We hate starting the new year with more sad news, but we were recently informed that our 2019 alumnus, Colt, has passed away.   Colt’s mom, Cathy, couldn’t have known that this photo would become his last. Just three days after it was taken, they lost their sweet, grumpy, loyal, silly, best dog ever.
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Cathy shared: “He suffered a GDV on Friday while playing, and thankfully we were home and able to get him to the ER in time. But given the invasiveness of the surgery, his age, and other health challenges he had been facing, we made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye.  His day began like any other - waking up early with Jon for his ‘dog massage’ and silly pat down, demanding breakfast from me promptly at 6 a.m., carrying his babies around the house, asking to go in and out about half a million times, then getting bossy and playing with George as soon as Jon got home from work. We try to find comfort in knowing he went out on a great day, in our arms, after years filled with love and adventure. We are truly heartbroken and miss him so much.”

We have so loved receiving Colt’s updates through the years - his loud snoring, how perfectly he matched their rug, and most of all, how deeply loved and happy he was. You will always be part of our memories, Colt, and no doubt forever in your family’s dreams.

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.”   Winnie the Pooh

Some posts are harder to write than others… and this one is written with heavy hearts.  Our dear, sweet hospice foster, Luke, passed away peacefully Friday morning in his foster family’s arms.💔

From his foster mom, Megan:  “We had a beautiful morning. We went into the front yard and Luke started heading toward the street like he wanted to go for a walk. I grabbed his leash and we took the shortest, slowest walk—one that was so good for both of us. There was no place to be, just all the time in the world for him to sniff every plant and blade of grass for as long as he wanted. When we came back, he enjoyed steak for a mid-morning snack, followed by part of a banana and yogurt smoothie. And you better believe he used those big old-man eyes to get tons of treats from the vet techs in those last few minutes. Who knew an old guy could impact our lives so deeply in the 159 days we were lucky enough to be his people. Thank you for letting us foster him and for supporting him the way the rescue did.

What can we say about Luke - our favorite old man, our Lukey Duke, our buddy? Words feel inadequate. Today, on our 159th day of being your people, we had to say goodbye. We knew this day would come when we said yes to hospice fostering, but we never imagined how profoundly you would change us in such a short time. We will miss so many things: your giant velvety ears, your frequent pantry visits, the way you leaned in with all your weight, your loud protests with that deep bark if you were alone for more than a minute, seeing you in your element in the woods, and your curiosity for new places and experiences. And of course, how you almost always slept with a paw tucked under your head.  What an honor and privilege it was to love you and to be loved by you. We’ll keep counting the days, because we will love you for the rest of ours.”

We are so thankful Luke spent his final 159 days living the ultimate “family dog” life. Just last week, he enjoyed one of his favorite things in the world - his final hunt - happily strolling through the woods on a beautiful day, never straying far from his people, just as Luke always did. Run free, sweet Luke. 🐾🌈

"Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart." — Mahatma Gandhi
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