02/13/2026
FAREWELL TATE
Our little man had his last day with us on February 3. It should have been a week earlier but I just wasn't ready to lose him. He was such a special part of our family.
Jamie brought him to us from the shelter on July 4, 2014 as a gorgeous, spirited, loving little guy who got along with everyone. I had him neutered the next day and he threw a blood clot that left him paralyzed and near death. He wouldn't eat at the vets and couldn't move. They were so good to us and I spent most of that first week at the clinic with him. He wasn't eating until I started making satin balls - an old recipe that had worked in the past. To the surprise at everyone at the clinic he ate! And he continued to eat. I carried him home and started with his rehabilitation.
David and Charles, who'd adopted from me previously and really wanted him for their boy, helped with his rehabilitation by walking him in their pool while he stayed at Casa UPP pretty much immobile until the next week when he dragged himself around our yard using his front legs while his back legs dragged behind him. Hubby & I were so grateful that he was able to move that much. Within another week he was using all 4 feet and I spent over $1000 on various styles of boots. He was so proud of his new attire.
We hired a physiotherapist (yes, there is such a thing as a dog physiotherapist) who came to our home and showed me what to do to facilitate his movement. Within a couple of months he was moving somewhat normally and I was able to let him outside whenever he wanted to explore. He was so happy with those boots! Before long he was able to go to daycare with the rest of the gang at Casa UPP.
Wrapping his feet was a daily ritual and he loved it. When I took dogs to a companion GSP Rescue in Canada he came with us and was a great little ambassador. He welcomed all the new dogs temporally staying with us for training. I loved this little man and he became ours along with Misty who had joined our family 2 years before.
All was well until the summer of 2025 when he started to lose the ability to use his hind legs. He still demanded his walks but his right front leg started to fail from his weight and having to compensate for his lagging back legs. He still wanted to go out and explore so I let him, knowing that this was the beginning of the end.
The end came quickly. The vet here was wonderful and got us in at 8 am before they opened to the public. I sat on the floor with him on my lap and was able to hold his right front leg and roll the vein for the vet to administer the euthanasia cocktail.
I still miss him. Misty misses her buddy. Even the cats miss him. It was such a privilege to have him in our home and help him when it was time for him to go.
