We truly know the power of dogs when they decide it is time to leave us. We are never prepared for the amount of anguish we must endure, nor do we ever want to feel this sorrow. We give our heart to our dogs – and end up with it being torn apart when they depart.

Chester came into our lives almost 12 years ago. He was a unique Golden Retriever, with spunk, spirit, and confidence; he was stoic, proud and independent. For those of you who did not have the privilege of knowing him and seeing him in action, he embodied the spirit and philosophy behind which our pet training program was developed and taught. There was eloquence in our bond, one which I wanted others to feel with their own dogs. He taught me how to play, how to have fun and this is what he taught “his” students. These qualities were still there up until his last breath. He maximized his enjoyment every waking moment and lived each day as if it were his last.

He touched more lives over his 12 years. He stood by me as my partner, not only in class but also in my private counseling. He was a role model; he gave owners a goal to strive for; he made us smile; he made us laugh; he made us shake our heads because his antics were never-ending. He enjoyed his work, never missing a day in 12 years. He helped me become a good teacher. Up until his last day, he did his job helping me evaluate a dog for our Feisty Fidos class. There are times when we need our canine friends to help us get a better sense of what is going on. They have a way of telling us when they are comfortable in a situation and when they are not. I’m sure you have all seen it with your own dogs. Listen to them. Don’t deny them the opportunity to let you know. Here is where Chester excelled.

Chester taught me about love and life. “Get a grip, mom”, he once said (in his canine way) “Why take things so seriously? Look what the world around us has to offer.” As a result, I changed my outlook on life and hoped, through my teaching and that of my fellow trainers, to encourage others to see life from the dog’s point of view.

We had spent the last four days of his life vacationing in Vermont – our favorite thing to do as a family. He loved being with me, my husband and Ashley, our 13 year old Golden. We hiked, they swam, and we shared our picnics (but not our wine!). He had the stamina of a 4 year old. He was labored at night, but preserved his energy to enjoy the next day. Little did I know he how much he was struggling.

We always hope that our dogs will quietly pass on in their sleep so we don’t have to make the decision of euthanasia. Unfortunately, I was not so fortunate and had to make the decision to end his life before he began to suffer. I knew when he was ready to say good-bye. I sat with him in his favorite spot outside on the grassy hill and wrote him a letter, telling him all of the things I loved about him, reminiscing and laughing about his antics, and how much I appreciate all that he gave me in my life. I let him know that my decision to put him to rest is best for him and I must not be selfish by keeping him alive because I cannot bear to live without him. Since he was always there for me in good times and bad, in helping dogs and their humans understand how training only brings them so much closer, I will be there for him, holding him tightly so the last thing he would see when he took his last breath of air would not be my tears, but my smile - saying Thank You!

I must remember that my loss has only given me wonderful memories of an irreplaceable friend. These memories will be cherished and will never change. They will remain in my heart forever because I know his spirit is watching over me during every class I teach, with every client I come in contact and he will be tapping me on the shoulder, reminding me that he’s just crossed over the Rainbow Bridge – and probably have a damn good time!

Written on June 3, 2000