09/07/2024
It is not lost on me at any time how lucky I am to have a career that I absolutely love. Families invite me not only into their homes, but into their lives. I have built some very deep connections with so many dogs and their humans. Sometimes, with that comes heartache. This sweet boy, Badger, has been training with me for over 10 years. Started with Petsmart classes and over the years, some home lessons with his puppy brother. Badger has always had a huge piece of my heart. Last week, his owners got the terrible news that cancer will be taking him from this earth sooner than later. I am so grateful that his human reached out to me so we could have some special time doing what Badger loves- playing in the water and exploring the trail. Today, I held my emotions in check and just watched him. So happy to be swimming, and though he's slower, he still has that light in his eyes. He still has that deep look of love that he shows the people he cares about most. He's always shown me that, and I've never taken it for granted. I didn't lose it until we were saying goodbye, and he watched me out the back window of his owner's car. Then I sobbed all the way home. I will love you forever, Badger. I know your owners will continue to give you amazing days and experiences until the day they can't. And then they will be selfless and let you go before you suffer in any way. To Ros and Jake- thank you. Thank you for sharing him for all these years, trusting me, and letting me say goodbye . 💔❤️