Instead I will write about a fellow RVing Buddy and Blogger pal....
Hazel Bluhm.
She passed away today.
Hazel appears to have had a massive stroke while in her motorhome, with her two beloved greyhounds Power and Hera by her side, and her cat Chica. The park staff figured that nobody had seen her for two days, so someone finally checked on her. She was still alive and was airlifted to a hospital in Albuquerque, NM. Sadly, she was in a coma until she passed away this morning.
I hope I can reach many of her blog followers, park workers and camphosts through word of mouth in the blog world through my post here on my blog. Hazel's blog is:
Hazel doesn't seem to have left anyone her password to her blog, so nobody can post on it about what happened or that she is now at peace. Please, fellow bloggers, leave your password with a trusted friend who could go on your blog and post your circumstances. People care and want to know what has happened to you!
Her two lovely greyhounds Power and Hera are being taken care of by the Greyhound Rescue Group. They are both adopted rescue dogs. For those of you who are not familiar with breed rescue programs (like where I got Finney and Binney from) a contract is signed that says if anything happens to you, the rescue takes responsibility and gets the dogs back and finds them new homes. Of course, if your family wants them, that takes first consideration. I believe the cat is being fostered somewhere too.
Power, the male greyhound, had just been to the vet for some injuries last week, and the rescue takes on the costs of health issues and medication administration too. These poor gentle sweet dogs must be soooo confused and scared and unsure of what is going on. My heart goes out to them.
While Hazel was in her coma, she was having a rough time, according to the nurses. She was totally paralyzed and did not have a good prognosis of recovery. Hazel's friend Patti advised the nurses to assure Hazel through verbal communication that the pets were being cared for. She then had a "good night" before passing away this morning. I am sure she could hear through her comatose state that her beloved animals were safe, they are her main concern. She could then be at peace.
Hazel has no family other than a niece from Germany. Her niece has been contacted and happens to be here in the United States this month and is most likely taking care of the other details. I feel bad for the niece's family because they rented an RV to tour the United States and were planning on meeting up with Hazel later this month for a nice visit in New Mexico. Sigh.
Setting aside the tears, I am going to remember the good stuff! Hazel and I have been writing back and forth for years, and writing blogs and visiting and discussing all of the world's problems. Solved a few too!
I am so thankful that I got to spend time with Hazel while we were out west a few months ago. Originally our plans were to meet up near Quartzite, AZ and spend time travelling together with her. But since we had engine trouble with the Tracker, our plans changed and we were stuck for three weeks at Pancho Villa State Park instead. Well, that didn't stop Hazel! She loaded up her rig, and hit the road to come and see us instead! 500 miles to visit us! What a gal!!!
We so enjoyed our visits, and sitting around the campfire... petting her lovely greyhounds and chatting into the night.
These gentle calm dogs are wonderful but need a LOT of exercise. Imagine my surprise when we were riding back from town and we got into the campground. Hazel stopped and let the dogs out of the vehicle, and got back in. She held their leashes outside of the window of her SUV and slowly drove with the dogs running alongside! The smiles on their doggy faces said it all! They were retired racing dogs and this made them so happy to run run run.....
I hope both of them get a fun-loving gentle and understanding home now. The rescue group will be sure to place them carefully into homes to help transition them to life without Hazel.
When Hazel was visiting us, she took out a huge project to work on. It was her grandmother's handmade quilt. Hazel was painstakingly replacing all of the bad fabric sections, piece by piece, totally by hand. A few of us at the campground pitched in to work on it. Then we helped her stretch it out flat on new backing fabric and baste it together.
It was like an old fashioned quilting bee, with us "prairie women" coming together in our prairie schooners to meet up for a get together!
Rest in Peace
my dear happy
Rving
Quilting
Dog Loving
friend
Karen, what a wonderful tribute to Hazel. She was as sweet and gentle as her beloved Greyhounds. She will be greatly missed by so many of us. Rest in peace, Hazel.
ReplyDeleteNearly forgot--you're so very right about leaving our passwords & other information with someone. I found the web site getyourshittogether.org very helpful in this respect. My heart goes out to her niece.
ReplyDeleteI did not read Hazel's blog, but she sounds like a wonderful woman. You described her so well, I feel like I knew her. :'( Hopefully more people who followed her will see your blog tribute.
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you so much for this information and for the wonderful tribute. I met Hazel and the pups in Q this last winter and have been following her blog since then. So very sad and I know her first priority would be the animals. So glad they are being taken care of for her.
ReplyDeleteI have followed Hazels blog for the last year. She was a true dog lover and watching her adopt Hera and help her adjust was so touching. Your tribute was lovely and well deserved.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a shock. Hazel came on one of my bird tours last winter at Imperial. We had planned to get together again next winter. How in the world did you find out about her passing? I'm glad you did. Many of us will miss Hazel. :_(
ReplyDeletePatti, the third friend we were camping with at Pancho Villa found out and contacted the park ranger and then the nurses. We emailed and called each other when she had any more details from yesterday to the passing today.
DeleteA wonderful tribute for a wonderful person. She will be missed by many RVers.
DeleteKaren, sorry to hear about your friend.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't be more shocked! Hazel and I were best friends for a couple of years and spent a lot of time together. She was a very helpful, good person. I can't believe no one checked on her sooner than two days. I'm glad her greyhounds will be cared for by new people that we know will love them. I helped Hazel with her blog and will check to see if I have her password. I don't think I do, though, I think she signed on and then I did my thing.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I will say, when we talked about what we'd do "after RVing," Hazel was firm that she would live and die in her RV. She had no escape plan, she wanted to live in her RV for the rest of her life. I'm so sorry she is gone, but like my ex-husband who died on the golf course doing what he loved, Hazel got her wish and left this life the way she chose. Rest in peace, Hazel.
OH Barbara! I hoped you were the same Barbara she was talking so fondly about when we were camping together! She spoke very kindly of you and how you helped her get started bloggin... and yes, we did talk about the "exit strategy" discussion around the campfire. And as you said, she wanted to live in her motorhome the rest of her life! And she did..... but I know having her pets taken care of would be the most major concern..... and so glad they are being well taken in and loved. I am so sorry for your loss.... She was truly a special gal!
DeleteOh ps.... from what I can piece together is that she worked 7 days and had two days off and was dealing with Powers injury. She had vet visits during the last 7th day and left work early. Because she wasn't' scheduled for 2 days, perhaps nobody in the park missed her?
DeleteOh... That makes sense. I guess I often don't see people for days on end, either. I'm sorry I sounded judgmental. I had a Ranger do a welfare check on me at Elephant Butte State Park a week or so ago. Even though I do walk Katie at least three times a day, someone didn't see me and was worried. I always HATED that! Now I will be VERY appreciative if it happens again. Thank you so much for letting us know. I haven't camped with Hazel for quite a while, but I miss her already.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about Hazel. Yuma and I enjoyed meeting her and her two dogs at the Blogfest. Such a nice and energetic lady.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on Hazel. It is just a miracle I came across your blog. I just heard that she had passed away and wanted so badly to see a picture of her. Thank you for posting pictures of Hazel. I shall miss her. Barbara McCasland
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute for your friend Hazel.
ReplyDeleteOh Karen ... I'm typing blind through all the tears. My name is Lynn, Charliedownunderinoz's Mum. Thankyou so much for contacting me I will email you but found your blog and read of Hazel's passing. I don't know what to say .... I am stunned. I haven't been blogging for all that long and only stumbled on Hazel's blog about 1 year ago but have followed her since then and for some reason or other felt VERY close to her. Your tribute to Hazel is just beautiful. Thankyou so much for sharing it with us. It answered many questions I had. I was so worried about the dogs and the cat. It is good to know that they are being cared for, however it must have been a VERY distressing time for them all (inlcuding Hazel) over the two days she was unable to tend to them. I know she would not have been able to rest until she knew they were taken care of. I am glad she had one good night before she went, knowing that they were safe. AND the quilt and the family visit ..... OMG she was so looking forward to it. I wish there were something I could do but all I can offer are my thoughts and prayers. I will always remember Hazel. Thankyou so much for the reminder to always leave our password with someone we know and trust. It is so important because, even though we may not know it, our words in our blogs, do make us very close to so many people who really care about us. I know I would have always wondered about and would have missed Hazel dreadfully if it were not for your kindness in letting me know this ever so sad news. I will still miss her. Dear, dear Hazel ..... be at peace!! We love you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your dear friend. I did not know her but it seems she left an lasting impression ton everyone she met.
ReplyDeleteI heard about Hazel through Charlie Down Under...commenting just above me.
ReplyDeleteI send my thoughts and prayers too. Thanks so much that you were able to post on her behalf, and yes it is important to let someone know your passwords or have then wriiten down so the trusted person can have access to them if need be.
Thank you for being such a thoughtful friend to Hazel. RIP dear lady.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear, thank you so for letting those of us who follow Hazel know. I am sure she was at peace knowing her 'babies' were being taken care of. That is such major concern. so sad this has happened... Take Care and God Bless
ReplyDeleteWE had seen Hazel quite few times over the years in Quartzsite, always waved and have a few pics of her but we never actually met.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of he passing.
I am shocked and so saddened by this news. I so loved her blog. Praying for her friends, small family, and her beloved greyhounds. I feel a family member is gone.
ReplyDeleteVery sad news indeed!
ReplyDeleteWe came over from Charlies DownUnder blog and just wanted to tell you how sorry we are to read about your friend. I could tell from your story, and the pictures that she was a rare find in this world today. I am so happy that her four legged children are being taken care of and will find a good home. You were blessed to have had her in your lives. Stella Rose and Momma
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry to hear about this. We met Hazel when she was working at City of Rocks SP, then again this year in Quartzsite. Such a nice person. Glad to hear her pets are being cared for.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your friend has passed on. You did a fine job with this tribute. Sue
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad. I read Hazel's blog on occasion. Loved the fact she lived with two dogs and a cat. She seemed like an interesting lady, and so helpful to everyone. I'm sad that she was alone for two days. I know not so long ago one of her dogs died. I hope they are together now.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute. Terribly sorry for you loss
ReplyDeleteWhat a very beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteWe came from Charlies DownUnder blog..where we heard this sad news.
We are very sad it happened,,
love
tweedles
Hazel and I hung out at Bluewater Lake State park May 10, 11, 12 when I was on my way to Colorado. Love her so much. She was generous and kind-hearted to her own detriment. What a great soul. Many prayers for her safe and easy transition from body to Spirit.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, I am so glad you posted! I was trying to find a way to contact you, but your blog didn't have an address link. I was hoping to reach you somehow. So glad you found my blog so I could say how sorry we all are about Hazel's passing.
DeleteThanks so much Karen. I only made one blog post ever and never continued it. I'm thinking I might restart that blog. Thinking of Hazel. What a loving spirit she is!
DeleteWe popped over from Charliedownunder's blog. We are sorry to read about your friend. Hopfully the two dogs will be adobted together by a new family.
ReplyDeleteI love Hazel. Just saw her May 10th, 11th and12th. She is going to be so fine in the afterlife!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your friends passing. We briefly met her at Pancho Villa at your campsite. I remember her beautiful dogs.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace Dear Hazel 💕
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this. I've been wondering about Hazel, as it wasn't like her to not blog for days on end. I finally remembered her last name and Googled it and your post came up on top. I am so sorry to hear the news. This is a wonderful tribute to her. If you don't mind, may I link it from my blog? She was a regular visitor and commenter and will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, you absolutely may link to it or copy n paste it...whatever you like.
DeleteSo very sorry but also grateful to read your wonderful tribute to Hazel. Time goes by so quickly, I can't believe it's been so long since she last blogged or commented on my blog. Thank you for writing this post about Hazel. It is great to see photos of her with Power and Hera and doing some quilting. It is a relief to know her hounds and Chica are being cared for and perhaps even in homes by now. Also food for thought as I am in a similar position to Hazel re living alone with animals. Hazel made the world a brighter place and no doubt is still shining bright where ever she is now.
ReplyDeleteI had been wondering about Hazel. I realized I hadn't seen any new posts from her or comments and asked some other Greyhound bloggers if they knew anything. One of them did a Google search and that was how I came across your blog post. I am saddened to hear that Hazel is no longer with us, she was truly a sweet and adventurous soul.
ReplyDeleteOne thing, though, Greyhounds are big couch potatoes. It's a myth that they need a lot of exercise. They sleep twelve to sixteen hours a day, and usually a walk or two is good enough for them! I'll have to see if I can get in contact with their rescue group and see if we can help get the word out to help them find new homes. I know she adored them and Chica! Thank you so much for this post! Now I can stop wondering!
Thank you for writing this post about Hazel. I read her blog and she read mine. I had no clue that she had died. :-( RIP Hazel
ReplyDeleteI had just learned of Hazel's passing yesterday and was so sad. I always admired her sense of adventure and how brave she was to do that all by herself. She always, always, commented on every blog post I ever made. RIP Hazel.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a shock to read about Hazel. She was a lovely lady and I loved to read about her life in the RV with her dogs.
ReplyDeleteWe will miss her.
Rest in peace Hazel.
Lynne Dip and Elliot xx
So glad to have found your blog ... I am a classmate of Hazel's from Georgia. It was good to read all the comments about her life and how happy she was. We will add her to our class memorial page. So sorry that you've all lost a wonderful friend as we have lost a beloved classmate.
ReplyDeleteMary Godfrey Cockrell
So glad to have found this blog about Hazel. I am a classmate from Georgia. It was so good to read all of these wonderful comments about her life and how happy she was. So sorry for your loss of a good friend as we have lost a treasured classmate.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed sad to hear of the passing of a friend. During my time in high school, Hazel was a good friend of mine. We were in the band together and therefore saw each other everyday. We joked and kidded around a lot. She was a very sweet and nice person with a permanent smile on her face. I was lucky to have known her.
ReplyDeleteRichard Powers