​An Ode to our Elsa dog

Sitting on the side of a mountain, with crazy Emmett, our one year old spunky Berner puppy, I’m reflecting on the life of one of the best dogs we ever had, Elsa, E’break, Dogbreath, the Queen, Catalog Order Dog....the baby, Ron and I could never have. I wrote this eulogy back in October, never expecting you to make it even to Christmas until the kids got home. But you did, 3 months short of your 11th birthday, until we found you this morning, in your normal spot at the bottom of the stairs, peacefully asleep...forever.

From the moment Dawn Letry, trusted us to adopt you to fill that void, you were the perfect Berner personality. Loving, calm, sweet, cautiously protective, a leaner, goofy and always happy, no matter the circumstances. You never forgot us when we had to leave you behind with our family, while we were temporarily assigned a job in Thailand.

You were the perfect therapy dog to comfort and calm those in need, especially my ailing mother, and isn’t it ironic, that in the end, we were the therapy humans for you. Degenerative Mylenopathy, DM is a spinal cord disease that is pain free, but eventually leads to paralysis. It is such a debilitating insidious disease, without a cure. How can a healthy and happy dog lose mobility so fast? We started noticing a slight dragging of your left leg around May and progressing worse, throughout the summer, hoping always, that it would stop and stabilize.

And now, our beloved companion has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, to join all the other animals before her. She will bark and run without stumbling, falling down or dragging her legs and will live every day from now on, to the fullest. No more ramps, no more slings, no more “magic carpets”, no more pills, no more scary wind monsters, no more sadness. Emmett, "Nummy", will try to fill your emptiness in our hearts, but there will never be another like you. Forgive us for not being able to stop this disease.

Wait for us, girl, as I know we will see you again one beautiful day. Now you are running free with your mom, Cali, and your sister, Boo, who went before you with this same debilitating disease. Thank you for sharing your love and loyalty with all of us and mending the hurt and pain in others through your therapy work. Rest in peace, sweet girl.

​Thanks to love and medical care, Honey recovered and revealed a puppy-like face and a lovely soft brown coat that got lighter on her back until it was the color of honey. She also had an adorable bear cub like quality to her appearance that earned her the moniker “Honey Bear.” Her personality matched her outer beauty. “Honey was so sweet and mellow, we went through therapy dog training thinking she needed to share her healing spirit with others in need,” says Kristie. In addition to volunteering as a Pet Partner team, Kristie is a nurse practicioner and an amazing, brilliant volunteer who coordinates the 12 team evaluations that TAU has every month.

​During their time of volunteering as a Pet Partner team, Kristie observed, “Honey’s healing power can be felt when she leans against a person in need to give them her love, warmth and attention.” Honey and Kristie worked hard to prepare for their team evaluation, and they passed on their third try. “Honey was just a little shy, but totally loveable and you couldn’t help but smile to look at her,” commented TAU director Deborah Carr.

Honey and Kristie visited at Avalon Nursing and Rehab Center for a few times before Honey began to have health problems from a cancerous mass on her side. She passed away in December 2013 leaving many sad hearts, but beautiful memories, behind. Our gratitude and heartfelt best wishes go out to Kristie for sharing her beautiful Honey with us.

TAU Executive Director Deborah Carr remembers a visit to the Lightning Peak detention center with Nancy and Tate long ago. “The toughest of the adolescent boys just seemed to lose their bravado as they tenderly held that little dog in his blanket. He brought out the best in so many people. We will miss you, Tate!”

​Former Executive Director Gaelyn Derr shared, “Tate was so special! He and Nancy were truly ambassadors for TAU. Such a little guy and he gave so much happiness and brought so much joy and love to the people he met in his many years of bringing comfort, love, hope and healing to those in need.”

A mother of one of the children that Tate visited said it best when she recalled the following about Tate and Nancy, “I remember when my daughter saw Tate at the hospital. We still talk about that moment. You both did a wonderful job helping others and he will be missed by many. You are a very giving woman and I am thankful for your life and the life of Tate.”

Thank you, Nancy, for giving so much of yourself and sharing Tate with so many. He will not be forgotten!

During their time as Pet Partners, Ashley and Bubba touched many lives, visiting older adults at Federal Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and children at the Christmas Box House. Ashley has kindly asked friends and family to make a memorial gift to TAU in honor of Bubba. “We will miss our Farmers Market booth,” said Ashley. “He loved to greet everyone!”

Thank you, Ashley, for sharing Bubba with TAU and for your generosity during this difficult time.

If you would like to donate to TAU in memory of Bubba, you can click here or send a gift to TAU at 2459 W 300 N, Provo, UT, 84601. Thank you!