4.9

I have had some of the absolute best boys and best girls in the world since the day I was born, and some of them I even witnessed be born. I have helped in the training of all of our pups (17 altogether over the course of 3 decades), whether they were weeks old, or just wanting to learn some new tricks as they ease into their golden years. Unfortunately, their lifespan is nowhere near as long as they deserve, and so having lots of pets usually means losing lots of pets. I’m honored to have been able to take care of many aging “forever-puppies,” several terminally ill, and several up until the impressive healthy old age of 18-20. My family’s most recent furry members both just passed in April of 2024. They were brother and sister from the same litter, with sweet and hilarious personalities, though so different. We watched them come into the world, helped raise and train them alongside their siblings, and had countless adventures with those two. Let me tell you, they were really the best boy and girl you could ever meet. For almost fourteen sweet, cuddly years, we road-tripped, hiked, camped, swam, and played all over Hawaii and Colorado together. They were both simultaneously diagnosed with cancer, and both went downhill quickly. I miss them every day, but the love that they left me with has let me share it with every other beautiful, smart, silly, and adorably-squishy creature I meet. My love for all animals is innate, but there is just something about the unique brand of love that a dog gives away so freely.