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.
