In Memoriam

July 22, 2022

You came to us as a scared abused pup. Even in that state, there was the sweetest spirit about you. You became the most loved 4 legged member of our family. You were so sweet and understanding with every foster kid who passed through our doors. Was there an understanding deep down of what they must feel like? I’d like to think that’s part of it. I just know I love and miss you and write your little obituary through tears. A piece of my heart went with you. 💕

Dec 28, 2021

Cosby came into my life on March 29, 2008. I was 12 and itching for a dog of my own. My parents took me to POPP in Richland to “just look”. We walked in and there he was, just a 4-month-old pup, clambering about amongst his siblings. I climbed in and sat down. He wasted no time in stumbling over to me and plopped himself down on my lap. We snuggled for the better part of an hour. My heart was his from that moment on.

We grew up together but I think Cosby raised me more than the other way around. He was there for every stage of a young girl’s life. He knew all of my deepest secrets and all of my dreams. I leaned on him through my first heart break. He was my copilot when I got my license and bought my first truck. We would go for long drives, where we would inevitably find ourselves in the Horse Heaven Hills. We would get out and just roam to wherever his nose led us. He was there the day I met my husband, and then again both times we brought a baby home from the hospital.

He had many nicknames but one of my favorites was “Hoover”. A crumb didn’t have a chance when it came to his sniffer and excessive need for cleaning. My broom has seen more daylight since he’s been gone. Every morning he smelled his way around the perimeter of the yard, probably checking for anything new and noteworthy. Every night he’d bed himself down and then trim his own toenails, followed by a light footbath. Before his hearing went, you would call him and he’d make his way over to you…eventually. While out, he would wander just far enough you’d think he was taking his chance, but would always turn around and come back. To the last day he would watch us pull away from the house and he’d be in the same spot when we got home. He was the most loyal companion anyone could ever ask for.

I miss him dearly and will carry his memory with me through life. I am so fortunate to have had him. I know lots of people have had amazing dogs, but nobody else had Cos.

May 6, 2021

06/21/2005-04/23/2021

I got Teddy from a friend. She used to breed pugs and I was trying to breed my brindle pug Sadie. She never took, but I was able to get him for half price. He was such a clown and always made me laugh. He loved to chase the birds, leaves, and butterflies 🦋. He also loved to chase the Lazer pointer dots. When I would take him outside to go potty, he would get this goofy look on his face and would not listen to me. I would walk out there to get him and he would race around the yard. He always got butt hurt when I would bring another animal home and even our girls. He would not let anyone or thing hurt those girls though. He loved to listen to my youngest daughter read to him. She could do anything with him. He even let her put him in a box and scoot it around with him in it. He will be missed so much. 😢

11/04/2007-04/30/2021

Suzie was a great dog. She came to us just after my husband’s sister passed away from Melanoma. Suzie was a gift for our grandson, but he was not able to have her, because of the other dogs his other grandparents had. Over time Suzie became ours. We have taken her on several trips with us to the beach and on vacation. Suzie developed Melanoma of the mouth just before I had my hysterectomy in February. It didn’t take long before it took her. We made the heartbreaking 💔 decision to let her go before she had a seizure. I will always miss her, but I know she is out of pain.

May 4, 2021

RIP Kiley 11-1-2004 to 5-10-2020

Chaser of bunnies, sticks, and seagulls. Underwear thief. Loyal companion.
You were my first dog, and you were my ❤️dog. I have so many memories of our times together. You were always by my side, good times and bad, wiggling, and giving kisses. Who would have thought that the little Mini Aussie that a rescue group brought into my clinic would have played such an important role in my life story. Our beginning was rough-you chewed off your bandages, stole my underwear, and once managed to drag an entire chicken carcass out of the garbage-always with a mischievous grin on your face.
But soon we learned each other’s rhythms, and we had so many amazing adventures together-chasing seagulls at Cannon Beach, bounding after bunnies in the tall grass near our house in Puyallup, and chasing sticks up and down the river banks.
You grew to love snuggling up in a pile of warm laundry, and playing “pillow games.”

As you grew older, our daily walks became ever shorter-just meandering up the driveway. But then you would get a glimmer in your eye, and quickly bound back into the house like a puppy. But your body grew tired, and when your mind told your legs what to do, they would no longer listen, So run free now to the rainbow bridge, where you will be reunited with your long-lost brother, Mocha, and Badger.

I will meet you there someday. You were the best dog, and I love you so much!