As the year draws to a close, this is always the most difficult post for us to write, especially in 2020. The loss of human life this year is overwhelming, with so many families and pets grieving. Yet we feel it is important to continue our tradition of paying tribute to the dear dog and cat friends who crossed Rainbow Bridge. Some we knew since they were a puppy, while others we were just beginning to know. Some we never met in person, but through their tweets and posts, they became dear friends. While others are members of our extended family who left far too soon. As each one crossed Rainbow Bridge they all left loving paw prints on our hearts and will be fondly remembered.

The world let out a collective sad sigh when Parker Pup, known for his optimism and fun videos left us this year. And after cheering Scout’s battle against cancer as seen in his very own Super Bowl commercial, we were all saddened to hear his war ended in March. Then there’s Bert the Bear, whose life began under very humble circumstances on the streets of Scotland, but went on to win hearts around the world. We will miss each of these dogs’ messages of hope.

Other pups quietly left this world, without so much as a goodbye. At 13 years old, Cookie peacefully passed away while napping. Annie Oakley passed while on one last trip outside. Morgan III died peacefully on her Mom’s bed. Bella Blue quietly sailed over Rainbow Bridge in September. We know in our hearts though that Bella will be patiently waiting for her sister and us so that we can someday get the “band back together again.” There were quiet little friends who slipped across Rainbow Bridge too. Including Coco the Guinea Pig, who was a small but big presence; and Benny Bunny, who hopped his way over the Bridge.

Many pups put up a brave fight against cancer and other illnesses before crossing Rainbow Bridge. There was Casa who issued the battle cry of “Cancer won this battle, but we will keep fighting!” Only to be followed too soon by her sister, Sorbet, who beat taurine deficient dilated cardiomyopathy and a lymphoma diagnosis, and passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Their sister, and honorary Golden, Dottie, put up quite the fight against her mast cell tumor. The vets didn’t expect her to live “5 minutes,” but she proved them all wrong when she enjoyed life for another five years! Butters, who brought many smiles when she was honored with the New England Jubilee Tears of Joy award in 2019, also left us this year. Finn, after bravely facing life’s challenges, knew it was time to say goodbye to his loving family. We take comfort knowing that Finn no longer needs his wagon, and can run free in fields of green over Rainbow Bridge.

Mordy stoically endured his tumor, while enjoying time with his family. The last photo shared was of him playing tug with his sisters. Little did we realize at the time, his sister Lilia, affectionally nicknamed “Meth Lab,” would be joining him so soon, after her brave battle with megaesophagus. We take comfort knowing they are playing together now pain free, and can eat whatever their hearts desire. As his humans so eloquently put it, “what George lacked in health, he made up for in heart.” George made the Twitter world smile each Holiday when he and his sister, Gracie, donned the most festive of outfits, especially on St. Patrick’s Day! However, it is the photos of him playing on the beach at sunset that are forever etched on our hearts.

We also take comfort in the long lives some of our cherished friends enjoyed. Our friend Booker enjoyed 18 wonderful years of adventures with his family! And we all celebrated each month Remy spent with her family, passing away at 17 years and 7 months. A dear member of our extended family, Molly, left us just shy of her 17th birthday. She must have known her human Grandparents, and constant companions, needed her over Rainbow Bridge. Pretty Baby, one of our biggest cheerleaders on Facebook, enjoyed 17 happy years with her Mom, Sara. Pretty Baby was so confident that Asa and I would be famous, that she had her red carpet outfit all planned. I’m sure the paparazzi were ready to greet her when she strutted across Rainbow Bridge. Cheers to their long lives! However, there are others who left us far too soon, including Sabrina, who was welcomed across the Bridge by our dear friend, Princess.

Some pups answered the call to make the world a better place! Gander helped Veterans across the country with his gentle soul, beautiful smile, and happy tail wags. He was honored by the state of Illinois for his service to Veterans, and he even had a documentary made about his life of service. After watching so many dear friends slip away from cancer and others who endured lives that weren’t as blessed as hers, Meg answered the call to help by working with her siblings to organzine the New England Golden Jubilee. Through their efforts, they have raised thousands of dollars for the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study and Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue. Meg’s sweet smile greeting each attendee at the Jubilee registration table will be deeply missed, but we know her spirit will forever run free at Dog Mountain. Speaking of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, we said goodbye to far too many Heroes participating in the study. But their deaths will someday help veterinarians find a way to end cancer and other canine illnesses. To each of these Heroes, we are forever grateful to you.

We also said goodbye this year to very brave K9s who selflessly served their communities, including K9 Fetcher, K9 Falco, K9 Axel, and K9 Trixie. Thank you for answering the call to help. Other dogs answered a different call to service, including Felix, who worked as a service dog for his beloved Dad. And North, who brought many smiles to anxious college students, through his work as a therapy dog.

Other pups lived quiet lives away from the spotlight, but made the world a better place for their families, including Kalley, Buddy, Kirby, Sophie, and Lulu. Scout’s family cherished her years of bringing love and laughter, and Dutches Avon’s family bestowed her with the title of “most loving dog ever.” Remembered by many for the unique name, Bag of Flour’s family lost a true soul mate. Kitty’s constant companionship and cuddles will be dearly missed. One of our first friends on Facebook, Bailey, quietly left us this fall. She enjoyed the simple things in life, especially a cool stream on a warm summer day. And Tommy’s family promised to keep his “ripple of kindness” going.

There were some pups who couldn’t bear to be apart, including Marley and Shilo who crossed Rainbow Bridge within a week of each other. While others knew their families would need a new friend to help bear the grief of their passing. Gabby sent her family Junior, to help them smile again. Nala, knew her brother, Josh needed a companion and sent along Levi, who shares many of her characteristics including her love of water and zest for life. Nala enjoyed countless adventures to Colorado with her Dad, and I’m sure will be romping alongside Levi in spirit when he goes on his first grand adventure there.

Dear cat friends also left us too soon. Stitch, the only cat we knew who enjoyed a good game of fetch chased that ball over Rainbow Bridge to be with Miss Markie, who also left our dear friends this year. Our kitty cousin, Cuffy, quietly crossed Rainbow Bridge this month. He earned the name Cuffy because he was cuddly and fluffy, and was a cherished member of our extended family. Pandora, at the grand age of 18, was no doubt greeted at Rainbow Bridge by our Lemmy. In life Lemmy and Pandora would dream of the grand adventures they would go on together. I have no doubt they are going on those adventures together now.

Speaking of adventures, the most interesting dog we ever knew, Bogey embarked on his grandest adventure this year. I can’t even begin to share all of his adventures in the few years that we knew him. From opening doors to let himself out to visit the neighbors, to even his attempt to release all of his friends at the groomer’s, Bogey was always up to something. All food was fair game, even butter, and stuffies too. Although he treated his stuffies with great love and respect, the displays holding them were occasionally a bit worse for wear after he visited. Once his Dad watched in stunned amusement as Bogey demolished a thunder shirt display as he attempted to get the stuffed animal posed on top. To this day the folks at his groomers and vet’s office still laugh as they share their favorite memories of this goofy Golden. Rest assured that Rainbow Bridge just got a whole lot more interesting now that Bogey has arrived!

Sadly we also had to say goodbye to dear family members this year too. Our Momma Sage, who certainly earned her AKC name of “Miss Chievious,” left her loving family in August. Our beautiful Momma Sage was a cover model for LL Bean, but at heart she was a “mud loving, dirty girl,” who preferred being surrounded by her dear family. Thank you Momma Sage for finding us the perfect forever family, we will always love you. Her sister, our aunt, Brie also said goodbye to her loving family. Whereas I will always remember Momma Sage glowing with pride in the whelping box that day we left her for our new family, Brie will always have a place in our hearts covered in mud. I’m sure she and Sage are romping in mud together and encouraging all the pups over the Bridge to join them. Thank you Momma Sage and Aunt Brie for all your wonderful life lessons.

Our hearts shattered with the passing of two very dear human friends too. Officer Katie was taken from us while on duty protecting her community. However, to us she will always be the little girl at family parties with the biggest smile and an even bigger heart. In addition to serving her country in the Navy and her adopted community of Newport News, as well as being an awesome Mom, Katie welcomed 7 rescue dogs into her loving home. We take comfort knowing Katie will personally greet all shelter dogs who cross Rainbow Bridge without a family, and will embrace them with the love they so richly deserve, while taking them on a grand adventure.

Danielle was Mom’s best friend since childhood. She came bounding into Mom’s life like Tigger in the 4th grade, and they were best friends ever since. Covid-19 took this beautiful loving soul away from us far too soon. Her friendship was a true blessing that Mom will forever carry in her heart, and her wonderful generosity to Asa and myself will be deeply missed. Today we take comfort knowing Danielle is playing on a heavenly beach surrounded by the dogs and cats she loved so dearly, especially Duke, Apollo and Turkey. We also know that when we reach the end of the trail, Danielle will be there to give Mom the biggest hug, and will spoil us rotten. We love you, Danielle, best friends forever.

We lost many dear friends this year, that it is impossible to include them all in one post. However, to everyone who experienced a loss this year, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.