In Loving Memory

Rocky was a handsome, gentle soul and loved to be around people and dogs. He was a friend to dogs that struggled with being social and always reacted with a playful attitude. His favourite place was Elk Lake, and he was his happiest self when he could run. We’ll miss you, buddy.

Blue

It’s with heavy hearts we’re informing you that our beautiful blue boy has passed on. The decision was made with deep consideration for his overall wellbeing. Through his more recent struggle with a disease called degenerative myelopathy, we’ve witness our strong boy go from willing and able, to the loss of function in his rear end and bodily control. His will never wavering. Blues amazing manner and soft eyes never left him, making the decision feel uneasy. Although he couldn’t hold his own he still knew how to make our house feel like a home. Barking as I came home from work or being the dog therapist for all the kids and Bev in the daycare. He lived up to his name to the very end.

We owe him so much more than we’ll ever imagine and we can only hope our love for him was received in full. Blue is the reason our family is together. It was blue who initially caught my eye on social media to begin the search of, “who’s the owner of this beautiful Chesapeake”. (I had just been scrolling through a dog breed book and was convinced this was the breed for me.) In the ensuing weeks, months and years I would have the pleasure to get close with Blue and his beautiful mother Bev. He truly was our fur baby and will forever be remember as our perfect boy.

Blues impact was understandably immense. His joy and energy matched his size, and his acceptance of all that walked the earth was admirable. There wasn’t many scenarios where he didn’t bring an aura of calming and joyfulness. This was highly showcased in the way he interacted with puppies. He loved being able to show them how to play, while being gentle. Of course there was a side of him I’m sure we can all recollect where nothing else mattered……. But the beach!!!! His love for the water was only rivalled for the love he had for his family. Often spending hours swimming, diving and of course splashing. Throughout the years we have been blessed to take him on many adventures all over the island and throughout this beautiful province. He has had the luxury of swimming and “splashing” in many different bodies of water along the way.

Blue was so much more than a dog to us. Never assuming judgement, he could always make you feel as if everything was going to be ok…. “So long as you continue petting my head!” In all seriousness he lead many different roles in our family. He was an adventuring partner, climbing high hills and searching for life’s treasures, as well as a fishing partner to places like Nootka sound. He was a running partner and a job site Forman, (for six beautiful years). He was a beach walker spending countless weeks and weekends at his favourite place in the world… the cabin. He was a therapy dog, a daycare icon, a washing machine and a teacher. He was a best friend to us and the girls, a brother and the best dog ever. We can’t thank him enough for giving us 12 amazing years of love and kindness.

Nobody ever explained to me how fast this journey was to unfold. Who decided that dogs should only live a fraction of a humans lifetime anyways. Seems unfair for something that lives with such purity and devotion. The responsibility we took in choosing his path is one that has been haunting.

I believe that Blues loving impact will be felt by whomever he came in contact with and that his legacy in our family will never be forgotten. “

During Marlo’s 9 years she brought such immense joy into our lives. She embodied her happiness with the classic boxer jellybean dance. Marlo was our first baby, which meant she got a couple years of dog focused adventures, but then she loved even more when the kids came along. She napped with our babies, played dress up with toddlers and then walked kids to and from school. She loved us all unwaveringly.

We will never feel like we had enough time with her. We learnt of her cancer two months before her passing. Being able to say goodbye in peace and at home was a gift we are so grateful to the Resting Paws team for. We keep Marlo close in our hearts.

Oliver was a wild one – he loved hunting, exploring on our walks, and napping in the dirt… all while demanding that his heating pad be on at all times. I’m incredibly grateful that we found each other and shared 12 amazing years together. I will always carry him in my heart. Grief is just unexpressed love.

Dr. Nicola and Heather were amazing, and I’m incredibly grateful they were there during one of the hardest moments of my life. I don’t know how else to say it, but they’re absolute pros at what they do. Thank you.

My sweet, beautiful Carter, thank you for sharing your life with us and being a perfect fit to our family.
We feel so grateful and blessed to have been a part of your journey, filling our hearts with love and laughter.
You gave us strength during challenging times offering us so much joy with your loving energy.
Love you forever 💕
Loretta and Lauren

Thank you Dr Vanessa and Heather for being the angels that came to give Carter the most peaceful and beautiful end of life experience.

Talia was very sweet and gentle. I was very lucky to have her, even if it was only for the last three years of her life.

I want to thank you Vanessa and your team for what was a truly transformational experience with Rufus Tuesday. He was so calm and his passing so peaceful. We all felt extremely supported and this made what could have been one of the worst days for us, a day we can remember as compassionate and comforting.

The candle and poem are sitting with photos of him and his collar tags on a remembrance alter. This has also made these last few days more meaningful.

Thank you again for your truly incredible hospice service. It was more than we could have hoped for.

It is with the saddest hearts that we said goodbye to sweet Dexter. He was just shy of 17 years old and lived an amazingly full and wonderful life. With his unbelievably calm and cautious demeanor he openly welcomed our growing family over the years. He napped with brand new babies, patrolled high chairs for years waiting for castoffs, wore silly birthday hats, shared his dog beds with babies, toddlers, and teens, went camping, attended hockey tournaments all over the province, and loved his family with all his heart. He was always a lazy dog who preferred to lounge in the yard under a shady tree and would frequently quit on long hikes and simply lay down or start heading to the car, whether we were done or not. As we reflect back on the past 17 years, we see how much we’ve been through with our amazing boy by our sides. He will be missed more than words can convey. He brought us lifetimes worth of joy and showed us what unconditional love truly looks like. Till we meet again, we will miss him every day.

Anakin was the best little kitty anyone could ever ask for. Anakin loved riding on his mom’s shoulders no matter what she was doing, or napping with his dad no matter what time of day it was. He loved kisses, cuddles, and cantaloupe. Anakin could make anything into a bed but his favourite was his banana bed. He made everyone happy. He was such a good boy. We love you so much Anakin. You will be greatly missed by your family and daycare kids. Forever in our hearts.

To Dr. Vanessa, Zoe, and the entire Resting Paws team:
Thank you for the kindness and compassion on Sophie’s last day.

Here is a picture of Sophie at Elk Lake. Sophie loved walks, playing with other dogs and treats. She was a wonderful dog and we miss her so much.

Jagger came into our lives and touches our hearts the moment he was brought home. As a Mastiff/pitbull he was always so gentle. We had 2 children at the time that he was always protective of. He showed so much love. He enjoyed playing with our other dog Harley who has also passed away. They were bestfriends. Jagger loved attention and we miss him dearly. The house just isn’t the same without him there.

We just want to say our Tilly was taken too soon after a miraculous back surgery recovery.’

She was loved so much and gave so much love to us, we wish we had more time.

We will never forget her and she is deeply missed.

Loved immensely, missed terribly, never to be forgotten.

“I know that everyone says this about their pet, but Gus truly was the best dog. My husband and I adopted Gus from the SPCA when he was ten months old and we were both quite young ourselves. It didn’t take long for Gus to know we were his people and show us his goofy, fun loving traits. For a dog of his size, he certainly didn’t know it- sprawling an entire queen sized bed, sitting on your lap when he didn’t want you to stop petting him, or “giving you two” paws to put on your shoulders to dance. Gus was with us for all of our biggest moments- first homes, marriage, the birth of our two daughters- and we couldn’t have asked for a more loving and gentle best friend to have by our side for the last eleven years. We miss you deeply Gus, every moment of every day, and we hope you’re rolling in some snow, enjoying an ice cream cone.”

“Hornby was a very good girl, who was recused as a puppy from a shelter in Belize, and lived her eight years to the fullest. From sailing around the gulf islands, to sniffing every single lamp post in Downtown Victoria, she loved her little life, and will be missed more then she’ll ever know. Thanks to the incredible team at Resting Paws for making her final moments painless, and without fear. She left this world wagging her tail, with no vet clinic (her arch nemesis) in sight.”

Forever loved. Hope you are enjoying the squirrel park in the sky.

“the happiest girl who loved life to the fullest.”

“My sweet girl,
Life will be so much more quiet without your snores and constant noises.
Your love for people, walks and hiking always made me so happy.
I’m glad our little family got this time with you.
Now go run wild.”

You made our releasing of our lovely Zoe so calm and peaceful. Zoe was not shaking and scared. All she felt was love and for that I am extremely grateful. She was adopted when she was not yet two. She was full of fear and a very anxious dog. As time went on, she became much more trusting. She loved her walks and and being with her family. She is already miss.

Bella was our sweet little girl for nearly 17 years
She loved playing ball in her younger days more than any other activity
She loved the beach and her walks she just loved being outside
Bella was extremely food motivated and she once ate a pound of butter when our backs were turned
She also stole and ate a quesadilla out of my sisters purse
My sister had gotten a doggie bag from her lunch and happened to leave her purse on the floor
Well Bella thought it was hers!!
Bella was loving and affectionate loved to be in my arms and sleeping with us safely at night
I loved that little girl with everything I had
As long as she was with us she was happy
I cant imagine my life without her but we sent her off in the most beautiful compassionate way possible
I am so thankful I found Resting Paws they cover every detail and I was able to spend every moment saying goodbye