Camaraderie in Competition & a Dog's Life

Beatrix recounts competing in a strongman competition for the first time in over a decade, describing the excitement, nervousness, and camaraderie of training and competing with a group of women, along with encouragement from others at the expo. After coming down from the post-event high, she reflects on how rare that shared, in-person connection feels and how everyday life can be lonely, lacking face-to-face conversation and simple communal acts. Beatrix then shares a personal update about their 11-year-old German Shepherd, who has been declining over the past three months, struggling with stairs and losing interest in walks, while a vet-prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory helps. She discusses the difficulty of knowing when it will be time to say goodbye and aims to be present and patient, ending by reading two Mary Oliver quotes about dogs aging and the joy of dogs running without leashes.