RIP Co-Pilot Wyatt

[captain_john]

It has been 9 months since I had to put my best friend and co-pilot to rest. Many of you had the pleasure of meeting Wyatt. He was an Australian Shepherd that I had the pleasure of knowing for 12 years. He came from a breeder in New Hampshire that has a grass strip called Propwash in Kensington, NH. It was rather coincidental that the breeder was a pilot too. I guess that you could say that he was a flying dog from day one?



















He was with me from the first day that I began working on the plane and rode with me in the plane, boat, Jeep and golf cart everywhere I went. He was literally my shadow. It was rare that we were apart. As I type this, his ashes are next to me awaiting to be scattered over Rangeley Lake in Maine where we spent LOTS of time. He seemed to enjoy going up to my house up there where every day is a holiday.

Now here is the part where I need you. The plan is to fly up to Rangeley, Maine on February 25, 2017 with Wyatt's ashes loaded into a special compartment on Vlad's airplane. Vlad, Agent Orange, Billy and others will fly a missing man formation with me as the missing man representing Wyatt over the lake. Afterward we scatter the ashes, we touch down on Mooselookmeguntic Lake and have lunch at the Bald Mountain Camp. If you would like to participate in this event, send me an email or a text and we can rendezvous at Bethel, ME to gas up and brief before the trip to Rangeley.

Wyatt is getting a grand RV sendoff! He deserves it. He was a GREAT dog!

Hopefully the weather will cooperate that day!

Who is interested?

CJ

[bullojm1]

CJ-

Great idea...I'm in.

Who's flying Billy's plane????

- Mikey

[Thermos]

I'd like to be there. Anybody got an empty seat from the greater Boston/eastern New England area? I can drive to meet you just about anywhere.

[Vlad]

I loved the Bear Dog. Over the years I was visiting CJ home and retreat Wyatt is always nearby.



He guarded my brand new then RV was it 2011?






Every party we had at the Bungalow of Rangeley the Bear Dog was there.








Remember when TK brought the seabugs from Rockland? Wyatt approved every single lobster.







Let's make a good party out of that day! The Bear Dog deserves it.

[captain_john]

Vlad, some GREAT pictures that I have never seen! Why you keep these from me?



Mikey, I think Derek will fly Billy's plane as PIC but maybe Billy in the left seat??? Derek says that he will chime in soon...

Alfio might make it down from Ottowa with Shirly as well!

Major Pape says that he may drive up from down south also!

Could be a big event!?!

CJ

[painless]

Wish I could join you guys. Sounds like a wicked good send off.

Too soon yet for another dog CJ?

[captain_john]

Doc, Yes... too soon.

I want the freedom to boot around in the plane for a while longer without having a dog to feed and walk.

I am spoiled though. Not any dog will do after him. He was REALLY smart!





CJ

[painless]

I hear ya CJ. I had a golden retriever for 15 years who was at the time hands down the best dog I ever had. Now have a golden doodle, Cooper, who is just as great a dog.

Some day it will be the right time, and you'll be surprised how the new pup fills the void.

Now, referring to how smart he was, are you comparing him to you???

[aparchment]

I am so very sorry to read about Wyatt John. I know how close you were to each other, and I completely understand that bond. It's weird to think of you without him. Sorry also to be so out of touch that I didn't know this happened. It's not been a fun 9 months for me, but that's another story and really not a good excuse.

I would love to pay my respects to the fur beast in person, but I think I will have to settle for in absentia unless someone has a seat open.

I will call you.

Antony

[Vlad]

Here he is with the RV elite. I will remember the day you staged faked FAA ramp check on me.






Squirrel!!

[bullojm1]

This is the last pic I have of Wyatt but definitely not my last encounter with the best dog ever. Superb dog, mediocre owner!

PS - Hey CJ - Sweet hat! I wish I could get a VP hat as nice as yours

[TomNativeNewYorker]

Sorry to hear about your dog Wyatt. Kind of reminds me of my dog Pookie that I bought back from Kuwait with me a few years ago. colors similar, same floppy ears. The vets tell me she is a Saluki/mixed, I think with either Border Collie or Aussie Shepherd. For the longest time, was thinking Border Collie but seeing your pics, has me leaning towards Aussie once again.

I wonder if I should just send off for the $70 dog DNA test kit and get a definitive answer. Not that it would matter much anyway, she has Kuwaiti blood and doesnt like beer at all. Bacon is OK in her book though.

Sounds like he was a great dog, mine is too.

[bruceh]

CJ,
So sorry to hear this. We've been through this 4 times before and it never gets easy. Wyatt will be missed!

[captain_john]

Thanks guys, looks like so far (providing good weather) we have the following participants:

Agent Orange, Vlad, Mikey B., Billy and Derek, Yah Dude and Myself of course.

So 6 planes should make a good missing man formation. Let us plan on meeting between 10 and 11 in Bethel, Maine for fuel and a briefing. As I recall, Bethel is 0B1. There is a nice terminal building there where we will brief. All planes fueled by 11 and wheels up, headed for Rangeley. I will see if my house is booked and a hangar is available... and if weather allows, we can spend the night. My preheater is already up there, so that isn't a problem.

If anyone wants to spend Friday night in Plymouth, let me know. Lots of room here!

CJ

[Vlad]

Our ice runway is almost ready. http://www.baldmountaincamps.com/webcam1.html

[captain_john]

I was just going to say the same thing Russki!

CJ

[Vlad]

Weather forecasts too warm for ice fly in. Plan B or rainy day?

[captain_john]

Good call Russki!

This is the official kibosh for now.

Rain date to be determined...

Air is too wet and cold, ice is to warm. It is a bad mix...

I will post something up perhaps this summer. It would be a great celebration to spend the weekend at the bungalow toasting the awesome little dog!

Maybe the Fourth of July weekend???

What do you think?

CJ

[Vlad]

Let's do it on Independence Day!

[captain_john]

Russki, that sounds like a plan!

Stay tuned!

CJ