistic part of me that feeds and fuels my inner soul. The music loving, picture taking, beach walking, bike riding, creative and poetry writing, concert going, SCUBA diving, recipe trying, sunrise and sunset viewing, and rainbow luvin’ part of me that lives to see what beautiful moments are in store for tomorrow. Yup, it’s that part that fertilizes my Attention Deficit Disorder too. Focus, focus.  Okay, back to rainbows… 

So, what makes a rainbow? Without getting into too much detail, because that is not what this is about, a rainbow is sunlight that is spread out into its spectrum of colors and then diverted to your eye by the water droplets that are around the area. So, Mother Nature must have water and sunlight to make a rainbow.  Translation?  It’s gotta to be raining, brah! So, who’s going hiking when it’s raining? J Well, I guess if you live in Seattle, you have no choice, huh?

Dawn and I were recently in Kauai and set forth on a day drive, hike, and walk in the famous Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Hawaiian Islands, but lush and green and so much more beautiful. I say that because I’ve only seen the Grand Canyon from the air (yes, a trip is on my bucket list) and although spectacular in it's grandiosity, the drab browns just can't compete with the colors and textures in Waimea Canyon.

We planned our day while lounging around our place in Lihue the evening prior. Type-A Pilot guy here looked at all the weather for our journey and mapped out a route. Neither of us had been to Waimea Canyon and looking at the weather, it was going to be a rainy day for a drive, hike, and walk. Oh well, we glass full people just figured it would mean less people and a better chance to catch a rainbow. By the way, unlike some other so-called sports, there is no limit on rainbows.

Off we went on our journey, driving the trusty economy rental car up to Kokee State Park. Yup, it was cold and rainy the entire drive up the windy road on the Waimea Canyon ridge line.  Only passing a few cars along the way, we kept on trekking up the small two-lane road with multiple 120-180 degree turns.  It reminded both of us of Tantalus Drive back on Oahu for those of you that know the area. Yes, we talked about turning back a few times, but it was the desire to see the Canyon and, hopefully a rainbow, that kept us going.  Along the way we stopped at a couple of "scenic via" points, ran through the rain and took a look over the edge.  Not much to see with all the fog and mist and definitely not hiking worthy.  Slipping on the mud slopes and being transported from the ridge line to the 6 o'clock news was just not in our cards that day.  What was in our cards up until that point was an abundance of wind, clouds, and rain, along with an occasional glimpse of a valley; no real "grand-like" canyon.

We pressed on. At one point Dawn even said, “I just want to see one rainbow; that would make my day.” Well, we made it to the top and to the end of the road. We were at Kalalau Lookout where the elevation is 5,148 feet and it was still cold, windy, cloudy, and the rain showers were passing by frequently. We were on one of the ‘wettest spots on earth’, as it said on the sign. Dawn went down the ridgeline a bit while I stayed at the lookout, alone, just gazing at the beauty lying within the deep valley before me. I was alone and inside I was whispering to myself, “Please, please, please, please, come on out,” in a boyish effort to entice a rainbow to appear.

Along came a small group of tourists, mostly women in their late 50’s. Then, suddenly a rainbow started to appear to the right of the canyon and then came the loud shrieks from the ladies. “Ugh, tourists,” I thought to myself inside. Such a peaceful sight, the spell of nature erased like a house of cards falling. I turned and looked at them with a smile, held my index finger up to my lips, and whispered, “Shhhhh, you’ll scare away the rainbows.” The one woman closest to me stared, smiled, and began to whisper as well. Classic!

Our first rainbow of the day was forming in the mist in the valley in front of me. Barely there, but I choose to believe, enticed by me and Dawn and our good vacation Karma, to come out and stay for a while. With the excited whispers off to the side, Mother Nature brought out a beautiful rainbow that filled the valley.  She also moved aside a large group of clouds so that we all could now see the beautiful Pacific Ocean along the Na Pali coastline. The rainbow continued to grow right before our eyes.  It was mesmerizing.

It was actually trying to form into a double rainbow as you can see in the above photo. The mist and moisture mixed with the sun now really brought out the lower rainbow. Dawn and I stood there, hand in hand, smiles aglow, as we just enjoyed the peaceful birth and growth of Mother Nature’s beautiful creation. Even the ladies near us began to really experience the moment.  It was sort of an intimate moment, sharing that rainbow with strangers and knowing that no one in the world was seeing it quite like us at that very moment.

After the rainbow disappeared into the fast moving bank of clouds and mist, I turned to Dawn and said, “Well, this entire trip to Kauai was just made worthwhile by seeing that. If we see or do nothing else for the rest of the week, I’m good."  With tears in her eyes, she agreed.

Leaving the top of the mountain, we began or journey back down the long and winding Canyon road. As it was clearing up now, we found numerous spots along the roadside that we could stop and see the beauty of the Canyon. We could also see how narrow the road was too and that if we went off the side, we were gone! Literally, gone and probably ending up hundreds if not thousands of feet below. WOW! Oh, we were seeing some beautiful grand canyon now!

Did we stop? Oh, you'd better believe we did, because on the way back down the mountain, we were treated to some of the most beautiful rainbows either of us have ever seen. With most tourists scared away by the weather, it was pleasantly unpopulated in the Canyon that day.  We didn't see many people the whole day and cars just passed by us on the way down, not even stopping to see what had caught our attention.  Little did they know, we had front row seats, baby! What a shame. Tourists! A friendly Indian family did stop and all four of them, mother, father, and 2 kids, got to see the rainbows, the youngest little girl excitedly remarking "This makes me happy inside."  I knew exactly how she felt. Beautiful rainbows…complete rainbows…double rainbows…ALL the colors of the rainbows…the indigo…the violet…Rainbows stretching completely across the canyon, miles from one side to the other. We saw one rainbow going fully across the canyon and the left side of it was ending what seemed like just a few hundred yards in front of us.  It was as if we could reach out and literally touch it. Dawn and I were just speechless at some points as we watched the rainbows peacefully come and go for us.


With the quickly passing clouds and showers, I captured the waterfall with the rainbow and the shadows of the canyon seeming to form a heart.  Do you see?

Oh, my,…leaky??? Yup. It was absolutely freaking beautiful and amazing. Of all those years growing up in Hawaii and the thousands of rainbows I have witnessed in my lifetime, this was a kaleidoscope ballet of rainbows like I have never seen before in my life. Ever!

By the time we made it to the bottom of the long and winding road, the day had cleared up and the sun came out as the clouds dissipated. For the last 10 miles or so, we had a full rainbow that stayed off to our left the entire way. We laughed and joked that it was actually following us home. It really seemed that way too. You can see the last of it in the picture below, just off to the right.

The last rainbow was with us all the way to the beach where we then began to hunt a sunset. ;)

So, now, for those of you who stayed with me to the end here and really enjoy and appreciate a rainbow, here is my ‘Catch of the Day’ and the one that made our day.

It will now have a permanent home as a 16 x 20 canvas in our home. During the “Kaleidoscope Ballet” I took many pictures, too many to post here, but I will always have them available to share. I took quite a bit of HD video too, which I may post at a later date. 

Well, are you rainbow lover now? You may have even learned something too. Just remember, if the conditions are right, "Shhhh...You'll Scare Away The Rainbows."

Thank you for “Chasing Rainbows” with Captain Bobby Mitchel and maybe we can journey together some day.

One Sneaky Coconut

Mahalo for flying with Captain Bobby Mitchel

NEWSFLASH!!!!....Meteor Impacts Earth!

50,000 years ago an enormous meteor struct earth at over 26,000 miles an hour. Today you can still view it from the sky or even visit it on a drive across the beautiful Southwest.

When I first started flying commercially, I was often entertained with the numerous meteor crater stories from those crusty, old Captains I was flying with, as we traversed the Southwestern United States. Often, it was as if they thought they were enlightening me with sacred knowledge.  (Like I'd never seen a crater before in the thousands of hours of my flying over the past 20+ years.) But, you have to humor the 'ole guys and gals, give them props like they think they deserve, let them believe they're your Yoda; you get the picture.

Sometimes, however, you hear 'a good one' and that's what we need and like up front, in the pointy end of the flying metal tube. So, this one time (not at band camp) a particular Captain tells me, the young First Officer, his story of “the crater.” I don't think it was first hand, but rather a good one passed around amongst pilots such that it became folklore. I, however, have my 'firsthand' crater story which I'll get to later.  It's the one this now, crusty 'ole Captain passes on to my new First Officers, but in my case, of course it is truly enlightening. "Snatch the pebble from my hand, Grasshopper." Okay, back to the Captain's story.

He told me that back in the days, before 911, when cockpits were’t locked vaults, but a place where other crew members would frequent to relax, chit-chat, bring up drinks, etc., that a young, somewhat naive Flight Attendant was chillin' in the pointy end when along came the great crater, the 50,000 year old hole in the ground, a mile wide. After the Captain explained how big and deep it was, along with how long ago it struct Earth, this Flight Attendant, peering out the window to see the enormous hole in our planet said, "Wow, it almost hit the freeway!"

Okay, now that's funny, and when he told me this story, I lost it. Apparently, she was dead serious. Yup, good old Interstate 40 almost took a direct hit 50,000 years ago! And to think that there just happened to be a road veering off to the the South of I-40, ending up at the exact point of impact! Wow!

Now, here's my story. I'm still an FO, and it was still pre-911. Yup, another (just could not be the same one, right?) Flight Attendant visiting the cockpit, enjoying the views from our office windows, and breaking up the boredom of the 2 people stuck in the pointy end together for hourrrrrs.... Along comes the crater. As a Captain in training, I'm obligated to pass on the great wisdom of crater history that I have amassed over the years. It’s the story I pass on to my passengers too. Good stuff, right? As we're peering out the window together while I pass on my crater factoid knowledge, she's amazed. Yup, totally digging this new information I'm passing on to my Grasshopper. So, I finish and she whispers, "They didn't know it was coming?" I listen, I hear, I absorb, I evaluate, and I realize she's dead serious. I slowly turn my head, smile, and whisper back, "Nope, they didn't have CNN back then." Oh, I could've gone for the jugular, so to speak, but I didn't because she was so engaged and so serious. Then, she processed what I said and it hit her. Oops! She laughed out loud and was totally embarrassed.

Yes, the crater stories. There are many, but for that one, I was there. It was funny and the three of us laughed about it.

So, the crater is located just off Interstate 40, near Winslow, Arizona. It is one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference and more than 550 feet deep.

To find more about the crater or even visit it someday on your travels across the Southwestern United States, visit the crater's web site. Yup, it has it's own web page! Meterocrater.com Now that's impressive. And a Facebook page too! I wonder if it has an iPhone...to phone home. ;)

Anyway, if you happen to be onboard while I am your Captain, you’ll hear me tell you all about 'The Crater' as we fly overhead. I'll even tell you the story about the highway and why they didn't know it was on its way to earth - no CNN and all that.  

Mahalo for flying with Captain Bobby Mitchel

Lani Kai: A Dog's Tale (Abridged)

Lani Kai: A Dog's Tale

(Abridged)

The following is a true story and pieced together from actual events

It was about 3 1/2 to 4 years ago (2007) in Roseville, California, that a white and copper colored, adolescent puppy with a fluffy white curled tail was found alone and roaming the streets.  She was picked up and delivered to the SPCA, and thought to be just about a year old. Although not wearing any identifying dog tags, it was discovered after examination that she had an identification micro chip under her skin, as is common with many pets these days, especially those of value, whether it be monetary or sentimental. The microchip was checked, but the phone number associated with the chip had been disconnected and no further contact information for her owners was known. Veterinarians identified her as a healthy, Akita and Siberian Husky mixed female.  This breed is sometimes called “Huskita.”  It was obvious from an exam that this puppy, while only just over a year old, had also recently given birth to puppies and still had milk. She was healthy, but lost and on her own...relegated to the streets and homeless, her puppies gone forever. No one called, no one came in to claim her, and no one knew who she was or to whom she belonged.

Much like Hachi, in the movie, Hachi: A Dog's Tale, this beautiful and quite friendly puppy was lost and without a home. An elderly couple living in Roseville, Marion and Russell, in search of a companion, went the SPCA and happened upon this strikingly beautiful Huskita puppy and adopted her. They named her Bella, Italian for 'lovely' or 'beautiful', and she was definitely suited for her new name. She now had a home, and was loved and cared for with pride.  She bonded quickly and had separation anxiety anytime her new family left her at home alone.  Bella spent time with her new owners, their kids and grandson and was friendly, somewhat timid, but always loving and gentle.  Russell, in his 80’s, walked Bella up and down the street in front of their home in their quiet and peaceful Roseville retirement community.  Not realizing part of her breed instincts were to guard, Russell was inadvertently showing Bella this was “her street” to protect.   One day, a small “yappy” (Marion’s word) toy dog was being walked across the street while Bella was in the front of her home with Russell.   She inexplicably ran to the barking little dog and snapped at her.  Russell was, of course, surprised and immediately retrieved Bella and offered to pay for a vet visit to make certain the dog was alright.  The toy dog’s elderly owner was furious.  Although her dog had no broken skin, no visible injuries and a vet bill never arrived, she reported Bella to the Animal Control as a vicious dog.  Officers came and took Bella away and locked her into a cage.  Russell fought hard to get her back as soon as possible and did so after a couple of days.  She went through separation anxiety again and clung to Russell’s side.

Marion and Russell had Bella go through training with a professional trainer, walked her on new and different routes and did everything the Animal Control asked.  Bella was on probation, but allowed to go back to her new home where she lived comfortably and incident free.  She regularly went to the dog park, on walks, to neighbors, dog sitters, family and never showed any aggression to anyone or any living thing.  In her short life, this poor little puppy had been abandoned, lost her puppies, spent time in 'jail', and now had a record.  It's believed that her original owners lost their house during the foreclosure rage in 2008 and just left her when the left their home. What became of her puppies, no one knows. How unthinkable to just release or abandon such a beautiful, expensive, and well trained puppy, as Bella.

Well, their loss was Bella and Russell and Marion’s gain.  Russell and Marion cared for their loyal, beautiful, sweet, well trained and incredibly loving Bella for several years.  When Russell became sick, it was Bella who noticed first.  She took to sleeping by the side of his bed, sensing something was wrong.  Russell took ill and became wheelchair bound. Bella no longer got the long walks and many dog park visits as Marion now cared for Russell in his diminishing state of health.  One of Russell’s few pleasures was to feed Bella from the table and give her treats all day long.  Marion didn’t have the heart to stop it, although she knew it was unhealthy for Bella, it made her husband happy.  Bella stayed by Russell’s side and was with him up to the end of his life.  She was again distraught and lost without her Master.  Marion and Bella were now alone together.  85 pound Marion and the now 88 pound Bella grieved together for their loved one. 

Approximately six months later...

Friday, 30 September 2011

My wife, Dawn, took our cat, Malu, to the Vet for a follow-up appointment. While Malu was in the back with the Doctor, Dawn waited patiently in the waiting room. Ironically, the day prior her iPhone fell and the screen cracked. With a boring wait in the Vet's office and no phone to use, she looked around the office and noticed a flyer for a "Dog whose owner died needs a good home"...it was Bella.   Normally, she would have taken a picture and sent it to me, baiting me to save the lost dog.  But she had no phone and went home with Malu, not mentioning the dog until the next morning.  I heard the story and was hooked. "Did you call?" I asked.  “Call! Really?” she responded. "Yes!" I replied.

Dawn called the number and sat quietly next to me, tears in her eyes as she heard Marion’s story about Bella and Russell and her need to find Bella a home before she too was unable to care for her.  A play-date was arranged so that  Bella could come over to our home and spend the day with me, Kona Kai, our Chocolate Lab, and Malu, our Seal Point Mitted Ragdoll cat (who, by the way, is free to a good home, but don’t tell Dawn). ;)

We arranged the play-date for Monday, 3 October.

Monday, 3 October 2011...The play-date arrived

Up early, Dawn and I were both excited, but both notably nervous, as we readied ourselves to go meet and, hopefully, pick-up Bella for a play-date back at our home. Off we went; we drove two cars so Dawn could continue on to work following the meeting. I would then drive Bella back in my car. Kona Kai? Well, she stayed home with her 'Kongs' loaded with Scooby Snacks. She's good, happy as can be, but has no idea of what could and was about to happen to our home, her world, her domain. Sharing...Alpha dog...jockeying for position...sleeping arrangements...Kongs...toys. Wow, these were just some of the things we tried to explain to Kona, but she was all about the Scooby Snacks. Kona Kai is a well known "jellybean", as we call her when anyone but her is trying to get love. If there's any free love being handed out to people or animal alike, you will soon find a wet, brown nose and a wagging tail nudging to get in on the action, bulldozing her way in. 4,200 square feet of home with just me and Dawn, and Kona's always RIGHT THERE! "Ah, hi guys, it's Kona, you know me, Knob." Yup, we call her Knob sometimes, because when we had our old Verizon flip phones, the automatic spell checker would always change the word from 'Kona' to 'Knob' as either one of us typed it. The nickname stuck. Plus, she has a cute knob on top of her head. Oh, she's sensitive about that. Oh, well...Kona will deal with the changes ahead. Hey, she's a Lab.  Her ADD is good for diverting her attention quickly. "Look, squirrel!" Oh, sorry, back to Bella now.

Dawn and I talked at length on our cell phones as we traveled the 20 minute drive to meet Bella. We both commented to each other of the 'butterflies', many butterflies, we had as if we were going to an adoption agency or a job interview. I also commented how trusting this elderly, single woman was to invite strangers over to her home and to possibly take her dog away. But, I also said it may comfort her and probably interest any nosy neighbors when a BMW and Mercedes both pull up together in front of her home. No, we're not here to roll Grandma and steal the pooch, so to speak. Or, stuff her in the car and speed off, like some cheesy cop show. No, the District Attorney and Airline Captain were here to spread the word of love,...puppy love. :)

Navigation complete, we pulled up to the quaint, small home, nestled in Roseville's Sun City Retirement Community. We immediately noticed the second, smaller garage door open with a golf cart inside and a tan and white dog in the shadows. We were at the right home. Butterflies abound within me.  I could see Bella and could feel emotion well up inside, looking for an exit as it travels up from my depths and straight for my eyes. "Leaky" is what Dawn calls it when I get this way.  It's just who I am.

As we both approached the garage, hand in hand, petite Marion appeared with Bella, followed by whom we now know as Marion's neighbor, a tall, large man in his 70's who wanted to adopt Bella, but couldn't due to his wife's illness. He was also here, wisely I might add, to make sure we were on the "up and up" and to help Marion in her finding suitable adoptive people for her precious Bella.

Yup, beautiful sweet Bella...there she was and here came the leaks! They found their exit. Crap! I tried to tell myself, "Steady...steady...push it back down!"  But it was no use: Dawn squeezed my hand and smiled.

Bella was strikingly beautiful and came right up to both of us, but immediately nuzzled her face into my hand.  I looked at Dawn and she at me, and I knew I was done. She had me at big golden brown puppy dog eyes; leaving her there was not an option.  We went inside Marion's home and sat down on the living room floor, just inside the garage door and next to the kitchen.  Bella followed us inside and laid down between us.  She sought us both out for affection and rolled over so we could rub her belly.  

So, then we all talked. Well, Marion talked and we listened and petted Bella's soft white under belly. Incidentally, Soft White Under Bellies is the underground name that the Rock group Blue Oyster Cult goes by as they play small clubs throughout the West Coast. You know, "Don’t Feel The Reaper?" Okay, back to Marion. Yes, she talked and talked and talked. This cute, petite, elderly lady was fit, feisty, and quite a talker, or should I say a 'direction giver?'  As she talked and told us all about Bella and what we were to do and not to do while we had her on the play date, inside, I was thinking, "Ah, excuse me, but she's not coming back here, ya know."  Deep into Marion's instructions, Dawn and I caught each other’s eyes. We, two highly educated professionals both felt like we were ten years old again and being lectured. Not only was Marion explaining some of what I've written here, but unbeknownst to us, we were, yes, WE were being interviewed, as I will explain later. Dawn and I felt the same way and smiled at each other: we knew.

So, back to this beautiful, soft, well mannered dog. I softly scratched her chin from below as she gingerly kept her head lying on my leg. Every time I tried to stop, she would gently nudge under my right hand to put it back up to her head. We were bonding. As Marion talked, I could also see and sense the eyes of her neighbor as he stood just next to me, to the right, with his towering body hovering over me. At one point he chuckled and said, "Oh, my, she must sense him. She never does this and especially not to a man." Within minutes, he said his peace, wished us a good day, and politely excused himself. He loved Bella and would have taken her in, but couldn't and when he saw her reaction to us, he knew Bella had a new home.

But that didn't stop Marion. Oh, boy, can she talk! We got the lowdown and then came the talent show. As I stood, I looked over to see a small, plastic cutting board, knife, and a half sliced piece of cheese lying on the kitchen counter. Dawn saw it too as our eyes met. She had to get to work and I was anxious to get back home and see Kona and Bella together. Would she chase down Malu? Really? Cool! Seriously, that would have been a deal breaker for the whole thing and is one reason we called this a test, not a permanent decision. Well, having seen the cheese, we now know how Bella gained all that weight. But, you know, it made the last months, weeks, and days of Russell's life special. We'll take care of Bella and Kona will help get her into great shape. She had a job here, a purpose, and she served them well. She was a gift given to these wonderful people as they struggled through tough times together. It was meant to be. The once neglected, homeless, imprisoned, and accused dog was sent here for a reason.

Well, we got to see Bella's tricks: sit, paw, lay, roll over, and howl.  We learned of the antibiotics she'd been on for about a week, heard of her fancy for cheeses, especially cream cheese, and finally how she won't go out the door until the 'leader' goes first, and only on command. Dawn and I managed to make our way outside and towards our cars with Marion in tow and still telling us stories.

Marion was excited. She liked us. And, most importantly, she saw that Bella liked us too. Lastly, as we parted, Dawn mentioned the name of our friend, Donna, whose parents lived nearby, in the same Sun City community, hoping it would help Marion feel more comfortable about the people she was entrusting with her beloved pet. Marion knew them. Oh, she knew them well enough to call them and check on us. She called our references! Oh my God, we got interviewed and references called. Is Bella special? You bet she is!

At the car, Bella climbed right into the back seat and curled up on Kona's car bed for the whole drive home. Our noble princess was heading to her new home. Just like she came upon Marion and Russell, Bella was to be ours now, a welcome addition to our home. Dawn and I talked on the drive home and decided together to give her a new beginning, a new life, and a new name. Oh, she wasn't going back and everyone at that meeting knew it. Marion gave us just about everything she had of Bella's, including her bed.  We are a home of Hawaiian named pets, so we thought we’d see how Bella would respond to a new moniker. It was decided Bella was now Lani Kai. The name Lani is of Hawaiian origin means "Heaven, Sky, Noble Woman, Royal" and is well suited for this beautiful gift who just happened into our life. Lani Kai was also the name of Dawn’s childhood rescue dog – an abused sheltie-collie mix dog her dad had brought home from a party when she was in grade school and who became a cherished member of her family. Lani Kai, meet Koa Kai; we were now home.

Entering the garage, I heard Kona Kai inside. I opened the door to let her out and opened the car door to let Lani out. Let the sniffing begin!...and it did.

Kona and Lani immediately did the dog getting to know you sniff test, followed by some cheerful play.  Once we all got inside, Lani took quick walk-about and then took a place on the tile floor within the 'great room' and appeared to be right at home. And, of course, within the hour, Marion called to check in on Lani and see how things were going along.

Yes, all was well. Lani fit right in and appeared happy. Believe it or not, she responded well to her new name and acknowledged it. We actually wondered if her original name was something close in sound to Lani, as opposed to Bella, since she took to it so well. Hmmm....

On to the next day and the play date was going well. Kona slept in her usual spot, sprawled out across the foot of our California King and Lani opted for the floor, soft white under belly side up. Besides, she's a bit out of shape to make the leap up on to the bed like our 'Knob Rocket.' Yup, another one of Kona's nicknames. Just wait until you hear the Knoblets story.

Tuesday, 4 October 2011...Adoption Day

Up very early and out the door; I had to fly out to Baltimore and back for the day. About the time I get to Las Vegas, I got a text and a picture from Dawn. Apparently she woke up early and Lani was not to be found in the bedroom. She went on a quick search of the house only to find Lani nestled at the foot of my chair, next to the desk in our office where she had been sitting with me during her first days with us. My little (not so much) Huskita puppy missed me and was worried I was gone. Was I coming back? Was she abandoned again? Did I die like Russell or Richard Gere in the movie? What was going through Lani’s mind? She and I had only spent one day together, but we already developed a bond.

Dawn calmly reassured her that 'Daddy's' coming home. Everything was fine and no one left her. With me gone and Dawn soon off to work, it would be just the two dogs and Malu home for the day. Oh, how was Malu handling all this? (S)He's a cat...could care less. In fact, Malu has been lying in Lani's bed at any chance, from day one. It's almost a taunt, but Lani isn’t phased by it.

The day went by, Dawn came home late in the afternoon and, yes, Lani was right there next to my desk in the office. Akita's are loyal and protectors of their Masters. For nine years the real Hatchi or Hatchiko as he was known in Japan, went to the train station at 5PM, silently waiting in the courtyard for his deceased master. Lani sits silently in our driveway, quarrying our home every time she's out front.

It was indeed a long day and I got home well after midnight, only to be cheerfully and loudly greeted by both dogs. Yup, Daddy's home! After I got home, Dawn again told me about the office and Lani. She also filled me in on the fact that, on her way home, she stopped by Marion's to pick-up the rest of Lani's things. Yup, just stop by and pick up a few things....Ha! "Come on in, Dawn, I need to tell you some things," said Marion. Yes, this is when Marion filled Dawn in on the particulars of Lani's sad and troubled past. Of the puppies, SPCA, and 'yappy' dog attack. This was when we got the whole story. They both were in tears as Marion explained, in detail, Lani's troubled past as Dawn absorbed it, not believing she could be talking about the same mild mannered, sweet dog who had immediately taken to us.  Then, Dawn eyed the legal pad filled with names and numbers and information, including our own.  She asked if others had called about Lani.  Oh ya, plenty of folks wanted her.  Marion had listed Lani on an internet Husky rescue site, her community bulletins and the vet.  Many had inquired, but the circle around our names told the story – we were the chosen ones.  

Wednesday, 5 October 2011...Parole Board???

Mid-morning the phone rang. It was Marion, according to the caller ID. I let it ring because I knew she could talk up a storm plus I was not ready to give up "OUR" puppy. In case she had second thoughts, I needed to come up with a plan. Boy, was I wrong! Marion left a message, ran our machine out of space, and had some very interesting news for us. She wanted to check on how things were going, but also to inform us that she contacted the officer that was assigned to Lani's “yappy” dog attack and subsequent incarceration. Ah, her Parole Officer! Marion said the officer will release her from any reporting obligation to animal control, and since she not had any incidents in the last three years, he would wipe her record clean. Oh my, our Lani Kai had been on parole. They coordinated to have our phone number put on record for the under skin ID microchip and she was free. Our little parolee was free! Yea! And thanks for filling us in on all of this before we committed! Yea!

Seriously, Lani is a sweetheart and we sure the “yappy” dog incident was overinflated by a crabby 'old lady from down the street. Lani has been great and friendly to people and pets around us. Later in the week, our friend, Comedian Kermet Apio, came to visit over the Columbus Day holiday and stay a couple of days. Lani was perfect with him, this newcomer to our home who was allergic to dogs was won over by her too. She loved on him and welcomed him to our (her) home.

11 October 2011 to present day...Assimilation Time

Lani has been with us a little over two weeks now. She is happy, playing hard with Kona, enjoying her new diet, using the dog door, responding to her name, sleeping well, guarding our front yard, and putting up with Malu's persistent pestering. <FREE kitty> She is not a swimmer, so she just hangs out around the pool chewing on a ball or toy when we're in.  And when Kona swims, she either follows Kona on her OCD ball fetching path, trying to get her ball, or plays with her own.  She goes on frequent, on and off leash walks in our neighborhood, which has a lot of open land.  She is well-trained and a much better leash dog than the ever-enthusiastic Kona. Just this past week, Lani and Kona, while on a hike with Dawn, spotted a couple of deer. Boom! Off they went after the deer. Dang, if they almost caught those deer! Kona's in tip top shape and quite the runner, but Lani held her own. It was close. Lani ended up in the overgrown dry creek bed, in stuck in a mass of thorn bushes. She stood still and wouldn’t budge, although there wasn’t a scratch on her, she isn’t a risk taker.  As Kona watched, Dawn had to go in after Lani, scratching up her legs while stomping down all the bushes to clear a path before Lani would exit. The 'Noble One' indeed.

So, this is the tale of Lani Kai. An abandoned, unwanted puppy rescued by an elderly couple until tragedy struck and now a welcomed member of our family. A tear comes to my eye every time I think of what she has been through in her short, almost five years. Yup, me, the leaky one. She just wants to love and be loved; don’t we all?  And isn’t it karma how the people (and pets) who are supposed to love one another seem to find each other, even if sometimes their paths take some time to cross?

Mahalo for flying with Captain Bobby Mitchel