In Loving Memory

Tova I love you dearly. The Lord took you back to be with him. You helped me so much and I thank Jesus for our time together.

I’ll miss you forever, my sweet little one eyed wonder. Your life was never easy but it was so full. Cali boy and I will never be the same without you.

Kitty… my best friend for 21 years and forever. I would do anything to have more of our happy days together. Sitting in a nice warm sunny room watching our favorite movies and tv shows. I knew the day that you would have to leave was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier. I know you may have been hiding and faking the pain you were in until you physically couldn’t anymore. Maybe because you didn’t want me to worry… I love you with all my heart and tried to give you the best life but that will never feel like enough. I gave you my heart and you took a chunk of it with you when you left, and I would do it all again. While that chunk of my heart is gone and won’t come back, I can only hope that I can grow some of it back someday. I love you and miss you everyday sweet girl.❤️

Our sweet Leia! We will miss you and you will always be our first baby!

This is one of the hardest posts I have had to post. It feels like my heart has been ripped from my chest….. You have taught me so much. You have taught me responsibility, loyalty, bravery, and an unconditional love that is comparable. That April morning 2011 when I picked you up I only thought I knew the true meaning of love. Little did I know that I was going to be schooled for the next 14 years. Each and every day was a new adventure, hiking through the trails and battle fields, boating in Iowa, kayaking down the Potomac River, flying on airplanes, fishing, the endless miles we drove, the endless peanut butter containers you would walk around with, the amazing walks on the beach, ice cream trips, frisbee golf while you would run from shade tree to shade tree, sitting back eating pizza, the random pizza crust that you would hide for month at a time and come walking in the room with, endless snuggles, playing in the snow, and even the prostitute you tried to pick up our first day in DC. I will truly miss all of these moments, but I think the beach, snuggles, and drives I will miss you the most. You would always wake up and stand on my console to see where we were and lick me on the cheek to make sure I was awake. It was like you always knew where we were before even sticking your head out of the window. I wish we had more time, but I’m glad you’re not hurting anymore. My heart will always have a missing piece that can never be filled. You have touched so many hearts throughout the years. I hope you knew how much I love you. Rest easy my little buddy. Your job here is done. Tank and I will be ok. Thank you for being such an amazing pup. I love you bubba to heaven and back. Now go be with Chipper, Maggie, Riley, Chance, and Sassy. Your birthday was 6th of April 2011. You took your last breath lying in grass with your head in my hands surrounded with love at 3:09 pm 16th of February 2026.

June was my comfort on the hardest days — the licker of my tears, the brave barker at the leaf blower, and my steady emotional support. In her small body lived the biggest heart. I will carry her love with me always.

Shuksan, From the day we first met at the Humane Society, we have been divinely connected. I had went to see a white Siberian husky initially, but it had already been adopted by the time my one-year-old daughter and I got there. decided to stroll through the Humane Society anyway. So glad we did! When halfway through, a tan and white Shiba looking dog shyly emerged from the shadows. When your eyes met mine, you quickly came out to greet us. Your topaz brown eyes sparkled, your tail began to wag, and you began to lick my one year-old daughter’s hands through the cage. It was instant love! We had learned that you were on the second chance program and a couple families came to see you and thought you were too shy for them. You warmed up to us instantly though. It was as if you were waiting for us to come pick you up. I am so thankful you chose us! You were always meant to be part of our family, part of our hearts, and part of our souls. Over the years, you grew up with our two daughters, went on countless hikes with us, climbed mountains in the Pacific Northwest, camped many times, backpacked, and spent so many hours cuddling on the couch and sleeping at our feet. Later, we learned that you were a Jindo mix, which explained your profound loyalty. You were named after Mt. Shuksan in the northern Cascades where you walked many miles on your paws. If we tallied up all the miles you roamed with us, it would be in the thousands. You were wild and strong like your namesake. Yet you were gentle and loving too. All the best traits were summed up into you. We hit the lottery when we got you! You entertained us chasing bubbles or sticks, always knew how to look cute begging for food, had the softest and most cuddly fur, and instinctively knew whatever we needed. When I was cold, you would lay on me to keep me warm. When I was sad, you would snuggle and lick my face. You motivated me to hike and walk despite the weather. You made life fuller and more meaningful. Thank you for your fierce loyalty, your relentless protection, showering us with your unconditional love, being a best friend, and your unwavering emotional support. For the past couple years, you dealt with kidney disease. Despite this, you were a true champion, and still a great hiking companion. Your disease was managed with a special diet, and eventually medication to help with appetite and nausea. It seemed like you would make it easily to your 16th birthday and beyond. Then, a few days ago, you suddenly developed fluid in your abdomen. After a couple trips to the emergency vet and irregular vet, it was determined that you had a mass of tumor on your spleen that had burst and spread throughout your body and that you would likely only live a few days. You walked out of the vet with us to go home and do the unimaginable task of saying goodbye. By the next day, you lost your ability to walk and had to be carried out to go to the bathroom. It became clear that your suffering was too much, and that the most compassionate thing we could do was help put you. You spent the last few hours of your life surrounded by your family. When it was time for the final goodbye, I looked into your topaz, sparkling eyes one last time and hold your paw as your soul was set free. Helping you have a peaceful passing was the least we could do. After all, I know you would have died for us, and you lived for us. I hope you are happy and free running among the wildflowers. You deserve to be restored to your youthful state, our beloved Shuksan. I know you will be waiting for us just like you always greeted us at the door when we came home. I love you more than words can say. It hurts immensely without you, because you are so perfect for us. You will always be a”good baby” and the greatest of all time! Love, your forever mommy

Coco is missed terribly. I visit her grave and wonder why she was taken so soon. She was the most gentle cat I have ever seen. She never scratched up my furniture or anyone. She was sincerely unique.

I held you at 6wks old, my sweet baby boy that grew in to a 12yo 110lb baby boy…I pray I see you again.

Sailor was proof that the best things do come in small packages. A tiny stray who chose us as the recipient of her sweetness, silliness, and more affection than you would ever believe could fit in her little body. She quickly assumed her rightful position as Queen of All, even presiding over her much, much bigger brothers. She loved people, loved yelling at birds, loved playing on the stairs, and loved her new family. Sadly, we only had her for 11 short years. After a long fight, cancer left us with nothing but memories and broken hearts. We will always love you Little One!