Ep:15 Life on the Pacific West Coast, Winter Caretaking BC

[@CarriannLewis]

I truly admire you two. What you are doing takes such a strong mind and capable attitude. I am giving you two a huge round of applause, y’all are awesome. I applaud you also for speaking openly about grief and therapy. You are so right about how long it may take to grieve anyone, and our animals own our hearts, so the grief is unbearable some days. I believe the grief is equal to the deep love they show us, it is the most powerful love I’ve known. Thank you for being open about therapy, it is so refreshing when we can be honest about wanting help. Therapy has helped me so much, I’m much less worried about the future since I’ve been in therapy. To know y’all have a therapist to speak to on those difficult days up there in that big empty, well, it makes me feel comforted knowing you have an outlet. Take good care, just like you have been, you have shown you can handle a very unique set of challenges. Your videos are excellent and I give you two so much credit for doing something as epic as this.

[@tammieotto7690]

Thank you so much for sharing with us. I enjoy your videos. The area looks absolutely stunning. Be kind to yourselves as you grieve the loss of your dog. We recently lost our family dog of 15 years. It has been very difficult, missing his presence constantly. I've been trying to remember all of the joy he brought when he was with us whenever I'm hit with a wave of grief. Allow yourselves lots and lots of grace.

[@Claysanas]

Thank you for your kind and heartfelt comment!❤ You are absolutely right! Grief and loss are two things that take time and often more time then one would guess! No matter who it is, Friend, Family or Pet. The more love you receive from them, the more love you wish you could have given them! Currently we are dealing with the bottled up love that we were used to giving her. Therapy was one things that we both agreed on being a "Must" while we took on this challenge, especially after the loss of our Kaia. We knew that this experience would come with its challenges, mentally, emotionally and physically. But of course, not knowing what the challenges would be or how they would arise is part of this adventure.

[@tedgalperalper1828]

I appreciate your honesty about your dealing with grieving. Losing a pet is never easy. They can provide a tremendous amount of affection and companionship. I am an 81 year-old retired clinical psychologist and professor. I am on my fourth miniature schnauzer. I started my dog life when I was about 24 years of age and I’ve had a dog most of the years since then. September a year ago my previous dog started developing a seizure disorder and I had him put to sleep. I just got this new one in June and he is eight years old. He is extremely affectionate and always wants to be close to me. I hope you find a another dog when the time is right.

[@Claysanas]

Thank you. You are absolutely right about their affection and companionship. I am sorry for that you had to make that decision with you pup. It is not an easy one to make. The isolation here can hurt but the time will also help us. We really appreciate your comment! ❤ And We are happy to hear you have found another to share your love with!

[@TheLD2001]

Love it! FISH ONE! Our biggest on HG was 104lb. It was amazing!!

[@dantechicano]

so good!!!!

[@christytetlow3600]

Love your video as always. Thanks for your honesty..losing a pet is so hard. And that cliffhanger conclusion….well done! Will be tuning in!

[@Claysanas]

We're glad you enjoyed it! We want to do our best to stay honest with how it feels to be out here, with the ups and downs! Thanks for watching!

[@janetench2866]

Love your positive spirit~ I truly enjoy your videos!

[@kanamichelle7404]

I’m so sorry you are still grieving the loss of your beloved dog. I am well acquainted with grief. A few years ago I had to have my horse put down because she had an incurable and painful hoof disease. Shortly after that, my older kitty had an aneurism and dropped dead right in front of me. Then we had to sell our dream home on 5 acres, with a beautiful view of Mt Rainier, because we were getting too old to keep up with the work and upkeep. That was bad enough, but then my best friend in the world, my elderly golden retriever (Tucker) was not doing well, and we had to put him down too. That was almost 3 years ago, and I still miss him every day. In all this time I have barely even hung any pictures on the walls in the new place, and I guess I don’t even care. I used to do art every day, and now I have only done that a handful of times. I am not outwardly depressed, but I just feel sad over all of the losses. It takes time. Sometimes years, apparently. This too shall pass…Praying for you❤

[@guadalupematthews9879]

Emilie, it's wonderful to see you laugh and smile.

[@Diane8348]

Sideways rain, what joy! 😉

[@robbinseymour7525]

Look forward to your videos. Enjoy watching how you are getting along ☀️☀️☀️

[@catekingdon2244]

You two are pure joy to watch. Stay safe. Especially when boating. I am heading to Tofino in a few weeks from Ontario. Hoping to experience some inclement weather to stoke my creative fires. You two have plenty challenge with just running all the mechanicals of the lodge.

[@stephenschulte8569]

Thanks for posting

[@KathleenBurke-h5u]

Knowing spring is on the horizon is a big lift of spirits. The next few months will fly by. Love your post.

[@KCBarr1]

I can tell you from experience, losing a pet is losing a family member. I am in my late 60's and I have had some incredible dogs, not pets, companions. My last dog was a golden retriever that I rescued when she was 7 years old. We had her for 8 years, and the hardest decision I ever have had to make, was having her put down when her time came. And the 7 or 8 dogs before her, were just as hard. I made a decision because of my age, no more dogs. But I did take in a rescue cat, that has wormed her way into my deepest affections, and I won't be sad if she outlives me. So don't ever feel wrong for missing a pet.

[@GarthJohnston-q2g]

Well done guys.....I really loved the weather report and the happy faces....like Matt said, it's wet but there is a warm fire inside....not sure if that was an intentional metaphor of your hearts....but I like the idea. Cheers

[@Claysanas]

😄 Thank you! We are happy to hear that! Now that we have had time to think about it you're right! We really do have to remember to focus on stoking the fire inside to be able to make it through the difficult or unforeseen events!

[@gailgiroux8036]

Really enjoyed this episode. Appreciate you sharing your mental health issues. We all have them. It’s nice to know you are doing better. 😉

[@doubled5037]

Great weather report. Thanks for sharing

[@sarahcooper3378]

Remarks.....blowing spray...😅. This winter really has been mellow all things considered. It's so hard loosing a pet. When I moved here, from the UK just over 30 years ago, I said when we were organized I 'must' have a dog! We are now on our 4th and 5th dogs. 2 lovely Labs! It's a shame you don't have a fur baby with you there. ❤

[@amyheflin143]

Even though you are experiencing frequent storms, it is good those storms are not accompanied by sub- freezing temperatures. You obviously recognize the role exercise plays in your mental health, so it is good you are getting out whenever possible. Hang in there, it sounds like you are now more than halfway through this time commitment. Spring is coming and soon you can move on to whatever is next.

[@KathleenBurke-h5u]

Don’t you wonder how astronauts do this without walking in nature. Also living in the arctic. This reminds me of being isolated during the pandemic. Rough. You are doing all the right things to feel better 😊

[@Claysanas]

You know we didn't think about that until your comment! 💥 It makes total sense to us now why astronauts listen to nature sounds just to remind them of home and keep the mind in a good place!😀

[@Glad-iv8wb]

Nice to see you your videos of area are so beautiful and peaceful. You are privileged to be able to witness living at the lodge in Haida Gwaii.

[@Claysanas]

Yes! Even though some days are hard then others we are grateful everyday that we get to be here! The beauty here can make you stop in your tracks. We cannot get over that we have the chance to share it with everyone on here!

[@harryyoung7076]

Sorry to hear about your dog, I lost my Shepherd also, and going into isolation doesn't help. You should be careful going out the bay in the boat when the water is choppy. You can't fish in that, as your jigger will snag on the bottom with the swells, and also their is no one around to help, if you get in trouble on the water. Those sculpin's you are catching only live in the shallows, and you won't catch any serious fish. If you want big fish, get the lodge charts and find where the big shoals are located out off the headlands, way out the bay on a calm day, with a gentle swell running. That's where the tidal up-welling occurs, and big Halibut live.What you want to do is drop your jigger to the bottom and then take it up a meter, and the swells will do all the work. Once you find a good spot, you just keep drifting over the same shoal once the depth starts drooping off. Your goal is to block your freezer to the brim, with fresh frozen Halibut steaks to take home with you when you leave in May. Fresh NL Halibut 10-15$ a lb. BC Halibut 25-30$ a lb down here. That way when your friends find out what you have in your freezer, you will be inundated with new BFFA's that will want to be at your house for a BBQ, and share in your adventure. You will find a new dog soon, Lots-O-love in that house. Cheer's H

[@Claysanas]

Thank you! It would have made the how experience different with a dog! We appreciate the expertise on where the halibut are located! It's good to know for May before we head back home!

[@ollieromanow6818]

Any walleye in the area, my favorite deep fryer with beer batter coating, so enjoy ur posts, from Weyburn, Sask

[@Claysanas]

No, No Walleye out here. At least that we are aware of! Thank you for the support!

[@TheLD2001]

Hubby says Trolling might be a better option for catching fish.

[@Claysanas]

We will attempt it next time we go out on the boat!

[@TopazFarmerTravels]

I require the SUN ☀️ if I have more than a couple days of gray skies I can feel my energy drop

[@amayo60]

Matt should have a look at Doug Linkers videos, some cool instructional carving videos

[@Claysanas]

I'll check him out! Thanks!