phin

This post isn't about me. It's about our four legged family member, Phin, who was diagnosed with cancer (sarcoma) 3.5 years ago. In dog years - that's a long time. He faced cancer like a champ and just kept on enjoying each day. Sadly, on Oct. 14 we had to say goodbye. 

​I am incredibly fortunate to have had dogs my entire life. The companionship they bring is unsurpassed, but saying goodbye to a furry family member is extremely difficult. You know in your heart you are making the right decision but you just want to squeeze out a bit more time. Why can’t there be more time?
 
I’m so grateful to have had Phin in our lives. He arrived in Canada on a jet plane in 2011 as a three-year-old California dude with a sketchy past, a penchant for running away, sparkly white teeth and curly golden locks. He sprinkled joy wherever he went. Unless you were a bus – he hated busses. And motorcycles, and loud trucks…and bikes…oh, and winter.

Phin was pure love and was with us through all the ups and downs over the past 12.5 years. He taught us many lessons. Here are a few...

• Always find the sunshine
• Keep the ones you love close
• Choose adventure
• Let the wind blow through your hair
• Eat with enthusiasm
• Get outside and walk
• Rest 
• A lick on the nose fixes everything
• Love with all your heart
• No matter what life throws at you, adapt and keep going 

Always find the sunshine

Keep the ones you love close

Choose Adventure

Let the wind blow through your hair

Eat with enthusiasm

Get outside and walk

Rest

Love with all your heart

Have a best buddy

No matter what life throws at you, adapt and keep going

I only ever want our dogs to live their very best lives with us and I'm positive you did. Phin, my heart is broken. Our house is so different without your positive, easy going energy, your wagging tail, your big eyes begging for food and your quiet (sometimes loud) snores. However, I know you are running free, chasing squirrels and eating all the treats you want...and that makes me smile. If we all lived with the unconditional love that dogs have, what a wonderful world this would be.