A couple days ago we said goodbye to our best friend and constant companion of 13 years. She passed away peacefully at home in the company of her family that she loved so much.
Olive was loved by everyone she met, always known for her desire to kiss everyone in sight. But of course, she was extra special to Dede and me. She was there for all of the moves and life changes, and she always had the same smile and happy demeanor. Whether we wanted to go on a 10 mile hike or spend all day in bed, Olive was happy to do either as long as it meant doing it with us . When things were wild and unpredictable, we always knew that we could turn to Olive for some comfort and love.
When Isaac came home, she took to him right away and helped us take care of our boy. I remember a rep from a very large industrial robot company once gave me an unsolicited warning that I should never let my pit bull around my infant son lest she maul him to death, and Olive proved him wrong every single day of the ten months that she and Ike had together. She adored and doted over him incessantly. Watching the relationship between my boy and my dog blossom was one of the best things about fatherhood so far.
I'm not sure what else to say except that it feels like we will miss her forever. But as painful as it is to lose her, we are taking comfort in the fact that she will no longer be bothered by tumors, she won't have to endure constant pain in her bones and joints, and she won't have to live with liver ailments. She can be at peace now.
Good girl, Olive!
