A Note: When we learned
this time last year that our time with Dakota would soon be coming to an end, I was able to distract myself from the grief by compiling these memories in this photo post. As a former cat person, he was my first dog, and thanks to the invention of the digital camera, I thankfully have so many pictures of him to share.
As the months passed and he went in to remission earlier in the year, I was grateful that this post below eventually just became an aged draft. Then, last month, his lymphoma
returned.
Putting this post together was very healing for me, and I am so glad that I did it while I still had him in my life. I'm not sure I could have done this after losing him.
Thank you for letting us share with you how much he is cherished.
- Pamela, Matthew, & Tex
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| Dakota Bear |
May 2002 - November 2012
Beloved First Dog
After 2 battles with lymphoma, and an unsuccessful try at chemo, we said goodbye to our D this weekend.
This is a photo tribute to the most loved lil doggy in the world.
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| First day I picked D out from a stray litter in May 2002. |
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| D insisted on hugs from my mom when she visited. Resistance was futile. |
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| D loved to run and run and run at the Far West dog park. |
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| D & his puppyhood BFF Lila, sitting in Beanie the cat's window seat. |
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| Kayaking at Town Lake/Lady Bird Lake. |
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| I only dressed him up for Halloween once! And he was so patient with me :P |
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After being bitten several times growing up, Dad was always scared of dogs.
Dakota helped him with that fear. |
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| Beanie the cat didn't love many, but she would share a sun spot with D. |
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| D loved to spend time with his rescue litter bro, Grady (on left). |
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| When we adopted Tex in 2008, he instantly became Dakota's shadow. |
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| And they both shared hugs quite nicely. ((puppy pile!!)) |
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| Dakota & Tex: Partners In Crime and Cuddling. |
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| Dakota always knew when we needed a hug. |
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| Grateful to have Thanksgiving 2011 with D, after his first bout of lymphoma. |
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R.I.P. Dakota, May you have ALL THE TENNIS BALLS in your afterlife.
We love you and miss you so much! |
Thank you for letting us share with you how much he was loved.
If you are inclined, please consider making a donation to one of our favorite local dog rescue groups here in Austin, TX:
Blue Dog Rescue. I have run the Austin Half Marathon and Full Marathon for
Blue Dog Rescue, and passionately believe in everything they do. We hope that in time, will be ready to open our home and hearts to another rescue.
18 comments:
Big hugs P, I'm proud of you for this post. Love you lots. Momski met D at the pearly gates and it showering him with treats as we speak.
Aw, he was so beautiful! What a lovely tribute to your furbaby. Hugs, sweetie :)
That made me cry.
Not kidding. Not many things make me weepy, but the dog ones KILL ME. I am so sorry for your loss. I have had a couple of rough ones, but the last one nearly did me in. I spent a month or so looking through pictures of Mazie and crying. It. was. awful.
He was well loved and fulfilled. And he is waiting for you in Heaven. I totally, fundamentally believe that. If there is a definition of a soul, it is that said soul has capacity for love. If there is a definition of love, it is a dog.
Hugs to you all.
Wow. What an adorable lil beastie. I love him too! Comforting memories to you and Matt.
He may have given hugs and happiness, but he was sooo lucky to have YOU guys in his life. What a sweetheart.
This is a wonderful tribute.
What a lovely tribute! So sorry for your loss.
Oh, such a sweet tribute (*sniffle sniffle*). sending hugs & condolences to you...
*hugs* *tears* *big hugs* Beautiful tribute.
Thinking of you guys! This was such a lovely tribute. *hugs*
I'm so sorry about your loss my friend. It's very obvious that Dakota was loved by so many and I just know that he knew and felt it. :)
What love is shining from the eyes of all of you for each other, Dakota was more than blessed as was his family to have 10 years to enjoy each other! My condolences for what I know is a painful loss.
Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos. Your lives are richer for having Dakota in them for 10 years. May his memory comfort you during this difficult time.
Thank you so much, all of you, for your words of kindness and support. Every word and gesture have been tremendously appreciated. xxoo
((PAM)) he's in a better place playing catch and running after bunnies and squirrels (but not eating them) and all other animals who have welcome him to that big park in the sky.
You have made such a lovely tribute to your wonderful furbaby. He was so very lucky you found each other.
I'm so sorry about your loss. ((HUGS)) Love the pics, especially the one on the kitty seat (dogs always think the cat's stuff is their property which always cracks me up!). Oh you can tell he knows he is so loved and you are such a great person to have given him such a good life. ((HUGS))
Oh my gosh, this post brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry for your loss. Dakota was absolutely beautiful... he was lucky to have you for ten years but y'all were just as lucky to have him as a companion. He will be forever loved.
Hugs!
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