Willow

Willow was born into our family, the daughter of our beloved Bo and Reepicheep. She was the only pup in her litter. Though I lamented the idea of having another dog, we knew that Willow was meant to be our daughter's best friend. At the time she was nearly 3 years old, and also an only child. The rest is history. Her tiny self joined our pack of dogs. A Mastiff, a German Shepherd, and her Dad. There was no place that she wouldn't go, and no place she didn't feel that she belonged. Her spirit outweighed her size tenfold. Confident, vocal, brave, and tiny!

In 16 years Willow and Kelina have grown up together. They've mourned the passing of 3 family dogs, including Willow's Dad, Bo. They've navigated preschool, elementary school, a pandemic, and a high school graduation. The highs, lows, and everything in between, were shared together.

We believe that every dog should have a job. Watch them and listen to them, and they will show you what that should be. Willow's job was to be Kelina's best friend. We could never fully express our gratitude for Willow's service as guardian to our daughter. We are very aware of what an honor it is to love and care for a little life from beginning to end. And so, in the last golden years of her life we have done our best to pour into her, respect her, and treat her like the tiny Queen that she is.

Willow loves to chase things. She loves quiet moments in the sun. She loves a walk in the neighborhood where she can sniff the daffodils and take in the sights and sounds. Willow appreciates tasty snacks and cool drinks of water. She appreciates a cozy bed with a proper pillow for her to rest her head on. She loves her people. From a very young age she assumed her place as leader of the pack. She's not to be bothered by the other animals in our house. Tolerance is her energy, both with other animals and small children. This is her world, and we're all just living in it with her.

We don't know what life is like without her. We do know how it feels to lose her.

So friends, if you'd like to honor Willow do it with your own pets. Pour into them with your time, your love, and affection. Take really good care of them. Get them spayed or neutered, feed them good food, brush their teeth, trim their toe nails, bathe them, keep up on their flea meds, and take them out to see the world. Your care will never measure up to the gifts that they give to us. They deserve it all.