Pet Memorials

In memory of all the Special Pets that have passed

In Memory of Simon

And so it is. And, truly, all is well with our souls.

I only know there is no sorrow and there is no loss here ... only love. He's just moved from by my feet ... to ... in my heart.

One of my mentors said: "𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆."

I took that to mean that I can take the worst day of my life (𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴) and turn (𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘦) it into one of the best days of my life.

In mid-November, Simon started showing changes in his health. These changes seemed to accelerate by mid-December. And in the last few weeks, I started figuring out that he may have been much sicker than he let on.

Since then, I've been preparing for one of the worst days. At times, I had been overcome by anticipatory grief. And yet, in those last days and even now, I decided to 'go all' into the feelings and the emotions. For two reasons. I believe: 1) the only way out is through ... and 2) while pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

On Wednesday, March 8, Simon received his angel wings. That ringing bell sound you heard ... it means this angel got his wings. At 1420, I got to say "until we meet again" to my beloved dog of 15 years, 3 months, and 18 days ... my baby boy, my old man, my heart dog, my soul dog. With the help of a compassionate vet and two dear friends (𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦), I sent Simon over the rainbow bridge. Yes, I am sad. Yes, it hurts. And, yes, I am choosing to focus on the gifts and the gratitude that came with loving him.

• I am so grateful that I got to be Simon's dog-ma. (I love saying that! )

• I am so grateful that I got to experience his love, caring, and service to others as well as his fun and funny and cheeky little self.

• I am so grateful that I got to hold his hand as he prepared for the bridge.

• I am so grateful that I got to hold him as he takes his last earthly breath.

• I am so grateful that I got to hold him as his soul took its first cosmic/heavenly breath.

• I am so grateful that I got to let him go ... to run wild and crazy and free ... into his next best life.

• I am so grateful that I got to be part of his life -- you got to be a part of his life -- and he, the heart-part of mine.

  .And, even if you don't know us or if you have never had an animal companion, please know that the love and the peace and the comfort you offered us extends to all the people and all the animal companions you love who are no longer here on earth ... through us.

𝙈𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 ...

One more thing: Shout out to Aleks, who has been the icing on the cake of Simon's transition. I knew I wanted to cremate my dog after his passing. I even had a fire cremation set up. But something inside me said that wasn't right for him at this time. How blessed I was to have come across the concept of aquamation ... and connecting with Aleks. He has been so very kind and generous as well as compassionate and caring to me. Now that his aquamation is complete, I am even more at peace. If you wonder how you can honor your animal companion beyond his/her life, I highly recommend your considering aquamation with Aleks.

Katharine, Salem, Oregon

Squish

Squish was rescued from a very filthy household with his sister Squirt. He was an expert napper and very handsome boy. He was the sweetest and would always greet his family at the door whenever they came home and would be heard crying at the door if someone left. He was a good baby boy.

Ranger

Hello- I first want to say thanks very much for the beautiful memorial. You did a great job Thank You....

I have here a few pictures of Ranger. He and I have been together 99.5 % of our time for 12 years. He went to work with me, on vacations and on many, many hikes. He was my closest friend. I know he adored me just as much as I adored him. He never took his eyes off me, ever! He loved my family and always greeted them with happiness but then would soon find his way back to my side. He never really left my side...He was my one of kind dog, you could say my soulmate, and I miss him so very, very much. My most awesome friend.

The picture with the Frisbee circled around his nose- Just one of his ways of letting me know its time to go play. He was always very patient with me but would let me know when he needed to exercise.

Again- thanks very much. - - Lee Adkins

Bella

Bella was one of a kind, once in a lifetime, one of the 'good ones'... I will never stop missing her. One other thing I forgot to mention.. which I'm sure you can see from the pictures(that I will attach below), She was also a living Teddy bear! A Chubby fuzzy warm teddy bear that gave the best comfort for a good night sleep. One of the things I miss most.

This is Bella. She was adopted from the Heartland Humane society when I was 15 years old. Since I was a minor, I begged My Mom for an entire week before she gave in and signed the paperwork in needed to adopt her.. Im going to be 30 years old in January...she was with me through out the most formative years of my life. The last 15 years she has been a constant comfort and a devoted companion. A great friend. She has seen many of my highs and lows through out. But none the less was her love for me. She always loved me no matter what. I hope she knew how much I have always loved her too. I miss her. Getting her back in a beautiful box was bittersweet but I appreciate the care and nice memorial for her. Thank you for your services for us!

Kramer

7/25/2015 - 10/6/2022

Kramer was originally going to be called “Teddy” - because he looked like a little teddy bear….but it soon became quite apparent that he had to be Kramer. His clumsy little puppy self would come flying down the long carpeted hallway, and when he hit the hardwood hall/kitchen he’d put out his breaks (paws) and go sailing through the kitchen and slam into the cupboards….then he’d shake his head and look at you, like, “Yes, Boss - you called?” So Kramer he became.

Then he became a swimmer…he carefully studied our much older Golden, Sophie, as she swam gracefully in our little lake. Kramer was too frightened to get in the lake…he’d examine Sophie’s legs and feet - like “How are you doing that?” Finally - after a couple hours watching Sophie, Kramer ventured into the water, and from that time on he was a water pro. He also enjoyed rides in the pedal boat.

Kramer had a foot fetish. He loved licking feet…and if he was denied the “licky-schticky” business, he’d lay his head on your feet. His favorite spot to do this was under the kitchen table…which we called his tent. He was sometimes “Corporal Kramer” in the night…when he’d do a Marine Corps crawl to get under our bed. We’d wake up and either see a snippet of his fluffy tail, or his cute black nose sticking out from beneath our bed! We’d also find him laying upside down in various spots around the house….one of the pics is my grandson imitating Kramer’s pose in the kitchen.

Kramer LOVED to “kennel up and go bye-bye” in my car or my husband’s pickup truck. When driving with me on various errands around town, he knew every business that had “treats” available for him! And he and our UPS delivery guy had a little bromance going on…because one time Kramer jumped into the UPS truck before the driver did, and jumped right up onto the driver’s seat! Every UPS delivery we received after that incident had a BIG milkbone treat on top of it.

Our friends and family learned not to wear black pants if they were going to visit us…because they’d leave with blonde pants. Kramer could shed half-a-dog per day - and he just KNEW that everyone who came over were coming to see HIM! He especially loved children - and they loved him, too.

Kramer was a one-off, and definitely the BEST BOY, my “Love-a-bunny boy.” He was taken from us much too soon, and we will forever miss him.

Wasabi

"The Precocious One"

Unknown - 11/1/22

She started out living in a tire and having her front claws removed by previous family, she must have had to protect herself because she was fearless. She always had to be up high and always laying on your back when you were laying down. She was very loved and spoiled.

She loved to eat and always loved being under your feet. She had the sweetest meow.

She always loved to crawl up into your arms when you're sitting and watching TV, even if the time wasn't right, she pushed herself right up to your face and plopped in your arms. NO was not an answer for her.

We miss you dearly baby girl. Our home will never be the same without you.

Pepper

Please follow this link to Russ’ memorial for Pepper: Pepper's Memorial -Russ Schuetz Corvallis, OR

Hannah

Unknown- May 31, 2022 

Thank you for inviting us to share about Hannah, our "baby puppy girl" as we sometimes called her. There aren't enough words to describe her loving soul and the profound impact that she had on our lives. She brought us endless love, joy, and compassion.

Hannah had such a love for life. She always stopped on walks to smell the flowers and what felt like every individual blade of grass. She loved being comfy with her blankets and pillows that she would lay on like a person. She loved riding in the car and barking at everything she could. Above all else she loved her people and would follow us anywhere and everywhere. 

Everywhere Hannah went she managed to put a smile on someone's face. She truly made the world a better place and it will never be the same without her. We love you and miss you beyond words, Hannah. 

Ronin Little

Thank you for taking such great care of our boy Ronin. He was such a huge part of our lives. We all have a huge hole in our lives right now. He was a goof-ball. He's a boxer, that should say it all. He greeted us with his wiggle butt, he hated closed doors and if he couldn't open the door, he waited right outside the door so we would have to make him move in order to get out. He was my model for photos. When he rolled on his back, he made a Chewy Chibaca sound. He was known to make turkey sounds when he was outside and wanted in. Here are a few pictures of our boy.

Katie Phillips

Katie was a great little dog whose favorite activity was going for long walks and hikes. In the last picture she’s waiting to go on a 10 km volkswalk at the Whidbey Island Walking Festival.

Jazz

01.27.2012 to 12.27.2021

Jazz was the best good girl. I had six and a half years with her before she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from splenic cancer a couple days after Christmas exactly one month before she would've been 10 years old. She was always the happiest and silliest dog. Jazz loved nothing more than to be outside exploring, be it in just a yard or out on mountain trails. She was so loving and friendly and won many hearts with her goofy grin. She was my right hand dog in everything, and will forever be missed so desperately and loved so deeply and dearly.

Izzy Guthrie

Here are some pictures of my dog Izzy, short for Izabella. She was the best companion a girl could have for almost fifteen years, and I miss her a lot, but she’s not suffering any more. Thank you for what you do, and how you do it.

Blu

06/17/14 - 03/06/22

Blu was the runt of his litter and turned out to be the best companion. He was caring, kind, sweet, energetic, fun, friendly and loved with his entire heart. All he knew was love. Blu enjoyed his long walks with mom, playing with his favorite rubber ball, tearing up toys, cuddling in bed with his mom and dad, wearing his rubber ducky rain coat on rainy days, visiting grandmas house, peeing on all of grandmas flowers, among many other things. We miss the way he ran down the stairs to greet us at the front door when we came home, how he laid on the floor watching our every move around the house, how he laid on our laps while sitting on the couch. He constantly had us laughing at his goofiness and zoomies. He was the best boy and he is so missed.

Doc Viramontes

Doc was a sassy little spitfire who was loved by his canine companion, Ramona, and his human ones, too. We will miss his nervous energy, alerting barks to mailmen, squirrels and falling leaves and most especially his nighttime cuddles. Doc survived a broken leg at 2 years old and two boughts of cancer. He was a trooper until the very end. RIP little buddy.

Zoey Coats

8/28/2007- 10/27/2021

Today I have to say good bye to my first baby, my best friend, my ride or die. Zoey was best dog I could ever ask for! She has been with we through everything. From my first heart break, graduating high school, moving out on my own, having babies together (both times ).....everything! She was the best mama dog to all babies not just her own. She was the best at making me feel better and keeping all of my secrets. There are no words to describe how blessed I have been to have her by my side the last 14 years and although it killed me to say good bye I knew that it was time for her to go to heaven. Zoey will be missed by every single person she ever encountered because she was not only the best dog for me but for anyone else who needed her. REST IN PEACE my sweet Zoe Zoe Girl! Mama, Grandma, Riley and Freya loves you so so much!

Rusty Leary

Also known as Rusty Bucket and Rusty Roo, he was a light in the lives of everyone who knew him. He was loving and attentive, sometimes stubborn and neurotic, and always forgiving. I got him when he was already a senior, and from the moment he jumped in my car he knew we belonged together. Every day I had with him was brighter because of him. He loved food, and walks, laying in sunbeams, treats, tearing apart stuffed toys, and being a part of a family. His favorite place to be was laying between my boyfriend and I (well second favorite--first was the kitchen!). He had a tail that never seemed to stop wagging, a wrinkled brow, and butterfly ears that bounced when he walked. But most of all he had love for everyone around him. He is missed endlessly, and I am so grateful that I got to have him in my life.

Bennie Jacobson

November 16th 2006 to September 6th 2021

He was 14.5 years old. We got him when he was 4 months old. He was a Silky Terrier. He was a fierce dog. He was my protector. He was small but mighty. I miss him so much.. Thank you so much

Penny Jacobson

ZORA Aug 2008 - June 2021

Zora was a rescue who had a horrible start to her life - she was the product of a puppy mill and had been forced to continue the breeding cycle even though she was far too young. She was raised in a tiny crate where she could barely move and so had knee issues that made her look like a little knobbly-kneed gremlin. She was abused and starved, and when that puppy mill was raided she was found to be almost dead. Zora somehow beat the odds and survived and got healthy and I adopted her in March 2010. She was my everything - she got me through an abusive relationship and a couple moves. She was an absolute nutjob and was crazy and adorable and was everything that is good in this world. Her favorite thing to do was snuggle and she wanted to be with me and touching me at all times. She loved it when I’d stay home sick from work or school because it meant she got to snuggle me all day. Then she was diagnosed with acute liver and kidney failure in late April this year (2021) and fought hard, but in early June she let me know that she was ready to stop fighting and was ready to move on to the afterlife. Zora would have been 13 this August. She was my universe and my everything, and I’m so very grateful to you for having given me this beautiful wooden urn for her and the flower seeds.