“No Amount of Time Spent with a Dog is ever enough!”

“Dogs bring us so many wonderful days and the hardest day” and January 23 was our hardest day…we said good-bye to our gentle,old soul, Caper, the Aussiedoodle. For 15 years, he brought boundless joy and comic relief from the moment he arrived.

He knew where the treat cupboards were at our house, his grandparents’ houses, the cottage, and various friends and would stand and stare at them until they magically opened. He had his own set of rules about when treats should be given! He was a cottage dog who wouldn’t swim, but who jumped on the paddleboard every morning from the get-go rather than being left behind. At sunset he could be seen cruising in the pedal boat. He knew how to charm the cashiers at Home Hardware for a treat and there weren’t too many places he didn’t go. He could be found on the patio at Turtle Jack’s or The Oar. He went to Under One Woof, the dog program at West Credit Secondary, he hung out at Fletcher’s Meadow SS on grooming days, he travelled to Florida to be a “snow-dog” in his senior years.

He had a special spot and so much love from his Oma and Opa who always had a piece of Kielbasa waiting for him and where he spent many, many days while we were working…and for his Grandma and Grandpa who loved him profoundly, always with treats at the ready, and who he supported through health issues. He knew his dad was the weakest link at the table…he had a wonderful dog walker who became a friend.

He decided when he was two years old that he wouldn’t eat out of a bowl anymore and when the house got too noisy, he could be found sitting in the shower! He had two TPLO surgeries, hit the water treadmill, went to an ophthalmologist vet, and always hit Pet Valu after his visits to Renforth. A special thank you to Dr. Goran for all your care and kindness over the years – we are grateful it was you who helped him cross the Rainbow Bridge…and to all the staff who always made us comfortable and squeezed us in when needed…Thank you to Sue and Britanny who were with us in the end too as we said good-bye.

He had raincoats, snow jackets, boots, fall sweaters, and an assortment of leashes and collars to match the seasons and way too many toys to count! He was an observer of card games and participated on many occasions and at many events – celebrating his final Christmas this past December with his place of honour in front of the tree. His bags were packed for another trip to Florida, but it was not to be. Everywhere he went, people stopped to see him with his teddy bear looks.

The house is empty and my anchor is gone…the routine has changed and something just doesn’t seem right in the world now. Now is the time to grieve, look back at the cherished memories we shared and know that Caper left this earth with more love than any dog could ever have – dogs are the best creatures and he was one of the best…”Don’t forget that somewhere between hello and good-bye, there was love…so much love.”