In Loving Memory

To my sweetest girl Dakota, Trey and I talked about getting a dog for years before you came into our lives. When he finally convinced me of a German Shepherd and I convinced him of a girl dog, and I found the breeder in Stillwater, we were on our way to fulfilling that dream. We spoke with the breeder and discussed needing a baby and child friendly puppy, and she knew exactly who would complete our family. Your little yellow collar differentiated you from your brothers and sisters, and we knew that yellow puppy was ours. You made me, Trey, Lex and even baby Rocky so happy that first day we brought you home. We couldn't stop snuggling you, and Lex loved to chase you around in that tiny backyard of ours in Edmond. You brought so much joy to our lives from that first day, and every day after that. I loved taking you for car rides, and you made me drive with you on my lap until you got too big and needed to switch to my passenger princess. I didn't want to leave you alone, my third baby, so we drove all over town together. I would take you to pick up Lexington from his little school in Edmond, or coffee runs, or nap drives. When I was pregnant with Prescott, you wouldn't leave my side of the bed even when I slept in and the house was bustling. I thought - what dog doesn't get up when there's commotion in the other room? But you knew somehow that I was different and you knew to stay. You showed your love to me everyday, but those moments of being able to reach over the bed and pet you really showed me how connected you and I were. You showed your maternal side at such a young age and it continued to grow. I remember my grandma questioning whether it was safe to have a baby on the ground with you, but I knew I could trust you completely. You would have never hurt one of my babies. You loved them so much. Bathtime in the Edmond house was one of your favorite activities, and I'm still surprised that we never had you jump in the tub because there were so many times that you got very close. You loved catching the splashing bathwater, and I will cherish those easy, wholesome memories. We took you on many walks around the lake, and you made it known quickly to us which houses had dogs in the backyard. You were scared once at a dog park, and I don't think you ever got over that fear. I tried to comfort you when I knew you were afraid. I hope I brought you comfort. You were an ever presence in some of the happiest times - when we brought Prescott home from the hospital, birthday parties, pumpkin carving. You were there, enjoying the kids and the crowds. The first time we left you in the house and out of the crate I took the kids to the club and came back to one of our houseplants dug up and dirt all over the dining room carpet. I think that may have been the one and only time you were a naughty dog. Even when you got out of the backyard in Edmond, you would come bark at the front door. When you wanted my attention, you would daintily place a paw on my chest or tummy. Just a little reminder that you're here and you'd like some love. And I happily obliged. Your workaround to not going on the couch would be that you would put your whole upper body on mine and leave your back legs on the ground. Trey wasn't crazy about that but it was perfectly fine with me. You loved chasing bugs and butterflies, or rather the shadows they made on the grass, and it was an adorable thing you did as a puppy and continued your whole life. You chased shadows and made us think twice before turning on a flashlight. You protected us from animals on the TV, even the pull toy dog from Baby Babble. I tried to put on the Lion King for the kids and we knew right away you couldn't handle it, and we watched something else. You loved bubbles and splashing water and pillow forts and in a lot of ways was one of the kids, but there was a protectiveness and maturity to you that made you and I peers in a way too. Coming home from trips, you were who we all looked forward to seeing, and every reunion was a joyous one with so many pets. I wondered if you missed us when we were gone or if you were afraid we wouldn't come back. Moving to our house we're in now was a big change for all of us. I was nervous you would wander and get lost, but you never went too far. I was nervous the boys would wander and get lost, and everytime they went outside without me I would tell them to take you too. Because I knew you would protect them. I'm so grateful for you to have given me that peace of mind, knowing they would be safe with you there. We tried to get you to come upstairs, since now all of our bedrooms were on the 2nd level. We tried with dog treats and bacon and you wouldn't budge. I felt sorry for leaving you alone that first night. We soon after welcomed Evander and again had a newborn that I knew I could completely trust you with. The boys were not always gentle, but you knew they were playing and you never snapped at them. Once I was walking up the stairs carrying a sleeping Evander and you started to bark at something in the backyard. I gave you a look to be quiet and you understood. I will never forget that. You were able to understand me even with a voiceless expression. You loved the pool that first summer. It was a big upgrade from the baby pools we had in Edmond. Swimming wasn't your thing, you liked to lounge in the water and cool off. You also loved the snow. You behaved like a puppy every time we had snow in Oklahoma, and it was a joy to watch you having fun. With 4 kids and growing after school activities, life became busier than our little home life in Edmond and my attention for you decreased. I feel so sorry for that, and I really really hope you understood that the pack grew and it wasn't something you did wrong. We didn't really go on many drives anymore and daytime was hectic, but I made sure to show you love in the quiet hours when the boys had gone to bed. I thought a playmate would be good for you, a puppy that you could think of as your baby. I don't know if you would have agreed, but I know you tried with Bandit. You showed him how to stay close to the house, but was not amused by his puppy antics. He continued to bug you from day 1. I would always say that Bandit was the alpha outside, but the house was your territory. He knew that too. You would block him from getting close to Trey and I at the end of the day, or trap him near the desk so he couldn't get out. I called it dog maintenance. He took you on some adventures though you wouldn’t have dreamed of doing alone. Several times I called you guys for over an hour before you would appear as a pair from some distant point of our property line. Bandit loved you very much, Dakota, he just showed it in a very annoying playful way. He misses you a lot. I can tell, and it breaks my heart all over again. The next thing I threw at you was 10 baby birds, and unlike Bandit, once again I knew I could trust you. We first introduced you to them in the garden, and you were soon learning how to corral them in the yard. You probably thought what is this crazy lady going to bring home next. I hope all of my new people and animals I introduced you to enriched your life. I know it took some attention away from me to you too. I'm so sorry for that. You deserved all the love, and I hope I made you feel loved at least once every day. I think I did. My mom, Elise and Will, Kimmie and Kyle, my dad, Trey, Lexington, Rockwell, Prescott and Evander, and countless others loved you so much Dakota. But me most of all. I will miss you so very much and will carry you in my heart forever. Thank you for being such a good girl for all these years. It is not lost on me that having young kids at home is probably going to be the happiest era of my life, and you were there for so much of it. The Dakota days, the best days. Until we meet again my sweet girl, you will be always in my heart. Love, Mom

Saki was the best boy ever! I'm going to miss you forever buddy.

We love you Bailey girl, hopefully you are with your big sister now chasing squirrels together and getting into mud puddles and rolling around! Go run and play just as you did as a young puppy. We will never forget you sweet girl! We love you so much!

Diego I feel so privileged to have given you a safe, happy home for eleven years. You were so loved and we will miss you so much. RIP darling boy.

There never was a dog as good as Dewey. He had many names: Mr. McToodle, Dewey McTewey, Doodle McToodle the poodle because Golden Retriever doesn’t rhyme…and so many more. He loved tennis balls, swimming, and every single person he ever met. He was smart as a whip; he knew so many words you could practically have a conversation. He knew where his home was…when he was coming back from a walk, he knew where to go. And if I said, “Where’s Matthew?”, he’d look around until he found his boy and run to him with joy. He taught Kofi everything he could in their three years together. He was our biggest joy, our walking ball of love, our heart with four legs. The world isn’t the same place without him.

"Lykos" Mr. Handsome Demeanor ORT NW2 L1C L1I DDCNx2 DDCI EI II SCNE SWA CGC TKN 11.15.2022 - 9.26.2026 It's the second morning without you and I still can't believe that you're gone. Our time together was so meaningful and I'm so blessed to have spent nearly four years with you. I hope wherever you are now, you're at peace and no longer living in constant fear of losing me, or Austin. I hope you know that you've taken a piece of my heart and soul with you, so you'll never be alone. Your love for us was too big for this world, so I hope we'll meet again in whatever awaits us next. This is goodbye for now, my sweet, bestest boy.

Riley, you have made us laugh for 13 years! You were surrounded by so many who loved you, played with you and grew with you. You are going to be so missed! We are now moving into the second week without you and we see you everywhere in the house. We love you Rhi-Rhi...I found one of your sister's notes she wrote about you when you arrived 13 years ago. It was written under the heading- 'describe the best day of your life'. That 6 year old had it right- one of the best days of our lives as a family was when you came into our home. Love you buddy!

I’ll always love you my quirky boy. I will keep you in my memory and cherish the time we spent together. I hope you are having the best time. I miss you.

My sweet baby Dux, I don’t know how to say goodbye to you. You were never “just a dog.” You were our family, our companion, and a piece of our heart. Thank you for every smile, every cuddle, every time you made us feel loved just by being there. Looking at your sweet face, I will always remember the happiness you brought into our home for 13 years. I’m so sorry I can’t keep you with me forever. I hope you know that letting you go is only because I love you enough to not let you hurt anymore. Run free, my sweet Dux. No more pain, no more suffering—just sunshine, lamb treats, and all the room in heaven to run. We love you more than words can ever say. You will always be our baby and forever be a part of our family and heart. 🐾❤️

My sweet Bluedy Booty. Your soul will live forever in my heart. I'll miss seeing your ears flop as you run towards me, hearing your bark when you wanted to tell me you wantes a treat, feeling your wet nose when I stopped petting you or napped too long for your liking. I hope I was able to fill your life with love and happiness as you did for mine. Until our souls meet again 🩵 Rest easy my sweet girl