In memoriam

Orfus

Orfus was one of the luckiest dogs I may have ever met in my life. He came home with two wonderful, loving people and spent over 13 years as their pride and joy - making them laugh, teaching them, learning from them, and being a constant companion.
Orfus loved to take his walks, sniffing every pole and tree, catching up on all the news. In fact, inspecting every nook and cranny of the city was his specialty. It was the only way he could keep tabs on the goings on. He had many friends in the neighbourhood - both human and canine.
He had an incredible way of communicating his needs to his pup-parents but my all-time favourite was his way of answering "yes" to questions that he understood. He would lick his lips just once to say "yes - that's exactly what I was hoping to do" in response. A very loving, cuddly little guy; he would immediately take the spot on the couch beside you in order to take advantage of the warm body and all the affection that would come his way.
Orfus fought hard in his later years, living well beyond the expectations and predictions, but that comes as no surprise. Orfus was always a tough guy who would exceed expectations just to be able to say that he did it. He was a rebel with a cause.
Rest in peace, little guy - you will be missed by so many.

In loving memory of Orfus - 1996 - 2011

Allard

Allard was born in 2005 and was the "brother from another mother" (literally) to Prevost. I met these two pups in the summer of 2008 while walking Parker. Their pup-parent and I would meet on the street frequently while she juggled a cell phone and two happy-go-lucky pups. One day she asked if I would be interested in Dog Walking and from there, Whatta Pup! was born. They were my first clients. I walked Allard and Prevost once, twice, sometimes three times a day for almost two years. I bathed them, fed them, played with them, loved them like my own.
Every day, I would step off the elevator and hear an eruption of barking and alien-like gurggly-squealing - they knew it was me before the elevator door had even closed. I walked in to a mauling of love every single time. He would often bring me a toy or race to his dishes to finish his lunch before we took off on our long group walks. He welcomed every new dog into the pack - sometimes with a little more gusto than needed, and he always let others know if they were taking up too much of my attention.
We would take long strolls in the spring and fall when the weather was better for his breathing (he had a restricted nasal passage) and shorter walks in the summer. The winter was probably his favourite time of year. Prevost hates the cold and the snow, while Allard pressed on and refused to go home.
When it was time for me to close my Dog Walking business in order to focus on Training, Allard and Prevost were the hardest dogs to let go. I still popped by often so that I could get some love and a whiff of his stinky-man breath - and every time, without fail, he knew it was me before I even got in the door.
Allard was a special little man and brought so much light to my life. It's hard to imagine the dog-world without him, but clearly a canine guardian angel was needed up there and he was obviously fit for the role.
Rest in peace, my little man. I love you.

In loving memory of Allard - 2005 - 2010

Georgie

Georgie was a 6 year old German Shepherd & Husky mix who was surrendered by his family in early 2009 because he was having seizures. With all of the stress of living in a shelter, he became a little reactive (which can be misunderstood as aggressive). He was a very gentle and sweet dog who got along very well with other dogs despite being quite aloof with people.

Georgie came to live with me earlier this year and due to his serious medical condition, he had to be resurrendered to the Toronto Humane Society for 24/7 monitoring by the vets.

I visited him occasionally, taking him out for walks and spoiling him rotten with his favourite treats - freeze-dried liver, and tons of love. He and Parker were instant "brothers" as I think Parker really understood his struggles and became very protective over him; laying beside him calmly while he had seizures and watching over him while he napped.

Georgie loved bum-scratches more than anything in the world - he would "march" his back legs on the spot and stick his nose right up in the air. He had a few favourite toys - a stuffed squirrel with a tennis ball in its belly, and a firehose toy that he was never able to chew through (but that didn't stop him from trying!).

I was notified this week that Georgie's seizures got worse and the medication was not helping to keep them under control - a sign that his condition had truly worsened. In order to stop his suffering, the veterinarians at the THS made the very difficult decision to have him put to sleep.

Georgie was a very special boy and holds a very special place in my heart.

In loving memory of Georgie - 2003 - 2009

Willie

Willie was born in 1996 to a family in Mississauga, Ontario. I always called him my "other dog" as I used to dog-sit him when he was a pup and every time I go home for a visit, he is the first to greet me when I get out of the car. Willie was a purebred Golden Retriever who turned 13 this past September. He lived "the good life", in a big home with a warm family who took care of him as he deserved to be cared for. Willie had some struggles in his later years but with rounds of treatment, excellent veterinary care and a lot of love, he beat Cancer.

Willie could always be found lounging happily on the front lawn with a tennis ball or two, supervising the younger pups on the street and keeping a close eye on his humans. He was the kind of dog who could make even the meanest of dogs roll over on their back and beg to play. He was a gentle giant with a cold, wet nose, big brown eyes that could melt the heart of anyone who looked into them and a sweet, loving disposition.

After any absence, whether it was hours or months, Willie remembered his friends, both canine and human. He would saunter over, his tail wagging slowly and casually, and finally would stop to rest against your leg. He usually had soggy tennis ball in his mouth, but that didn't stop him from telling you what was on his mind. He would groan and grunt in his dog-language as if there was so much to catch up on after all this time.

When he got his "fix" of lovins, he would saunter back to his spot on the lawn, leaving the human with a full heart and a pant leg full of fur. I know that it was his time and that he held on for as long as he could. He was so special to so many of us and was such a brave pup.

I will miss him so much - coming up to our door looking for love, the big leaning hugs and the dog-speak. I'll miss coming home for a visit and running straight for him for lovins, only to get it back ten-fold. He really was the "King of the Street" and he will be sorely missed. Willie-dog is now up there with many other old friends, running like a mad-man with a soggy tennis ball in his mouth.

In loving memory of Willie - 1996 - 2009