Tribute to Taylor

The little four legger who stole our hearts.

It really makes no sense that a 10-pound, furry white lap dog could capture a large part of so many hearts, including mine. But that’s what happened. After nearly a dozen joy-filled years, little Taylor Dog has found her path to the canine afterlife and we are………..super sad.

Where’s that wagging tail at the top of the stairs or those little nails on the wood floor when #GreatestKidInTheWorld comes through the front door. Taylor’s love for absolutely everyone made her a popular house guests to friends when we traveled. A handful of friends and families took her without hesitation because they too had let her into their home and heart.

We have a hard time remembering life without Taylor and now our home feels quiet and kind of empty. Like others we’ve lost, especially three parents in four years, we know this emptiness won’t last forever but for now our world feels upside down. Many of you have shared your own experiences about the time your dog or cat went to that playground in the sky. It appears we’re hardly alone in our deep love for this sweet girl. Each text, email, DM, and smoke signal reminds us how much she was loved and will be missed. We’re thankful you also have Taylor in your heart.

Taylor didn’t have an easy start. She somehow developed a virus “Puppy Strangles” at three months old that made most of her beautiful hair disappear. This was when we became deeply appreciative to the vets at Redmond-Kirkland Veterinarian Clinic. Our eight-month adventure solving that dilemma firmly and financially confirmed we had a ‘special’ dog.

Choosing Taylor was a product of a try it before you buy it period with another Havanese named Cooper. His owners allowed us to be his Dog Hotel when they traveled. My reluctance to acquiring our own dog was in part that we’d never be able to find a dog as good as Cooper. I was so wrong. We jumped at the opportunity to have Cooper as often as they wanted, even on a simple date night for his owners. We liked having Cooper in our midst.

In a moment of weakness, Jill and Daniela convinced me we could become responsible dog owners. It was only days later Jill started showing me pictures of a litter, new Havanese pups that would be ready in a few weeks. Dark hair or light hair? Brown nose or black nose? How do you pick? They’re all cute puppies. One of the puppies was clearly different, all white with a brown nose. We must have spent three days looking at pictures, talking to other owners, and me still wondering: is any dog going to be as good as Cooper?

On our way to Enumclaw, a one-hour drive that would change the complexion of our family forever, we had two names in mind. Rosy, in honor of Rosetta, our very special friend in Tuscany, or Taylor (Swift) because that seemed to be the only music playing in our house (and car) for the past two years. About halfway to our destination, we passed a bridge sign, “Taylor Creek”. That was it.

Taylor spent her first and only night in the kennel. Her little whine was so loud, Jill put her in the bathroom with a sound machine on high. We had so made great intentions for Taylor. No sleeping on the bed, no jumping on people, etc. Each lasted about…….one day. Potty training, learning to like puppy food not bacon, banning barking at every little noise. We tried hard to be diligent dog owners.

For nearly a dozen years, little Taylor blessed us and many friends and family with an unlimited dose of her special love. Once we got her a little soft stair to get on the sofa, she made her special perch on the back of the sofa, facing the front door, like a good watchdog. Taylor was rarely alone, most always sitting two feet from Jill during her workday. This, I believe, is the toughest part. Remote work isn’t new for Jill. She’s been on this same international/fully remote team for more than a decade. What’s new is Taylor isn’t sitting right by her side anymore and it’s crazy tough. The routine, the moments of play, going outside, eating lunch, snacks from the special closet, naps on the bed, it’s all different without Taylor.

It appears dogs do what people cannot, although the world would/could be a lot less messed up if we changed that. Where else can you stop what you’re doing for 15 minutes, get unlimited amount of love, attention, play, and fulfilment? If this exists, please comment below. Taylor liked to make her way around the house when everyone was home, which wasn’t often. During her final few months, she’d hang with me for an hour, make her way down the hall to Jill, and always finish the round sitting near Daniela while doing her homework. I have a feeling Taylor was giving us what we had no idea was coming or at least we didn’t want to think that way.

We’re forever thankful for these dozen years with her. We have 1000 pictures and at least that many memories to reflect on. Her physical presence is missed but it’s an important reminder that time is finite for all of us. Hug the ones you love today, especially your animals.

Fly high Big Dog.

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