bye to an old friend

Dave said it best in a note to his family, and I’m still grasping… UPDATE: a tribute photo album is now linked to the pictures below. Thanks to mom who spent hours combing through photos last night. She managed to send me most of them, and some I’d long forgotten about.

Hey all,

Just a note to let you all know that Caffrey left us today at the ripe old age of 13 1/2 (9/7/97-2/12/11).  She was a good dog. 🙂

On our wedding day, 12.31.01.

On our wedding day, 12.31.01.

She was there for so many changes in our lives, through Merck training in Philadelphia (I had her staying in my room in the Doubletree, with the manager’s permission, for six weeks!). She went trail running on her fifth birthday, followed by an ice cream cone. I still have that picture on my dresser. I know she had a great day that day. She flew out to meet us in CA, traveled with us to WA when I was 37 weeks pregnant with Sam, flew to Hawaii with us and wreaked havoc on walks with the boys to the marsh. I wish I could have given her many more great days, but aging is not an easy process for anyone. She did it as gracefully as a doggie could. She will be remembered always. Dave thank you for your kind words and strength. Love you!

Doggie girl having the time of her life on Pensacola beach in 2003 enroute to CA. See frisbee?

Doggie girl having the time of her life on Pensacola beach in 2003 enroute to CA. See frisbee?

6 Comments

  1. Gramma 12 February, 2011

    Oh wow, Oh no, the tears are just rolling again right now. I loved those pictures, and others, and can’t even look at the “others” right now. In due time. Right now, these 2 are just right.

    You did a wonderful job of raising her, introducing her to 2 boys, running with her, romping at the beach, especially in Coronado, running with you in Norwich where she had no other way to exercise, running in Saratoga . . . I remember the trots up to the grassy area in Norwich without regard to weather and no complaints from you EVER, and to the tiny plot of grass in Poulsbo. I remember her spot for sun on the deck in Poulsbo, and the times in front of your Coronado home when I shed her and chatted with all the passers-by about her. She was a lovely lady, a “no barker”, gentle, smiling, uncomplaining, a loyal friend to the end. I will miss her. I will miss seeing her in her stronger days romping with you.

    You are a saint for having taken such time-consuming good care of her during her declining years.

    She perfectly filled the space God had intended in your family, so I thank God for such a wonderful doggie.

    I loved her.

  2. Rebecca 13 February, 2011

    I am soo soory to hear that. She was awesome and I know she was happy with you and the boys. What more could she have aske for, I am sure I don’t know. Big hugs all around!

  3. Marilou 13 February, 2011

    My heart is heavy with the feeling of loss and emptiness in your home. A wonderful dog and member of your family. Love, Marilou

  4. Leslie 13 February, 2011

    So sorry, Allison! I know this must be a difficult time. Take care, cuz!

  5. Angel 14 February, 2011

    Wow! Hard to picture Alli without Caf. She was your first baby… and such a good dog. She had a blessed life and I wonderful Mommy…
    I know it is hard to part. I love you
    Angel

  6. Lehua 18 February, 2011

    Alli, We also just lost our own 12 year old dog. I’m so very sorry for your loss.

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